WASHINGTON, April 13, 2021 — Trial lawyers, judges and legal experts will share their experiences and discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the practice of law and courtrooms possibly forever during the American Bar Association TIPS/JD Virtual Section Conference April 27-30.
What:
TIPS/JD Virtual Section Conference
Sponsored by the ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section
and the ABA Judicial Division
When:
Tuesday-Friday, April 27-30
Where:
Online
Program highlights include:
“Trial Masters: Lessons Learned” — Trial lawyers who have recovered or prevented record-setting verdicts in high-stakes and high-profile cases will share trial tips, best practices and strategies that work. One panelist, Randall L. Kinnard of Kinnard of Clayton & Beveridge in Nashville, Tennessee, will also provide special insights into the $55 million verdict he won for sportscaster Erin Andrews in her lawsuit against a hotel and a stalker.
Wednesday, 3-4:30 p.m. CT
“The Ethics of Practicing Law Remotely” — COVID-19 forced new ways of practicing law that have changed litigation practices forever. Practicing remotely raises a few ethical and practical issues — from virtual courtroom “decorum” to licensing and marketing concerns to time-capture. Civil litigation is likely never be going back to principal reliance on in-person proceedings — from witness interviews and preparation to depositions, hearings and even trial. A panel of experts will discuss ABA Model Rules, as well as some nationwide trends in the tort, trial, and insurance practice world.
Thursday, Noon-1:30 p.m. CT
“Modern Written Advocacy in the Digital Age” — Courts are getting busier by the day and operating in the age of information bombardment. Judges almost universally report that they are increasingly frustrated with the volumes of written materials they are asked to review. But creative use of technology can be a brief writer’s best friend. This panel — including Robert E. Bacharach, circuit judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, Denver, Colorado; Louise Dovre Bjorkman, Minnesota Court of Appeals, St. Paul, Minnesota; and Jane B. Stranch, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, Cincinnati, Ohio — will explore effective writing techniques, including clarity, organization, persuasion, as well as formatting and use of graphics, in creating substantive motions and appellate briefs. They will share strategies for writing in a concise manner that quickly gets your point across with impact and advocating in a world where many judges are reading briefs on digital devices, including tablets. Learn how to make your points most effectively in this brave, new, digital world.
Thursday, 3:30-5 p.m. CT
“Has the Covid Pandemic Changed the Courtroom Forever?” — The pandemic has forced courts to rethink their practices, policies and procedures. Some judges love remote hearings, others hate them and most believe remote jury trials present challenges. It is likely that the issues and solutions spawned by the pandemic will last and substantially transform civil litigation even after the courtrooms are safe. Judges and experts, including Sherri A. Lyndon, district judge, U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, Florence; Alan Albright, district judge, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, Waco; Ramona See, retired judge, Superior Court of Los Angeles County, Torrance, California; Linda Bell, chief judge, Eighth Judicial District of Clark County, Nevada, Las Vegas; Heather Welch, judge, Marion Superior Court & the Indiana Commercial Court, Indianapolis, Indiana; share their experiences.
Friday, 10-11 a.m. CT
The complete agenda can be viewed online.
This event is open to members of the press. For media registration, please contact Robert Robinson at robert.robinson@americanbar.org.
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