Webinars on Demand

Gain valuable insight into the California Court of Appeals, First Appellate District’s procedures and operations through this recorded webinar presented by court clerks. Topics include court processes, filing procedures, practical updates, and information relevant to legal professionals working with this court.

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Gain valuable insight into the California Court of Appeals, Third Appellate District’s procedures and operations through this recorded webinar presented by court clerks. Topics include court processes, filing procedures, practical updates, and information relevant to legal professionals working with this court.

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Gain valuable insight into San Diego Superior Court’s procedures and operations through this recorded webinar presented by court clerks. Topics include court processes, filing procedures, practical updates, and information relevant to legal professionals working with this court.

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Gain valuable insight into Riverside Superior Court’s procedures and operations through this recorded webinar presented by court clerks. Topics include court processes, filing procedures, practical updates, and information relevant to legal professionals working with this court.

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Employee handbooks and workplace investigations are often treated as routine administrative tasks until they become Exhibit A in litigation. In this dynamic and practical session, employer-side employment attorney Inna Shankar breaks down what separates protective policies from problematic ones, and compliant investigations from catastrophic missteps that become costly for employers.

Attendees will learn:

• The handbook provisions that most often create liability (instead of preventing it)
• How to draft policies that actually work in real-world disputes
• Common investigation mistakes
• How to document findings in a way that strengthens employer defenses
• This session is fast-paced, practical, and packed with real-world insights for how employers can stay out of court — or win if they end up there.

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This webinar equips legal secretaries, paralegals, and office staff with practical strategies for supporting attorneys during high-conflict interactions. Participants will review key California ethical rules governing attorneys and non-lawyers, learn how to maintain professionalism under pressure, and understand the boundaries of their role. Through real-world scenarios and guided discussion, attendees will gain tools to diffuse conflict, document effectively, and reinforce a culture of civility and compliance.

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In a competitive legal market, skills get you in the door, but storytelling gets you the offer. This session teaches paralegals and legal professionals how to articulate their experience, strengths, and career narrative with clarity and confidence. Attendees will learn how interviews really work, why storytelling matters, and how to position themselves as strategic assets rather than interchangeable support. Participants will leave with practical tools to communicate their value, stand out authentically, and interview with purpose.

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Don’t let a car accident turn into a financial disaster. This session pulls back the curtain on the insurance industry, guiding you from the moment of impact through the journey of filing a claim and securing fair compensation.

We expose the “delay, deny, defend” tactics insurers use to slash payouts and highlight the common pitfalls that can jeopardize your claim. Whether you’ve recently been in an accident or simply want to be prepared, this presentation empowers you with insider knowledge to navigate the system with confidence. You will walk away with a clear, practical roadmap to protect your rights and maximize your recovery.

Ms. Annie C. Lu brings more than 20 years of experience advocating for individuals confronting difficult and often unjust circumstances. She has devoted her career to protecting the rights of everyday people, helping injury victims rebuild their lives after devastating accidents.

Ms. Lu began her legal work in the field of investigations, where she received extensive training in trauma-informed practices, and this early experience shaped her advocacy at nonprofit organizations. Through this work, she developed a lasting commitment to seeking justice for vulnerable communities and to ensuring that every person has a strong and compassionate voice in their corner.

Her passion lies in guiding clients through some of the most challenging moments they will ever face. Ms. Lu takes the time to understand each client’s unique needs, regardless of the type of legal issue involved, and provides candid advice about available options, potential risks, and likely outcomes. This approach empowers clients to make informed decisions in the best interests of themselves and their families.

As a personal injury attorney, Ms. Lu has represented individuals in a broad range of serious accident and injury cases, obtaining millions of dollars in recovery for clients whose health and livelihoods were at stake. An experienced litigator in both state and federal courts, she pairs strategic legal insight with attentive client service so that those she represents fully understand their rights and receive the support necessary to achieve fair results.

Ms. Lu earned two Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of California Irvine in Criminology Law and Society and Political Science, graduating with honors. She subsequently received her law degree from UC College of the Law San Francisco, formerly UC Hastings, where she earned the CALI Award for Community Economic Development.

Fluent in Mandarin, Spanish, and English, Ms. Lu proudly serves clients from diverse backgrounds. Across all of her practice areas, her primary focus is ensuring that clients are made whole, restored to health whenever possible, and that meaningful justice is obtained on their behalf. Every client Ms. Lu represents can expect to be personally heard, respected, and vigorously defended.

Ms. Lu has been nationally recognized for her legal excellence. She has been named by Best Lawyers as a One to Watch, is a member of Lawyers of Distinction, and is an inducted member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, one of the nation’s most exclusive trial-lawyer organizations, an honor limited to attorneys who have achieved million-dollar verdicts or settlements.

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This presentation will be focused on corporate conversions, where we’ll cover the key legal and procedural aspects of converting business entities across states. Topics include state-specific requirements, the differences between conversions and other entity changes, common pitfalls, and strategic considerations for choosing jurisdictions.

Bethany S. Ensz, M.S., is a Legal Research and Analysis instructor at UCSD Division of Extended Studies. She previously worked as a corporate paralegal and office manager at Breakwater Law Group, LLP, and held positions at Sheppard Mullin and McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP (now Dentons). Bethany holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology from Indiana University and an M.S. in Legal Studies from the University of San Diego School of Law. She earned her paralegal certificate from UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies, where she was inducted into the LEX Honor Society. She is also a Certified Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).

Bethany teaches:

• Legal Research – Using the Internet
• Legal Writing
• Shepardizing
• Federal & State Court Systems
• Citations (a two-part class)
• Corporate Law
• Ethics and Trust Accounting
• Competence/Mental Health

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Discover how to turn AI into your ultimate advantage! Join legal tech leader Cat Casey for a fast-paced session on using artificial intelligence and smart prompting to streamline workflows, boost efficiency, and elevate your impact.

Cat Casey is a global AI evangelist and one of the most dynamic voices in legal technology today. For nearly two decades, she’s been an unapologetic force at the crossroads of artificial intelligence, forensics, and the law—pushing boundaries, reinventing workflows, and reshaping how legal professionals deliver value in the digital era.

From the C-suite of leading AI and legal tech companies to building global technology programs at Gibson Dunn, PwC, and KPMG, Cat has operated at the vanguard of innovation. She has led teams tackling the toughest data, investigations, and billion-dollar disputes—with AI at the center of every solution.

A recognized industry trailblazer, Cat has been named AI Executive of the Year, ILTA’s Most Influential Woman in Legal Tech, and a Women in eDiscovery Visionary Trailblazer. Known for her signature sparkle, bold energy, and tell-it-like-it-is style, she’s keynoted conferences on five continents and continues to redefine what’s possible when law meets AI.

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This webinar offers legal professionals a practical overview of key federal and state employment laws addressing workplace conduct, focusing on harassment, retaliation, and discrimination — the “human behavior” cases where actions and relationships create legal challenges. Participants will learn what to watch for in case preparation, and how to identify critical facts that shape liability and defense strategies, with a brief look at how qui tam (whistleblower) actions connect to retaliation claims.

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Part 3 provides a comprehensive overview of the three types of subpoenas used in U.S. District Court Records Only, Deposition Appearance, and Trial Appearance. This session will guide you through the proper preparation of a Subpoena to Produce Documents, Information, or Objects, or to Permit Inspection of Premises in a Civil Action, will ensuring full compliance with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and U.S. District Court requirements. Learn how to properly prepare, serve, and enforce federal subpoenas to prevent common errors and avoid costly delays in federal civil cases.

Jim Ayer is currently the Vice-President of Titan Legal Services and has been in the Subpoena industry since 1997. He was previously the Office Manager for Whitmont Legal Technologies’ Subpoena Division and later became the division’s Senior Account Executive.

Along with his business partners, Jim has helped turn Titan Legal Services into one of the most trusted and knowledgeable Subpoena Services in California and Titan takes take great pride in providing excellent customer service to their clients throughout the state.

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Part 2 provides an overview of California subpoena laws governing Deposition Subpoenas for Personal Appearance—with or without records—and Subpoenas for Personal Appearance at Trial or Hearing, also with or without records. This session will help you gain a solid understanding of the procedural requirements and distinctions between these types of subpoenas, ensuring accuracy and compliance when preparing and serving them. Learn how to properly complete, serve, and enforce subpoenas to secure witness attendance and records for depositions, trials, and hearings.

Jim Ayer is currently the Vice-President of Titan Legal Services and has been in the Subpoena industry since 1997. He was previously the Office Manager for Whitmont Legal Technologies’ Subpoena Division and later became the division’s Senior Account Executive.

Along with his business partners, Jim has helped turn Titan Legal Services into one of the most trusted and knowledgeable Subpoena Services in California and Titan takes take great pride in providing excellent customer service to their clients throughout the state.

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Part 1 provides a clear, concise overview of California subpoena laws related to Deposition Subpoenas for Production of Business Records, Notice to Consumers, and Declarations of Custodian of Records. This webinar is designed to help legal professionals and support staff better understand the proper procedures and technical requirements involved in preparing and serving subpoenas. By mastering these details, you can avoid common pitfalls and delays—such as objections from custodians or opposing counsel—ensuring a smoother, more efficient subpoena process.

