Gusdorff Law, P.C.

Law & Motion, Writs, Appeals -

Gusdorff Law specializes in state and federal appellate litigation

10/31/2026

There’s nothing scarier 🎃👻🐈‍⬛

Happy Halloween from Gusdorff Law P.C.!

10/27/2026

Somewhere between my third brief of the day and my fourth caramel macchiato, I looked up and realized I've been a Certified Specialist in Appellate Law for 10 years! ☕⚖️

I certainly couldn't have reached this milestone alone. To the clients, colleagues, friends, and referral partners who have supported me along the way: thank you for making these ten years fly by. And thank you to the California Board of Legal Specialization for the lovely reminder of how far I've come.

If anyone wants to talk about their options for an appeal, I'll be right here for at least another ten years!

10/19/2026

“Designate the Record” is an important, formal step in the appellate process that can stop an appeal dead in its tracks if handled improperly. 💀

The appellant must “designate the record” by the applicable deadline, and the respondent may request that additional materials be included. So don’t miss your emails on this one. 📨

Learn more about your appeals process, and how Gusdorff Law can help you, when you visit our FAQ page: https://www.gusdorfflaw.com/what-does-it-mean-to-designate-the-record/

10/12/2026

Looking at the same case over and over again is what good attorneys do.

Unfortunately, the longer trial teams live with a case, the easier it becomes to stop seeing its weak points.

Our latest article explores how AI can be used not as a shortcut for legal writing, but as a “cold-eye” diagnostic tool to stress-test trial strategy, identify blind spots, pressure-test themes, evaluate appellate risk, and challenge assumptions before they become problems in court.

AI can’t replace legal writing, but it can keep your eyes fresh. 👀

Read the full article here: https://www.advocatemagazine.com/article/2026-may/how-ai-introduces-errors-into-your-documents-copy

10/05/2026

Civil appeals can feel like they take forever. With an 18-month average waiting period in California, that feeling isn’t far from the truth. 📅

When faced with this reality, it’s natural for litigants to ask “Isn’t there some way to make this go faster?”

Sometimes, the answer is yes.

Certain California statutes allow qualifying cases to receive calendar preference from the Court of Appeal, helping move the appellate process along more quickly. In some situations, trial-setting preference may apply as well.

Could your case qualify?

https://www.gusdorfflaw.com/can-expedite-state-court-appeal/

09/28/2026

Another summary judgement reversed 🔄

The Court of Appeal reversed summary judgment in Doe v. Transdev Services, Inc., holding that triable issues existed regarding whether the alleged harasser qualified as a supervisor under FEHA and whether the employer took reasonable steps to prevent further harassment after receiving an earlier complaint about the same individual.

Our team argued that the facts remained sufficiently disputed that the case should be decided by a jury, not dismissed before trial.

Sometimes the right outcome is simply to let the jury decide.

https://www.gusdorfflaw.com/results/

09/25/2026

I took this picture with ‘Sandra’ when I was in Phoenix, AZ at the Sandra Day O’Connor U.S. Courthouse earlier this year. I couldn’t miss the opportunity. 🧑‍⚖️

Someone always has to be first. I’ll always be grateful and humbled by anniversaries like this.

09/22/2026

Will the favorable jury verdict that you just secured hold up on appeal? Poorly drafted jury instructions can lead to costly appellate litigation or even the reversal of a hard-earned verdict. 💸

Two certified appellate specialists, Janet Gusdorff of Gusdorff Law P.C. and Erik W. Scharf of Scharf Appellate Group, have produced a 90-minute CLE exploring how thoughtful jury instructions can shape trial strategy from day one, preserve issues for appeal, and help protect a favorable verdict long after the congratulatory handshakes are over. 🤝

Topics include:
- Developing jury instructions early to guide case strategy
- Using AI to draft and refine instructions
- Preserving objections for appeal
- Common drafting pitfalls that lead to reversible error

Earn 1.5 CLE credits while learning practical strategies that can strengthen your case at trial and, if needed, on appeal.

https://www.barbri.com/course/professional-development/cle/jury-instructions-in-complex-civil-cases-gaining-strategic-a_2026-06-18

07/04/2026

The American legal system isn’t perfect, but it is built on enduring principles: equal justice under the law, due process, and the opportunity for every person to be heard. As appellate advocates, we’re proud to play a small part in preserving those principles and helping ensure the law is applied fairly and thoughtfully.

Wishing everyone a safe, happy, and meaningful Fourth of July.

🇺🇸 Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸

05/02/2026

WITTS Conference. Amazing people. Gorgeous setting. This is the

Address

Westlake Village, CA

Website

http://gusdorfflaw.com/

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