Episode Details

Too many attorneys treat the meet and confer requirement as a formality rather than a substantive obligation, and courts are noticing. Anthony Storm, family law neutral at Signature Resolution, and Hon. Mark Juhas (Los Angeles Superior Court) team up to cut through the ambiguity around what California law actually demands and what a genuine good faith effort looks like in practice. Together they will cover what constitutes a sufficient effort under CCP §2016.040, what judges want to see in the supporting declaration, including the updated requirement under AB 711, and the role of the informal discovery conference when the process stalls. Storm brings the practitioner's perspective on structuring outreach, choosing the right communication method, and documenting efforts that hold up to judicial scrutiny. Judge Juhas brings the view from the bench, including the common missteps that undermine attorney credibility with the court. Attorneys will leave with practical tools for resolving more disputes before a motion is ever filed. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.