Jim Ayer is currently the Vice-President of Titan Legal Services and has been in the Subpoena industry since 1997. He was previously the Office Manager for Whitmont Legal Technologies’ Subpoena Division and later became the division’s Senior Account Executive.

Along with his business partners, Jim has helped turn Titan Legal Services into one of the most trusted and knowledgeable Subpoena Services in California and Titan takes take great pride in providing excellent customer service to their clients throughout the state.

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Speaker: Vivian Shreve, CCLS

This seminar will provide a comprehensive overview of some of the essential administrative functions that support the effective operation of a law office. Participants will explore best practices in, records and file management, technology fundamentals, notary basics and compliance with ethical and confidentiality requirements. The program also addresses workflow efficiency, use of legal technology, and strategies for supporting attorneys in a fast-paced legal environment.

Designed for legal assistants, paralegals, office managers, and administrative professionals, this seminar combines practical guidance with real-world scenarios to strengthen day-to-day administrative skills. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of their role in maintaining professionalism, accuracy, and operational efficiency within a law practice.

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Speaker: Lynne Prescott, CCLS

This session explores how attorneys and legal support professionals recognize early warning signs in legal practice, why those signals are often ignored, and how professional judgment and communication can prevent small issues from becoming major consequences. Through real-world scenarios and practical discussion, attendees will examine common red flags related to procedure, delegation, client pressure, and internal workflows, and learn how to respond effectively within their professional roles.

Designed for attorneys and legal support professionals, this program emphasizes accountability, risk management, and shared responsibility in legal teams.

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Speaker: Justin Corso, CEDS

Every legal crisis – – missed deadline, ethical misstep, procedural failure, or malpractice claim – – has a beginning. Long before the problem becomes obvious, someone usually felt that something wasn’t quite right.

This session explores how attorneys and legal support professionals recognize early warning signs in legal practice, why those signals are often ignored, and how professional judgment and communication can prevent small issues from becoming major consequences. Through real-world scenarios and practical discussion, attendees will examine common red flags related to procedure, delegation, client pressure, and internal workflows, and learn how to respond effectively within their professional roles.

Designed for attorneys and legal support professionals, this program emphasizes accountability, risk management, and shared responsibility in legal teams.

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Delegation is essential to modern legal practice, but it is also one of the most common sources of professional risk. Attorneys routinely rely on legal support professionals to manage deadlines, filings, client communications, and procedural requirements, yet many underestimate how supervision gaps, unclear expectations, and informal workflows expose both individuals and firms to liability.

This session examines the legal and practical realities of supervision and delegation in law offices, focusing on where responsibility ultimately lies, how risks arise when oversight is insufficient, and how attorneys and legal support professionals can work together to reduce exposure. Through real-world scenarios and discussion, participants will explore best practices for assigning work, communicating expectations, documenting decisions, and responding when something goes wrong.

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The Rules of Professional Conduct have changed—do you know what’s new? This two-part CLE series will break down the recent updates, explain how they affect your daily practice, and provide practical guidance to stay compliant. This webinar qualifies for MCLE ethics credit.

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The Rules of Professional Conduct have changed—do you know what’s new? This two-part CLE series will break down the recent updates, explain how they affect your daily practice, and provide practical guidance to stay compliant. This webinar qualifies for MCLE ethics credit.

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Managing client funds is one of the most critical—and closely regulated—responsibilities of practicing law. This seminar will provide attorneys with a comprehensive overview of the State Bar’s trust accounting rules and ethical obligations, with a focus on compliance, best practices, and risk management. This seminar is designed to help attorneys and law firm staff develop sound trust practices that protect clients, uphold ethical standards, and safeguard professional licenses.

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Do you have a client with a loved one who has special needs? It can feel overwhelming for them, but with the right tools, you can make all the difference. This seminar will provide a clear, practical overview of Special Needs Trusts and how you can help them protect their eligibility for public benefits while ensuring long-term financial security.

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Think you know your res judicata from your subpoena duces tecum? Put your vocabulary to the test in this lively and interactive seminar that combines legal learning with a touch of friendly competition. The Legal Lexicon Spelling Bee challenges participants to spell and define legal terms that every practitioner should know—ranging from the everyday to the arcane. Whether you’re in it to win it or just want to play along from the sidelines, this event is sure to expand your legal lexicon while delivering plenty of laughs.

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This webinar teaches legal staff and new attorneys how to manage up, communicate across teams, and navigate high-stakes interactions with strategic clarity and confidence.

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This webinar will help you determine when your client might qualify for SIJ Findings and what is the best path forward: Guardianship or Adoption?

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Stress in the legal profession is real — from tight deadlines to courtroom pressure, it can take a serious toll on both your health and your performance. This webinar will explore practical techniques to manage stress, reduce tension, and refocus your energy so you can show up as your best self in the courtroom. Learn how to shift from headaches and high stress to mindfulness and clarity, with strategies you can start applying immediately. Whether you’re navigating trial prep, juggling caseloads, or simply striving for better work-life balance, this webinar offers tools to help you stay grounded, confident, and effective when it matters most.

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Wine is more than a beverage — it’s a highly regulated industry shaped by a unique blend of state and federal laws. This engaging webinar will provide an introduction to the fundamentals of wine law and regulation, including labeling, licensing, distribution, and compliance.

Attendees will also gain insights into recent developments impacting stakeholders within the wine industry, including brand owners, investors, and winery operators — from evolving direct-to-consumer shipping rules to new labeling standards. Whether you work with wineries, distributors, or in the hospitality industry more generally, or are simply curious about the legal landscape of wine, this session will give you the tools to navigate the complexities of this ever-evolving industry.

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This presentation will cover the essentials of construction contracts, mechanics’ liens, and related legal issues that impact construction projects. Learn how these tools work, why they matter, and how to protect your clients, whether they are a contractor, subcontractor, supplier, or property owner. This webinar will provide practical insights to help you navigate common challenges and avoid costly mistakes in the construction process.

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Probate litigation involves resolving disputes related to the administration of a deceased person’s estate, typically involving wills, trusts, beneficiaries, creditors, and heirs. The class provides foundational knowledge of probate law, explores common types of disputes, and delves into the procedures and legal remedies available in such cases.

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Watch the Sacramento County Superior Court updates for Family Law – 2025.

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Watch the U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, as they review NextGen CM/ECF – Back to Basics.

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Watch as the San Mateo County Superior Court provides updates and details on its local court.

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Trial Prep in the Digital Age explores how attorneys, legal support staff, and vendors can work together to leverage technology in today’s courtroom. From digital exhibits to remote testimony, this session provides practical strategies, role-specific tips, and checklists to ensure your trial team is tech-ready and aligned.

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Focusing on our well-being at work: How might we put on our “oxygen mask” first? <i>Burnout rates in the helping professions are off the charts, but we won’t make progress “out there” until we take full ownership of whatever we’re feeling “in here.”</i> Learn about intentional practices and strategies that are mindful, embodied, trauma resilient, and inclusive to support our well-being and then support others at work.

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Intellectual property (IP) can be one of your organization’s most valuable assets — but understanding the distinctions between the various forms of IP is crucial. This webinar will provide a clear overview of the four main types of intellectual property protection: patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets. We’ll break down what each type protects, how they are obtained, how long they last, and when to use them. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, researcher, creator, or business professional, this session will help you better navigate the IP landscape and make informed decisions about protecting your work and innovations.

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In the complex and ever-evolving field of employment law, navigating ethical challenges is crucial for legal and human resources professionals. This webinar provides an insightful exploration of ethical issues and best practices to ensure you stay on the right side of the law and maintain professional integrity.

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Carrie Snuggs with the Riverside Superior Court provides 2025 Court Changes, Updates, and Procedures.

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The Honorable Benjmain Reyes, II and Andrew James, Court Operations Manager as they review E-Filing Processing, New Discovery Rule and “Do’s and Don’ts, with the Contra Costa County Superior Court.

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Beth Robbins and Garth King with the California Court of Appeal, First Appellate District review Practices and Procedures filing within the court.

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Have you ever asked yourself: “Do I make a difference? Do others appreciate my efforts? Do I bring something to the table?” Or, perhaps you’ve asked: “Don’t they know how much I do around here? Why does so-and-so get all the recognition?” This presentation will emphasize the importance of embracing and determining our own value rather than delegating that determination to others, as well as why it matters.

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Napa Superior Court staff, Trina Edwards, reviews the ins and outs of the Napa Courts.

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Colette M. Bruggman, Clerk/Executive Officer of the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District reviews the Pro Tips on Appeals.

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Andriana Anzalone with the San Diego County Superior Court reviews the processes and requirements of the court.

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Join us as Lynne explores how calendaring differs between California state court and the federal courts. She will break down the procedural timelines and explain how understanding the nuances of each system protects client interests and ensures compliance.

Lynne is LPI’s Legal Education Instructor and LPI Past President from 2020-2022. She currently teaches LPI’s Intermediate and Advanced Legal Professional Training Courses, as well as beginning level classes in the Sacramento area. Lynne has been a legal professional for over 30 years, with broad and specialized experience in several practice areas.

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Join us for a hands-on practicum workshop on legal skills application and proofreading proficiency in a timed setting that simulate the ‘real world’ conditions of attention to detail in an office work environment, as well as portions of the CCLS exam.

