• Importance of Defined Terms
• Proper Use of Exhibits, Schedules and Integration Clauses
• Importance of Using Precise Language
• Pitfalls to Avoid in the Editorial Process
• Practical Tips to Take Back to the Office

• Methods Used to Acquire Information During Discovery
• How Communications Should be Handled
• Why HIPAA Mandates Confidentiality
• How HIPAA Relates to Electronic Communications
• How This Confidentiality Requirement Carries Over Into the Law Office

• Laying a Proper Foundation: Deciding on the Contents of Your Notebook
• Creating a Structure: Putting Your Materials Together
• Putting Your Plan into Action: Using the Notebook in Trial

Create Solid Trial Documents That Support the Case

Motions, briefs and pleadings are the foundations upon which good cases are built. If you're asked to create them, you need to be able to analyze the situation and apply sound legal reasoning in order to fulfill the specific intention of the document. This groundbreaking seminar was created to help you develop these skills so you can create clear, logical and persuasive documents.

By joining us, you'll be able to:

• Create a pleading that properly identifies all causes of action relevant to the case.
• Structure effective motions that clearly support the case theory.
• Promote readability – and your position – by using persuasive headings and subheadings to organize your documents.
• Draft clear, concise documents using simple, brief sentences – and avoiding unnecessary Latin or legalese.
• Proofread, proofread, proofread! Double-check for grammatical consistency, correct punctuation and professional tone throughout your documents. 

• Using Online Sources to Locate Persons and Documents
• Litigating in the Age of Blogs and Public Profiles
• Employing Online Images to Assist Attorneys in Strategy

• Working with the attorney to manage relevant court-related documents.

• Building in flexibility in anticipation of arguments raised by the other side.

• Organizing relevant legal research that may be needed to support case theory.

• Managing witness and expert related information that may come into play at any time.

• Developing additional notebooks that offer further supporting documentation.

• Working with the attorney to manage relevant court-related documents.

• Building in flexibility in anticipation of arguments raised by the other side.

• Organizing relevant legal research that may be needed to support case theory.

• Managing witness and expert related information that may come into play at any time.

• Developing additional notebooks that offer further supporting documentation.

• Initial Debtor Interview
• Cash Collateral Motions
• US Trustee Fees

• 362 Motion
• Single Asset Rule
• Residential Property Rule

• Multi-Tasking: Is it Helping or Hurting Your Productivity?
• Dual Monitors: Do You Really Need More Than One?
• Turning Off Your Outlook Can't be the Only Solution: Ways to Organize and Prioritize
• Your Email so You Don't Feel Interrupted
• Creating and Maintaining Your To-Do List Using Outlook 2007 or 2010
• Avoiding Procrastination: Don't Put Off to Tomorrow What Can Be Done Today

• How to Define the Parameters of the Investigation
• What Questions Do You Expect to Find Answers To
• Who Should You Interview
• What You Expect to Accomplish by Conducting the Interview

• California AB-5 In-Depth: Similarities and Differences With the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
• Electronic Discovery Overview: Where It's Stored and Why It's Important
• Electronic Discovery Process Best Practices: Increasing Efficiency and
  Decreasing Costs

Level: Intermediate

• Discovery Legalese - Avoid the Excuse to Withhold Information or Documents

• Investigatory Tips for Paralegals

• Building a Fact Database

• Top Ten List for Learning to Draft Interrogatories

• Useful Discovery Websites

·         What to Do When Putting Together a Complaint

·         Formal Discovery – What is Its True Purpose?

o        Initial Disclosures

o        Request for Admissions

o        Request for Production of Documents

o        Interrogatories and Answers

·               Motions and Notices

·               Using Informal Discovery and Public Sources of Information

Keeping command of the myriad of documents, people and communications involved in legal cases is a challenging undertaking. Learn how to develop seemingly effortless information retrieval systems that will help you find what you need, when you need it.

