2015 Vegas Brochure - separate pages.indd

SEPTEMBER 3 - 6, 2015
Fast and easy online registration at caalavegas.org
Discount registration available thru 7-31-15
800 W. Sixth St. #700, Los Angeles, CA 90017
T 213.487.1212 • F 213.487.1224 • caala.org
v Printed on recycled paper
Presorted
Standard
U.S. Postage
PAID
Mercury Mailing
Systems, Inc.
Registration Support Sponsor:
Attorneys who wish to remove their names from lists the State Bar provides to qualified outside entities, or obtain a copy of the State Bar Membership List Policy, may do so by going to the State
Bar’s web site at www.calbar.ca.gov and selecting Opt Out Membership Mail List from the righthand column. You may also e-mail [email protected], or call the Member Services Center at 1-888-800-3400 or 415-538-2225, to obtain an opt-out form. Members who choose to opt
out will not receive mailings about State Bar-sponsored member benefits, such as attorney insurance program offerings, MCLE provider programs, and a variety of professional discounts.
Discounted Rooms at Wynn & Encore
Deadline to Reserve August 2, 2015
CAALA hhas reservedd a limited
li i d block
bl k off rooms for
f convention
i
attendees at the Wynn | Encore resort. Reserve rooms at
Wynn or Encore at the group rate of $269/night from Sept.
2 - 6, 2015. Rates are available through August 2, 2015 or
until room block is filled. To book rooms, call the Wynn at
866-770-7555 and ask for the “CAALA Vegas 2015” room
block; or book online at: http://www.caalavegas.org/hotel
™
EARN
20 HOURS
MCLE CREDIT
Thursday - Sunday
September 3 - 6, 2015
Labor Day Weekend in Vegas!
All Attorneys & Law Firm Staff
Welcome to Attend!
The Largest Convention of
Trial Lawyers Across the Nation!
H Networking receptions each evening
H 20 education sessions for all lawyers
H 145 exhibits of legal service providers
including
4 Hours Legal Ethics,
1 Hour Elimination of Bias,
&1 Hour Competence
Issues
EXHIBIT HALL & COFFEE BREAKS
CONNECTION CENTER & FREE WIFI
The Exhibit Hall offers great resources for legal services and
a place to connect with other attendees. Continental breakfast
is served inside the hall at 8am on Friday and Saturday mornings and snack breaks are available in the afternoons. The
Exhibit Hall is located in the Lafite Ballroom and is open on
Thursday 2pm to 6:30pm, Friday 8am to 5pm, and Saturday
8am to 3pm. Coffee breaks are sponsored by:
The Connection Center is the “meet me” spot of the convention. Located on the stage inside the Exhibit Hall, it’s the
perfect location to connect with colleagues or take a break to
charge your cell phone or laptop with complimentary charging
stations. There is also FREE WiFi access provided in the
Connection Center, throughout the Exhibit Hall and session
meeting rooms. Free WiFi is sponsored by:
THURSDAY KICKOFF PARTY
6:30PM - 8:30PM
FRIDAY CAALA MEMBER MEETING
12:30PM - 1:30PM
Hooray for Hollywood Boulevard
Lights! Camera! Action! It’s opening night at the Thursday
Kickoff Party. This red carpet premiere event will shine with
the stars of the legendary Hollywood Blvd. So make a grand
entrance and take a bow with blockbuster food and beverages
hosted by our sponsors:
Members of CAALA, Consumer/Trial Lawyer Associations
and members of the Judiciary are welcome to attend the
CAALA Annual Member Meeting. Los Angeles Superior
Court Presiding Judge Carolyn Kuhl and Assistant Presiding
Judge Daniel Buckley will give a State of the Court Address.
Box lunches provided
p
by:
y
FRIDAY JUDGES RECEPTION
5:00PM - 7:00PM
SATURDAY COCKTAIL PARTY
6:00PM - 8:00PM
Dancing in the Streets
We’re taking it to the streets at the Friday Judges Reception!
The road to trial success will take us on a journey of famous
streets across the nation. From Broadway to Bourbon Street,
you’ll also get your kicks on Route 66 down to Rodeo Drive.
Join us for a scenic trip with local fare and drinks hosted by:
OZ at XS
Follow the yellow brick road to the Saturday Cocktail Party at
the exclusive XS Nightclub! The Wizard of Oz awaits to grant
your wishes at this private event for convention attendees.