Vivian will lead us through example documents in five subject areas: Civil; Corporate; Real Estate; Family Law; and Probate. Based on a sample office memorandum for each subject area, documents must be proof read and then an empty document must be filled in with client info.

Vivian Shreve has been a legal secretary/assistant for more than 40 years. Vivian has been an Executive Assistant at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in Palo Alto, California since 2008. Vivian currently serves as LPI’s CCLS Chair, and prior to that was the Chair of the California Certified Legal Secretary Certifying Board.

She is passionate about the legal field, her association, and LPI. Vivian believes in giving back and has been instrumental in mentoring and inspiring many in this profession. In her spare time, Vivian enjoys cooking for her family, spending as much time as possible with her three grandsons, working with her German shepherd, and playing softball.

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Join us as David and Howie provide an overview of ChatGPT’s capability and the underlying technology, review some of the pitfalls and ethical considerations when using AI, and go over how to leverage ChatGPT to speed and enhance written discovery. Howie will also demonstrate using ChatGPT during the webinar with his own examples and taking requests from the live audience.

Attention will be given to how ChatGPT can help to quickly draft standard/boiler plate requests, how to formulate well-drafted specific requests by providing context, how to translate drafted requests into other types of requests, and how AI may provide language to describe highly technical matters that may be unfamiliar to the legal professional.

David S. Casey III

David S. Casey III is an associate attorney at CaseyGerry. He specializes in personal injury and complex litigation. He has been recognized as one of the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch since 2021.

In law school, David focused on trial work, taking classes in trial advocacy and complex litigation. He received a CALI Award in Employment Law and Technology for his paper analyzing American and European attitudes towards online privacy and the “right to be forgotten.”

While in school, David externed for the Honorable Anthony Battaglia for the Southern District of California, and worked at the much-admired Providence law firm Mandell, Schwartz & Boisclair, Ltd. He also attended the acclaimed Trial Lawyers College in 2018, where he spent three weeks undergoing intensive trial skills work.

In 2020, David participated in the inaugural year of the TAP program, where he tried multiple criminal cases as a volunteer deputy district attorney with the San Diego County District Attorney.

Howie Bruno

Howie Bruno is an associate attorney at CaseyGerry specializing in personal injury and wrongful death litigation. Prior to joining CaseyGerry, Howie was a member of the litigation department in the New York office of Latham & Watkins, where his practice centered on complex commercial litigation and environmental torts. Since becoming an attorney, Howie has maintained an active pro bono practice focused on domestic violence, immigration, and civil rights issues.

Howie grew up in San Mateo, California. He earned his undergraduate degree from Fordham University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia, where he served as a member of the Student Bar Association. Howie is licensed to practice law in California and New York, and is a member of the San Diego County Bar Association and the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego. Howie also serves on the Board of Directors of the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program.

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This webinar explains trust administration and funding, which are essential components of effective estate planning and wealth management. It covers the critical steps in the administration of a trust after its creation, ensuring the proper management and distribution of assets in accordance with the trust’s terms and the grantor’s intentions. Gain insights into the legal, financial, and procedural aspects of managing a trust, from initial funding to final distribution.

Attorney Gina Leguria focuses her legal practice on Estate Planning, Probate, Trusts, Wills, Power of Attorney, Medi-Cal Planning, and Elder Law. She is dedicated to protecting families from the devastating legal effects of disability and the death of loved ones. With proper planning, families can avoid unnecessary court proceedings, protect their assets, continue their legacies, and provide for the security of their families.

Gina has addressed numerous professional and community organizations and she regularly conducts public and private seminars on estate planning, elder care, and related matters.

Gina serves as a member of the governing board of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys. This is a national organization that that has been promoting estate planning excellence for more than a quarter of a century. Members have access to intensive, ongoing research that is continually updated by top legal scholars. Since laws that are relevant to estate planning and elder law are subject to change this connection is invaluable to delivering the highest possible service to clients.

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Join us as we explore the strategic use of Requests for Admissions (RFAs) in litigation. This powerful yet often overlooked discovery tool can help streamline cases, narrow issues, and drive settlement discussions. We will discuss best practices for crafting RFAs, how they can be leveraged to your advantage, and real-world examples of their impact in legal cases. Whether you are new to RFAs or looking to refine your approach, this session will equip you with valuable insights to enhance your discovery strategy. The content will include forms, checklists and resources.

Sheila Grela is a paralegal at Buchalter, founder of Virtual Lunch with Leaders at the San Diego Paralegal Association (SDPA), the Program Director of the San Diego Chapter Women in eDiscovery, and the Secretary of the Law Practice Management Technology Section for the California Lawyers Association (CLA). She is a published author serving on the NALA Continuing Education Council and the Global Advisory Board for EDRM. Sheila enjoys teaching, presenting, and coaching. She has received awards acknowledging her advocacy, including the 2022 Gayle O’Connor GO Spirit Award and 2021 the CAPA Paralegal of the Year.

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Martin will review Authorizations and Civil Subpoenas with Notice to Consumer and the Role of a Deposition Officer. This will include an overview of New Attestation Rules and Out of State Subpoenas, as well as common situations and practical considerations. Don’t forget the specific dates of a subpoena and the timing to get everything done.

Martin Kayondo joined the First Legal Network in the winter of 2000 in the Court and Messenger Services divisions. With a firm foundation in computer systems and over a year of experience in Attorney Service under his belt, Martin became a founding member of the First Reprographics division in the fall of 2002. This division was responsible for all document preparation as it pertains to subpoenas for records, serving of those subpoenas, and the copying and dissemination of records to all interested parties. This division also handled all aspects of litigation copying, scanning, and Electronic Data Discovery/ESI. After nine (9) months, Martin was promoted to department manager and eventually General Manager in 2003.

For the next six (6) years, Martin oversaw the growth of the division, which eventually split into two separate organizations, First Records Retrieval (formally First Reprographics, handling all subpoena-based work) and First Digital Solutions, which now handles all of the litigation copy, scanning, and EDD/ESI services. Martin became President of the First Records Retrieval division in 2013. To further the growth of the division, Martin transitioned into a business development role as VP of Sales for the division in 2018. With the experience garnered from the two divisions, Martin also acquired accreditation to be a presenter for two MCLE courses; (1) Civil Procedure for Discovery and the Subpoena Process and (2) E-Discovery Past Present and Future.

First Records Retrieval specializes in providing Law Firms, Insurance Companies, Corporations and TPAs with National Records Retrieval Solutions and Deposition Officer Services. For over 20 years, Martin has been actively involved in all aspects of his division from document preparation to record dissemination and education.

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Join Sigrid and Maurice with Nationwide Legal as they review Foreign Subpoenas and their requirements. The term “foreign subpoenas” includes out of state subpoenas within the United States (e.g., Nevada, Texas, New York, etc.) and are the primary focus of this webinar.

Maurice Archelle is a Paralegal Domestications Coordinator at Nationwide Legal LLC with 14 years of experience in the litigation field.

Sigrid Propper is the Managing Director of Sales at Nationwide Legal LLC with 17 years of experience in the industry.

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Speaker: Vivian Shreve, CCLS, of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

Join us as Vivian goes over how to calculate damages in personal injury, employment, and other cases, as well as how to calculate interest on overdue amounts. Also covered: the basics of calculating billable hours, lawyer or paralegal fees; how to fairly and accurately calculate settlements, including deductions for legal fees, taxes, or other applicable costs; and how to calculate an executor’s fee on large and small estates.

Vivian Shreve has been a legal secretary/assistant for more than 40 years. Vivian has been an Executive Assistant at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in Palo Alto, California since 2008. Vivian currently serves as LPI’s CCLS Chair, and prior to that was the Chair of the California Certified Legal Secretary Certifying Board.

She is passionate about the legal field, her association, and LPI. Vivian believes in giving back and has been instrumental in mentoring and inspiring many in this profession. In her spare time, Vivian enjoys cooking for her family, spending as much time as possible with her three grandsons, working with her German shepherd, and playing softball.

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Speaker: June Hunter of CS DISCO and U.C. San Diego Extension Paralegal Studies

MS Pilot is an innovative solution designed to enhance collaboration, productivity, and workflow efficiency. We will explore its key features – from seamless integration with MS 365 apps to its ability to streamline project management and communication across teams. Learn how to leverage Pilot’s tools for managing tasks, tracking progress, and collaborating in real-time.

Whether you are new to Microsoft Pilot or looking to optimize its use, this session will provide valuable insights and practical tips to help you get the most out of this powerful collaboration platform.

June Hunter is a Technical Enablement Lead with CS DISCO, as well as an adjunct instructor for U.C. San Diego Extension’s ABA-Approved Paralegal Studies Program. She has been LPI’s Legal Technology Trainer since 2021.

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Speaker: Bethany Ensz, MS, of the U.C. San Diego Division of Extended Studies

An insightful seminar designed specifically for legal professionals looking to understand how ChatGPT and artificial intelligence are transforming the legal landscape. As AI technologies become increasingly integrated into various sectors, the legal field is not exempt from the impact. This session will explore the opportunities and challenges that AI presents to legal practitioners.

Bethany is a Legal Research and Analysis instructor at UCSD Division of Extended Studies and holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice and a minor in Psychology. She has a Master’s Degree in Legal Studies from the UCSD School of Law and earned her paralegal certification from UCSD Division of Extended Studies. Bethany is the newest member of LPI’s instructor team, teaching legal research and writing.

