Sessions at a Glance

This course is designed as an overview of the bankruptcy system and process. We will review the most recent updates to bankruptcy law, the types of debt handled in different kinds of bankruptcies, and the differences between the various chapters of bankruptcy. We will review the intake process and the required disclosures as a Debt Relief Agency under the bankruptcy code. In addition, we will review the types of documents that need to be collected, signing and filing a bankruptcy case, and what happens after filing for bankruptcy. A brief discussion at the end will review the discharge and automatic stay issues that come up when handling bankruptcy cases and bankruptcy litigation.

Objectives:

• Understand the basics of bankruptcy
• Comprehend bankruptcy procedures
• Review some of the intricacies of bankruptcy law

Speaker

Jen Lee

This course will prepare attendees for the Civil Litigation portion of the CP^® Knowledge Exam. Content will cover jurisdiction, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, discovery, motion practice, and trial preparation for the paralegal, in addition to appellate practice and rules.

Objectives:

• Review discovery and motion practice
• Understand the trial process and preparation
• Discuss appellate practice and rules

Speaker

Olivia Renfroe, ACP

An overall review of contract law to assist those preparing for the Knowledge Exam portion of the NALA Certified Paralegal (CP^®) Exam. This course aims to give you a general understanding of contracts, including the elements of contracts, formation of contracts, types of contracts, contractual obligations of parties, enforceability, remedies, and ethical obligations.

Speaker

Kaila Glaros, ACP

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

Speaker

Mekka Crawford-Franklin, Esq.

This is a review of a legal memorandum for the CP^® Skills Exam, the second exam required for obtaining the Certified Paralegal credential from NALA. This course introduces the proper format of a memorandum that is required to pass the CP^® Skills Exam.  The presentation will include a discussion of a factual scenario, hypothetical statutes for writing the memorandum, and a sample memorandum based on the scenario. The sample memorandum will be dissected, showing its format and four different parts. The four parts discussed will be facts, issues, discussion/analysis, and conclusions. Scoring for the Skills Exam will be reviewed. The test has five parts worth six points each. The course will emphasize proper format, good grammar, clear writing, and practice writing legal memoranda.

Objectives:

• Understand the proper format of a memorandum
• Dissect a sample memorandum
• Explore scoring for the Skills Exam

Speaker

Glenn Leier

This is a review for the Estate Planning and Probate questions on the CP^® Knowledge Exam. The presentation will include keywords, more than 100 sample multiple-choice questions, and an outline of this area of law. This course introduces a structure with techniques to organize participants’ study for the Knowledge Exam and offers additional study resources. The presentation will focus on the documents commonly used in estate planning and the steps or process for probate court proceedings. The session will introduce the main estate planning tools such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, and non-probate transfers to beneficiaries and the basic requirements of each. Probate administration will be discussed for testate succession and intestate succession.

Objectives:

• Explore keywords in estate planning and probate
• Review sample multiple-choice questions
• Discuss the main estate planning tools

Speaker

Glenn Leier

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

This session is a review for the Real Estate and Property questions on the CP^® Knowledge Exam. The presentation will include keywords, more than 100 sample multiple-choice questions, and an outline of this area of law. This course introduces a structure with techniques to organize participants’ study for the Knowledge Exam and offers additional study resources. The session will focus on knowing, comprehending, and applying keywords. The discussion includes the main types of property (real property, personal property, and fixtures) and why the law distinguishes the different types of property. Real estate principles discussed will apply to real estate transactions and real estate litigation (both may appear on the Knowledge Exam).

Objectives:

• Explore keywords in real estate and property
• Review sample multiple-choice questions
• Discuss real estate principles and the main types of property

Speaker

Glenn Leier

The purpose of this lesson is to provide participants with the basic legal terms of torts and personal injury law, help students identify the various types of torts and the defenses a defendant may raise to each, and provide a practical, hands-on learning experience in related terminology and drafting the necessary documents to practice in this area of the law.

Objectives:

• Contrast a tort action with a criminal action.
• Summarize the elements of negligence.
• Analyze intentional tort claims.

Speaker

Mekka Crawford-Franklin, Esq.

This session will provide a better understanding of the origins and makeup of the US legal system to assist students in preparation for the CP^® Exam.

Speaker

Jill I. Francisco, ACP

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

This session will present the most significant developments in employment law that are challenging to legal teams and their clients. This course will cover employment litigation trends, non-compliance with wage and hour laws, and their ramifications and possible legal remedies. Additionally, this seminar will cover the importance of understanding the protected classes, recent and relevant court cases impacting many employers, and best practices.

