--- title: 2016 December url: https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2016-december --- # [2016 December](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2016-december "2016 December") [![Advocate Dec16 cvr ezine](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/images/issues/2016/12-december/Advocate-Dec16-cvr-ezine.jpg)](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/ezines/2016/December2016/html5/Advocate-December2016-Issue.html) Articles in this issue: ## [10 common mistakes in appellate procedure](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2016-december/10-common-mistakes-in-appellate-procedure "10 common mistakes in appellate procedure") Procedural pitfalls that can jeopardize your client’s appeal ## [You just got SLAPPed; What now?](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2016-december/you-just-got-slapped-what-now "You just got SLAPPed; What now?") A primer on the anti-SLAPP motion and the procedural and substantive hurdles it creates for plaintiffs [Holly Boyer](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/holly-boyer "Holly Boyer") [Joseph Persoff](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/joseph-persoff "Joseph Persoff") ## [Appellate Reports and Shorter Takes](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2016-december/appellate-reports-and-shorter-takes-5 "Appellate Reports and Shorter Takes") [[case]]Nickerson v. Stonebridge Ins. Co.[[/case]] — Affirms a punitive-damage award that is 10 times the amount of compensatory damages; holds that insurer’s claims handling was highly reprehensible [Jeffrey I. Ehrlich](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/jeffrey-i-ehrlich "Jeffrey I. Ehrlich") ## [Using the hospital PMK to prove negligence in a medical malpractice case](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2016-december/using-the-hospital-pmk-to-prove-negligence-in-a-medical-malpractice-case "Using the hospital PMK to prove negligence in a medical malpractice case") Proving negligence by using the hospital’s own policies and procedures [Bruce G. Fagel, M.D.](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/bruce-g-fagel-m-d "Bruce G. Fagel, M.D.") ## [Ball of confusion](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2016-december/ball-of-confusion "Ball of confusion") Deconstructing “Notice of Entry”: There is no single definition, yet its date triggers many deadlines ## [Motion practice: A judicial perspective](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2016-december/motion-practice-a-judicial-perspective "Motion practice: A judicial perspective") Tips from the bench on bringing your ex parte application or motion [Holly J. Fujie](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/holly-j-fujie "Holly J. Fujie") ## [Ethical considerations on appeal](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2016-december/ethical-considerations-on-appeal "Ethical considerations on appeal") How to avoid the traps of the most common ethical pitfalls [Janet R. Gusdorff](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/janet-r-gusdorff "Janet R. Gusdorff") ## [Farewell 2016…It was a Good Year!](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2016-december/farewell-2016-it-was-a-good-year "Farewell 2016…It was a Good Year!") California fared better than the nation in this election, and OCTLA has had a great year [Vincent D. Howard](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/vincent-d-howard "Vincent D. Howard") ## [Extraordinary clients deserve extraordinary writs](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2016-december/extraordinary-clients-deserve-extraordinary-writs "Extraordinary clients deserve extraordinary writs") From kings to courts: Petitioning the appellate court for extraordinary writ relief — A look at history and practice [Edward M. Lyman](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/edward-m-lyman "Edward M. Lyman") ## [Summary judgment granted and you’re on the ropes: now what?](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2016-december/summary-judgment-granted-and-you-re-on-the-ropes-now-what "Summary judgment granted and you’re on the ropes: now what?") Your three options following the grant of summary judgment or summary adjudication [Daniel U. Smith](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/daniel-u-smith "Daniel U. Smith") [Valerie T. McGinty](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/mcginty "Valerie T. McGinty") ## [Parting thoughts](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2016-december/parting-thoughts "Parting thoughts") Recapping a rewarding year as presidency ends [David M. Ring](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/david-m-ring "David M. Ring") ## [“Reptile” under attack](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2016-december/reptile-under-attack "“Reptile” under attack") Responding to defense motions to foreclose plaintiffs’ counsel from making “Reptile” arguments to the jury [Jeffrey I. Ehrlich](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/jeffrey-i-ehrlich "Jeffrey I. Ehrlich") [Steven B. Stevens](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/steven-b-stevens "Steven B. Stevens") ## [Motions to compel: The new reality](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2016-december/motions-to-compel-the-new-reality "Motions to compel: The new reality") How to bring your motion to compel and get it ruled on [Natalie Weatherford](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/natalie-weatherford "Natalie Weatherford") ## [CAALA’s Gala — A celebration for the entire Los Angeles legal community](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2016-december/caala-s-gala-a-celebration-for-the-entire-los-angeles-legal-community "CAALA’s Gala — A celebration for the entire Los Angeles legal community") A celebration for the entire legal community [Stuart Zanville](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/stuart-zanville "Stuart Zanville")