• Reviewing Discovery Responses

• Gathering and Summarizing Medical Records and Bills

• Preparing for Depositions

• What to Look for in the Accident Report, Scene/Vehicle Photographs and Inspections

• When is an Expert Necessary?

• Litigation Hold and Related Duties


• What is a Litigation Hold?


• When Does it Come Into Effect?


• Legal Duties Under Zubulake


• Preservation


• Agreement on Scope of Preservation


• How to Handle in a Timely and Effective Manner


• What Constitutes Undue Cost and Disruption?

Event Description:

E-discovery is only as valuable as the information you retrieve from doing it. Discover practical tips and solutions that can be used to facilitate the process and achieve valuable results.

Agenda/ Content Covered

• What is Electronic Discovery?
• Why E-Discovery Can be Valuable in Litigation
• How Does Electronic Discovery Differ From Traditional Methods of Discovery?
• Application of Federal Rules to Electronic Discovery (Including E-Discovery Amendments)
• Defining the Litigation Lifecycle
• Key Terminology You Should Know
• Advantages and Disadvantages to Electronic Discovery
• Who Pays for E-Discovery?
• Negotiating Parameters of E-Discovery With the Other Side

• Early Case Assessment (ECA): Effective Case and Resource Planning and Budgeting

• Advanced Processes and Workflows: Continual Improvement, E-Discovery Planning and Project Management

• Multilayered Analytics and Associated Consulting: Measurement of ECA Assumptions

• Post-Review Analysis: Current Case Transparency and Competitive Differentiation on Subsequent Matters

• Stages of the Electronic Discovery Resource Model

• Forensic Copy v. "Forensically Sound" Copy

• Meet and Confer Equals Form of Production

• Keyword Search in Light of Recent Court Opinions on its Shortcomings

• History of the E-Discovery Reference Model and Why It's Important

• What is Involved in the Steps of Dealing with E-Discovery (According to the EDRM)

• How You Can Assist Your Colleagues in Successfully Navigating the Stormy E-Discovery Sea

Level: Basic to Intermediate

While many paralegals have been conducting their standard discovery processes for a
long time, it never hurts to rethink ways to streamline your “routine” processes or utilize
checklists to be more thorough. Discover practical ways to better obtain and organize
discovery information from an experienced paralegal. Register today!

Agenda/ Content Covered
• Understanding the Litigation Process and Where Discovery Fits
• Informal Discovery: Public Records and Internet Searches
• Interrogatories: Standard Questions and What Comes Next
• Requests to Produce and Indices
• Notices to Non-Parties, Subpoenas and Requests for Copies of Indices
• Depositions: Deposition Questions and Outlining the Goals of the Deposition

Level: Intermediate

• 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

• Avoiding Spoliation of Evidence

• Preservation of Evidence Letter

• Preserving the Chain of Custody

• Your Client's Preservation Responsibilities

• Examine how to ensure the "three-legged stool" of keyword search plans will put you on firm footing.

• Review recent case issues regarding responsive and privilege documents.

• Uncover practical solutions and recommendations to creating a keyword search plan and protocol formation.

• Linguistics, Statistics and Technology: The Three-Legged Stool of Keyword Search Plans

• Recent Case Results Dealing With:
•  Responsive Documents 
•  Privilege Documents  
•  Evidence Standards
  

• Practical Solutions and Recommendations for Keyword Search Plans and Protocol Formulation

• Overview of Federal Regulation of Alternative Families


• Unmarried Couples


• Cohabitation Agreements


• Property Rights Acquired During the Relationship


• The Defense of Marriage Act


• Federal Tax Issues

Income Tax

• Gift and Estate Tax


• Conflicts Between State and Federal Law


• Estate Planning Issues and Solutions


• Overview

• Distinctions Between the Modest and Larger Estate

• The Estate Timetable and What Needs to Be Done

• Steps for Proving the Will

• Steps for Challenging the Will

• Testate or Intestate?


• Is the Will Self-Proving?


• Locating the Original Will


• Who Would the Heirs Be?


• Who is Entitled to be Executor?


