Recently, several nonprofits litigating in the public interest approached the Foundation with a request to assist to resolve a logistical issue regarding filing of amicus briefs in the Los Angeles Superior Court. Thanks to BHBF’s role as a founding partner in Resolve Law LA, (the online mandatory settlement conference program of the Los Angeles Superior Court (LASC)), those litigators know we have an ongoing dialogue and productive relationship with the local bench.  

The nonprofits—including the ACLU, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, Disability Rights California, Mental Health Advocacy Services (BHBA co-founded), Public Counsel (BHBA founded), and Western Center on Law and Litigation—all filed, or tried to file, or anticipated a future need to file amicus briefs with the LASC. They reported that with the initiation of e-filing, it was very cumbersome and difficult to file such briefs because there was no local rule recognizing amicus filings and no established filing procedures for them. As a result, an e-filing process was not set up to process amicus briefs.  

I sent a letter to LASC Presiding Judge Samantha Jessner outlining and highlighting the issue. I am now pleased to report that she immediately responded and directed court staff to resolve the issue. There are now in place e-filing procedures for amicus briefs at the LASC. I am extremely grateful to Judge Jessner for her decisive responsiveness (something I’ve learned through my time in BHBA and BHBF leadership is a hallmark of hers!) and also very much appreciate our public interest partners who brought us this opportunity to be of service. The Beverly Hills Bar Foundation welcomes similar chances to expand access to justice. 

As the president of the Beverly Hills Bar Foundation, I am gratified when we have opportunities to help our public interest partners who do so much to improve access to justice for everyone in our community.