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Speaker: Lynne Prescott, CCLS, of Messing Adam & Jasmine, LLP

Join us as Lynne addresses: the Importance of DEI in the legal field; barriers to achieving DEI; strategies for fostering a diverse legal workforce; addressing bias; best practices and the role of technology in promoting DEI; the long term impact of DEI; cultural and organizational shifts; and, how to measure and celebrate a successful DEI program. (Elimination of Bias MCLE Credit.)

Lynne is the Legal Education Instructor for LPI, and has been a legal professional for over 40 years. She is a writer, speaker, and experienced trainer, and a Past President of LPI (2020-2022). She currently teaches LPI’s Intermediate and Advanced Legal Professional Training Courses, as well as beginning level classes in the Sacramento area. Lynne currently works as a legal assistant at Messing Adam & Jasmine in Sacramento.

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Speaker: Jeanine DeBacker, Esq., of McPharlin, Sprinkles & Thomas, LLP.

Join us as Jeanine goes over Changes in the Law for 2025 in the area of California Civil and Employment Law.

Jeanine brings a practical, business-aware perspective to representing her employer clients. She helps businesses avoid lawsuits through thoughtful advice and counsel, well-crafted policies, and staff training. Jeanine also vigorously defends employers in lawsuits brought by current or former employees.

Jeanine represents employers in all areas of employment and benefits law, including wage and hour claims, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, benefit plan corrections and other employment-related claims.

Jeanine assists clients in creating and implementing workplace policies and procedures, conducting harassment investigations, and counseling on employee performance management, including corrective actions and terminations. Jeanine often presents customized, on-site training programs for clients on a variety of human resources issues.

Jeanine is a sought-after presenter and offers engaging and entertaining workplace training programs, including harassment prevention training as required by California law.

Jeanine writes regularly about employment issues that are important for California employers at calemploymentlawblog.com.

When not defending employers, Jeanine coaches her kids’ soccer and baseball teams and is a baseball umpire (a welcome arena where her judgment cannot be questioned by anyone!).

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Speaker: Jeanine DeBacker, Esq., of McPharlin, Sprinkles & Thomas, LLP.

Join us as Jeanine goes over Changes in the Law for 2025 in the area of California Civil and Employment Law.

Jeanine brings a practical, business-aware perspective to representing her employer clients. She helps businesses avoid lawsuits through thoughtful advice and counsel, well-crafted policies, and staff training. Jeanine also vigorously defends employers in lawsuits brought by current or former employees.

Jeanine represents employers in all areas of employment and benefits law, including wage and hour claims, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, benefit plan corrections and other employment-related claims.

Jeanine assists clients in creating and implementing workplace policies and procedures, conducting harassment investigations, and counseling on employee performance management, including corrective actions and terminations. Jeanine often presents customized, on-site training programs for clients on a variety of human resources issues.

Jeanine is a sought-after presenter and offers engaging and entertaining workplace training programs, including harassment prevention training as required by California law.

Jeanine writes regularly about employment issues that are important for California employers at calemploymentlawblog.com.

When not defending employers, Jeanine coaches her kids’ soccer and baseball teams and is a baseball umpire (a welcome arena where her judgment cannot be questioned by anyone!).

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Speaker: Jeanine DeBacker, Esq., of McPharlin, Sprinkles & Thomas, LLP.

Join us as Jeanine goes over Changes in the Law for 2025 in the area of Federal Law, including the intersection of employment law and the new Federal Immigration policy and related Executive Orders.

Jeanine brings a practical, business-aware perspective to representing her employer clients. She helps businesses avoid lawsuits through thoughtful advice and counsel, well-crafted policies, and staff training. Jeanine also vigorously defends employers in lawsuits brought by current or former employees.

Jeanine represents employers in all areas of employment and benefits law, including wage and hour claims, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, benefit plan corrections and other employment-related claims.

Jeanine assists clients in creating and implementing workplace policies and procedures, conducting harassment investigations, and counseling on employee performance management, including corrective actions and terminations. Jeanine often presents customized, on-site training programs for clients on a variety of human resources issues.

Jeanine is a sought-after presenter and offers engaging and entertaining workplace training programs, including harassment prevention training as required by California law.

Jeanine writes regularly about employment issues that are important for California employers at calemploymentlawblog.com.

When not defending employers, Jeanine coaches her kids’ soccer and baseball teams and is a baseball umpire (a welcome arena where her judgment cannot be questioned by anyone!).

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Speaker: Christina McGonigle, Esq., CELA*, of McGonigle & Hunsaker, LLP.

Join us as Christina goes over Changes in the Law for 2025 in the area of California Probate Law, including Small Estates, the Legacy of Britney Spears (AB 1194) and other changes to Conservatorship practice, Decanting of Trusts, and an overview of case law.

* Certified as an Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation.

Christina McGonigle is a Managing Partner at McGonigle & Hunsaker, LLP, a law office that serves seniors, people with disabilities and their families. She graduated magna cum laude from Western State University College of Law in 2005. Prior to attending law school, she received her Bachelors degree in Political Science (cum laude) from California State University, Long Beach.

Ms. McGonigle is Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Orange County Bar Association Section on Elder Law. She is also a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the Probate Section of the Legislative Resolutions Committee. Ms McGonigle serves on the Advocacy Committee of the Alzheimer’s Association, and meets with the legislators to advocate for issues affecting seniors. Ms. McGonigle is a frequent presenter and community volunteer for organizations that serve disabled adults and seniors. Ms. McGonigle practices in the areas of Trust and Estate Planning, Special Needs Trusts, Trust Administration, Conservatorships, Litigation, and Medi-Cal Applications and Appeals.

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Speaker: Hazel Bradshaw Griffith, Esq., of JKZ LLP (formerly Johnston, Kinney & Zulaica, LLP).

Join us as Hazel goes over changes in the law for 2025 in the area of California Family Law, including Statutory Changes to the Family Code (e.g, Joint Petitions, Support Payments Direct to a Special Needs Trust, changes to DVRO’s, restraining orders and related firearms considerations, ex parte custody orders) and a review of selected case law.

Hazel Bradshaw Griffith is an Associate Attorney in the Family Law department at JKZ LLP. She brings her charismatic and compassionate focus to the needs of her clients. She is a zealous advocate for her clients in all aspects of family law including divorce, custody, child and spousal support, domestic violence and property division. Hazel has the rare and unique ability to provide her clients with passionate advocacy combined with a common-sense approach to the law.

Relationship conflicts can be overwhelming. Hazel provides sensitive support to those who are navigating the arduous divorce process. She partners with her clients to provide them with zealous advocacy and common-sense solutions to effectively resolve their family conflicts. She takes the time to learn what is most important to her clients and guides them through the process to achieve the best outcome for their family.

In her mediation practice, Hazel works with both parties to facilitate a creative solution tailored for each family. She works with both parties as a third party neutral to ensure that the needs of the whole are met with a tailored approach to each case. She believes that mediation is a great avenue for many parties and should be utilized often.

Hazel received her J.D. from Golden Gate University School of Law and her B.A. in History from Bard College. While in law school she received the Cali and Witkin award for her academic achievements as well as a diversity award for her commitment to community service. She also served as president of the Jewish Law Students Association and education chair for the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association.

Hazel enjoys helping people in their day-to-day lives and ensuring they come through a challenging time in their life with a strong and compassionate advocate. She is a member of the California State Bar Association and its family law section, Alameda County Bar Association, Member of the Family Law Executive Committee, a member of the Alameda County Family Law Association, and a board member for the non-profit All for the Family Legal Clinic. She currently donates her time to the Alameda County Bar Association Family Law Day of Court Clinic.

Hazel was born and raised in the Bay Area and enjoys working with families in the community she grew up in.

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Speaker: Jo-Anna Nieves, Esq., of The Nieves Law Firm, APC

Join us as Jo-Anna goes over Changes in the Law for 2025 in the area of California Criminal Law, including an overview of notable cases, statutory changes to address harmful AI generated material (inauthentic prurient depictions of an identifiable person), the statute of limitations for domestic violence, Proposition 36 and Alexandra’s Law on counterfeit illicit drugs (fentanyl), Penal Code 741 and redactions needed for a race-blind initial charging evaluations by prosecutors.

Jo-Anna, formerly an attorney in Florida, now practices in Oakland, bringing valuable experience to California clients. She graduated from Florida State University at the age of 20 with two bachelor degrees, one in Multinational Business and another in Finance. She went on to earn her law degree from Florida State University in 2009.

Jo-Anna has been recognized by SuperLawyers the past nine years for her legal work, earning the distinction of “Rising Star” which is given to no more than 2.5% of attorneys in each state. She currently serves as the President of the Alameda County Bar Association (ACBA) and previously worked for the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, providing her ample experience working with local prosecutors, law enforcement officers, and judges.

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The webinar will demonstrate how to user-trigger dates and rules to calendar statute of limitations, filing deadlines, exceptions, and appeal deadlines. Learn how to reduce risks by following strict calendaring protocols.

