A Practical Approach to Discovery  Do you often feel overwhelmed when you see that large envelope placed on your desk filled with discovery requests?! Do you feel like discovery is the bane of your existence?! This presentation will help give practical tips to assist you in drafting and responding to discovery requests in an efficient manner. But what happens when the opposing party does not respond to your discovery requests?! This presentation will also discuss avenues to obtain discovery responses through motions to compel and drafting meet and confer letters. We will also briefly describe trial preparation and appropriate motions for trial. 

Presented by: Jillian-Leigh Balancio, Esq., Estelle & Kennedy, APLC  Jillian is skilled in multifaceted practice areas, including family law, criminal defense, general civil litigation and personal injury. Jillian graduated cum laude from the University of California, Riverside with a B.A. in Political Science/Law and Society, with a minor in Anthropology. She earned her J.D. from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. During law school, Jillian was a student attorney for the Thomas M. Cooley Estate Planning Clinic, where she provided estate planning services to local low-income senior citizens. She also served on the Thomas M. Cooley Law Review and was a board member for the school’s Moot Court Board. Jillian was admitted to the State Bar of California in 2009. Prior to joining Estelle & Kennedy, APLC, Jillian worked for a small full-service law firm and developed diverse experience in civil litigation, personal injury, family law, criminal defense, and probate litigation. She has successfully prevailed in numerous restraining order hearings and reached amicable resolutions between parties in dissolutions of marriage and custody/visitation disputes. Her experience has also allowed her to successfully and effectively negotiate settlements on the client’s behalf.  Jillian is always prepared to advocate for her clients and provide them guidance through the legal process in a professional, competent and compassionate manner.

OCPA is a State Bar of California Approved MCLE provider and certifies that this seminar qualifies for MCLE CREDIT 1.0.

Event Fee: $10.00 for OCPA members, $20.00 for non-members and $20.00 for all walk-ins who have not pre-registered online.   

Parking: There is a fee to park in the structure located behind the building. Note that depending on when the parking attendant leaves for the day, around 7:30 or 8:00 pm, there may be free parking.  Parking fees are not covered by OCPA or Sonoma Court Reporters.

Thank you to SONOMA COURT REPORTERS for hosting this meeting and please take a moment to see what services they offer by visiting http://www.sonomacourtreporters.com. When you use their services, please be sure to let them know you are an OCPA Member.

*Space is limited for all OCPA events, so please submit your reservation via this website event. Walk-ins are welcome on a first come first serve basis if space is available.

*Cancellation Policy - If you need to cancel your reservation, please e-mail the Litigation Section Chair at susanslaw@yahoo.com.  No refunds will be issued. Credit for a future meeting will be held in your OCPA account which may be applied to future meetings if your cancellation is received no less than 48 hours prior to the event.

Questions? Please contact the Litigation Section Chair at susanslaw@yahoo.com or VP Administration Kerry Swancutt at kerryswancutt.ocpa@gmail.com. If you have a topic or speaker you would like to hear at an upcoming section meeting, please let us know.