Cocktails and appetizers hosted by our sponsors:
contributing sponsor:
contributing sponsors:
CAALA CONVENTION PLANNING COMMITTEE
Education Chair
Genie Harrison
Education Vice-Chair
Christa Ramey
Deputy Director
Cindy Cantu
Convention Co-Chairs
Martin Aarons
John Blumberg
Danica Dougherty
Tobin Ellis
Taylor Rayfield
Ibiere Seck
EARN
20 HOURS
MCLE CREDIT
Second Vice President
Mike Arias
Secretary
Jeff Rudman
including
4 Hours Legal Ethics,
1 Hour Elimination of Bias,
&1 Hour Competence
Issues
H THURSDAY H SEPTEMBER
R 3 H
T H U R S D A Y OP E N ING SESSIONS 12: 00 PM - 2: 00 PM
TRIAL LAW & MOTION
ELDER ABUSE
Moderator: Taylor Rayfield
Moderator: Tobin Ellis
Judicial Overview of Trial Law & Motion
Hon. Stephanie Bowick
Judicial Overview of Elder Abuse Cases
Hon. Joe Hilberman (Ret.)
Unique Motions in Limine
Michael Armitage
Violations that Trigger Elder Abuse Cases
Elizabeth Hernandez
Bench Briefs & 402 Hearings
Daniel Zohar
Damages in Elder Abuse Cases
Louanne Masry
Dispositive Trial Motions
Gretchen Nelson
Distinguishing Elder Abuse from a Med Mal Case
Kimberly Valentine
Post-Trial Motions
Jill McDonell
Financial Elder Abuse
Phil Aidikoff
T H U R S D A Y A F T E R NOON SESSIONS 3: 15 PM - 6: 30 PM
OTHER CONSUMER CASES
EVIDENCE
LIENS
Moderator: Martin Aarons
Moderator: John Blumberg
Moderator: Ibiere Seck
Defamation – You Can’t Say That!
Chris Whelan
Judicial Overview of Evidence Issues
Hon. Stephen Czuleger
Judicial Overview of Lien Issues
Hon. Patricia Schnegg (Ret.)
Privacy Cases: Misuse of Name,
Image or Likeness and Public
Disclosure of Private Facts
Neville Johnson
Hearsay, Exceptions & Admissibility
Ronnivashti Whitehead
Lien Management:
From Intake to Settlement
Tom Zaret
Unruh Civil Rights Act, ADA Access
and HIPPA Violation Cases
Mayra Fornos
Holding Payday Lenders Accountable
Arthur Bryant
Look Ma, No Hands!
Status of Ride Sharing Litigation &
Future Impact of Driverless Cars
Chris Dolan
Judicial Perspective
Hon. Jeffrey Johnson
Court of Appeal
session sponsor:
Establishing Foundation for
Demonstrative & Electronic Evidence
Lawrence Lallande
Use and Abuse of
Demonstrative Evidence
Jeffrey Greenman
The Pros and Cons of
Medical Records as Evidence
Minh Nguyen
Medical Bills and Collateral Sources:
Admissibility Challenges
James Kristy
Character, Habit or Custom:
What is Admissible?
