Sessions at a Glance

The class action litigation structure is unique in the American legal system, allowing numerous duplicate individual cases to be combined and tried as one suit. In this session, we will examine the underlying federal statutes that pertain to class action lawsuits and the structure of class action litigation from first filing through case resolution. Participants will discuss the risks and benefits of class actions from both the plaintiff and defendant perspectives and the differences between class actions and mass tort actions. They will compare class action litigation to the life cycle of more traditional litigation and review several notable class action cases.

SPEAKER: Heather Crawford

What happens when millions of people incur the exact same damages from a big box retail store after a data breach allows cybercriminals to steal customers’ protected information? No court can handle a million identical lawsuits all at once, so those individual suits get consolidated into a class action lawsuit. In this session, we will examine the underlying federal statutes that pertain to class action lawsuits and the structure of class action litigation from first filing through case resolution. We will also discuss the ramifications of a data breach, what the most at-risk information is, and how it is protected. The presentation will include a discussion of In re: Target Corporation Customer Data Security Breach Litigation, arising out of a 2013 data breach of retail giant Target that affected an estimated 70 million customers.

SPEAKER: Heather Crawford

This presentation will outline areas and regulations that are important for global legal operations or compliance teams. It will touch on compliance, privacy, employment, international trade, AI regulations, data protection, sanctions, the FTC’s noncompete rule, and GDPR updates.

SPEAKER: Dipo Akin-Deko

This session offers an introduction to the industry standards that govern music contracts. Tailored for aspiring music professionals, legal practitioners, and individuals involved in the music business, the presentation focuses on essential contractual concepts and the analysis of industry-standard agreements.

This session examines the fundamental terms and clauses found in various music contracts, including recording agreements, publishing deals, and management contracts. Participants will explore how these terms shape the legal and financial relationships among artists, labels, and other stakeholders.

SPEAKER: Amber Simon, JD, LLM

This session will examine the bankruptcy system and process, including recent updates, types of debt, and the different chapters of bankruptcy. It is designed as a review for the NALA Certified Paralegal (CP ^®) Exam.

SPEAKER: Mekka Crawford-Franklin, Esq.

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

This session is an overall review of contract law designed to assist those preparing for the Knowledge Exam portion of the NALA Certified Paralegal (CP^®) Exam. The goal of this presentation is to provide a general overview of contracts, including their elements, formation, types, obligations, enforceability, remedies, and ethical considerations.

SPEAKER: Jill I. Francisco, ACP

This session is a review of corporate and commercial law designed to assist those preparing for the Knowledge Exam portion of the NALA Certified Paralegal (CP^®) Exam. This presentation provides an overview of business law, including the various kinds of business entities and their advantages and disadvantages, business formation, securities regulations, fiduciary duties, the business judgment rule, mergers, acquisitions, dissolutions, and antitrust laws.

SPEAKER: Thomas James, 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.

This session focuses on reviewing a legal memorandum for the Certified Paralegal (CP^®) Skills Exam, the second exam required for obtaining the CP^® credential from NALA. It introduces the proper format of a memorandum that is required for the CP^® Skills Exam. The presentation will include a discussion of a factual scenario, a review of hypothetical statutes for writing the memorandum, and an analysis of a sample memorandum based on the scenario. The analysis will cover its format and four different parts: facts, issues, discussion/analysis, and conclusions. Scoring for the Skills Exam will also be reviewed.

SPEAKER: Glenn Leier, JD

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

This session is designed to assist those preparing for the Certified Paralegal Exam, focusing on review for the ethics portion of the Knowledge Exam. It 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

This session offers a review of the Real Estate and Property section of the Certified Paralegal (CP^®) Knowledge Exam. It will include key terminology, an outline of this area of law, and more than 100 sample multiple-choice questions. Participants will analyze essential concepts, including the main types of property: real property, personal property, and fixtures. The session will also cover fundamental real estate principles relevant to both real estate transactions and real estate litigation, as these topics may appear on the Knowledge Exam.

SPEAKER: Glenn Leier, JD

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 session will provide a historical overview of privacy in the United States, focusing on the regulation and enforcement of privacy rights. It will review key Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulatory actions and analyze the elements of unfair, deceptive, and abusive trade practices. This session will also explore recent legislative developments shaping privacy law.

SPEAKER: Lisa Ellis, CP, CIPP-US

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

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) for conception such as artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization are becoming increasingly prevalent. State statutes have generally not kept pace with this trend or with technological advancements in this area. With the overruling of Roe v. Wade, it is uncertain whether parentage and ART statutes will be extended to previously unmentioned groups. This session will examine, compare, and contrast statutory frameworks for the establishment of parental rights when people conceive children using ART other than surrogacy. It will also explore post-Dobbs constitutional issues and provide practical guidance for establishing parentage in various scenarios involving ART. The presentation will draw heavily from Thomas James’ University of Maryland law review article, “Assisted Reproduction: Reforming State Statutes After Obergefell v. Hodges and Pavan v. Smith.”

SPEAKER: Thomas James, Esq.

After you win a monetary judgment, the next step is collecting the debt. As a paralegal, you may never consider that you may be put in the position of the much-maligned debt collector! Explore collection laws under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, methods of collecting debt, insights into finding assets, and the possibility of uncollectible debt.

SPEAKER: Olivia Renfroe, ACP

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

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

Do you want to become an Excel power user? This session will review the basics of creating Excel spreadsheets and provide insights into making Excel a powerful productivity tool. Participants will explore advanced techniques, useful keyboard shortcuts, and strategies for getting the most out of Excel.

SPEAKER: Terry Hale, ACP

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 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 explores the intricate legal and ethical landscapes surrounding the adoption of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in legal and compliance departments. Participants will review key legal considerations, including data privacy, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance. The session will also address ethical issues such as bias, transparency, and accountability. It is designed for legal professionals, compliance officers, and organizational leaders. Through practical implementation strategies, case studies, and interactive discussions, attendees will examine methods for developing and applying robust compliance frameworks and risk management practices. The goal is to help participants navigate the complexities of integrating AI technologies into their operations while upholding the highest standards of legal and ethical conduct.

SPEAKER: Dipo Akin-Deko

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 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

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 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

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.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform society radically, including the legal profession. However, it has produced many gray areas in the law and new kinds of legal and ethical risks. Courts, legislators, and administrative agencies have been forced to grapple with these issues in recent years. This session will review developments in case law, legislation, and administrative regulation of the use of AI since 2023.

SPEAKER: Thomas James, Esq.

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

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