• Out of State Real Estate


• Formal Administration vs. Summary Procedure


• Probate Assets


• Taxes


• Retainer Agreement

Help Your Clients to Have a Successful Probate Experience

Taking an estate through probate in a timely manner ties up loose ends and helps families gain closure when a loved one dies. There are many duties to fulfill, and bereaved clients are counting on your firm to keep the process moving and keep them up to date on the situation. Do you know the best way to be instrumental in these increasingly complex situations? Don't wait until you're asked to work on your next probate case to find out.

At this targeted seminar, our experienced faculty will take you through the probate process. After attending, you will be able to file documents in probate court and form good working relationships with executors or administrators. Confidently prepare and file the inventory and troubleshoot common problems you may encounter. Help bring closure to families going through this difficult time – enroll today!  

• Receive a complete estate timetable so you know what needs to be done – and when.
• Discover how to handle the removal of an executor or administrator if issues of misconduct arise.

• Ethics Defined

• Competence

• UPL

• Confidentiality

• Conflicts of Interest

• Code of Ethics

• Maintaining Confidentiality: Tips to Keep You on Track

• Identifying Conflicts of Interest With Multiple Representations

• Avoiding UPL: Answering Client Questions Without Giving Legal Advice

Many ethical issues have strong warning signs – if you know how to recognize them. Experienced professionals know that probate can be rife with ethical problems because of the close working relationship that paralegals often have with clients. Avoid serious ethical conundrums by becoming comfortable with your duties and obligations. From the comfort of your desk, you can discover what to look out for. Don't allow your firm to become vulnerable to malpractice claims – Order today!

Agenda/ Content Covered

• Performing Competent Legal Services
• Identifying the Client
• Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
• Distinguishing Between Privileged and Non-Privileged Communication
  

Level: Basic

• Who is the Client?

• Dealing With the Public

• Conflicts of Interest

• Working With Your Clients When They Are Your Peers

• Email Etiquette

• When You Know Too Much

• Working With Senior Level Executives 

• Professionalism: Walking Through the Steps of Proper Office Demeanor
• Ethical Issues When Dealing With Your Colleagues and Clients: Accountability, Honesty, and Confidentiality
• Unauthorized Practice of Law: When You Need to Draw the Line and Let Your Attorney Take Over

• Duties to the Client

• Duties to the Court and Adversary

• Duties to Third Parties

• Basic Considerations in the Practice
• Who is the Client?
• The Client With Diminished Capacity
• Conflicts of Interest
• Confidentiality

• Types of Conflicts of Interest
• Consequences of Conflicts of Interest
• The Attorney-Client Relationship
• Vicarious Disqualification
• Motions for Disqualification

·         Preparing the Client for Deposition and Trial

·         Expert Witnesses

o        Ways to Locate a Qualified Expert

o        Expert Interrogatories

o        Communication With the Expert Witness

·         Lay Witnesses

Witnesses can be a key factor in supporting your legal team’s case theory. Receive practical information on how you, as a paralegal, can help to effectively prepare and keep your witnesses focused throughout the trial process.

• Becoming An Effective Go-To Family Law Paralegal

• The Importance of Gaining the Client's Trust

• Determining What Information May be Relevant to the Situation

Level: Basic to Intermediate

• Defining Your Role

• Evaluating the Needs

• Changing Hats Mid-Stream

• Keys to Success 

Agenda:

·         Law Office Management Principles

·         Roles and Responsibilities Within Your Organizational Structure

·         Management of Day-to-Day Operations

o        Setting and Balancing Priorities

o        Allocation of Resources

o        How to Utilize Delegation Properly

o        Time Management Strategies

·         Operational Systems Setup and Management

o        Case Management Systems

o        Calendaring and Docket Control Systems

o        Records Management and Retention

o        Security, Encryption and Disaster Recovery

Product Description:

Taking on administrative tasks in addition to your regular paralegal duties requires a delicate balance. Discover how to create operational systems and management techniques that will navigate these logistical challenges.