Sheila Grela is a paralegal at Buchalter, founder of Virtual Lunch with Leaders at the San Diego Paralegal Association (SDPA), the Program Director of the San Diego Chapter Women in eDiscovery, and the Secretary of the Law Practice Management Technology Section for the California Lawyers Association (CLA). She is a published author serving on the NALA Continuing Education Council and the Global Advisory Board for EDRM. Sheila enjoys teaching, presenting, and coaching. She has received awards acknowledging her advocacy, including the 2022 Gayle O’Connor GO Spirit Award and 2021 the CAPA Paralegal of the Year.

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Sleep is the cornerstone of our health. During appointments where we discuss some facet of our health, we often get the question, “and how are you sleeping”? Our mental, emotional, and physical health all hinge on sleep. In a society that is overworked and under rested many believe that sacrificing sleep will make us more productive. In reality sacrificing sleep accomplishes the opposite. How can busy legal professionals get quality sleep without sacrificing our productivity?

We will discuss small habit changes from circadian rhythms to room makeovers that can immediately improve your sleep quality. Choose which habits will work best for your practice of law, your lifestyle, and your health.

Bethany S. Ensz, M.S., works as a Legal Research and Analysis instructor at UCSD Division of Extended Studies. Before teaching, Bethany worked as a corporate paralegal and office manager for Breakwater Law Group, LLP and was with Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP prior to that. Bethany is a graduate from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a minor in Psychology and earned a Master of Science in Legal Studies from the University of San Diego School of Law. She earned her paralegal certification from UCSD Division of Extended Studies, where she was inducted into the LEX Honor Society.

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Vivian will review the rules and applicable laws governing Electronic Signatures in California State courts and in Federal Courts.

Vivian Shreve has been a legal secretary/assistant for more than 40 years. Vivian has been an Executive Assistant at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in Palo Alto, California since 2008. She is the current President of Santa Clara County Legal Professionals Association, where she has been a member since 2013. Vivian currently serves as LPI’s CCLS Chair, and prior to that was the Chair of the California Certified Legal Secretary Certifying Board.

She is passionate about the legal field, her association, and LPI. Vivian believes in giving back and has been instrumental in mentoring and inspiring many in this profession. In her spare time, Vivian enjoys cooking for her family, spending as much time as possible with her three grandsons, working with her German shepherd, and playing softball.

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Brandon will provide a general overview of Trademark Law, including its purposes, how trademark rights are established, and a look at trademark infringement and the fair use defense.

Brandon Leahy is senior counsel in the San Francisco office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where he practices trademark, copyright, and advertising law. He advises clients on all aspects of brand protection and enforcement in the U.S. and internationally, including clearance and selection of trademarks, prosecution of trademark applications, and licensing and transactions. He also represents clients in federal court litigation, in disputes before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and in arbitration proceedings involving domain names.

Brandon serves on the firm’s Pro Bono Committee, which manages, coordinates, and leads the firm’s pro bono efforts, and he is a three-time recipient of the firm’s highest award for pro bono legal service, the John Wilson Award. Brandon’s pro bono practice includes advising several Bay Area non-profits in trademark and advertising matters and representing San Francisco tenants in landlord-tenant disputes, among other things.

Before joining the firm, Brandon served as a judicial clerk to Justice Joyce Kennard of the California Supreme Court and later practiced trademark law with the firm Duane Morris. While attending law school, Brandon worked as a research assistant for trademark scholar J. Thomas McCarthy, author of the leading treatise McCarthy on Trademarks and Unfair Competition.

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Judge Hayashi will go over the new ethical requirements for Civility in the practice of law, and highlight relevant provisions of the California Rules of Professional Conduct, State Bar Rules, California Rules of Court, and the Code of Civil Procedure, among others.

The Honorable Roberta S. Hayashi is a Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge, currently assigned to hear Civil Trials. She was appointed to the bench in December 2014. After her initial assignment in the Criminal Division -Misdemeanors, Judge Hayashi served as an all-purpose judge in the Family Law division for over four years.

Judge Hayashi is a third-generation Japanese-American, who was born and raised in Santa Clara County, where she practiced business litigation and employment law for over 32 years before her appointment to the bench. She was President of the Santa Clara County Bar Association in 1996, and the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley in 2002-03. She has been a lecturer at Santa Clara University Law School and Lincoln Law School. Judge Hayashi graduated from Stanford University and obtained her law degree from U.C. Davis School of Law, where she was on the Moot Court Honors Board and Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review.

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Play two rounds of Legal Terminology Jeopardy to test and expand your knowledge of California legal terminology.

Vivian Shreve has been a legal secretary/assistant for more than 40 years. Vivian has been an Executive Assistant at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in Palo Alto, California since 2008. She is the current President of Santa Clara County Legal Professionals Association, where she has been a member since 2013. Vivian currently serves as LPI’s CCLS Chair, and prior to that was the Chair of the California Certified Legal Secretary Certifying Board.

She is passionate about the legal field, her association, and LPI. Vivian believes in giving back and has been instrumental in mentoring and inspiring many in this profession. In her spare time, Vivian enjoys cooking for her family, spending as much time as possible with her three grandsons, working with her German shepherd, and playing softball.

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Join Charles Hamilton, CFP® and Wealth Manager, as he reviews the key points in building your income for retirement.

Charles Hamilton is a Certified Financial Planner and Financial Advisor with Northwestern Mutual serving Professionals and Business Owners in California. His areas of expertise include: Financial Planning, Retirement Planning & Income Strategies, Investment Planning & Strategies, Business Planning, Charitable Planning, Estate Planning and Life Insurance Strategies.

Click here to watch

Password for the video: ReWealMent

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Your trial binder is your trial bible! In this webinar, we will take a look at the essentials that should be in your binder, as well as the “secret” essentials that will make you look like a superstar!

Lynne is LPI’s Legal Education Instructor and LPI Past President from 2020-2022. She currently teaches LPI’s Intermediate and Advanced Legal Professional Training Courses, as well as beginning level classes in the Sacramento area. Lynne has been a legal professional for over 30 years, with broad and specialized experience in several practice areas.

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Join us as Gary and Kathleen review current bankruptcy court updates within the different Chapters.

Gary is a shareholder at Sullivan Hill in San Diego. He is a 1981 graduate from the California Western School of Law in San Diego where he served as Editor and Staff Writer on its Law Review. Mr. Rudolph attended the American University in Washington, D.C. where he obtained Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees, with honors. Mr. Rudolph was a partner at Sparber Rudolph & Annen from 1994 until 2009, at which time he opened his own firm as a solo practitioner. Mr. Rudolph has specialized in bankruptcy his entire legal career, including representing creditors, official unsecured creditor committees, bankruptcy trustees, consumer and individual Chapter 7 debtors, and Chapter 11 debtors in possession. Mr. Rudolph’s representation also includes federal and state court receivers.

Mr. Rudolph is a frequent lecturer in San Diego on Bankruptcy related topics and has been a lecturer for the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees. Mr. Rudolph has served and qualified as a bankruptcy examiner and an expert witness in bankruptcy matters. Mr. Rudolph is also on the San Diego County Bankruptcy Mediation Panel and in 1991 he was awarded the designation of being the outstanding mediator by the judges of the United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of California.

Kathleen practices in the areas of bankruptcy and other insolvency matters as well as in commercial and real estate litigation. Her representation includes trustees, creditors and debtors in commercial bankruptcies. She has successfully tried matters in federal and state courts and participated in ADR proceedings before the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and other panels.

Ms. Cashman-Kramer’s representation in the Bankruptcy Court includes bankruptcy trustees, secured, priority and unsecured creditors, lessors, and bankruptcy debtors in commercial Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings. She served for four years as the staff attorney for one of the standing Chapter 13 Trustees for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of California. She also has represented title insurance companies as well as individual and corporate parties in business and real estate litigation.

Kathleen regularly presents for the local San Diego Credit Abuse Resistance Education (CARE) affiliate and previously served on the Board of Directors for 2004-2011. She served two three-terms on the Board of Directors for the San Diego Bankruptcy Forum, including serving as the president in 2003, the secretary for 2001-2002, the treasurer in 1996, and the vice-president in 1997. Ms. Cashman-Kramer currently serves as the vice chair of San Diego County Bar Association’s Bankruptcy Law Section, and has served as either the chair or the vice-chair of the Bankruptcy Section since 1999. She also currently serves as the secretary for the Insolvency Law Committee and on the Business Litigation Committee of the California Lawyers Association, and is a regular contributor of articles to the Business Litigation Committee’s eBulletins. She is a member of the California Bankruptcy Forum, the Massachusetts Bar Association, and District of Columbia Bar Association.

Kathleen was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1987, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1985, and the District of Columbia in 1993. She is admitted to practice before all courts of the State of California, before the United States Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and before the United States District and Bankruptcy Courts for the Southern Districts of California.

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Carla will review common calendaring pitfalls and provide priceless information that will be helpful in the future.

Carla is a member and past president of San Diego Legal Secretaries Association and is currently serving as their Governor. Carla has been a legal secretary for over 25 years but five years ago decided to teach civil litigation and educate others. Carla specializes in complex litigation on the state and federal level.

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Ms. McGuigan will review the Business and Profession codes for attorneys, paralegals, and support staff while in and outside of the office.

