Guides & California law encyclopedia

21 plain-English guides to the processes, deadlines and paperwork people run into in Los Angeles County. Each one is dated and checked by our editors against the official sources it cites.

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Deadlines

How long do you have to file a personal injury claim in California?

The general two-year rule, the six-month claim deadline against public agencies, and what can pause the clock.

6 min read

Working with a lawyer

What should you bring to a first attorney consultation?

What to gather before a first meeting so the time goes on your questions, not on paperwork.

2 min read

Fees

How do contingency fees actually work in California?

What California requires in a contingency agreement, and how fees and costs come out of a settlement.

3 min read

Personal injury

All 5

Employment

All 5

Family law

All 4

Housing & tenants

All 4

Small claims

All 1

Do I need a lawyer for small claims court in Los Angeles?2 min

Working with a lawyer

All 2

Quick answers

Do I need a lawyer for small claims court in Los Angeles?

You cannot bring one to the hearing: in California small claims court, attorneys generally cannot represent the parties (Code of Civil Procedure § 116.530). You can still pay a lawyer for advice beforehand, and the court's free small claims advisor can help too. Individuals can usually claim up to $12,500 (CCP § 116.221). Read the small claims guide.

Is a free consultation really free?

It depends on the firm, so ask before you book. Firms that work on contingency, common in personal injury and some employment cases, often do not charge for a first meeting. Case costs are a separate question — filing fees, expert reports, deposition transcripts. Ask who advances those and what happens to them if you lose.

How do I check that a California attorney is actually licensed?

Search the State Bar of California's public attorney records by name or bar number. A profile shows the admission date, current license status and any public discipline. Being listed on LA Law Hub is not a recommendation, so check the record yourself before you hire anyone.

Are these guides legal advice?

No. LA Law Hub is not a law firm. The guides explain how a process generally works in California and Los Angeles County so you can ask better questions. They cannot account for the facts of your situation, and deadlines in particular can turn on details that are not obvious. Reading them does not create an attorney-client relationship. Talk to a lawyer licensed in California about your own case.