Evolution of Expert Witnesses: From Retention to Presentation at Trial
During this presentation, Washington and McCartney will discuss communications
with current and/or prospective expert witnesses, retention of experts, transmittal
of materials to experts, formulation of opinions and the presentation of experts
at trials. Within each subtopic, they will include strategy pointers and pitfalls
to expert retention.
Alonzo Washington, Esquire
John McCartney, Esquire
Flaherty Sensabaugh Bonasso PLLC
Emotional Resilience: An Essential Tool for Litigators
Emotional resilience is an essential tool for litigators. But what is it? How
can it be developed? And why would a busy litigator care? Resilience is the
process of adapting well in the face of adversity and stress and is a quality
that litigators can develop. Resilience is commonly described as the ability
to “bounce back” from life’s inevitable stressors. Litigation practice is stressful,
and many litigators face additional demands from family, as well as with finances,
health, and relationships. We know this: all lawyers experience stress and
loss. It is not a matter of if resilience will be needed; it is a matter of
when. This ability to “bounce back” from stress and loss is essential to a
successful practice and a happy life. But how can litigators learn to bounce
back? Research tells us that people are more resilient when they have caring
and supportive relationships in their lives, and these relationships themselves
are the primary factor that aid in building resilience. In short, resilience
is about trust and support. So, in this workshop, we will talk about some of
the ways that litigators can gain the support they need, reduce their isolation,
and use their natural resourcefulness to become better lawyers and more resilient
human beings.
Jennifer Powell, Director of the Center for Law and Public Service
WVU College of Law
Update on the Laws of Evidence
This presentation will review the rules changes and decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court and the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals concerning the interpretation of the Rules of Evidence during the period 2018-2019.
Professor Marjorie McDiarmid
WVU College of Law
Litigating Motions to Dismiss in Employment Cases
This presentation will discuss trends in 12(b) motions practice in employment
cases. It will address how state and federal courts in West Virginia (and beyond)
have analyzed motions to dismiss various employment-based claims in recent
cases. This presentation will also discuss practical considerations in litigating
motions to dismiss.
Grace Hurney, Esquire
Jackson Kelly PLLC
West Virginia Election Litigation
Election day used to mark the end of a campaign. Now, it’s often just the start
of a new phase: recounts, contests, administrative complaints, and even impeachment.
This presentation will introduce the antediluvian statutes that govern these
proceedings, discuss strategies for election-contest litigators, and ponder unanswered
legal questions that are sure to play out in our increasingly divided times.
Ryan Donovan, Esquire
Hissam · Forman · Donovan · Ritchie PLLC
Legal Research in 2020: An Update on Research Tools and Strategies for Litigation
th
This presentation will update participants on tools and strategies for efficient
and cost- effective legal research including demonstrations of new features
and tools on commercial research platforms such as Westlaw Edge, Lexis Advance,
Bloomberg Law, and FastCase. This session will also discuss reliable and authoritative
free sources for legal information and how to evaluate web sources, generally.
Research strategies that incorporate authoritative free sources for legal information
with the more advanced tools of commercial platforms maximize your research
productivity. The session will end with an update on the resources and services
available from the West Virginia College of Law library to members of the West
Virginia Bar.
Stephanie Miller, Head of Outreach, Attorney Services, and Digital Initiatives
West Virginia University College of Law
Ethics Update 2019
Ms. Cipoletti will review the ethics updates of the past year and will review
disciplinary opinions issued by the Supreme Court in 2019.
Rachael Fletcher Cipoletti, Chief Lawyer
West Virginia’s Office of Disciplinary Counsel
Ten Tips for a Better Brief
Whether you are an experienced litigator or a new lawyer, all of us are working
to be more effective in our writing. This session will help you customize a set
of strategic writing principles that you can apply in your practice.
Professor Jessica Haught
WVU College of Law
Oral Argument: The Science and Art of Persuading Judges in Trial Courts and
on Appeal
While there is no substitute for excellent briefing, oral argument is an important
tool to persuade judges. This presentation will focus on strategies for preparing
for and presenting oral argument in both trial courts and on appeal. The premise
of this presentation is that while these is some art to oral argument, there
are sound tactics that all litigators can use in deciding when to ask for argument,
what to say, and what to avoid.
Anthony Majestro, Esquire
Powell & Majestro PLLC