• Facilitating a Smooth Closing


• Solutions to Common Closing Day Problems


• Document Management Throughout the Closing Process


• Receiving, Disbursing and Recording of Funds


• Preparing Documents for Recording


• Post-Closing Follow-UP


• Preparation of Closing Reports and Documentation


• Filing and Recording of Legal Documents


• Post-Closing Distributions and Correspondence


• Tax Filings


• Special Considerations for Professionals Working In-House

• Identifying and Locating Witnesses


• Conducting an Effective Witness Interview


• Identifying and Locating Evidence


• The Scene of the Crime


• Handling a Difficult Client


• Ethical Considerations

• Interviewing Witnesses


• Identifying and Locating Evidence


• The Scene of the Crime


• Motions and Pleadings


• The Trial


• Handling a Difficult Client

• Handling Information Gained Through Informal Discovery


• Requests for Disclosure and Production


• Interrogatories and Requests for Admission


• Deposition Preparation, Organization and Management

• Locating Evidence: E-Mails, Electronic Documents, PDAs and Computer Backups


• Preserving the Chain of Custody


• Implementing and Enforcing a Litigation Hold or Preservation Letter


• Avoiding Spoliation of Evidence

• Locating Evidence: Emails, Electronic Documents, PDAs and Computer Backups


• Preserving the Chain of Custody


• Implementing and Enforcing a Litigation Hold or Preservation Letter


• Avoiding Spoliation of Evidence


• Questions and Answers

• What is Electronic Discovery?


• Why E-Discovery Can be Valuable in Litigation


• How Does Electronic Discovery Differ From Traditional Methods of Discovery?


• Key Terminology You Should Know


• Distinguishing Between Electronic Litigation Support (E-Production) and E-Discovery


• Advantages and Disadvantages to Electronic Discovery


• Who Pays for E-Discovery?


• Negotiating Parameters of E-Discovery With the Other Side


• When is it Time to Call in the Experts?


• Application of Federal Rules to Electronic Discovery (Including E-Discovery Amendments)

• How to Handle Information Gained Through Informal Discovery


• Requests for Disclosure and Protection


• Interrogatories and Requests for Admission


• Deposition Preparation, Organization and Management

• The “Legal Hold” – The Notification Process for Individuals With Potentially Discoverable Documents


• Responding to Document Production Requests


• Document Review and Analysis for Privilege or Relevance


• Organizing and Tracking Documents From Clients


• Collecting and Managing Documents From Opposing Parties


• Special Considerations When Managing Electronic Documents


• Building Access Efficiency Into the Discovery Management System


• Conducting Ongoing Analysis to Keep Your System Effective

• Electronic Discovery: Definitions and Uses


• Where Can You Find Computer Related Evidence?


• What Evidence is Obtained Through Computer Forensics?


• Effectively Preserving Evidence


• Strategies for Disclosure and Discovery

• Your Role in the Discovery Process


• Working With the Client


• Using Informal Discovery and Public Sources of Information


• Using Formal Discovery Methods

• Your Role in the Discovery Process


• Working With the Client to Get What You Need


• Using Informal Discovery and Public Sources of Information


• Using Formal Discovery Methods


• Interrogatories and Requests for Admissions


• Handling Requests for Production of Documents


• Identifying Issues in Motions


• Assisting in the Deposition Process

• Increasing Productivity and Efficiency Through the Use of Technology


• Informal Discovery Using the Internet Effectively


• Practical Tools for Organization

• Creating an E-Discovery Management Plan


• E-Document Requests and Disclosures


• Computer Forensics -  How to Collect, Preserve and Analyze Critical Information


• Newly Implemented FRCP CHanges That Affect E-Discovery

• Gathering Client Information


• Understanding the Statuatory Requirements


• Designation of Fiduciaries


• Specific Clauses and Their Implications


• Building Flexibility into the Plan: Checklist of Special Provisions


• Development of a Testamentary Trust

• Preparing the Inventory - What Every Paralegal Needs to Know


• Statutory Requirements


• Notice


• Working With the Attorney to Collect, Maintain and Manage Assets


• How to Successfully Solve Common Inventory Problems

• Proof of Death


• Testate or Intestate


• Who Can Hire an Attorney & Sign Fee Agreement?


• Estimating "Probate Assets" vs. "Non-Probate Assets"


• Summary Administration


• Formal Administration


• Steps for Proving a Will


• Steps for Challenging the Will

AGENDA

• Dealing With Creditors' Claims
  
• Disclaimers


• Assisting With the Estate Cash Management


• Insolvency


• Preparing Partial Distributions

• Avoiding Situations That May Expose You to UPL


• Requirements for Attorney Supervision


• Evaluating Conflicts of Interest

• NALA Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility


• NFPA Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility


• Guidelines From the ABA's Model Rules of Professional Conduct


• Maintaining Integrity and Respect for the Position

• Avoiding Situations That May Expose You or Your Attorney to Professional Liability


• Requirements for Attorney Supervision


• Evaluating Conflicts of Interest

• Who is Your Audience?


• What is Your Budget?


• What Evidence is Most Important?


• How Should Exhibits be Displayed?


• The Power of the Exhibit List


• Preparing Documents and Demonstratives

• How to Prepare Exhibits for Trial Organization of Evidence


• How to Locate and/or Prepare Witnesses for Trial

• Witness List


• Trial and Deposition Preparation


• Expert Witnesses

• The Client Witness


• Working with Expert Witnesses

• What Documents Are Important?
• Characterizing Assets and Liabilities
• Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs)
• Organizing, Indexing and Tracking Client Documents
• Finding Hidden Assets
• Financial Analysis and Statement Preparation
• Working With Financial Experts
• Preparing Financial Affidavits

• Initial Client Call - What to Say and What Not to Say


• Initial Client Meeting


• Financial Documents for the Domestic Case


• Organizing Your Domestic File


• Initial Pleadings- Protecting What Needs to be Protected


• Gathering Relevant Documents and Keeping the File Up-to-Date


• Pitfalls to Avoid in the Domestic Case

• Background of the eTeas Filing System - Where did this push button system come from anyway?


• Checklist for filing with the eTeas System - What you don't anticipate will invalidate


• Understanding How the eTeas System works with Your Computer


• The mechanics of preparing an electronic trademark filing - Tips and tricks for public electronic filins


• Filing the Basic Trademark Application


• Filing a Response to an Office Action


• Filing a Statement of Use


• Administrative Filings - Powers of Attorney and Changes of Address


• Maintaining the Registration - Section 8 Affidavits


• Dealing with the Worst - Oppositions and Cancellations


• Due diligence in trademark administration - It's really Up to You

• Core Concepts in Intellectual Property Rights Litigation (IPR) Infringement


• Unique Elements of Cases Involving the Four Major Categories of IPR Patents


• Tips for the Paralegal Supporting the Litigation of Intellectual Property Rights

• Differences Between Adversarial and Objective Briefs


• Anatomy of a Brief


• Brief Writing - Sample Brief A


• Brief Writing- Excerpts from Sample Appellate Brief B


• Brief Writing- Excerpts from Sample Appellate Brief C

• Applying Citation Format to Particular Authorities


• Unique Aspects of Public Domain and Internet Authority Citations
  
• Cite Checking and Shepardizing


• Common Citation Errors (The Unlucky 13)