FACE To FACE - Southern Trial Lawyers Association

THE SOUTHERN TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION
27th Annual Conference the weekend of Mardi Gras in New Orleans
FACE
To
FACE
Where Trial Lawyers Share and Exchange Information and Ideas on
the Real, Absolute and Human Element of Trial Law
Designed for and limited exclusively to Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Trial Lawyers
Wednesday, February 11, 2015 - Sunday, February 15, 2015
J. W. Marriott Hotel, New Orleans
This conference has sold out for seventeen years in a row, and you are strongly encouraged to register immediately!
Remaining rooms, if there are any, will
be released on January 21, 2015.
Agenda
Wednesday evening beginning at 6:00 p.m. with a reception hosted by the J.W. Marriott through Saturday night with the Balcony on Bourbon is
evolving even as you read this notice. The learning is serious, yet relaxed and from some of the best presenters in the country. Many say this is the
best CLE program they attend all year and with all the social events, you’ll have to wait until you get home to rest.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
6:00 - 8:00p
Welcome reception hosted by
J. W. Marriott Hotel
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Friday, February 13, 2015
SESSION 2
Moderator – Adam Malone, Atlanta, GA
STORYTELLING THROUGH WITNESS
EXAMINATION
9:00 – 9:30a
Truth Through the Story
Welcome by President
Thomas W. Malone, Atlanta, Ga
Charles G. Monnett, III
9:30 - 10:00a Liquor Before Beer, Never Fear Charlotte, NC
Why the Order of Witnesses Matters
Tim Hall, Atlanta, Ga
SESSION 1
10:00 - 10:30a ‘Who and Why’ First: The Lens to
Moderator –Pamela Mullis, Columbia South Carolina
Understanding ‘What and How’
and Mark Zamora, Atlanta, Georgia
Marj Russell, Mason, MN
HOW TO GET THE CASES/HOW TO HANDLE
10:30 - 11:00a There Once Was a Healthy Child
THE CASES
Richard Shapiro, Bradenton, FL
11:00 - 11:15a BREAK
9:05 - 9:25a
Best Law Office Practices
Christopher Welsh, Omaha, NE
SESSION 3
9:25 - 9:45a
Gender - Power for the Trial Team
Moderator – Eric Romano, West Palm Beach, FL
Kim Dougherty, Boston, MA
DAMAGES
9:45 - 10:05a Paperless Intakes
Tad Thomas, Louisville, KY
11:15 - 11:45a
The Emerging Consensus on
10:05 - 10:25a Themes in Opening and Closing
Traumatic Brain Injury and How You Jay Urban, Milwaukee, WI
Can Use It to Obtain an Adequate 10:25 - 10:45a Demonstrative Evidence in all Cases
Award
Larry Simon, New York, NY
Gary Gober, Nashville, TN
10:45 - 11:00a BREAK
11:00 - 11:30a Identifying Mass Torts:
11:45 - 12:15p
Protecting Your Client’s Money: The Road You Should Follow
Medicare Compliance and Effectively Rick Schulte, Vandalia, OH
Handling Liens
11:30 - 11:50a Tech Savvy Trial Techniques
Jason Lazarus, Orlando, FL
Elise Sanguinetti, San Francisco, CA
11:50 - 12:10p Collaborative Partnerships
12:15 - 12:45p
Planning for the Future: Effectively Christopher Gilreath, Memphis, TN
Presenting Economic Damages
12:10 - 12:25p Dealing with Difficult Defense Lawyers
P.J. Scheiner, Ft. Myers, FL
Steve Lowry, Savannah, GA
12:25 - 12:50p Rule 23 Class Cases on Liability
12:45 - 1:15p
Telling Your Clients Story: Persuasive and Injury
Presentation of Human Damages
Mark Chalos and Gerard Stranch, IV
Dino Colombo, Morgantown, WV
Nashville, TN
12:50 - 1:15p
Relationship Marketing in the 21st Century
Fred Schultz, Bloomington, IN
Brian Nettles, Henderson, NV
9:00 - 9:05a
Saturday, February 14, 2015
8:00 - 9:00a
BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING
SESSION 4
Moderator – W. Coleman Allen Jr., Richmond, VA
LITIGATION GUMBO: THE GOOD, THE BAD
AND THE TRULY UGLY
9:00 - 9:30a
Proving Physical Pain & Suffering Through Cross-Examination of
Defense Medical Experts, AKA
Power-Proof
John Romano, West Palm Beach, FL
9:30 - 10:00a
Critical Case Development or
Emotion
Charles Joseph Zauzig III, Woodbridge, VA
10:00 - 10:30a
They Made Me Do It: Winning an Auto Products Case Against a
Component Manufacturer
Chris Gover, Montgomery, AL
10:30 - 11:00a
Salt for the Leeches: Removing Liens and Other Claims From Your Clients
Recovery
Edward Allen, Fredericksburg, VA
11:00 – 11:15a
BREAK
SESSION 5
Moderator – Elizabeth M. Burke, Mt. Pleasant, SC
THREE BAD PRODUCTS AND ONE BAD COP
11:15 - 11:45a
Litigating Class Action Cases I and
the Pharmaceutical Products Arena
Chris Coffin, Plaquermine, LA
11:45 - 12:15p
Lipitor: Is it Really That Bad?