Anthony Luti
Medicare & Med-Pay Liens
Michael Fields
Medicare Set-Asides
Traci Kaas
MediCal Management and Resolution
Steven Stevens
Workers Comp Lien & Credit Rights
Keith More
Hospital Liens: Howell
Bruce Brusavich
TRIAL SKILLS FOR VEHICLE
ACCIDENT CASES
Moderator: Christa Ramey
Proceed with Caution:
Successfully Trying a MIST Case
Eric Traut
Share the Road: Evaluating and
Trying Motorcycle Cases
Aimee Kirby
Watch for Crosswalks: Effectively
Trying the Pedestrian vs. Auto Case
Gregory Rizio
Road Work Ahead: Use of Accident
Reconstruction Videos & Animation
Matt Davis
Jeffrey Rudman
Danger Zone: Using Biomechanic
Engineers & Crash Data to
Prove Injury Causation
Dave King
Model T’s: Tips on Themes at Trial
Attorney: Robert Simon
Judge: Hon. Elizabeth Lippitt
session sponsor:
H FRIDAY H SEPTEMBER 4 H
F R ID A Y MOR N IN G SESSIONS 9: 00 AM - 12: 15 PM
EMPLOYMENT LAW
GENERAL DAMAGES
Moderator: Tobin Ellis
Moderator: Danica Dougherty
LEGAL ETHICS
BASIC TRIAL SKILLS
Accommodation & Disability
Discrimination Issues in PI
and Workers’ Comp Cases
Michael Baltaxe
Judicial Overview of Damages
Hon. Debre Weintraub
Retainer Agreements & Referral Fees
Philip Layfield
The California Family Rights Act
& Pregnancy Disability Leave Law
Genie Harrison
Wrongful Death Claims
Elise Sanguinetti
Pre-Existing Conditions
& Dealing with Multiple Causes
Daniel Pierson
Recognizing and Dealing with
Conflicts of Interest
James Ham
Perspective from the Bench: Final
Status Conference in PI Courts
Hon. Elia Weinbach
Moderator: Martin Aarons
Trial Timelines and Graphics
in Employment Cases
J. Bernard Alexander
What About Me? Loss of
Consortium and Bystander Cases
Stuart Fraenkel
Cross Examination
in Employment Cases
Carney Shegerian
Conveying Pain, Suffering and
Emotional Distress Damages
Conal Doyle
Opposing Views on Hot Topics
in Employment Law
(1 hour segment)
Plaintiff: Renuka Jain
Defense: Linda Miller Savitt
Judge: Hon. Michael Linfield
Psychological Harm
Without a Physical Injury
John Taylor
A Roadmap for Presenting
General Damages at Trial
Robert Fink
session sponsor:
Managing Client Expectations
Throughout the Case
Laura Sedrish
Loaning/Advancing Money to Clients
Robert Ounjian
Moderator: Ibiere Seck
Mini-Openings and Jury Selection
Mike Arias
Opening Statements
Shawn McCann
Admitting Essential Evidence
on Direct Examination
Douglas Silverstein
Avoiding Legal Malpractice
Todd Bloomfield
Cross Examination:
Strategies and
Effective Impeachment
Dave Ring
Ethical Issues that Arise in Discovery
Mauro Fiore
Closing Arguments
Michael Alder
Ethical Issues in the Courtroom
Hon. Gregory Alarcon
session sponsor:
session sponsor:
F R ID A Y A F T E R N OON SESSIONS 1: 45 PM - 5: 00 PM
GOVERNMENT TORT
LIABILITY
PROVING UNIQUE INJURIES
Moderator: Tobin Ellis
Proper Presentation of
Government Tort Claims
Randy McMurray
Liability for Tortious Acts of
Government Employees
Matt McNicholas
Overcoming
Governmental Immunities
Garo Mardirossian
Moderator: Danica Dougherty
Judicial Overview on
Proving Unique Injuries
Hon. Mark Mooney
Privileges & Motions to Compel:
Getting What You Need
Bill Karns
Effective Use of
Juror Questionnaires
Geoffrey Wells
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Geraldine Weiss
Protective Orders: What’s In or Out
Jeff Westerman
Direct Victim and Bystander
Emotional Distress
Steven Glickman
Grab Bag: FOIA Requests,
911 Calls, Social Media, etc.
David Hoffman
Making the Most of the
20 Minute Voir Dire
Christa Ramey
Injury to Psyche: PTSD
Rahul Ravipudi
Successful Expert Depositions:
Do’s and Don’ts
Paul Traina
Exacerbation and Susceptibility:
The Eggshell Plaintiff
Victor George
Dangerous Conditions on
Public Property
Adam Shea
Lifetime Ramifications of
Catastrophic Injuries
Nick Rowley
Civil Rights & Excessive Force Cases
Carl Douglas
Roundtable:
How I Proved a Unique Injury
Thomas Girardi
and Full Panel
Legal & Investigative Services Inc.
