Day 2 Sessions

9:00 am-10:30 am ET

With an ever-decreasing number of civil cases reaching trial (much less a jury trial), motion practice has become an increasingly vital part of the litigation process, particularly in federal courts. Because the stakes are so high and the potential expense so great, and because judicial workloads have never been heavier, effective motion practice should be at the forefront of the minds of judges and lawyers alike. To be an effective advocate for your client, you must have a solid command of this crucial component of pretrial practice. This session will help you improve your written motion practice by following simple guidelines, help you win more motions, and preserve your legal issues when the court rules against your client.

Speaker

Terry Hale, ACP

9:00 am-10:30 am ET

Livestream available

Welcome to the Paralegal Mock Trial Competition, a thrilling showcase of legal prowess and advocacy skills specifically designed for paralegals. This event provides paralegals with an unparalleled opportunity to apply their knowledge, courtroom expertise, and teamwork in a simulated legal battle.

Speaker

Lisa Liebow

To view the highlights and objectives of this Mock Trial Competition, click here.

9:00 am-10:30 am ET

Learn how to walk your client through an investigative interview using a data map. Then use the tools available to collect and preserve that information. Finally, be able to review, analyze, and produce the data ethically.

Objectives:

• Use a data map to identify client information.
• Discover the best tools to collect the data.
• Explore best practices on how to analyze the data and produce it.

Speaker

Amy McGuigan, ACP, ACEDS, CAS

11:00 am-12:30 pm ET

Livestream available

In this introductory course on service animals, attendees will learn how service animals are defined, what their training and certification regulations are, and what rules federal law provides surrounding service animals pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act. The course will provide information about public access laws under the ADA and where to find laws and information to assist with legal issues related to service animals. This session will also cover laws surrounding traveling with service animals under the ADA, Air Carrier Access Act, and Department of Transportation, and how to file a complaint under the ADA for failure to accommodate a service animal.

Objectives:

• Understand the definition of a service animal, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the differences between service animals, therapy dogs, and emotional support animals.
• Discover which laws define, protect, and regulate service animals, including ADA requirements for service animals, and where to find them.
• Explore public access laws under the ADA and laws related to traveling with service animals, and discover how to file a complaint with the Department of Justice when a service animal is not accommodated.

Speaker

Olivia Renfroe, ACP

11:00 am-12:30 pm ET

Livestream available

Are you a paralegal eager to make a meaningful impact through your legal expertise? This enlightening presentation will explore the world of pro bono opportunities tailored specifically for paralegals. Join us for an inspiring and informative session on how you, as a paralegal, can be a force for justice and social change through pro bono work. Discover the fulfillment that comes from using your legal skills to empower those in need and make a lasting impact in your community. Don’t miss this chance to explore the boundless opportunities for paralegals in the world of pro bono service.

Objectives:

• Understand what pro bono work is, its significance in the legal profession, what challenges may exist, and your role as a paralegal.
• Explore the various types of pro bono opportunities and discover which places are actively seeking volunteers.
• Take advantage of valuable resources, tools, and tips as you embark on your pro bono journey. Be inspired and encouraged by success stories from fellow paralegals.

Speaker

Lisa Liebow

11:00 am-12:30 pm ET

AI can be a valuable tool for paralegals and other legal professionals, AND it is unlikely to fully replace the skills, judgment, and experience that paralegals bring to their work.  Use AI tools to take over the boring busywork.

Objectives:

• Discover how to use AI for case management.
• Discover how to use AI tools to automate tasks like legal research, contract analysis, and due diligence in order to enhance efficiency.

Speaker

Amy McGuigan, ACP, ACEDS, CAS

11:00 am-12:30 pm ET

In criminal law, writing a sentencing memorandum to help persuade the judge that the lowest-possible sentence is appropriate can be one of the most impactful things criminal defense attorneys and paralegals do, as it often carries a lot of weight with the judge. In this session, participants will learn what mitigating factors are, how to apply them to the sentencing memorandum, and how to write a persuasive sentencing memorandum that may help lower the punishment for their client.

Speaker

Terry Hale, ACP

2:30 pm-3:30 pm ET

Livestream available

This session will assist those preparing for the Certified Paralegal Exam, focusing on review for the ethics portion of the Knowledge Exam. We will cover ethical responsibilities when performing delegated work, paralegal professional responsibility, professional relationships, client and public contracts, and the attorney code of ethics and discipline.

Speaker

Jill I. Francisco, ACP

2:30 pm-3:30 pm ET

In this transformative course, participants will explore the exciting crossroads of legal work and technology. Discover how to harness technology to improve efficiency, collaboration, and innovative thinking. Understand how to apply Agile methodologies, AI tools, and cloud-based applications to your work through hands-on experience. Explore leading and working effectively within hybrid teams to build trust, communicate effectively, and foster a culture of high performance. Determine how to use technology to track performance, collect feedback, and implement improvements.

Objectives:

• Understand how technology is reshaping the legal profession and how these changes can improve efficiency, enhance client service, and open up new avenues for career development.
• Take advantage of AI and cloud-based tools to perform tasks in a way that increases productivity and accuracy. Embrace Agile methodologies to enable more responsive, iterative, and client-centered work processes.
• Apply the methodologies you learn to drive continuous improvement within your organization. Prepare for the future by learning to stay ahead of the curve.

