Events
 Writs -- The Basics
Virtual event: Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
1 hour California MCLE credit
No-cost, free event
Program Description
An overview of writ petitions to the California Courts of Appeal and how to use them to challenge pre-trial rulings in criminal and civil cases.
This program is designed to give both civil and criminal attorneys the basics of pre-trial writ petitions, including what to challenge by writ petition, when to do it, how to do it, and potential outcomes.
About the Speakers
GISSELLE BOURNES
Gisselle Bourns is a Lead Appellate Court Attorney at the First District Court of Appeal and the writ attorney for Division Three of the court.
She previously worked for an independent federal agency and for a private law firm.
Gisselle clerked in the Hawaii Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona. She graduated from Berkeley Law.
SUSAN HORST
For over 31 years, Susan Horst was the writ attorney for Division One of the Court of Appeal, First Appellate District.
Since 2013 she has been in private practice in San Francisco consulting on pre-trial motions, as well as writs and appeals in civil and criminal cases. She is Counsel with the Complex Appellate Litigation Group (www.calg.com).
Susan is a frequent lecturer on writ practice. She is the Co-Author Chapter 7, Writs of Mandate and Prohibition Defined, Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB) Appeals and Writs in Criminal Cases and Chapter 25, Termination of Prosecution Without Judgment, CEB Criminal Law, Procedure and Practice, as well as numerous training materials for continuing education lectures.
Prior to her service at the Court of Appeal, Susan was an Assistant District Attorney in San Francisco where she tried misdemeanor and felony jury trials and served as head of the vice crimes unit.
Register via Humanitix
Flyer available here
 Monthly Lawyer Debt and Bankruptcy Clinic -- May 30, 2025
Legal Access Alameda and the Alameda County Law Library are collaborating to provide an Ask a Lawyer Debt and Bankruptcy Clinic. The clinic provides free 20-minute appointments to consult with an attorney in-person or over Zoom to discuss debt and bankruptcy issues.
The next clinic date will be on Friday, May 30, 2025 (Zoom-only on this date). Appointments can be made at https://alamedacountylawlibrary.as.me/ or by calling the library Reference Desk at (510) 208-4832.
Flyer available here
 Court Accounting Workshops in 2025
The Contra Costa County Public Law Library is offering a series of free Court Accounting Workshops throughout the year via Zoom to provide hands-on training and assistance with court-required accounting reports and conservatorship accounting. Workshop attendees MUST sign-up in advance. Sign-ups end two (2) days before the scheduled class. Please call the Contra Costa County Public Law Library at (925) 655-4627 to sign-up and obtain additional information or email: reference.questionsCCCPLLIB@gmail.com. See the flyer for more details.
Flyer available here
Criminal Pretrial Services Center Available at the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse
In a press release published on April 14, 2025, the Superior Court of Alameda County announced the opening of the Pretrial Services Center (also referred to as the Pretrial Resource Center) as a “one-stop shop” designed to help criminal defendants comply with court-ordered conditions of pretrial release from jail, such as attending required classes and appearing for scheduled hearings.
Criminal defendants can access these services without an appointment on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the office of pretrial services located in Department 1A on the second floor of the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse. You can find additional information on court locations and hours in Alameda County here: https://www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/general-information/locations-contact-information. Defendants may also call the center at 510-891-6100.
[Read more]
Support Federal Funding for Libraries
Libraries are an indispensable resource, connecting people to justice, education, and opportunity every day.
Here’s how you can help:
- Learn how Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) & Executive Orders impact your library
- Sign EveryLibrary’s (the advocacy group for libraries) petition: https://buff.ly/zBzUVGx
- Take action with ALA’s #FundLibraries campaign
- Use guidance from the California State Library to find your Congressmember: house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
Send them this message:
"Dear Representative XXXXX:
Grants to support local libraries that California receives from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services have a big impact on [NAME OF YOUR COMMUNITY]. Please don’t vote to end the good things that come from this small financial investment.
