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Message from the President
The Los Angeles Chapter of the Federal Bar Association is one of the oldest chapters in the association. Originally chartered in August 1937, the Los Angeles Chapter covers the Los Angeles division of the Central District of California. The chapter’s geographic boundaries are Ventura and Los Angeles counties. With more than 450 members, the Los Angeles Chapter is the largest chapter in the Ninth Circuit. Members come from private practice, government agencies, military branches, law schools and the bench. The chapter is committed to meeting the needs of the federal practitioner through educational seminars, training programs and social functions among the federal bar. If you have not already done so, I invite you to join the Federal Bar Association and the Los Angeles Chapter. If you are a current member, I look forward to seeing you at upcoming events. If you are not already a member, I encourage you to join the Federal Bar Association and our Los Angeles Chapter. Click here to join.
Warmest regards,
Gary S. Lincenberg
Los Angeles Chapter President
Justice Gap Fund Seeking Contributions
As of February 1, 2008, lawyers’ Annual State Bar Dues Statements provide the opportunity to contribute to the new Justice Gap Fund, which reflects AB 2310, in which the California Governor and Legislature called on lawyers to lead the effort to provide funding for legal aid to the poor. Further information is set forth in the attached document.
United States District Court Seeking Applications
The United States District Court of the Central District of California is seeking applications from qualified individuals interested in serving as Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference Lawyer Representatives. Representatives serve a term of three years and attend district committee meetings and conferences and the yearly Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference. Eligible individuals must be lawyers: a) admitted to practice in this district court and actively involved in federal practice; b) interested in the purpose and work of the conference; c) willing and able to contribute actively to the purpose and work of the conference; d) willing to assist in implementing conference programs with the local bar; and e) who, together with others selected, will constitute a fair cross section of practitioners before the federal courts of this district.
If you are interested, please click here to download the application.
Pilot Project Announced: Magistrate Judges to Receive Consent Cases upon Filing
The inauguration of a Pilot Project for Central District Magistrate Judges in all Divisions is expected in Spring 2008, according to Chief Magistrate Judge Stephen J. Hillman. In addition to their extensive current duties, all Full Time Magistrate Judges who have served at least 36 months will be randomly asigned two civil cases per month. Provided all parties consent in writing to Magistrate Judge jurisdiction, such cases will remain with the assigned Magistrate Judge through trial or other final disposition.
While Magistrate Judges in the Central District have for many years tried civil cases with the consent of the parties, the new Pilot Project represents the first time that the Central District will directly assign civil cases district-wide to the Magistrate Judges upon filing of the Complaint or removal of the action. No District Judge will be drawn for such cases if the parties consent to Magistrate Judge jurisdiction for all purposes within a certain time frame.
Once the Local Rules are revised to include the Pilot Project assignments, a more detailed description of the Program will be provided, along with brief Biographies of all Magistrate Judges in the Central District. The entire Court looks forward with anticipation to the success of the Pilot Program in achieving the Court's mission of providing timely and efficient administration of justice to all litigants.
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