Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg held to the mantra of “Get it right and keep it tight” when writing her notorious legal opinions. Explore the importance of research, words, grammar, and punctuation in your legal writing. Gain insight into how to avoid distractions in the wording of your argument with the goal of making your motions and briefs memorable to judges.

SPEAKER: Olivia Renfroe, ACP

This session will discuss case eligibility, criteria, processes, and the likelihood of certain outcomes based on the type of criminal case and the client’s circumstances. It is important for legal professionals working on criminal defense cases to be aware that the repercussions of a criminal arrest, offense, or conviction may continue long after a sentence is completed. Gaining an understanding of barriers to reentry can offer insights into strategies for client satisfaction. Options for post-conviction relief are available in some state and federal cases.

SPEAKER: Corrin Swintosky

This session will explore the potential challenges with using artificial intelligence (AI) in the legal field. While AI has become a very powerful tool, it is important for lawyers and paralegals to consider professional responsibility rules before incorporating AI into their work. This presentation will explore specific legal ethics rules related to the use of AI in providing legal services.

SPEAKER: Thomas Pokladowski, Esq.

This session is an introduction to substantive and criminal law that includes criminal statutes, search and seizure, arrest, confessions, citizens’ rights, court functions, admissible evidence, and investigative techniques. Emphasis is placed on providing insights into practical uses for assisting defense attorneys, including procedural issues for arrest warrants, probable cause hearings, grand juries, and trial issues.

SPEAKER: Mekka Crawford-Franklin, Esq.

Risk, compliance, and legal teams play critical and distinct roles in organizations, especially those operating in high-risk markets. These teams must work in concert to navigate complex regulatory landscapes, manage risk, and ensure legal compliance, thereby safeguarding the organization’s reputation and financial health. This presentation will offer practical strategies for these teams to collaborate to ensure synergy while meeting their team goals.

SPEAKER: Dipo Akin-Deko

This session will explore the impact of cannabis legalization on state and federal criminal offenses. It is important to distinguish between states that have legalized cannabis medically and/or recreationally and ones that have decriminalized it. Changes in cannabis law have resulted in both the decriminalization of cannabis possession or use and different forms of relief for cannabis-related criminal offenses. Discussions surrounding state and federal legislation will offer insights into the processes of cannabis criminalization and explore ways government agencies and legal professionals can address challenges faced by individuals with cannabis-related criminal records.

SPEAKER: Corrin Swintosky

This session will examine the rules of professional responsibility regarding candor, confidentiality, loyalty, and fairness through an interactive quiz show format. Attendees will compete for bragging rights as Atlantic City’s Most Knowledgeable Quiz Show Paralegal. The questions presented will give participants a chance to explore critical ethical rules all paralegals need to know and practice.

SPEAKER: Thomas Pokladowski, Esq.

This session will define tort law’s historical underpinnings as well as major tort and criminal law key terminology. It will compare the elements of intentional torts with each other and with negligence claims, highlighting their similarities and differences. Participants will examine the foundations, elements, and proof challenges of strict liability torts.

SPEAKER: Mekka Crawford-Franklin, Esq.

This panel will examine key aspects of international intellectual property (IP) law to introduce participants to the major international frameworks that govern IP law, including essential treaties and agreements such as the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement and the Berne Convention. It will explore how IP rights are protected and enforced across different jurisdictions.

The discussion will delve into the complexities of cross-border IP challenges, highlighting the difficulties and nuances involved in enforcing IP rights on a global scale. Participants will analyze the disparities between countries’ legal systems and protections to gain an understanding of these challenges.

Additionally, the panel will cover essential research methodologies specific to international IP law. The goal of this segment is to provide practical tools and strategies for conducting thorough and effective research in this complex field.

SPEAKER: Amber Simon, JD, LLM

This session will review key considerations for managing international legal entities. It will explore the meaning of apostilles, legalizations, and which countries are signatories to the 1961 Hague Convention. To highlight some differences, attendees will examine specifics around entities formed in the United Kingdom, Netherlands, and Hong Kong.

SPEAKER: Lisa Ellis, CP, CIPP-US

Paralegals handle many tasks traditionally associated with attorneys, such as communicating with clients, drafting briefs, and assisting in court. With the amount of communication and writing paralegals handle in their day-to-day work, it is vital for their skills to be up to snuff. There are plenty of easy ways to hone your skills, which can make your job easier, impress your attorneys, and help you deliver a client-centered experience. Explore the importance of communication and writing, strategies for becoming a confident legal writer and communicator, and legal practice management software’s potential to enhance your skills.

SPEAKER: Terry Hale, ACP

This course is designed to prepare attendees for the Civil Litigation section of the Certified Paralegal (CP^®) Knowledge Exam. It will cover key topics such as jurisdiction, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, discovery, motion practice, trial preparation for paralegals, and appellate practice and rules.

SPEAKER: Olivia Renfroe, ACP

How do you present a paperless trial if you do not have the best technology? What if you come from a small firm or a government agency that does not use all the newest technology? Digital or electronic trials have been and will continue to be the preferred way to present a trial. Participants in this session will explore how to prepare for trial with no or less paper using Adobe, Teams, OneNote, Audacity, and DaVinci Resolve. The goal is to provide insights into eliminating giant binders, long waits for transcripts (or going without), and the need to flip through hundreds of pages to find that one nugget of info.

SPEAKER: Terry Hale, ACP

This session will discuss common legal privacy concepts found in the US legal landscape. Attendees will explore some of the most prevalent legal definitions under federal and state laws, including commonalities and differences. Regulations around website tracking technologies and HIPAA will also be examined.

SPEAKER: Lisa Ellis, CP, CIPP-US

Along with managing their trauma, ensuring day-to-day survival, and taking care of other family members, survivors of domestic violence are often expected to have robust knowledge of court protocol and proceedings when seeking justice or holding an offender accountable. Without a trauma-informed legal team to guide survivors through these processes, re-traumatization can occur, and prosecutor cases can be compromised. This session will introduce trauma-informed approaches to helping survivors of gender-based crimes navigate the complexities of participating in the family litigation arena. It will also offer insights into managing unique survivor behavior and reactions in the courtroom setting.

SPEAKER: Heather Crawford

This session provides a comprehensive review of the Estate Planning and Probate section of the Certified Paralegal (CP^®) Knowledge Exam. It will cover key terminology, an outline of this area of law, and more than 100 sample multiple-choice questions. Participants will explore estate planning documents, such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, and non-probate transfers to beneficiaries. This session will also address probate court proceedings, focusing on probate administration for both testate and intestate succession.

SPEAKER: Glenn Leier, JD