Amy Jo McGuigan is a senior paralegal at Swanson & McNamara LLP, a trial and appellate law firm specializing in high-stakes criminal, civil, and regulatory defense and internal investigations. Prior to joining Swanson & McNamara, she worked for the Federal Public Defender in the Northern District of California for 15 years where she assisted in several trials including four complex death penalty cases, one of which resulted in an acquittal. Ms. McGuigan is a past present of the San Francisco Paralegal Association, Chair of the Bar Association of San Francisco Paralegal Section, and Director of Women in eDiscovery, San Francisco Chapter.

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The Civil clerks with Orange County Superior Court will provide an overview of their unit’s e-filing practices, including tips on how to avoid having your documents rejected.

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The presentation will cover the role of the Agency in screening and selecting Donors and Surrogates, the basics of Donor and Surrogacy contracts including brief case law discussion, compensation terms, and major requirements to comply with the Family code sections, and conclude with the steps involved in filing for Judgments of Parentage for Surrogacy matters.

Debby Rosenthal

Debrah “Debbye” Rosenthal first discovered her passion for the field of third party reproductive law while attending the University of California, San Diego. An honors graduate, Debbye received her bachelor’s degree in sociology, with a minor in law and society. Debbye then obtained her law degree from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, California where she graduated cum laude. While in law school, Debbye honed her legal knowledge of this emerging field as a teaching assistant for a Reproductive Justice class and serving as an executive board member of Law Students for Reproductive Justice.

Shortly after passing the California Bar Exam, Debbye began working for a small Assisted Reproductive Technology law office in Los Angeles. After a few years with the Los Angeles office, Debbye made the decision to open her own firm in Orange County. Since that time she’s been living in Orange County, where she enjoys spending time with friends and family at the beach, rigorous workouts at the local gym, walks with the office dog, Benny, at Balboa Island, and trips to Disneyland. Debbye is an active member of the Academy of California Adoption-ART Lawyers, the Society for Ethics in Egg Donation and Surrogacy, and ABA ART division.

Nikki Wehmeir

Nikki Wehmeir has worked in the infertility world since 2009! She started in this industry on the agency side working primarily with egg donation and have continued that career path. She is well educated in surrogacy too but has a soft spot for making sure Intended Parents and Egg Donors are taken care of from start to finish and feel supported during such a unique experience. She is also a huge supporter of open/semi-open donation agreements and lends her voice to the importance of that any chance she gets. In her years of helping others become parents, she has had the honor of being a small but integral role in thousands of journeys and looks forward to the excitement and hope of family building each day.

Nikki is a founding member of SEEDS (Society for Ethics in Egg Donation and Surrogacy) and currently holds the position of Chair of the Newsletter Committee. She is also a proud member of the Donor Conceived Community’s Professionals Group. Outside of the heart and soul that she pours into her career, Nikki also has two children of her own, two nephews born through IVF, more friends/acquaintances than she can count that she has helped navigate their own infertility journeys, and she donated her uterus in a transplant trial to a woman who was born without one so she could have a baby.

Nikki believes it takes a village to raise a child and sometimes it also takes a village to have one. She looks forward to bringing her compassion, guidance, and expertise along for your journey!

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This webinar will focus on Bitcoin, the Block Chain, Crypto Currencies in general and the Law.

Chaz Hales focuses on intellectual property litigation, including patents, trademarks, trade secrets and copyright issues. He has in-depth knowledge of emerging technologies, including blockchain.

Chaz works with clients on the prosecution and litigation of patents, trademarks and copyright. He offers significant experience with issues involving cryptocurrencies, blockchain, and distributed ledger technology. In addition to his legal career, Chaz serves as an adjunct lecturer at the Viterbi School of Engineering located at the University of Southern California, where he teaches a course that explores emerging blockchain technology. Chaz previously worked as a Systems Engineer for Boeing Satellite Systems in California.

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Speaker: Bethany S. Ensz, M.S., Instructor at UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies

This webinar will go over ethical obligations law firms and associations have with respect to fee sharing with and supervision of non-lawyers, with a focus on recent changes in California along with mention of related changes in surrounding states.

Bethany S. Ensz, M.S., works as a Legal Research and Analysis instructor at UCSD Division of Extended Studies. Before teaching, Bethany worked as a corporate paralegal and office manager for Breakwater Law Group, LLP and was with Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP prior to that. Bethany is a graduate from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a minor in Psychology and earned a Master of Science in Legal Studies from the University of San Diego School of Law. She earned her paralegal certification from UCSD Division of Extended Studies, where she was inducted into the LEX Honor Society.

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Speaker: Michelle Herrera, Esq., of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLC

This webinar will provide an overview of Federal Court trials and civil procedure, with a focus on what to do before trial.

Michelle Herrera represents clients in complex intellectual property disputes across various industries, including wireless communications, software design and development, new drug applications and popular arts. As a former law clerk to a Federal Judge, Michelle has an intricate understanding of Federal law and procedure, and she fights tenaciously to protect her clients’ intellectual property rights.

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This webinar will cover Solano Superior Court eCourt and eFiling along with best practices, tips and preferences.

Sara MacCaughey began her career in 1998 as an entry-level legal processing clerk at the Solano Superior Court. She advanced through various roles such as courtroom clerk, lead clerk, supervisor, and operations manager. Today, she is proud to hold the titles of Assistant CEO, devoted wife, and mother. Her journey reflects a dedication to the Solano court and the communities it serves, providing access to justice and embracing the responsibilities that come with it.

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Speaker: Adriana Anzalone, Branch Director-South County Division

Demystifying Appeals will offer insight into the appellate process and include discussion on common pitfalls as well as traps for the unwary and how to avoid them. It will also include a discussion of any updates to the California Rules of Court.

Colette is a Mandan, North Dakota native and graduate of Mandan High School. Colette received her Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of North Dakota in 1984 with a degree in accounting and her Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota school of law in 1987. Colette has been licensed to practice law in North Dakota since October 1987.

In February 2009, Colette was named Assistant Clerk/Executive Officer for the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, in Sacramento, California. Previously, Colette was Chief Deputy Clerk for the North Dakota Supreme Court from July 1992 through February 2009. Prior to joining the North Dakota Supreme Court, Colette practiced law with the Vogel Law Firm in Mandan, North Dakota, and Legal Assistance of North Dakota in Bismarck.

In addition to the National Conference of Appellate Court Clerks (NCACC), Colette is a member of the State Bar Association of North Dakota and the California Appellate Court Clerks Association. Colette is married to Bernie Bruggman; they have one son, Beaux, and one granddaughter, Liliana.

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A Crash Course In Titling Assets To A Trust

In the world of estate planning, it can often be a bit confusing when working on a trust estate plan or even a trust administration – what assets should be funded to a trust? What assets should be left out? If the asset should be funded, how does one go about that? Does your office handle client transfers? Or do you leave it all up to the client?

Join us for a discussion on best practices for trust funding, both pre- and post-death, with a sampling of transfer forms provided to attendees. Some knowledge of estate planning is helpful, but not necessary to participate.

After 13 years of assisting clients as a legal secretary, Lori decided to be a lawyer. She knew that taking this step would improve her capabilities and allow her to help more people. She earned her law degrees after attending night classes, all while working full-time as a secretary.

Educational Background

• Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix, 2000
• Juris Doctor Degree With Honors from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law, May 2004

Professional Background

• Started as a legal secretary in the business and estate planning departments of Gaw Van Male, LLP in 1985
• Became an attorney with Gaw Van Male, LLP in 2004; making partner in 2010
• Headed the Estate Planning Department at Gaw Van Male, LLP in 2013
• Became a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the California Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California, August 2014
• Started Manfred & Hunt, LLP with Mike Manfred in December 2014

Affiliations

• Member, treasurer, and executive board member of the Napa County Bar Association
• Treasurer of the Fairfield Community Services Foundation, a 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged children and senior citizens in Fairfield, CA
• Treasurer of the Bay Area Legal Forum, a 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to presenting educational workshops for legal support staff and attorneys
• Executive Board Member, Mt. Diablo Silverado Council, Boy Scouts of America

Hobbies

Lori and her husband, Dean Bledsoe (owner of Pintail Roofing) spend most of their “free” time in activities involving their son, Hunter. Whether its attending basketball games in the Winter, watching and volunteering at track meets in the Spring, or participating in activities and campouts with Boy Scout Troop 83 throughout the year, they do things as a family. In her down time, Lori enjoys baking, cooking, playing bunko, and volunteering at church and her son’s school. In the Spring and Summer months, Lori spends most of her Saturdays at the St. John’s Lutheran Mission Farm, helping harvest fruits and veggies for the local food bank.

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This presentation will cover background and elements of Asylum law, best practices for working with pro bono Asylum clients, as well as recent developments in Asylum law and practice.

Malavika Lobo is an associate in the Palo Alto office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where she is a member of the firm’s litigation department.

Prior to joining the firm, Malavika was a Brackett Denniston fellow at General Electric. During law school, she was a judicial extern to the Honorable Indira Talwani of the U.S. District Court for the U.S. District of Massachusetts.

Education

• J.D., Boston University School of Law, 2017
• Administrative Editor, American Journal of Law and Medicine;
• Recipient, Homer Albers Moot Court Competition
• B.A., Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Berkeley, 2010

Admissions

• State Bar of California

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Jeanine brings a practical, business-aware perspective to representing her employer clients. She helps businesses avoid lawsuits through thoughtful advice and counsel, well-crafted policies, and staff training. Jeanine also vigorously defends employers in lawsuits brought by current or former employees.