Your Complete Legal Support Center
TM
JURY SELECTION
Moderator: Taylor Rayfield
Effectively Trying a Government
Tort Claim: Overcoming Juror Biases
Greg Bentley
session sponsor:
DISCOVERY
Moderator: John Blumberg
Party Depositions: Effectively Taking
the Defendant’s Deposition and
Preparing Your Clients for Theirs
Tal Rubin
Judicial Perspective on
Effective Discovery
Hon. Michael Raphael
Understanding Verbal and
Non-Verbal Juror Responses
Rex Parris
Alexander Wheeler
Voir Dire Demonstration
in a Personal Injury Case
(1.5 hour segment)
Plaintiff: Arash Homampour
Defense: Doug DeGrave
Jury Consultant: Molly Murphy
Judge: Hon. Kevin Brazile
H SATURDAY H SEPTEMBER 5 H
S A T U R D A Y MO R N ING SESSIONS 9: 00 AM - 12: 15 PM
PRODUCT LIABILITY
Moderator: Ibiere Seck
Moderator: Taylor Rayfield
BRAIN INJURIES
SPECIALTY CREDITS
ADVANCED TRIAL SKILLS
Judicial Overview of
Product Liability Cases
Hon. Timothy Casserly
Judicial Overview
Hon. Russell Kussman
Legal Ethics (1 hour)
Opening Statement:
The Art of Storytelling
David deRubertis
Moderator: Martin Aarons
Ethical Issues with Jury Selection
Hon. Elizabeth Feffer
Pleading Your Product Case
Tim Loranger
Identifying Brain Injuries
Thomas Dempsey
Dr. David Hovda
Choosing the Right Expert
Gary Paul
Brain Injuries in Neonates
Philip Michels
Elimination of Bias (1 hour)
Investigation and Discovery
in Burn Cases
Kevin Boyle
Neuropsychiatry & Neuropsychology
William Newkirk
Identifying Religious and Race Bias
in the Courtroom
Josef Avesar
Damages in Brain Injury Cases
Lawrance Bohm
Workplace Product Injuries
David Rosen
The Consumer Expectation Test
in Product Liability
Brian Chase
Persuading the Jury When
Presenting the Invisible Brain Injury
Brian Panish
Automobile Defects:
Airbags, Safety Restraints,
Tires and Crashworthiness
Christine Spagnoli
session sponsor:
Moderator: John Blumberg
Using Anchors and Themes in
Direct & Cross Examination
Joseph Barrett
State Bar Compliance
Ed Lear
Rethinking How Experts Are Used
Browne Greene
Shorter Closing
Can Be More Persuasive
Lisa Maki
Recognizing & Addressing Gender
and Age Bias in the Legal Profession
Deborah Chang
Competence Issues (1 Hour)
Depression and Mental Illness
in the Legal Profession
Shannon Chavez, MD,
St. Bar Lawyer Assistance Program
Judicial Perspective on
Key Issues at Trial
Hon. Roy Paul
Mistakes I’ll Never Make Again!
(1 hour segment)
Jack Denove
Gary Dordick
Identifying Substance Abuse
Greg Dorst,
The Other Bar
session sponsor:
MA S T E R S P E A K ERS SESSION 1: 45 PM - 5: 00 PM
THE ROAD TO TRIAL SUCCESS FROM THE MASTERS | MODERATOR: GENIE HARRISON
From California to Connecticut, these Masters will give their perspectives about becoming a successful trial lawyer in their state.
Ricardo Echeverria
California
Julie Braman Kane
Florida
Randi McGinn
New Mexico
Patrick McGroder
Arizona
Kathleen Nastri
Connecticut
session sponsor
H SUNDAY H SEPTEMBER 6 H
R E D -E Y E B R E A K F AST SESSION 9: 00 AM - 12: 15 PM
HOT TOPICS IN INSURANCE BAD FAITH
Moderator: Danica Dougherty
Judicial Overview of the Bad Faith Topics
Hon. Daniel Buckley
How to Collect Excess Judgment After the Lid is Off
Mike Bidart
Properly Interpreting an Insurance Policy
Kathryn Trepinski
Establishing and Arguing Bad Faith Damages
Brian Kabateck
Opening Up the Policy
Jeffrey Ehrlich
UM/UIM Claims: The Carrier’s Duty to Investigate
Michael Cohen
HOT topics, served with a HOT breakfast...
plus mimosas and spicy bloody marys!
Breakfast service
8:30 to 10:00am.
session sponsor::
After August 14, attendees must
register online or on site only
Online registration will remain
open thru September 5
SEPTEMBER 3 - 6, 2015 ~ WYNN HOTEL
CONVENTION REGISTRATION INFORMATION
FAST AND EASY ONLINE REGISTRATION AT CAALAVEGAS.ORG
ONLINE REGISTRATION OPEN THRU SEPTEMBER 5, 2015
On-Site Registration Desk Hours
Wednesday 12:00pm - 5:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 6:30pm
Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 6:00pm
CONVENTION REGISTRATION FEES
Registration is open to all attorneys, law firm staff, jurists and law student CAALA members.