Speaker

Bobby Rimas, MLS

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

A multitude of reasons have impacted how ethics and compliance in Corporate America have been reexamined and updated with strategies, procedures, and compliance enforcement or possibly have their growth and profits impacted negatively.  In Corporate America, there is a commonly held view that companies should develop and put into practice new ethical, legal, and compliance methods to ensure long-term existence in environments that have new circumstances and an ever-changing competitive economy.  This session will provide an overview of the core elements of ethics within Corporate America and how legal teams often address and mitigate ethical and compliance issues that can help companies determine organizational culture and success. 

Speaker

Bobby Rimas, MLS

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

Since late last year, the world has come to know ChatGPT. This new technology – a subset of generative artificial intelligence – can perform most of the tasks legal professionals have traditionally performed. It can write briefs and letters, organize documents, assist with research, brainstorm, make predictions based on existing data, and many other things. In time, experts predict that this technology will be able to do much of what we can do, better and faster. In one sense, it will make legal professionals more efficient and effective. But in another sense, it is potentially disruptive technology whose full economic, ethical, and legal implications are still unfolding. Those unprepared for the age of generative artificial intelligence, some industry experts say, will likely be left behind. To best position yourself to succeed in this unfolding age, it is important to understand what generative technology is, how it works, and how best to make use of it without flouting ethical bounds. This course provides a useful starting point.

Objectives:

• Understand the basics of ChatGPT and generative AI, including how they work and what inherent risks exist when using them.
• Explore how legal ethics applies to generative AI and review recent rulings related to its use.
• Discuss best practices for ethical and effective use of generative AI.

Speaker

Mblike Mwafulirwa

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

This course equips you to navigate the dynamic landscape of technology by introducing you to the wide array of AI applications and digital tools you can use to streamline research, enhance accuracy, and save time. Discover how to integrate Agile methodologies into legal research for efficiency. Learn to foster a digital-first culture to stay competitive. Discuss how ethics and confidentiality relate to these digital tools. Familiarize yourself with these technologies in breakout sessions. Expect to leave with the knowledge and confidence to leverage AI and digital tools to optimize your legal research process and contribute more effectively to your team.

Objectives:

• Identify ways you can use AI and digital tools to streamline the legal research process in an efficient and accurate manner. Then learn how to use the AI applications and Agile methodologies that will best serve you.
• Foster a digital-first culture that promotes the use of digital tools and simplifies communication and collaboration in a hybrid work environment. This includes making a plan for staying up to date on new technologies.
• Understand the ethical considerations and confidentiality requirements when using digital tools and AI in legal research and ensure their use complies with legal and ethical standards.

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

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.

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

Electronic contracts law is a modern subject in the substantive law section. It is often tested in real-life practice based on the fast overseas transactions between countries. The countries have different legal systems that conflict with applicable law, especially when it comes to contracts. It is essential for paralegals who work in an international law office or legal department of any company to have a basic knowledge of electronic contracts law.

Speaker

Morphy Andraws, LLM, LLB

Alternative dispute resolution methods are a modern subject in substantive and procedural law. They are often tested in real-life practice because they consider alternative methods to expensive traditional litigation and are faster than the classical litigation process.

Speaker

Morphy Andraws, LLM, LLB

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

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

Tasers, pepper spray, and other conducted energy devices and chemical munitions are intermediate weapons commonly used by police and corrections officers to safely gain control of resistant subjects without resorting to potentially lethal levels of force.  Unnecessary or excessive use of these devices, however, may violate the subject’s constitutional rights or result in injury or even death. This session will explore the intended use of conducted energy devices and chemical munitions, the constitutional standards that govern their use, the application of those standards by federal appellate courts, and documents unique to these devices that are needed in excessive force litigation, prosecution, and defense.

Objectives:

• Develop a working knowledge of arguments for and against the use of conducted energy devices and chemical munitions by police and corrections officers
• Develop a working knowledge of the current treatment of conducted energy devices and chemical munition use by federal appellate courts
• Develop a working knowledge of documents unique to these devices that should be explored during the discovery phase of excessive force cases.

Speaker

Joseph Koenig

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

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

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

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

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

Learn how to ethically search for people online, from setting up a VPN to creating an online account apart from your personal one to perform searches.

Objectives:

• Discover how to set up a VPN to keep your personal information hidden.
• Discover how to use OSINT tools to locate people and evidence online.
• Explore tools for creating online accounts that you can use to run searches without using your personal information.

Speaker

Amy McGuigan, ACP, ACEDS, CAS

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