Jeanine represents employers in all areas of employment and benefits law, including wage and hour claims, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, benefit plan corrections and other employment-related claims.

Jeanine assists clients in creating and implementing workplace policies and procedures, conducting harassment investigations, and counseling on employee performance management, including corrective actions and terminations. Jeanine often presents customized, on-site training programs for clients on a variety of human resources issues.

Jeanine is a sought-after presenter and offers engaging and entertaining workplace training programs, including harassment prevention training as required by California law.

Jeanine writes regularly about employment issues that are important for California employers at calemploymentlawblog.com.

When not defending employers, Jeanine coaches her kids’ soccer and baseball teams and is a baseball umpire (a welcome arena where her judgment cannot be questioned by anyone!).

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This presentation will cover the basics of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and its investigative process and what may prompt the SEC to begin an investigation. Included is discussion of the typical SEC timeline and best practices and approaches to responding to an SEC investigation and how the response may affect the outcomes and consequences.

Evan Seite is a partner in the Palo Alto office of Wilson Sonsini, where he is a member of the litigation department. Evan specializes in several areas, including securities litigation and counseling, complex commercial litigation and arbitration, and government and internal investigations. Evan frequently represents companies, as well as their officers and directors, in various types of litigation matters, including securities class actions, shareholder derivative suits, complex civil litigation and arbitration matters, and shareholder litigation.

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This presentation will cover basics of investing and being a disciplined investor, including how a sound investment strategy begins with end goals in mind, the balancing of risk, reward and diversification, and the importance of discipline.

Charles Hamilton is a Certified Financial Planner and Financial Advisor with Northwestern Mutual serving Professionals and Business Owners in California. His areas of expertise include: Financial Planning, Retirement Planning & Income Strategies, Investment Planning & Strategies, Business Planning, Charitable Planning, Estate Planning and Life Insurance Strategies.

Click here to watch

Password for the video: HowToInvest

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Creating healthy boundaries helps us to maintain professionalism when circumstances would otherwise result in conflict or hostility. In this presentation, Lara Traube will teach us how to create boundaries when faced with challenging or antagonistic situations that arise while performing legal services. Ms. Traube will use relatable scenarios that commonly arise in a law office. She will then introduce solutions on how to overcome these situations effectively. These skills will help overcome stress and allow us to continue to perform our services with competence and reduce overall stress.

Lara Traube is a Mindset Coach who supports you in gaining confidence to make empowered decisions as you navigate professional and personal change. Her superpowers include:

• Holding a safe, judgment-free space for you
• Being the calm in your storm
• Helping to demystify large concepts–making them accessible and applicable to you

Before becoming a Life Coach, Lara was a seasoned Senior Operations Leader in mortgage supporting high-performing teams through profound growth and change for over a decade, and has held various positions in the corporate world for 20+ years.

Lara’s accreditations include a BA from San Francisco State, Associate Certified Coach (ACC) through the International Coaching Federation, and CPC through Lyra Clinical Health and the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching. She is a lifelong San Francisco Bay area resident and a proud mom of 2.

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This webinar will be an overview of the most common motions in California Superior Courts (except motions for summary adjudication and/or judgment—a seminar on that subject is scheduled for April 4, 2024) including demurrers, motions to strike, discovery motions such as motion to compel or requesting a protective order. The material will also include understanding special motions such as motions in limine and motion to withdraw as counsel.

The presentation will also focus on avoiding nightmares caused by mistakes (i.e., do not have the motion being taken off calendar!).

Sheila Grela is a Paralegal / Producer / Moderator / Author

Sheila Grela is a paralegal at Buchalter, founder of Virtual Lunch with Leaders at the San Diego Paralegal Association (SDPA), the Program Director of the San Diego Chapter Women in eDiscovery, and the Secretary of the Law Practice Management Technology Section for the California Lawyers Association (CLA). She is a published author serving on the NALA Continuing Education Council and the Global Advisory Board for EDRM. Sheila enjoys teaching, presenting, and coaching. She has received awards acknowledging her advocacy, including the 2022 Gayle O’Connor GO Spirit Award and 2021 the CAPA Paralegal of the Year.

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More and more homes contain smart devices: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Nest Thermostat, Smart TVs, Roombas, and more. These devices store all kinds of activities and send that data to the cloud. This CLE explores the types of data available, looks at some cases where that data was used, and discusses the law regarding the collection of this type of data.

Brian Chase is a Managing Director of Digital Forensics at ArcherHall, an expert witness, and an adjunct professor of law. Before joining ArcherHall, he was a practicing attorney and the owner of Chase Technology Consulting, a legal technology consulting firm providing digital forensics and e-discovery expertise. Mr. Chase is currently licensed to practice law in Arizona and New York.

Mr. Chase has a diverse education and work background. He spent years working as a network administrator for the University of Arizona. He has a Management and Information Systems degree from the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona, a top ranked program in the country. Mr. Chase went on to earn a law degree, also from the University of Arizona. He has worked with various sized law firms both in an IT and legal capacity. He has consulted with firms on their use of technology within the office and has provided expert testimony in criminal and civil matters ranging from misdemeanors to murder to medical malpractice.

Mr. Chase has published and spoken on various technology related issues impacting law firms as well as parties in the civil and criminal justice system. He teaches various topics regarding law and technology, and digital forensics and evidence, at a variety of legal and technical conferences. He was honored by the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Arizona Daily Star with a “Tucson’s 40 Under 40 Award”, which recognizes young leaders who are making an impact in the community with their professional and charitable work.

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Courts across the country have held that lack of writing skills are tantamount to incompetent representation. This presentation will go over spelling rules, grammar and some word usage. Reference will be made to Bryan Garner’s The Redbook: A Manual on Legal Style.

Vivian Shreve has been a legal secretary/assistant for more than 40 years. Vivian has been an Executive Assistant at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in Palo Alto, California since 2008. She is the current President of Santa Clara County Legal Professionals Association, where she has been a member since 2013. Vivian currently serves as LPI’s CCLS Chair, and prior to that was the Chair of the California Certified Legal Secretary Certifying Board.

She is passionate about the legal field, her association, and LPI. Vivian believes in giving back and has been instrumental in mentoring and inspiring many in this profession. In her spare time, Vivian enjoys cooking for her family, spending as much time as possible with her three grandsons, working with her German shepherd, and playing softball.

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Phishing, Public Wifi, and Saving Passwords in your Browser; Join us and learn how to protect your personal information in this digital world.

June Hunter is a Technical Enablement Sr. Specialist at DISCO and teaches computer essentials at UC San Diego Extension in their ABA-approved Paralegal Studies program.

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Sabrina Rodriguez, the client training specialist with First Legal, will provide an overview of what First Legal offers and walk you through the steps of directly e-filing with the Los Angeles Superior Court.

Click here to watch.

Password: E-File@LACounty

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Sabrina Rodriguez, the client training specialist with First Legal, will provide an overview of what First Legal offers and walk you through the steps of directly e-filing with the Orange Superior Court.

Click here to watch.

Password: E-File@OCCounty

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Sabrina Rodriguez, the client training specialist with First Legal, will provide an overview of what First Legal offers and walk you through the steps of directly e-filing with the Riverside Superior Court.

Click here to watch.

Password: E-File@RIVCounty

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Appeals in California and federal courts can seem daunting. Come hear appellate expert Jim Wagstaffe unravel the mysteries of state and federal appeals. This program will address notices of appeal, standards of review, creating the record, rules on briefs, appellate motion practice, oral argument procedures and requests for further review in higher courts.

James (Jim) M. Wagstaffe handles a diverse range of litigation matters. His practice focuses on complex litigation, professional and governmental representation, will and trust disputes, legal ethics, and First Amendment matters. Jim is also the author of The Wagstaffe Group Practice Guide: Federal Civil Procedure Before Trial, published by Lexis Nexis. In addition, Jim is recognized as an authority and frequently is consulted by other law firms and clients alike on complicated civil procedure, attorneys’ fees and trial practice issues.

Jim’s reputation as litigator is exemplified by his frequent retention in high stakes cases where his strategic and procedural expertise is particularly invaluable. Jim has recently tried multiple jury trials resulting in multi-million dollar verdicts for the firm’s clients. Jim is considered one of the most sought after First Amendment/defamation lawyers in the country. He has represented broadcasters, newspapers, magazines, celebrities and public officials, as well as a host of others – both as plaintiff and defendant.

In addition to his leadership as a trial lawyer, Jim is highly active in the firm’s appellate practice. He handles appeals in both state and federal courts, representing clients seeking to affirm a favorable trial court decision as well as those whose goal it is to obtain a reversal. Jim has established an enviable track record on appeal and has led the way in a number of groundbreaking decisions. For example, Jim has successfully argued many cases in the California Supreme Court including the recent anti-SLAPP statute victory in Baral v. Schnitt (2016) and In re Garcia (2014).

Jim is an adjunct professor in constitutional law and civil procedure at UC Law San Francisco (formerly Hastings College of the Law) and in Media Law at San Francisco State University. He has also taught the Practical Speech Communication course at Stanford University for over 35 years.

