--- title: 2019 July url: https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-july --- # [2019 July](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-july "2019 July") [![Advocate July19 cvr ezine](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/images/issues/2019/07-july/Advocate-July19-cvr-ezine.jpg)](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/ezines/2019/July2019/html5/Advocate-July19-issue.html) Articles in this issue: ## [Lessons from my first jury trial and error](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-july/lessons-from-my-first-jury-trial-and-error "Lessons from my first jury trial and error") Judge Stern recalls his baptism under fire as a Federal Public Defender in an unlawful detainer eviction action in front of an impatient judge [Michael L. Stern](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/michael-l-stern "Michael L. Stern") ## [Are we there yet?](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-july/are-we-there-yet "Are we there yet?") The road to (true) trial readiness [Michelle Williams Court](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/michelle-williams-court "Michelle Williams Court") ## [Groucho Marx can make you a better lawyer](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-july/groucho-marx-can-make-you-a-better-lawyer "Groucho Marx can make you a better lawyer") Groucho did something we should all hope to do: be brilliant and stay relevant [Gregory W. Alarcon](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/gregory-w-alarcon-2 "Gregory W. Alarcon") ## [Case Management Conferences in the Los Angeles Superior Court’s unlimited jurisdiction independent calendar courts](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-july/case-management-conferences-in-the-los-angeles-superior-court-s-unlimited-jurisdiction-independent-calendar-courts "Case Management Conferences in the Los Angeles Superior Court’s unlimited jurisdiction independent calendar courts") How to make the CMC more effective for you, your client and the court [Elizabeth R. Feffer](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/elizabeth-r-feffer "Elizabeth R. Feffer") ## [Immersive vacations prescribed by judge](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-july/immersive-vacations-prescribed-by-judge "Immersive vacations prescribed by judge") Travel is a necessary break from the stresses of practicing law [Graciela Freixes](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/freixes "Graciela Freixes") ## [Strengthening resilience through mindfulness](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-july/strengthening-resilience-through-mindfulness "Strengthening resilience through mindfulness") Just a few minutes of mindfulness every day can clear away distracting thoughts and emotional baggage [Paul A. Bacigalupo](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/paul-a-bacigalupo "Paul A. Bacigalupo") ## [Common mistakes and pitfalls in responses to Requests for Production of Documents](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-july/common-mistakes-and-pitfalls-in-responses-to-requests-for-production-of-documents "Common mistakes and pitfalls in responses to Requests for Production of Documents") A look at RPDs, the most typical area of discovery disputes [Randolph M. Hammock](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/randolph-m-hammock "Randolph M. Hammock") ## [An introduction to the Los Angeles Superior Court Judicial Mandatory Settlement Conference Program](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-july/an-introduction-to-the-los-angeles-superior-court-judicial-mandatory-settlement-conference-program "An introduction to the Los Angeles Superior Court Judicial Mandatory Settlement Conference Program") This free program is staffed by civil court judges who dedicate their time exclusively to presiding over MSCs [Abraham Khan](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/abraham-khan "Abraham Khan") [Zaven V. Sinanian](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/zaven-v-sinanian "Zaven V. Sinanian") ## [Justice 26 miles across the sea](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-july/justice-26-miles-across-the-sea "Justice 26 miles across the sea") Santa Catalina’s “Island Judge” of 31 years is not an Islander. He presides over LA County’s last “justice court”: Fish and Game violations, DUIs, small claims — you name it [Peter J. Mirich](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/peter-j-mirich "Peter J. Mirich") ## [What to expect when you are assigned out for your first trial](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-july/what-to-expect-when-you-are-assigned-out-for-your-first-trial "What to expect when you are assigned out for your first trial") A look at a personal-injury trial that is assigned to a trial court by Department 1 [Stephen M. Moloney](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/stephen-m-moloney "Stephen M. Moloney") ## [The art of judging](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-july/the-art-of-judging "The art of judging") Creating the courtroom environment that encourages jurors to actively listen for facts is the job of the trial judge [Norman Perry Tarle](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/norman-perry-tarle "Norman Perry Tarle") ## [Do you want the judge to read your papers?](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-july/do-you-want-the-judge-to-read-your-papers "Do you want the judge to read your papers?") The importance of “bookmarks” in your electronically filed documents, and the properly tabbed courtesy copy of your printed filing [Steven J. Kleifield](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/steven-j-kleifield "Steven J. Kleifield") ## [The electronic evolution](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-july/the-electronic-evolution "The electronic evolution") A look at the ongoing roll-out of digital-document-ready case management systems by LA Superior Court [Kevin C. Brazile](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/kevin-c-brazile "Kevin C. Brazile") [Sherri R. Carter](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/sherri-r-carter "Sherri R. Carter") ## [Opening statements](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-july/opening-statements "Opening statements") What everybody does wrong [Mark Mooney](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/mark-mooney "Mark Mooney") ## [The best kind of power lunch](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-july/the-best-kind-of-power-lunch "The best kind of power lunch") A tribute to the late Beverly Reid O'Connell and her legacy, the Superior Court Power Lunch. And a special look at how it changed a life [Elaine Lu](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/elaine-lu "Elaine Lu") ## [Advocacy is not what it should be](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-july/advocacy-is-not-what-it-should-be "Advocacy is not what it should be") It's a courtroom, not a World Wrestling match [Rupert A. Byrdsong](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/rupert-a-byrdsong "Rupert A. Byrdsong") ## [CAALA programs](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-july/caala-programs "CAALA programs") Not possible without support from sponsors and advertisers [Stuart Zanville](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/stuart-zanville "Stuart Zanville") ## [Connecting members to the Court](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-july/connecting-members-to-the-court "Connecting members to the Court") CAALA offers many opportunities to meet judges in a more casual, relaxed setting [Shawn McCann](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/shawn-mccann-2 "Shawn McCann") ## [With all due respect](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-july/with-all-due-respect "With all due respect") From sailing to the courtroom, every line of work has its series of code words and phrases. Knowing how and when to use them is important [Anthony J. Mohr](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/anthony-j-mohr "Anthony J. Mohr") [Elizabeth Allen White](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/elizabeth-allen-white "Elizabeth Allen White")