An Update on a Fast Paced Litigation
David Miceli, Alton, IL
12:15 - 12:45p
When Manufacturers Go Broke:
Product Liability in Bankruptcy Court
Dan Haltiwanger, Barnwell, SC
12:45 - 1:15p
Policing for Proft: An Expensive Proposition
Mullins McLeod, Charleston, SC
Bus leaves for Krewe of Tucks Parade at 10:00 am.
Everyone will be picked up a hotel check in.
1:00 - 4:00p
Medi Visual Crawfish Boil
10:00 - Midnight Thursday Late Night Party in the
French Quarter
War Horse Banquet
Friday Evening, February 13, 2015
Windsor Court Hotel- Reception 6:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
Dinner 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Tickets to the formal WARHORSE reception and banquet
are $175 each. For first time attendees the price for tickets will
be $100. Please order tickets in advance using the conference
registration form, as tickets will not be available on site. (The
Windsor Court Hotel is about 2 Blocks from the JW Marriott)
This is an elegant celebration in honor of some of the nation’s most outstanding trial lawyers. You are cordially invited to
participate in this special evening with lawyers and their families
from throughout the South. This is a black tie event and masks
can be worn for the reception. (Dark suits acceptable)
WAR HORSE honorees are nominated by members of the
Southern Trial Lawyers Association in recognition of extraordinary contributions to the cause of Justice. Acknowledged leaders in their communities, they have been in active practice for
more than thirty years, demonstrated outstanding skill as trial
advocates, and shown exceptional commitment to furthering the
cause of justice. A solid bronze casting designed by renowned
wildlife artist Pierre Pierce depicting a reared stallion symbolizes the remarkable careers of these WarHorses of the South.
The 2015 recipients of the prestigious WarHorse award are William Andrew “Andy” Haggard from Coral Gables, Florida and
Wade Byrd from Fayetteville, North Carolina.
The Professor W. McKinley Smiley, Jr. Lighthouse
Award is presented annually to America’s Most Outstanding
lawyer in the field of academics, legal scholarship and advocacy
teaching and training. This award recognizes lifelong devotion to
the noble profession of trial law. Honorees stand out as mentors
to young lawyers and professional peers, thus the award’s name
“Lighthouse Award-the light that shines from the lighthouse provides guidance and direction to those weathering the storm. W.
McKinley Smiley, Jr., for whom the award is named, embodies
all that the award seeks to uphold. This years recipient is Peter
Perlman from Lexington Kentucky. Pete is past recipient pf the
prestigious War Horse Award and the Tommy Malone Great
American Eagle Award.
The Tommy Malone Great American Eagle Award recognizes an individual who has a calling to help others. This person
is a powerful example of the bold pursuit of Excellence and Justice. Such an individual is one who inspires others and is a living
symbol of Integrity, Strength, Bravery, Justice, Freedom, Pride,
Devotion, Excellence, and Friendship and to many a Hero.
Southern Trial Lawyers was founded in New Orleans and that’s where our annual conference has always been. After Katrina in
2005, it was up in the air where we would hold our conference. An email went out to all members for suggestions of other locations
and the majority said they wanted to come back and support New Orleans if the hotel and city were ready. I contacted the hotel and
they assured me they were ready. We did come back and I’m proud to say we were one of the first Associations to return to New
Orleans and we had one of our best conferences yet.
Message from the President
It has truly been an honor and privilege to serve as President of STLA this past year. I cannot say too often how much
this organization depends on the great work that Jody Campbell
does day in and day out. There is simply no way that we could
have the quality of events that we have each year without Jody’s
constant attention to detail. I hope that each of you will take a
moment to thank him personally the next time you see him.
STLA is one of the premier trial lawyer organizations in
the country.
Our organization is thriving at a time when many trial lawyer organizations are suffering from declining membership. I
think that is a tribute to the quality and reputation of our members along with the outstanding CLE programs and social events
we offer every year.
