The Spare Act
Preparing Your Firm for California's SPARE Act: What Los Angeles Paralegals Need to Know Before January 1, 2027
Beginning January 1, 2027, AB 747 (the SPARE Act) replaces the "reasonable diligence" standard with strict, evidence-based service of process rules. Proofs of service that don't comply could be challenged, and the burden of proving valid service shifts to the plaintiff. This 45-minute session, led by Jeff Karotkin, a 30+ year process serving and court filing veteran who worked with legislators on the bill's language, explains what changes and what your team must do about it.
You will learn:
- The new 3-3-3 diligence rule and when it applies
- GPS-stamped photo requirements and their exceptions
- Server registration changes and what must appear on a valid proof of service
- How the burden of proof shifts and AB 2042 affects default judgments and unlawful detainer cases
- A four-step readiness plan for your intake process, templates, vendor oversight, and staff training
Presented by:
Jeff h. Karotkin
Steno
Thursday, December 3, 2026
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Online via Zoom
LAPA Members - $10.00
Non-members - $25.00
Jeff H. Karotkin - Senior Director of Litigation Support at Steno
· Over 30+ years of experience in the process serving and court filing industry
· Worked directly with legislators and stakeholders on the language of AB 747 as it moved through the California Assembly and Senate
· Pioneered eFiling at One Legal, LLC and built the first digital Service of Process platform
· Former President of CALSPro and NAPPS; author of Bloomberg Law's industry analysis of the SPARE Act
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