Speaker

Oscar Frazier, MBA, PMP, LSSBB, Certified SAFe^® 5 Agilist

2:30 pm-3:30 pm ET

Livestream available

This session explores non-disclosure/confidentiality agreements, including their purpose, the elements that make up an NDA, and the limitations and risks imposed by an NDA. This session also discusses enforcement of an NDA, the consequences of breach, and incorporating data protection/GDPR.

Objectives:

• Gain an in-depth understanding of non-disclosure/confidentiality agreements and their purpose and potential limitations
• Identify the standard elements that should be incorporated, know which type of NDA is best for your purpose, and understand how data privacy and personally identifiable information relate to NDAs
• Use this knowledge to create a template NDA

Speaker

Kaila Glaros, ACP

2:30 pm-3:30 pm ET

Bankruptcy and divorce often go hand in hand. Besides bankruptcy, there are often other debt and credit issues that come up, and resources are needed in these areas. Between credit cards, student loans, taxes, business loans, and other debt, there are all kinds of traps that divorcing couples run into when working through the process of separating. This program is designed for divorce professionals who want to better understand how bankruptcy and collections law integrates with the divorce process, both before and after final judgment.

Objectives:

• Understand the basics of bankruptcy
• Explore the connection between divorce and bankruptcy
• Analyze risks with support obligations and property settlements

Speaker

Jen Lee

4:00 pm-5:30 pm ET

Livestream available

This session expands on attorney-client privilege with an in-depth discussion on the paralegal’s duty to maintain confidentiality and how to prevent a breach of confidentiality or privilege. This session will provide real-time examples of artificial intelligence in the law and explore how to leverage the benefits of AI while remaining cautious of the data we provide it. We round out this session with best practices to ensure you can identify and manage potential confidentiality risks and always maintain attorney-client privilege.

Objectives:

• Understand client confidentiality and attorney-client privilege, including a paralegal’s requirement to uphold privilege and confidentiality.
• Explore what to do in the event of a breach of confidentiality or privilege
• Explore best practices in maintaining confidentiality and considerations when incorporating AI in a law firm

Speakers

Kaila Glaros, ACP

Kristine Custodio Suero, ACP

4:00 pm-5:30 pm ET

Discover an AI and legal operations course that teaches how AI enhances efficiency and accuracy in legal practice. The course aims to help legal professionals master AI tools, reduce errors, and save time. Explore the transformative role of AI in legal practice and learn to weave AI-powered tools into your workflows.

Gain insights from Oscar Frazier’s technology leadership program and discover strategies for leveraging technology in a hybrid work environment. Explore how to use Agile methodologies for improved efficiency and high-quality output.

Discover how to tailor a technology stack to maximize agility and implement cloud-based tools to enhance productivity. Explore insights for staying ahead of the curve. Embrace the latest advancements in legal technology by integrating AI into your legal practice. Prepare to embrace technology, enhance your productivity, and reinvent the way you practice law.

Objectives:

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of how artificial intelligence can streamline various aspects of legal practice, such as drafting demand letters, settlement agreements, and contracts.
• Learn how to integrate AI-powered tools into your existing legal workflows. Develop skills in using AI for tasks like contract analysis, document review, legal research, and predicting legal outcomes.
• Keep up with the latest advancements in legal technology. Understand the benefits and challenges of implementing new technologies in legal practice and learn strategies to smoothly incorporate these tools into your workflows.

Speaker

Oscar Frazier, MBA, PMP, LSSBB, Certified SAFe^® 5 Agilist

4:00 pm-5:30 pm ET

Livestream available

We now live in the age of automation. Advanced computer systems are now doing most of what humans traditionally used to do: writing, researching, editing, organizing, composing, and so on. To that list, now add driving: by far one of the most popular activities in America. Nearly 30 states now authorize self-driving cars. Self-driving cabs now operate in San Francisco. Most new cars also now have a self-driving feature. Before the age of automation, if there was a collision, accident, or traffic infraction, the law looked to the responsible driver to serve time, pay the ticket, cover damages, or receive a judgment. But if you take the driver out of the driving enterprise, who will the law hold liable and why? This course will address those questions, looking at the existing tort, traffic, and criminal laws as well as the new slate of state legislation that now applies in this area.

Objectives:

• Understand how an accident involving a self-driving (or automated) vehicle is different from traditional car collisions.
• Understand how existing civil, tort, traffic, and criminal rules and new state legislation will likely be applied to self-driving cars.
• Understand how a legal professional can best position themselves to be most useful and effective when handling such cases.

Speaker

Mblike Mwafulirwa

4:00 pm-5:30 pm ET

This session reviews current Supreme Court precedent in Fourth and Eighth Amendment use of force cases, with studies of recent, high profile, excessive force cases, including the Rodney King and George Floyd decisions.  Discussions will break down opposing arguments of prosecution and defense, examine the application of civil rights statutes to fact sets, and examine the Court’s application of precedent to the controversy in each case. Emphasis will be placed on the paralegal’s attention to “make-or-break” details during client intake, document review, and trial preparation.

Objectives:

• Develop an appreciation of the complexity of excessive force cases and the importance of especially detailed trial preparation.
• Acquire a working knowledge of federal statutes used to prosecute excessive force violations or establish a federal cause of action.
• Acquire a working knowledge of constitutional rights that protect citizens from excessive uses of force and how constitutional amendments are currently interpreted and applied by the US Supreme Court.

Speaker

Joseph Koenig