How to Lay a Foundation to Get Your Evidence Introduced in California

Agenda / Content Covered

1. Establishing Foundations for Business Records and Other Documentary Evidence
   9:00 - 10:00, James A. Gallo
   1. Business Records
   2. Photographs
   3. Models, Maps, Diagrams
   4. Video Recordings
   5. Letters, Writings, and Contracts
   6. Medical Records, X-Rays, and Bills
   7. Establishing Foundations for Other Documentary Evidence
   8. Satisfying the Best Evidence Rule
2. Applying Ethics Rules to Evidence
   10:15 - 11:15, James A. Gallo
   1. Ethics of ESI
   2. Handling Prejudicial Evidence
   3. Candor With the Court
   4. "Coaching" Witnesses
3. Introducing Physical Evidence at Trial
   12:15 - 1:15, Mark West
4. Demonstrative and Illustrative Evidence: Satisfying the Foundation Requirements
   1:15 - 2:15, Mark West
   1. Establishing Relevancy
   2. Battleground for Demonstrative Evidence: Satisfying the Fairness Requirement
   3. PowerPoints
   4. Computer Simulations and Recreations
   5. Handling Numerical Data, Charts, and Graphs
   6. Models, Maps, Diagrams
   7. Photographs and Videos
   8. Case Law Review
5. Essentials of Laying a Foundation
   2:15 - 3:00, Maya Galicia-Canto, Ashley Quan
   1. Procedures for Introducing Exhibits at Trial
   2. Authenticity, Reliability, and Relevance
   3. Foundation Requirements for Real, Illustrative, Demonstrative, and Documentary Evidence
   4. How to Handle Evidentiary Objections
   5. Preparing Evidence and Planning for Admissibility Issues Before Trial
   6. Issuing Trial Subpoenas to Witnesses
6. How to Authenticate Social Media Posts, Texts, Emails, and More
   3:15 - 3:45, Christopher Onstott
   1. How to Collect to Ensure Admission Later On
   2. Authenticating Emails
   3. How to Lay a Foundation for Facebook, YouTube Videos, Other Internet Records
   4. Digital Photographs
   5. Authenticating Texts and Other Smartphone Evidence
   6. Real-World Demonstrations
   7. How to Overcome Hearsay Objections
   8. Rule and Case Law Updates
7. Laying a Foundation for Expert Witness Testimony
   3:45 - 4:30, Christopher Onstott
   1. Establishing Competency and Qualifications
   2. Verifying an Expert's Methodologies
   3. Motions in Limine: Bringing or Defending Against
   4. At the Hearing
   5. Case Law Review

Accreditation Details:

Maya Galicia-Canto is an attorney with Skarin Law Group, who has worked on a wide range of family law matters including divorces, parentage actions, and domestic violence restraining orders. She has assisted with obtaining child and spousal support orders where opposing parties have attempted to misrepresent their financial situations, represented clients to obtain their requested child custody and visitation orders in high conflict situations, and negotiated property division in high asset divorces. Ms. Galicia-Canto earned her B.A degree at San Francisco State University and University of California, Hastings College of the Law.

James A. Gallo is a private practitioner who has tried over one hundred cases to completion, representing individuals, multi-million dollar corporations and businesses. As a graduate of Loyola Law School, Mr. Gallo has spent many of his years accumulating a wealth of experience in as many practice areas as possible, focusing mainly on civil litigation and real estate matters. As an experienced business and real estate attorney, he is one of the most established attorneys in the Los Angeles area.

Christopher Onstott is an attorney with the law firm of Kronick Moskovitz Tiedemann & Girard, where he practices labor and employment law. He defends employers against race, sex and disability discrimination and harassment claims, as well as wage claims in both federal and state courts. Mr. Onstott earned his B.A. degree, magna cum laude, from Brigham Young University and his J.D. degree, with high honors, from the University of Texas School of Law.

Ashley Quan is an attorney with Walzer Melcher & Yoda LLP. Her practice focuses on family law. Ms. Quan earned her B.A. degree from Loyola Marymount University and her J.D. degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. She is a member of the State Bar of California. Ms. Quan is admitted to practice in California.

Mark West is a sole practitioner in San Gabriel, where he practices in plaintiff personal injury and wrongful death, products liability law, medical malpractice, and business civil litigation. Mr. West has published several articles and frequently lectures. He is admitted to practice in the Northern, Central and Southern U.S. District courts in California and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, along with the Supreme Court of the United States. Mr. West has also been admitted pro hac vice in the state and U.S. District Court for Nevada, and the U.S. District Court for Minnesota. He is a member of the American and Los Angeles County bar associations, State Bar of California, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, Consumer Attorneys of California (past legislative district coordinator), and the American Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. West earned his B.S. degree from New Hampshire College (now Southern New Hampshire University) and his J.D. degree from Southwestern University School of Law.