expanded agenda for 2019
A must-attend event for paralegals of all levels working in civil defense firms. This one-day seminar is designed to hone your skills as a valuable member of your legal team. Instructors include attorneys and senior paralegals from several Virginia defense firms. Space is limited, so register today.
Draft Agenda
10:00–10:30 Registration
10:30-11:30 The Rules of Engagement: Primer on Federal and State Court Rules This session will address topics such as where to find applicable rules, most used rules, recent changes to rules, and how to find local rules and customs.
James Cales, Attorney, Furniss Davis Rashkind & Saunders
11:30-12:30 Who’s Who? How to Effectively and Efficiently Research Jurors Where and how do you ethically look for juror information, what information is relevant and important, and what are the best formats for organizing juror information for the trial attorney?
Kimberly Beasley, Paralegal, Hancock Daniel
Ashley Calkins, Attorney, Hancock Daniel
12:30-1:00 Lunch
1:00-1:45 Tips and Best Practices for Assisting with Document Review & Production
This session will share tips and best practices for collecting, organizing, reviewing and producing documents from parties as well as non-parties for cases (and firms) of all sizes, including privileges to be aware of when reviewing documents to be withheld, Virginia spoliation laws, and federal production/preservation issues. Also includes a discussion of the privileges to be aware of when reviewing documents to be withheld, Virginia spoliation laws, and federal production/preservation issues topics.
Saemi Murphy, Attorney, Harman Claytor Corrigan & Wellman
Chandra Reeves, Paralegal, Harman Claytor Corrigan & Wellman
1:45-2:30 Trials 101: A Paralegal’s Role in Trial Prep and Trial
This session will address how to work up a case before trial, what’s needed as you approach trial, local rules and procedures to watch out for, use of demonstratives, and the paralegal’s role as air traffic controller during trial and include a discussion of what needs to be in your Trial Toolkit.
Dawn Attean, Paralegal, Moran Reeves Conn
Taylor Brewer, Attorney, Moran Reeves Conn
2:30-2:45 Break
2:45-3:30 Reclaiming Your Time: the Zen of Time and Productivity Management *NEW*
Particularly in the legal field, with the pressure to bill and manage urgent client and firm needs, time management and productivity can be a struggle in daily practice. Ashley Dobbs is currently an associate clinical professor and director of the IP & Transactional Law Clinic at University of Richmond School of Law. With more than 25 years combined experience in business and law, she has firsthand experience with both these time-management challenges and implementing solutions. From running her own consulting firm to practicing at Hogan Lovells (one of the largest firms in the world), to teaching future attorneys, Ashley has supported all types of people in improving their productivity and managing their time and environment to achieve their goals.
Ashley R. Dobbs, Director of Intellectual Property and Transactional Law Clinic & Associate Clinical Professor of Law, University of Richmond School of Law
3:30-4:30 Roundtable Discussion “Wine and Wisdom” *NEW*
This seated cocktail reception is your chance to network and share tips and best practices with your fellow defense paralegals, with an initial focus on carry over from the morning sessions and software and vendor recommendations. Bring your specific challenges to ask your colleagues.
Moderator: Kay King, Paralegal, TimberlakeSmith
4:30 Adjourn
Registration
Registration fee of $125 includes written materials, lunch and wine & wisdom roundtable networking session. Our online registration accepts both credit card and check payments. To pay by check, select "Invoice me" on the registration page.
Cancellations accepted until 7/31, minus a $25 processing fee. No refunds after 7/31. Substitutions welcome anytime. Business attire is recommended.
Please answer the demographic questions on the registration form so that we can better focus our afternoon roundtable discussion.
Hotel
There are many lodging options in the Innsbrook development.
Sponsors
For sponsorship information, contact Amy Gilbody at agilbody@vada.org.