Federal funds have helped make community-centric programs and projects possible throughout [CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT X]. Studies show libraries create a solid financial return on taxpayers’ dollars, generating between $3 to $6 in direct and indirect benefits for every dollar invested.
One innovative program – Zip Books – uses the online marketplace to get books to Californians in rural areas faster and helps libraries have more copies of the books people want to read – at lesser cost. Federal funds are used by the state to administer the program.
Libraries connect families, seniors and veterans to essential services. During emergencies, libraries serve as heating and cooling centers, and community meeting places where residents gather to receive critical information on disaster relief efforts. Libraries provide free Wi-Fi, charging stations, and internet access not just during and after storms and wildfires but every day.
Libraries also help create stronger readers and better English speakers. Stronger readers do better academically and professionally.
Losing federal funding, which totals $15 million for California, means these important services aren’t going to be provided -- particularly in rural areas.
Please continue to support your local public libraries."
See our Instagram post here
 How to Find Court Forms
The Alameda County Law Library has created a new slideshow/guide. Filling in the blanks—literally! From complaints to judgements and everything in between, swipe through to learn all about court forms. Download the slideshow here or view on Instagram.
 Immigrant Family Preparedness Plan Program
Legal Access Alameda is introducing a program for immigrant families who may want to get legal advice on family preparedness planning in the event that one or both parents are detained or deported. Their volunteer attorneys can help families:
- Develop a child care plan
- Understand short- and long-term immigration options
- Understand the risks and benefits of each option
- Find trusted legal and immigration help and resources in Alameda County
Child Care Plans:
- Help parents plan ahead for alternate caregivers if they can’t be there
- Create clear communication between parents, caregivers, and schools
- Protect families and parental rights
For more information see the flyer here
 New Alameda Law Library Merchandise
🚨 This is not a drill! Fresh Alameda County Law Library swag just dropped! Rep your local law library — a vital resource connecting people to legal information — all while looking fire. Tap this link to shop and support!
Live Chat Now Available for the Superior Court of Alameda County Family Law Clerk’s Office
On March 10, 2025, the Superior Court of Alameda County published a press release announcing the availability of a live chat function as another avenue people may utilize to access information from family law court staff. The live chat widget can be found on the Family Law Court landing page.
[Read more]
New Titles and Editions Added in February and March
The law library added the following new titles and editions in February and March:
California Antitrust & Unfair Competition Law (LexisNexis, 2012-2024)
California Courts Directory and Fee Schedule (California Court Association, Inc., 1983- )
California Practice Guide: Civil Procedure Before Trial: Statutes of Limitations (The Rutter Group, 2007- )
California Practice Guide: Employment Litigation (The Rutter Group, 2001- )
California Tenants: A Guide to Residential Tenants' and Landlords' Rights and Responsibilities (California Department of Real Estate, 2025)
Debt Collection Practice in California (Continuing Education of the Bar - California, 1999- )
HUD Housing Programs: Tenants' Rights (National Housing Law Project, 2025)
Judicial Council of California, Civil Jury Instructions: CACI (Thomson Reuters 2003- )
See the list in our library catalog
 Toolbox Tuesday: Finding California Supreme Court Briefs
Patrons at the law library ask for briefs quite regularly, and for the most part, they can find California briefs on Westlaw or Lexis. But what if you need to find a California Supreme Court brief and can’t get in to the law library or to one of the Alameda County Public Libraries that have partnered with the Alameda County Law Library to provide access to Lexis and Westlaw? Are California Supreme Court briefs accessible for free?
[Read more]
 FAQ Friday: Executive Orders
Since Executive Orders have been in the news so much lately, you might be wondering where you can view them. In fact, you might be wondering what they are. An Executive Order is a declaration by the President which has the force of law based on existing statutory powers. Congress does not have to approve of the action for the Executive Order to take effect.
