MAGIC LESSONS LEARNED IN THE COURTROOM

Transcription

1 THE SOUTHERN TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION 28th Annual Conference the weekend of Mardi Gras in New Orleans Wednesday, February 3, Sunday, February 7, 2016 J. W. Marriott Hotel, New Orleans MAGIC LESSONS LEARNED IN THE COURTROOM Things We Do to Raise Our Courtroom Performance from the Level of Craft to that of an Art Where Trial Lawyers Create, 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 This conference has sold out for eighteen years in a row, and you are strongly encouraged to register immediately! Remaining rooms, if there are any, will be released on January 15, 2016.

2 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 3, :00-8:00p Welcome reception hosted by J. W. Marriott Hotel Thursday, February 4, :00-9:05a Welcome by President Earl Denham, Ocean Springs, MS SESSION 1 Moderator Mattie Taylor, Little Rock, AR 9:05 9:35a Harold Tripp Sebring, Tampa, FL Now You See Them, Now You Don t: Tracking a Physicians Whereabouts in a Medical Malpractice Case in Preparation for Trial 9:35 10:05a Earl Denham and Matt Pavlov, Ocean Springs, MS Winning Your Case in a Prejudice Environment 10:05 11:05a Randy Hall, Little Rock, AR and Weldon Patterson, Knoxville, TN Where there s Smoke, There s Fire (Randy represented the Plaintiff in this Case and Weldon Represented the Defendant) 11:05 11:20a BREAK SESSION 2 Moderator - Tommy Malone, Atlanta, GA 11:20 11:50a Howard Spiva, Savannah, GA Late Afternoon in Savannah s Urban Garden (Tale of two cities: The $12 Million Tree) 11:50-12:20p Brad Houck, Atlanta, GA Justice in Rural Venues 11:20 12:50p Chris Searcy, West Palm Beach, FL Magic: When it s Right You Know It 12:50 1:20p Adam Malone, Atlanta, GA Thoughts on How To Discover the True Story and Show It Friday, February 5, 2016 SESSION 3 Moderator Ken Suggs, Columbia, SC 9:00 9:30a Navan Ward, Montgomery, AL Preparing Plaintiff Experts and Treating Physicians for Trial 9:30 10:00a Jerry Jowers, Columbia, SC Stranger in a Strange Land 10:00 10:30a Mel Orchard, Jackson, WY Universal Truth vs. Stereotype 10:30 11:00a Mike A. Kelly, San Francisco, CA The Magic of Methaphors and Analogies in Final Judgement 11:00 11:15a BREAK SESSION 4 Moderator Gary Gober, Nashville, TN 11:15-11:45a Justin Kahn, Charleston, SC The Magic of Creative Demonstrative Evidence 11:45 12:15p Gary Pillersdorf, New York, NY The Magic of Persuasive Story-Telling 12:15 12:45p Joe Fried, Atlanta, GA The Magic of a Powerful Summation 12:45 1:15p Pamela Mullis. Columbia, SC The Magic of Thinking Big: Have a Vision for Your Cases 6:45 9:30p War Horse Banquet (Due to decrease in price we expect another large crowd)

3 Saturday, February 6, :00 9:00a BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING SESSION 5 Moderator Eric Romano, West Palm Beach, FL 9:00 9:30a Annesley DeGaris, Birmingham, AL Mass Tort Update 9:30 10:00a Rebecca and Shane Langston, Jackson, MS Emerging Trends in Personal Injury Practice 10:00 10:30a Peter Burns and Peter Mackey, Mobile, AL Anticipating Change and Keeping Ahead of the Current 10:30 11:00a Arthur Bryant, Oakland, CA Abracadabra: Making Hidden Evidence Reappear 11:00 11:15a BREAK SESSION 6 Moderator Robert Phillips, Rock Hill, SC 11:15 11:45a Robert V. Phillips, Rock Hill, SC 50 Cent ll Getcha Mo Money, No Problems: Turning Chicken #### into Chicken Salad For 50 Cent.Literally 11:45 12:15p Chad McGowan, Fort Mill, SC Sometimes You Gotta Take a Chance (Trial Practice and Cross Exams of Experts) 12:15 12:45p Randall Hood, Rock Hill, SC Kill all the Lawyers (People who Misunderstand Shakespeare be Damned) Rather, Let s Eliminate the Witnesses Who Stand for Injustice... (Tips on Neutralizing or Eliminating Defense Expert s and Defendant s Testimony) 12:45 1:15p Susie F. Campbell, Georgetown, SC Mass (ive) Torts: Holding Onto Your Case Once Ordered Into MDL Bus Leaves for Krewe of Tucks Parade at 10:00 am Everyone will be picked up at hotel check in. 1:00 4:00p Medi Visual Crawfish Boil War Horse Banquet Friday Evening, February 5, 2016 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 $200 each. Tickets for attorneys and their guest attending for the first time 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 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 Frank Branson, Dallas Texas. 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 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.