If you have not already paid your dues, please do so immediately.
Those of you that attended our Fall Retreat at the Grove
Park Inn in Asheville know what a wonderful time it was. The
Friday CLE was excellent with presentations by Jeffrey Kidd on
the latest developments in truck crash investigations, Michael
Haggard on defeating the preventability defense in inadequate
security/premises liability cases, Bob Shepherd on strategic visualization through the use of demonstrative and illustrative evidence and Christopher Marlowe on investigating and prosecuting child sexual abuse actions.
The Saturday afternoon micro-brewery and distillery tour
gave everyone that attended a chance to get to know one another
better in a fun and relaxed setting. Thanks again to our CLE presenters and to our sponsors: Forge Consulting, Alliance Medications, The Center, Collision Specialists and JPDS.
I know that everyone is looking forward to another fun time
at Mardi Gras in 2015. There is simply not another place in the
world as unique as New Orleans, especially at Mardi Gras. The
Board of Governors has been working hard to improve an already memorable experience for attendees. The Warhorse Dinner remains our marquee event of the year. We have lowered the
price for everyone and now offer a substantial discount for first
time attendees. In addition, the program will be shorter this year
to allow everyone more time on the town Friday night. I encourage everyone to attend. The Crawfish Boil Saturday afternoon is
always a fun time and Saturday night will again feature a balcony
party on Bourbon Street with food and complimentary throws.
As you can see from the attached brochure, this year we will
have another terrific CLE program. The schedule changes made
last year were well received so we will once again start at 9:00
am and end the programs at 1:30 pm so that everyone will have
the opportunity for a leisurely lunch at one of New Orleans premier restaurants and to spend some time enjoying the city before
the evening events.
I look forward to see each and every one of you in New
Orleans.
Laissez les bon temps roulez!!
Charles G. Monnett III
Attorney-at-Law
About the Host Hotel
New Orleans
Style Shrimp/
Crawfish Boil
in the Quarter
Saturday, February 14, 2015
This started five years ago in an alleyway in the
French Quarter. Because of the huge success and
popularity over the years, this event had to be moved
to the House of Blues. Despite high winds and rain the
past two years the turnout was outstanding. Started
by Bob Shepherd with Medi Visuals out of Richmond
Virginia, it has grown and become one of the most
popular social events of the conference. At the time
this brochure was printed a location for this year’s
event had not been determined but location and directions will be available at the reception desk at check
in. Dress code is very casual. (This is free to attendees and guest. Exhibitors will be charged a nominal
fee).
- The J.W. Marriott
is located at 614 Canal Street and is one of New Orleans
premier hotels, offering modern luxury combined with elegance and traditional Southern Charm. Located in the
heart of this vibrant city, it is adjacent to the French Quarter
and within easy walking distance to Bourbon Street, all of
the Mississippi River attractions, streetcar lines, Jackson
Square, and other attractions.
Hotel reservations must be made through the STLA
office in tandem with your conference registration. No reservations will be accepted on a direct basis by the hotel.
Hotel reservations will be confirmed by the STLA office.
Reservations must be made by January 21, 2015. The
STLA conference actually kicks off with the reception on
Wednesday night, February 11, starting at 6 p.m. This reception is hosted by the JW Marriott and the food and drink
is always outstanding. Rooms are available several days
before and after the conference for participants interested
in an extended stay in New Orleans. There is a TWODAY MINIMUM on rooms and there are no concierge-level
rooms.
Because of Mardi Gras, the Cutoff Date is January 21,
2015. However, you are encouraged to register and make
hotel reservations earlier to insure availability. We will sell
out, so act now!
Conference Registration Fees*
$650 Non-STLA member Registrant
$550 Members of the STLA
$850 Exhibit Fee
To Register
REGISTRATION AND EXHIBIT FEES ARE
THE SAME AS THEY WERE IN 2008
Name
*Your conference registration fee covers the welcome reception for you and a
guest, continental breakfast each morning, Thursday night party, 1 ticket for the
Balcony on Bourbon Street, the Crawfish
Boil (Exhibitors pay a nominal fee) and
CLE Credits
Address
The WARHORSE Reception and Banquet are not included in the conference
registration fee, as the additional cost of
$175 and for first time attendees, $100,
is calculated to cover the cost of this extraordinary event. It has proven to be the
highlight of every convention, and you will
not want to miss it!
WANT TO RIDE IN A MARDI GRAS
PARADE?
