COURTHOUSE SCENE WRITER FINDS REAL ATMOSPHERE FOR HIS FICTIONAL LAWYERS.Byline: Rick Coca Valley News Writer Author Paul Levine marvels at the beauty of Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, and Florida - sunny states in which he has spent a total of 37 years. So it may come as a surprise to learn that where he really enjoys spending time "Spending Time" is the first single released by Christian artist Stellar Kart. The lyrics describe the band members desire to spend "more time with God". "Sometimes it’s a real struggle to spend time with God. is in the dark halls and dingy dingy used as a description of fleece wool; the wool is lacking in brightness. courtrooms of the nation's local courthouses. ``The way that some people go to the movies or a zoo, I go to courthouses,'' said Levine, author of the Jake Lassiter novels and a Studio City resident for seven years. His latest thriller, ``The Deep Blue Alibi alibi n. an excuse used by a person accused or suspected of crime. In the original Latin it means "in another place" which has to be the ultimate alibi. ALIBI, in evidence. This is a Latin word which signifies, elsewhere. 2. ,'' is the second in a series of books featuring the fictitious attorneys Steve Solomon and Victoria Lord, inspired in part by his relationship with his attorney wife. Levine is a former journalist, law professor and trial lawyer. His exposure to courts did not begin willingly. After graduating from Penn State University, he stepped into a courthouse as a reporter covering a beat for the Miami Herald. ``I fell in love with the four corners of the courtroom,'' Levine said. ``I saw it as great theater.'' Levine then went to law school and worked as an attorney for 17 years before starting a new career as a novelist. He came to Southern California after his novel ``Scorpions,'' a corrupt look inside the Supreme Court, was turned into a television series, ``First Monday First Monday is a short-lived U.S. television drama centered on the U.S. Supreme Court. Created by JAG creator Donald Bellisario, the show aired on CBS from January until May of 2002. ,'' starring James Garner and Joe Mantegna. After the show was canceled, Levine landed a job as a staff writer for the Stephen J. Cannell Stephen Joseph Cannell, (born February 5, 1941; IPA pronunciation: ['kænəl], rhymes with "channel"), is an Emmy award winning American television producer, writer, novelist and occasional actor. television show ``Jag.'' He wrote more than 20 episodes. Levine described the highs and lows that only Hollywood can offer. ``There's pain that's going to happen at some point; you just don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. when,'' Levine said wryly. Levine met his wife, Renee Braeunig, when they were both attorneys in Florida. She relocated to Southern California when Levine began to work in the television industry. Levine said Braeunig had to pass the California Bar to practice law in California and is currently a Los Angeles deputy city attorney. Levine said the saucy sauc·y adj. sauc·i·er, sauc·i·est 1. a. Impertinent or disrespectful. b. Impertinent in an entertaining way; impossible to repress or control. 2. and witty banter between the two attorneys in his current book flows, in some ways, from his relationship with his wife and their earlier days working together as lawyers. They did not get off to a good start. ``I was forced to try a case with her, and it was not love at first sight,'' Levine said. Given his earlier novel-to-television success, Levine said he wrote his latest book to translate easily into a television series. Like his earlier novels, this one is set in Florida, but Levine said it's only a matter of time before he uses Southern California as a backdrop. ``I clearly know Miami and South Florida better (than Southern California) because it's a difference of 30 years versus seven years,'' Levine said. ``But I do know Studio City and Sherman Oaks and the courthouse of Van Nuys.'' Levine has found many similarities between courthouses in Southern California and Miami. And courthouses everywhere have certain characters unique to that culture, such as wizened wiz·ened adj. Withered; wizen. wizened Adjective shrivelled, wrinkled, or dried up with age Adj. 1. court watchers who often know more than the litigants, young people in trouble and lawyers with stacks of briefs under their arms. ``It's its own little world, a reflection of society or, in criminal courts, what's going on What's Going On is a record by American soul singer Marvin Gaye. Released on May 21, 1971 (see 1971 in music), What's Going On reflected the beginning of a new trend in soul music. in the underbelly of society, which as a writer, I find pretty interesting,'' Levine said. When he's not in courthouses, Levine said he enjoys riding a bike at Lake Balboa and other parks in the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. , as well as making good use of the public pools and hiking trails in the area. Levine is extremely impressed not only by the natural beauty of Southern California, but also the many available outdoor services and activities. ``I guess there's a reason we pay all these taxes,'' Levine said. Spoken like a true Southern Californian. To find out more about Paul Levine and his books, log on to www.paul-levine.com. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Writer Paul Levine enjoys sitting in courtrooms to come up with atmospheric characters and elements for his fiction. Photo by Alan Weissman |
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