Read our blog post for a non-exclusive list of some places where you can find Executive Orders, including the White House website, the Federal Register, The American Presidency Project, Lexis, and Westlaw.
 Video Recording of the Dealing with Debt: Legal Rights and Options presentation from February 27, 2025 Now Available
We've made a video recording of the Dealing with Debt: Legal Rights and Options presentation from February 27, 2025 available on our YouTube channel.
Program Description
Learn about the different types of debt, how to assert your rights when dealing with debt collectors, and what to do if you have been sued.
Presenter Bio
Nisha Ajmani is a staff attorney at HERA. She focuses her work on tenant advocacy, including helping tenants resolve issues related to credit reporting, debt collection, housing discrimination, habitability, and landlord disputes.
Prior to joining HERA, Nisha was a Housing Staff Attorney at Family Violence Law Center, in Oakland, where she advocated on behalf of domestic violence survivors who were dealing with housing legal issues. Her work there included in-court representation of survivors in obtaining restraining and move-out orders and defending against evictions. Nisha has also spent a substantial portion of her legal career advocating on behalf of system-involved youth.
Nisha was a summer legal intern at HERA in 2011 and a post-graduate attorney fellow at HERA in 2013. Nisha earned her J.D. in 2012 from the University of Oregon School of Law, where she was a Managing Editor on the Oregon Law Review. Nisha was born and raised in the Bay Area and earned her B.A. from Bowdoin College in 2006. She enjoys painting in her free time.
View the video here
Small Claims Court: Digital Evidence Portal
On February 11, 2025. the Superior Court of Alameda County introduced a new Small Claims Digital Evidence Portal.
As noted in the court’s release: “All evidence for a trial from videos to documents can be uploaded via the Court’s portal at https://www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/online-services/digital-evidence-portal. ” Use of the portal is not mandatory but is encouraged to be used for all cases in small claims court.
[Read More]
 Alameda County Law Library Immigration Resources Slide Deck
Our latest slide deck focuses on immigration resources available at the Alameda County Law Library and beyond. Whether you need information on asylum, deportation, visas, or immigrant rights, we’re here to help.
Download the slide deck here or view it on Instagram
 An Introduction to Property Deeds & Property Titles -- Legal Access Alameda Video Now Available Online
Legal Access Alameda has made available online a video entitled An Introduction to Property Deeds & Property Titles. The video is designed to help people understand the legal terms and definitions related to real property ownership, the importance of having a clear title—particularly when disaster strikes and FEMA aid is sought, and the different ways to take title and their tax implications.
You can watch the video here
Law Help Interactive: Online Software for Alameda County Residents Who Want Help Filling Out Certain Forms
Law Help Interactive is a free website that can help you fill out legal forms generated from answers you provide to interview style questions.
You can find a list of issues that Law Help Interactive covers on the Superior Court of California County of Alameda Law Help Interactive webpage. Generally, the tool helps with forms for various issues related to:
- Divorce/Legal Separation/Nullity
- Restraining Orders
- Name Change
- Parentage
- Eviction – Unlawful Detainer
- Guardianship Petition
[Read more]
Self-Study MCLE Credit for MCLE Videos on the Alameda County Law Library YouTube Channel Now Available
You can now watch videos of some of our past MCLE events for California Self Study MCLE credit. We have put links to the MCLE written materials in the description fields of the MCLE videos on the Alameda County Law Library YouTube Channel's Self-Study MCLE playlist. You can watch the videos, download and read the written materials, and keep a record of your self-study activities on a California State Bar MCLE Personal Log, which can be downloaded from: https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/forms/mcle/MCLE-Personal-Log_ADA.pdf
Note that self-study credit can be received only from videos that were prepared in the preceding five years (see MCLE Rules – Attorneys (effective October 1, 2023), Rules of the State Bar, Title 2, Div. 4, Rule 2.83 Self-study at: https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/rules/Rules_Title2_Div4-MCLE.pdf)
Videos
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