As an STLA registrant, you have a unique
opportunity to actually ride on a Mardi Gras
float! The Krewe of Tucks is a Mardi Gras
Krewe and many STLA members, faculty and
others participate in this annual event. It is the
fourth largest parade and rolls about 1:30 on
Saturday, February 14th. Through the STLA,
you are invited to experience all the magic of
the season through participating in a parade,
in full regalia, with family and friends. A bus
will pick you up and take you to load onto the
floats and you will be dropped off right up the
street from the J.W. Marriott. This opportunity
is offered separate from the conference, for
a fee of about $1,300 per person, which includes the costume, throws, and party. Additional throws can be purchased. If canceled
due to weather and date changed there will
be no refunds. For more information, contact
the office of Lloyd Frischertz at 504-523-1500
or kotucks@yahoo.com. Tell them you are inquiring about riding on the STLA Float.
In Order to Register: Mail your conference registration form and fee, plus
your completed hotel reservation form
with credit card detail to cover the one
night room deposit to:
Southern Trial Lawyers Association
PO Box 1207
Crawfordville, FL 32326-1207
Phone/Fax (850) 926-4599
Guest’s Name
City
State
Zip
TelephoneFax
E-mail
STLA Member Registration
$550 = $
STLA Non-member
$650 = $
Exhibit Fee
$850 = $
Friday Evening War Horse Banquet
$175 each x ____ = $
War Horse Banquet 1st Time Attendees $100 each x ____ =
$
Balcony on Bourbon Street Sat. Night $100 each x ____ = $
(One ticket included with registration, additional tickets are $100 each)
TOTAL ENCLOSED$
STLA IS NOT ABLE TO ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS FOR CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
FEES. Please issue checks payable to The Southern Trial Lawyers Association to cover the
cost of each conference option that you choose. You may reserve your hotel room by credit
card as noted below.
HOTEL RESERVATIONS at the conference site, the J.W. Marriott, are possible ONLY
through the STLA office, and only AFTER you have registered for the conference. Your
completed hotel reservation form below, should accompany your conference registration form.
There will be a $100 administrative fee for cancelations and hotel must be canceled a week
before conference.Please provide one of the following to insure J.W. Marriott accommodations: 1) Your check or money order payable to the J.W. Marriott Hotel covering the
first night’s stay OR 2) Your credit card detail (credit card information will be provided to the
JW Marriott by STLA). You will receive confirmation of your reservation directly from the J.W.
Marriott.
HOTEL RESERVATION FORM
Name
Address
City/State/Zip
PhoneFax
Arrival Date/Time
Departure Date
Check in 3:00 p.m./Check out 12 noon.
Please check room requested:
SmokingNon-smoking
Deluxe (Corner room with King Bed)
Superior (King or twin beds)
$275 plus 13% tax
$246 plus 13% tax
King
Twin
DEPOSIT OF ONE ROOM NIGHT IS REQUIRED FOR ALL RESERVATIONS:
Please charge my ___________credit card for the one room night deposit required.
Credit Card #Exp.
Name on card
Signature
In order to assure the group rate, the STLA office must receive reservations before January 19,
2015. If the rate requested is not available, the nearest available rate will be confirmed. Reservations requested beyond the cut-off date are subject to availability. Rooms may still be available
after the cut-off date but not at the group rate. Valet Parking is available at the 609 Common Street
entrance. All conference registrations and hotel reservations will be acknowledged/confirmed by
February 1, 2015.
PRSRT. STD.
U.S. Postage
P A I D
Tallahassee, FL
Permit #236
Southern Trial Lawyers Association
P.O. Box 1207, Crawfordville, FL 32326-1207
TEL/FAX (850) 926-4599
stla@talweb.com
CLE Credit - 13 CLE hours are anticipated in the
13-member southern states
Saturday Night on Bourbon Street
February 14, 2015
232 Bourbon Street
7:00 p.m. til 1:00 a.m.
You think Bourbon Street is crazy on the streets
during Mardi Gras, well wait until you see it from
a balcony. Last year was our 5th time for this
event and for the fifth time it was a huge success. We have again rented the 232 Bourbon
Street Balcony and will have our Saturday night
party there. It is two blocks off Canal and is one
of the easiest balconies on Bourbon to get to.
We will have finger foods and an open bar starting at 7 p.m. and this will conclude at 1 a.m. on
Sunday morning. There is no theme this year
so costumes are optional but masks will be required. Our good friends at Robson Forensic
will again supply beads. (1 ticket included in
Registration fee and extra tickets are $100).
Thursday Night Party
10pm until Midnight
Plans are in the works for a party in the
French Quarter on Thursday night. You will
receive an email with the details when plans
have been finalized.