--- title: 2020 March url: https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2020-march --- # [2020 March](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2020-march "2020 March") [![Advocate Mar20 cvr ezine](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/images/issues/2020/03-march/Advocate-Mar20-cvr-ezine.jpg)](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/ezines/2020/March2020/html5/Advocate-Mar20-issue.html) Articles in this issue: ## [Litigating a Federal Tort Claims Act case](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2020-march/litigating-a-federal-tort-claims-act-case "Litigating a Federal Tort Claims Act case") When it applies, how to file your claim, and litigation strategies [Brian Panish](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/brian-panish "Brian Panish") [Ian Samson](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/ian-samson "Ian Samson") ## [Interlocutory appeals in police excessive-force cases](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2020-march/interlocutory-appeals-in-police-excessive-force-cases "Interlocutory appeals in police excessive-force cases") Federal interlocutory appeals of summary judgment brought based upon the qualified-immunity defense [Cynthia Goodman](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/cynthia-goodman "Cynthia Goodman") ## [Best practices in federal court](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2020-march/best-practices-in-federal-court "Best practices in federal court") Sixteen things plaintiffs’ attorneys need to know when they find themselves in federal court [Christine J. Gonong](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/christine-j-gonong "Christine J. Gonong") ## [Avoiding removal and obtaining remand](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2020-march/avoiding-removal-and-obtaining-remand "Avoiding removal and obtaining remand") Keeping it in state court: An overview of removal jurisdiction [Kiley Grombacher](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/kiley-grombacher "Kiley Grombacher") [Robert Fisher](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/robert-fisher "Robert Fisher") ## [Using the Rule 26 conference to start your discovery](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2020-march/using-the-rule-26-conference-to-start-your-discovery "Using the Rule 26 conference to start your discovery") How to start your federal case discovery as quickly as possible by countering the defense attempt to delay it [Jeff Westerman](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/jeff-westerman "Jeff Westerman") ## [Federal Tort Claims Act and independent contractors](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2020-march/federal-tort-claims-act-and-independent-contractors "Federal Tort Claims Act and independent contractors") A closer look at the independent contractor and discretionary function rules [Kenneth M Stern](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/kenneth-m-stern "Kenneth M Stern") ## [So, you want to be a federal practitioner?](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2020-march/so-you-want-to-be-a-federal-practitioner "So, you want to be a federal practitioner?") Learning how to navigate the federal discovery process is the single most important part of handling a federal case [Denisse O. Gastélum](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/denisse-o-gastelum "Denisse O. Gastélum") ## [“Course and scope”: What the adjuster won’t tell you](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2020-march/course-and-scope-what-the-adjuster-won-t-tell-you "“Course and scope”: What the adjuster won’t tell you") Asking the right questions after an accident to learn whether a driver was acting within the course and scope of employment [Kevin Crockett](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/kevin-crockett "Kevin Crockett") ## [Consenting to magistrate judges in federal civil actions](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2020-march/consenting-to-magistrate-judges-in-federal-civil-actions "Consenting to magistrate judges in federal civil actions") Magistrate judges regularly preside over tort, injury, and employment actions, whether removed from state court or involving a federal defendant [Michael R. Wilner](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/michael-r-wilner "Michael R. Wilner") ## [To be continued…](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2020-march/to-be-continued "To be continued…") Combating motions for summary judgment using CCP section 437c(h) [Laurel Halbany](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/laurel-halbany "Laurel Halbany") [Ted W. Pelletier](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/ted-w-pelletier "Ted W. Pelletier") ## [Appellate Reports](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2020-march/appellate-reports-28 "Appellate Reports") Court sees triable issue of fact as to “intolerable conditions” in constructive-termination case brought by gay CHP officer [Jeffrey I. Ehrlich](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/jeffrey-i-ehrlich "Jeffrey I. Ehrlich") ## [Legislative program for 2020 to be launched in Sacramento](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2020-march/legislative-program-for-2020-to-be-launched-in-sacramento "Legislative program for 2020 to be launched in Sacramento") Low auto insurance limits, court reporter issues and lack of uniformity in local court rules on the agenda [Nancy Peverini](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/nancy-peverini "Nancy Peverini") ## [With so many issues in play right now, AAJ is working overtime](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2020-march/with-so-many-issues-in-play-right-now-aaj-is-working-overtime "With so many issues in play right now, AAJ is working overtime") The fight to keep your cases in state courts [Linda A. Lipsen](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/linda-a-lipsen "Linda A. Lipsen") ## [Impeachment trial](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2020-march/impeachment-trial "Impeachment trial") Ominous results for believers in the importance of trial by jury [Stuart Zanville](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/stuart-zanville "Stuart Zanville") ## [Come celebrate with OCTLA](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2020-march/come-celebrate-with-octla "Come celebrate with OCTLA") Justice Day in Sacramento April 27 and the annual Palm Springs Seminar May 1 [Jonathan Dwork](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/jonathan-dwork "Jonathan Dwork") ## [Are you getting the most out of your CAALA membership?](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2020-march/are-you-getting-the-most-out-of-your-caala-membership "Are you getting the most out of your CAALA membership?") A look at some of the notable benefits including List serve, document bank and the Plaintiff Trial Academy [Jeffrey A. Rudman](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/jeffrey-a-rudman "Jeffrey A. Rudman")