4 Message from the President Being a lawyer, a good lawyer does not of itself make one a trial lawyer. A trial lawyer earns the appellation through years of grueling work, trying difficult cases in a sometimes hostile courtroom, winning at times against all odds. It is a badge of honor won in combat. A trial lawyer pushes his or her heart to breaking out of devotion to the client, and once unleashed, a trial lawyer will fight fearlessly against overwhelming odds until justice prevails, or until there is no possible way to continue. A trial lawyer s clientele are often common people, the salt of the earth, and their work excludes representing only the elite members of society or any insurance company. A trial lawyer never works for big companies against the people. No insurance defense attorney ever earns an easy victory over a trial lawyer, even in these days of rigged rules and what often is an unlevel courtroom. All a real trial lawyer wants is a fair fight and a clear place to fall in order to perform the magic for which we are known, to succeed or to fail if that is fated, but never for lack of effort. One cannot become a trial lawyer by proclamation of an ad agency, by self-declaration, nor by studying coursework over a week or weekend, passing a test, and paying for a wall plaque. A trial lawyer s duty is to win. A successful trial lawyer acquires the duty to give back time, devotion and pro bono service. The heart of every prospective trial lawyer yearns to be recognized as a trial lawyer but can never suggest or request that recognition, which must be spontaneous, coming from another trial lawyer to have any meaning. I will never forget the day an esteemed, grizzled veteran of the Old School, a true Mississippi trial lawyer with whom all of you would have been proud to be associated, said to me when the cutting was over, the floor slippery, and my client and I alone remained standing, Well done, Son. You are one helluva trial lawyer. What you did here is a star in your crown. Only on that day, I knew I had at last been dubbed a trial lawyer, and my pride in this, in us, in this sacred thing we do through our hard work and our magic has not diminished from that day to this. Over the years I have met both living and aspiring legends, those with stars in their crowns and those with stars in their eyes, and I have been enriched both by their lives and the knowledge they have shared with me as well as by the zeal, ethics, and and intense curiosity of both groups. I call these spiritual sisters and brothers the Southern Trial Lawyers Association. What all Southern Trial Lawyers have in common is a fire in the belly - a fire for justice. As anyone who knows a Southern Trial Lawyer can tell you, Southern Trial Lawyers are an accumulation of elite attorneys, not in the least elitist. Many Southern Trial Lawyers, inspired by their mentors, have risen from humble beginnings to personify the ultimate champions of justice in the courtroom. With great pride I watch as they teach yet another generation of young trial lawyers what can only be shared faceto-face, heart-to-heart. With a feeling of wonder and awe, I find myself among such renowned exemplars of our profession who take the time to teach their art. This year s very special CLE is brought to you by the women and men of STLA in the hope that we who have found ourselves in unusual courtroom situations and who have employed and evolved novel strategies to snatch victory for our clients may share some of those unique experiences with you, to inspire you with new ideas of your own, and to hear to back from you, your own war stories and tactics, thus enriching all of us. The speakers have worked hard on their presentations. The WarHorses are gathered. We hope you will discover new ideas and go back home inspired, better equipped to do your very best work ever. May your personal memories of this 2016 gathering of STLA here in our true home, New Orleans during Mardi Gras, sweeten the next year until we see one another yet again. Until then, laissez les bons temps rouler! New Orleans Style Shrimp/ Crawfish Boil in the Quarter Saturday, February 6, 2016 This started five years ago in an alleyway in the French Quarter. Because of the huge success and popularity over the years, this event has had to be moved to different locations to accommodate everyone. 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. MediVisuals along with Alliance Meds and The Centers will again sponsor the crawfish boil which will be at the same location as last year, the Rusty Nail. Dress code is very casual. (This is free to attendees and guest. Exhibitors will be charged a nominal fee). About the Host Hotel - 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. The STLA conference actually kicks off with the reception on Wednesday night, February 3, 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 three- day minimum on rooms and there are no conciergelevel rooms. Because of Mardi Gras, the Cutoff Date is January 15, However, you are encouraged to register and make hotel reservations earlier to insure availability. We will sell out, so act now!

5 Conference Registration Fees* $650 Non-STLA member Registrant $550 Members of the STLA $850 Exhibit Fee REGISTRATION AND EXHIBIT FEES ARE THE SAME AS THEY WERE IN 2008 *Your conference registration fee covers the welcome reception for you and a guest, continental breakfast each morning, 1 ticket for the Balcony on Bourbon Street, the Crawfish Boil (Exhibitors pay a nominal fee) and CLE Credits. The WARHORSE Reception and Banquet are not included in the conference registration fee, as the additional cost of $200 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 6th. 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 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 Phone/Fax (850) To Register Name Guest s Name Address City State Zip Telephone STLA Member Registration $550 = $ STLA Non-member $650 = $ Exhibit Fee $850 = $ Friday Evening War Horse Banquet $200 each x = $ War Horse Banquet 1st Time Attendees $100 each x = $ Balcony on Bourbon Street Sat. Night $125 each x = $ (One ticket included with registration, additional tickets are $125 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 Phone Arrival Date/Time Departure Date Check in 3:00 p.m./check out 12 noon. Please check room requested: Smoking Non-smoking Deluxe (Corner room with King Bed) Superior (King or two doubles) $299 plus 13% tax $269 plus 13% tax King Double DEPOSIT OF ONE ROOM NIGHT IS REQUIRED FOR ALL RESERVATIONS: Please charge my credit card for the one room night deposit required. Credit Card # Name on card Signature Fax Exp. In order to assure the group rate, the STLA office must receive reservations before January 15, 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 January 25, Fax

6 PRSRT. STD. U.S. Postage P A I D Crawfordville, FL Permit #1 Southern Trial Lawyers Association P.O. Box 1207, Crawfordville, FL TEL/FAX (850) stla@talweb.com CLE Credit - 13 CLE hours are anticipated in the 13-member southern states Saturday Night on Bourbon Street February 6, 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 6th time for this event and for the sixth time it was a huge success. We have again rented the 232 Bourbon Street Balcony and will have our Saturday night party there. Two block off Canal this 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. The theme for this year is The Wild, Wild West. 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 $125)