Agenda / Content Covered

1. Preparing Pleadings, Motions and Briefs
   9:00 - 10:00, Vincent Pavlish
   1. Drafting Pleadings (with Samples)
   2. Service and Filing (Including E-Filing)
   3. Drafting Common Motions (with Samples)
   4. Opposition, Affidavits, Memorandums and Orders
   5. Tips for Persuasive Writing and Cite-Checking
2. Discovery Requests, Responses and Document Productions
   10:00 - 11:00, Susan B. Mayer and Brian J. West
   1. Preparing Disclosure Statements
   2. Drafting Discovery Requests
   3. Preparation and Service of Subpoenas
   4. Responding and Objecting to Discovery Requests
   5. Document Retrieval, Review and Production
   6. Collecting, Reviewing and Producing Electronic Documents
   7. Creating Privilege Logs
3. Depositions: Scheduling, Preparation and Summaries
   11:15 - 11:45, Christopher L. Decker
   1. Setting up/Scheduling Depositions
   2. Deposition Preparation
   3. Reviewing and Summarizing Depositions
4. Litigation Case Management, Organization and Communication
   12:45 - 1:45, Brian J. West
   1. Calendaring and Docketing
   2. Tracking Systems
   3. Document Management
   4. Organizing Case Files
   5. Coordinating Communications Between Parties
   6. Leveraging Technology in Litigation
   7. Savvy Legal Research and Online Investigation Tips
5. Preparing for Jury Selection and Instructions
   1:45 - 2:30, Christopher L. Decker
   1. Obtaining a List of Potential Jurors
   2. Preparing Juror Questionnaires
   3. Drafting Voir Dire Questions
   4. Researching Potential Jurors: Social Media and More
   5. Understanding Rules for Jury Challenges
6. Trial Preparation and Creating a Trial Notebook
   2:45 - 3:30, Susan B. Mayer
   1. Preparing Trial Binders - Litigation vs. Chronological Notebook
   2. Organizing Exhibits and Other Demonstrative Evidence
   3. The Power of the Exhibit and Witness Lists
   4. Preservation of Evidence - Spoliation and Other Issues
   5. Locating and Communicating with Lay and Expert Witnesses
   6. Trial Site Preparation
   7. Assisting at Trial and Post-Trial Wrap-up
7. Ethics for Litigation Paralegals
   3:30 - 4:30, Susan B. Mayer
   1. Avoiding UPL in Litigation
   2. Handling Client Files
   3. Billing and Timekeeping
   4. Ethics of Discovery and Evidence
   5. Maintaining Confidentiality

Accreditation Details:

CHRISTOPHER L. DECKER is an attorney and shareholder with Boone Karlberg P.C., where he focuses his practice on civil litigation, insurance, FELA law, trucking defense and personal injury. Mr. Decker is a past board member of the Western Montana Bar Association, and a member of The National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel and the Defense Research Institute. He received his B.A. degree, with high honors, from Carroll College and his J.D. degree, with honors, from the University of Montana School of Law.

SUSAN B. MAYER is president and CEO of Litigation Abstract, Inc. She has been providing technology assisted litigation support services to the legal community in both the public and private sectors since 1989. Ms. Mayer has consulted on the design and implementation of databases for numerous document reviews and productions in litigation across the United States. She and her team at Litigation Abstract, Inc. are working with attorneys to make e-discovery more accessible and cost effective for small to mid-sized law firms and projects. Ms. Mayer is one of the most experienced electronic trial consultants in the United States, with experience in state and federal courts and civil and criminal trials. She has previously lectured on legal ethics topics for National Business Institute and other organizations. Ms. Mayer earned her B.A. degree from Duke University.

VINCENT PAVLISH is an attorney with the Judnich Law Office in Missoula. He practices primarily in trial work, including personal injury and criminal defense. His trial practice includes both civil and criminal matters. Mr. Pavlish attended the University of Montana, for both his undergraduate and law degree. He was heavily involved with the ASUM student union, and was on staff and an editor at the Montana Law Review and participated in National Moot Court and Environmental Law Moot Court. Before joining the Judnich Law Office, Mr. Pavlish clerked for Judge Ray J. Dayton in Anaconda, Montana, for almost two years. He is admitted to practice in all Montana courts.

BRIAN J. WEST is a partner in the West Law Firm, P.C. Since opening the western branch of the firm in 2010, his legal practice has encompassed a wide range of needs for his clients. Mr. West's practice focuses on counseling individuals and businesses as they start, form, and grow. He has experience with civil litigation, including jury trials. Additionally, Mr. West works in the areas government law practice and criminal defense. He currently serves as legal counsel for the town of Stevensville and previously was legal counsel for the town of Darby. Mr. West advises on employment, contracts, government process, and policy. For criminal defense, he has defended both misdemeanors and major felonies to trial, including negligent vehicular homicide, negligent homicide and DUI. He earned his B.A. degree from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington and his J.D. degree from the University of Montana School of Law. During law school, he attended the Marco Polo-Zheng He Maritime Law program at Xiamen University in 2007 and was the president of the International Law Society.