Registration fee includes all sessions, digital syllabus, continental breakfasts, coffee breaks,
plus Thursday, Friday & Saturday parties and Sunday breakfast session.
METHOD OF PAYMENTS (ONLINE PREFERRED)
Credit Card Payment (online only)
To pay by credit card, please register instantly online at caalavegas.org
CAALA accepts American Express, Visa, MasterCard and Discover
Check Payment (payable to CAALA – must be received no later than August 14, 2015)
To pay by check, complete this form and mail it to the CAALA Office:
800 W. Sixth St., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA 90017
 Mr.  Ms. _____________________________________________________________
Member Fees for CAALA or other
Consumer/Trial Lawyer Association
After
6/1/15
After
7/31/15
 Attorney Admitted to State Bar 5 or More Years
$525
$625
 Attorney Admitted to State Bar Less Than 5 Years
$475
$575
 Attorney Admitted to State Bar Less Than 2 Years
$425
$525
 Attorney Admitted to State Bar Less Than 1 Year
$400
$500
 Paralegal/Law Firm Staff
$375
$475
no charge
no charge
 Sustaining Member [CAALA members only]
Non-Member Fees
Firm/Employer _____________________________________________________________
 Attorney & Paralegal/Law Firm Staff
$725
$825
Firm Address ______________________________________________________________
 Government/Non-Profit Attorney
$425
$525
City/State/Zip ______________________________________________________________
 Retired Judge/Justice
$425
$525
State Bar # (required) _____________________
 Current Sitting Judge/Justice
no charge
no charge
Phone __________________________
Email (required) ____________________________________________________________
Jurist Fees
Law Student Fees [must be a CAALA Member to attend; see below to join]
 Law Student* CAALA Member
*must present student I.D. upon check in
$125
$125
I am a current member of the following association(s):  CAALA
 AAJ  ABOTA  ABTL  CAOC  CASD  CELA  OCTLA  SFTLA
 OTHER ________________________________________________________________
2015 CAALA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Cancellations will only be accepted in writing through July 31, 2015. Refunds, less a $100 cancellation fee, will
be granted for all cancellations received by the deadline. Refunds will not be given for cancellations received
after the deadline. Registration substitutions may be made only when the substituting party holds the same
membership category as the original registrant. Send cancellation/refund requests to [email protected].
Save now! Join CAALA today to receive the discounted convention fee!
Qualifying* non-members can join CAALA now to receive the discounted convention fee!
Join online at caala.org, or send this membership application with your convention registration form.
 Mr.  Ms. _______________________________________________________________________________
Firm/Employer ________________________________________________________________________________
Firm Address _________________________________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip _________________________________________________________________________________
Phone _________________________________
Email (required) _____________________________________
State Bar # _____________________________
Date Admitted to State Bar _____________________________
Application Date _________________________
Applicant Signature __________________________________
*Requirement for Attorney Membership: You and your firm primarily represent plaintiffs and do not defend on an ongoing
basis insurance company(ies), manufacturer(s), governmental entity(ies), common carrier(s), corporation(s) or public
utility(ies) in personal injury, wrongful death, workers’ compensation, employment or other consumer-related litigation.
 New Membership
 Renew Membership
Attorney Annual Membership Dues
Check appropriate category based on years admitted to State Bar
 Attorney Admitted Less than 1 Year........................................$50
 Attorney Admitted Less than 2 Years ....................................$100
 Attorney Admitted Less than 5 Years ....................................$200
 Attorney Admitted 5 - 19 Years .............................................$300
 Attorney Admitted 20 + Years ...............................................$350
 Sustaining Member ...............................................................$995
Non-Attorney Annual Membership Dues
Law Student/Graduate (not yet admitted to State Bar) ...........$25
Paralegal/Legal Support Staff .................................................$50
[Paralegal and Legal Staff members must be employed by an attorney
member of CAALA. Non-Attorney members cannot vote or hold office.]
No refunds given for dues paid. Dues paid to CAALA may be deductible
in some circumstances as business expenses, but not as charitable
contributions. Consult a tax advisor for advice regarding your situation.