In addition, Jim currently serves as a member Chair of the Federal Judicial Center Foundation Board, appointed by the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. For more than 30 years, he has been responsible for development and delivery of various annual forums, seminars, webinars, and workshop sessions directed at educating federal judges and their respective clerk staffs on civil procedure and other aspects of federal law. In 2017, he was selected as California Lawyer Attorney of the Year for his successful representation of The State Bar of California in a high-profile privacy trial. In addition, Jim has been consistently named one of the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Northern California.

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Learn what to review, look for and flag for your attorney when preparing disclosure documents. We will review the disclosure requirements, issues that come up while preparing Income and Expense Declarations (how do you have more expenses than income?). Help your attorney prepare and review disclosures and flag missing information.

Stan Sarkisov is an Associate Attorney in the family law department at Johnston, Kinney & Zulaica LLP. Stan’s practice includes family law litigation, mediation, and coaching-including working on issues of property allocation/division, child and spousal support, custody and visitation. Stan’s practice style prioritizes the client’s needs through a cost-benefit analysis of risk/reward. The goal is to maximize the client’s desired outcome in the most efficient path towards resolution. Prior to JKZ, Stan worked for a boutique family law firm in Oakland, CA.

Stan received his J.D. from the University of San Francisco School of Law, where he worked at the Unified Family Court as a law student. During law school, Stan was involved with the AIDS Legal Referral Panel (ALRP) and joined the Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF) as a student ambassador. He remains a member of BALIF and enjoys volunteering for his community.

Stan moved to California from Utah in 2009. Coming from a state grounded in “family values,” family law was a natural path. Prior to Utah, Stan’s family immigrated to the United States in 1992. Stan currently lives in Oakland, CA. For fun, he enjoys exploring new restaurants, traveling, and staying healthy.

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The context of this course is limited to the administration of a trust being administered following the death of a single grantor, and presumes that you have a basic understanding of trust formation and mechanics, which we will not discuss today. We will primarily discuss trust administration in the context of an individual grantor passing away, and the resulting tasks that will ensue. However, we will briefly discuss administration of joint trusts following the death of one or both grantors.

Nathan is an Associate Attorney in the Trust Administration and Probate departments at Johnston, Kinney & Zulaica LLP.

Prior to joining Johnston, Kinney & Zulaica LLP, Nathan maintained his own practice, The Law Office of Nathan D. Borris, Esq. in Hayward, California, having handled a multitude of matters ranging from bankruptcy law, wills, trusts and estates, civil litigation, criminal law and real property law.

Nathan is a member of the State Bar of California and the Alameda County Bar Association. Nathan has hosted several Continuing Legal Education seminars in the field of tax and bankruptcy law.

Nathan received his B.A. in political science from the University of California, Davis in 2005. He received his J.D. from Golden Gate University in 2009. While in law school, Nathan received a Certificate of Specialization in criminal law with distinction.

Nathan lives in Oakland. In his free time, Nathan enjoys cycling, climbing, cooking, anything outdoors, playing guitar, and spending time with his wonderful wife and their most amazing daughter.

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With all the hype recently about generative AI and other AI software being used, it is imperative the legal professionals understand “the benefits and risks associated with relevant technology” to maintain their ethical duty of technology competence. From disinformation, to convincing content, to efficiencies gained by generative Ai, the technology has exploded in use in a short span of time.

Learn the positive along with the cautions of how this emerging (or shall we say already emerged) technology affects our day-to-day working and personal lives, and its impact on the legal industry. Key takeaways from the presentation include; “new” AI technology isn’t as new as we thing; responsible AI use and understanding of how it works; embracing AI tools intelligently for productivity gains while mitigating risk; use of generative AI in the practice of law; and discovery implications of generative AI.

Jerry McIver – Director of Trustpoint Cyber Services/Data Privacy Officer for Trustpoint.One

Jerry is the Director of Trustpoint Cyber Services where he helps clients from all industries in information governance and data privacy. He assists organizations in data discovery to comply with data privacy regulations and achieve information governance objectives. Jerry also serves as the Data Privacy Officer for Trustpoint.One, where he supports and maintains the organization’s data privacy program.

Jerry has a collective 20 years of experience supporting organizations with information governance, compliance, legal, cyber, and data privacy needs. Jerry is a Florida-barred attorney and previously served as a HIPAA Compliance Officer for a local health network and acted as the systems analyst and database administrator. He holds the CIPP/US, CIPP/EU and CIPM certifications and is a member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals. He currently resides in Gainesville, Florida.

Matt Mahon – Executive Director, Cyber and Discovery Services for Trustpoint.One

Matt is a Certified eDiscovery Specialist and Information Governance Professional with 16 years of experience supporting organizations with information governance challenges and compliance with their eDiscovery obligations. He is the Executive Director of Cyber and Discovery Services at Trustpoint.One where he leads strategy and training, consults with clients, delivers CLE presentations and is a frequent speaker on topics including emoji, internet of things, mathematics of technology assisted review, privacy, information governance and eDiscovery. Matt earned his B.A. in Mathematics Applied Sciences from UC San Diego and was a mathlete.

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The webinar will discuss the California rules that govern ex parte communications with witnesses, unrepresented parties, the judges or court personnel to ensure to stay within the law. Learn when and what is ok to discuss and who needs to be copied before you make your next phone call or send your next email!

Jonathan I. Arons has been an ethics lawyer for over 30 years, longer than many attorneys have been practicing. This level of experience matters when you are faced with a disciplinary proceeding. As most lawyers know, with experience comes familiarity with the judges, prosecutors, court clerks and others involved in the disciplinary process.

Jonathan has committed his entire legal career to professional ethics issues. Admitted to practice in 1983 and opening his firm in 1988, he concentrated on defending attorneys against discipline charges in the State Bar Court, advising applicants for admission or reinstatement to the California State Bar and advising attorneys and law firms on violations prevention and the resolution of ethical questions.

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Joining Leah from the State Bar will be Erika Doherty, Program Director at the Office of Professional Competence, and Steven Moawad, Special Counsel at the Division of Regulation.

The webinar will discuss Regulatory Changes at the California State Bar, including Rule 8.3 on Mandatory Reporting Obligations (for when an attorney has credible evidence of misconduct by another attorney), the Client Trust Account Protection Program (CTAPP) and new Attorney Civility Requirements.

Ms. Wilson was appointed to the position of Executive Director for the State Bar of California in 2017 and reappointed in 2021. In that capacity, she manages a $280 million budget and over 600 staff who are responsible for regulation, licensing, and discipline of California attorneys, as well as for promoting access to legal services and diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.

Before joining the State Bar Ms. Wilson served as the Court Executive Officer for the Alameda County Superior Court. There, in addition to being responsible for overall court operations, personnel, budget and policy, she took a particular interest in collaborative courts, and advocated for the use of risk assessment tools and an expansion of effective alternatives to incarceration.

Ms. Wilson holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and a Juris Doctorate, both from the University of California, Berkeley, and is a member of the California State Bar. She also served as President of the Berkeley Unified School District’s Board of Education.

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There have been numerous changes in conservatorship law since the #FreeBritney movement. This webinar will review the new laws that could affect your client or a loved one.

Christina McGonigle is a Managing Partner at McGonigle & Hunsaker, LLP, a law office that serves seniors, people with disabilities and their families. She graduated magna cum laude from Western State University College of Law in 2005. Prior to attending law school, she received her Bachelors degree in Political Science (cum laude) from California State University, Long Beach.

Ms. McGonigle is Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Orange County Bar Association Section on Elder Law. She is also a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the Probate Section of the Legislative Resolutions Committee. Ms McGonigle serves on the Advocacy Committee of the Alzheimer’s Association, and meets with the legislators to advocate for issues affecting seniors. Ms. McGonigle is a frequent presenter and community volunteer for organizations that serve disabled adults and seniors. Ms. McGonigle practices in the areas of Trust and Estate Planning, Special Needs Trusts, Trust Administration, Conservatorships, Litigation, and Medi-Cal Applications and Appeals.

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Judge Kulkarni will discuss ethics considerations for legal professionals, with particular emphasis on interactions with court personnel.

Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Sunil R. Kulkarni joined the bench in October 2013 and currently has a complex civil litigation assignment.

Before becoming a judge, Judge Kulkarni worked as a senior litigation counsel for the University of California for almost 3 years. Before UC, he was a partner (and associate) with the Palo Alto office of Morrison and Foerster LLP for 13 years, specializing in intellectual property and securities litigation. He also was a law clerk for the Honorable Oliver W. Wanger, U.S. District Court (E.D. Cal.), from 1996 to 1997. Judge Kulkarni received his law degree with high honors from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 1996, and his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering with honors from the University of California, Berkeley in 1993.

Judge Kulkarni is currently the supervising judge of his court’s civil division. Before his current assignment, he had many different civil and criminal assignments. In addition, he teaches legal ethics to judges across California and helped develop the current statewide legal ethics training program for judges.

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What exactly is the Commission on Judicial Performance and what authority do they have? Mr. Dresser will go into detail as to the composition of the Commission and procedures.

Gregory Dresser became the Director-Chief Counsel at the California Commission on Judicial Performance in October 2017.

For two and one-half years before that, Mr. Dresser was part of the executive team in the Office of the Chief Trial Counsel of the State Bar of California, including serving as interim Chief Trial Counsel for more than a year.

Prior to his work for the State Bar, Mr. Dresser was a litigation and trial attorney at Morrison & Foerster LLP in San Francisco for more than 25 years.

Mr. Dresser received his law degree from the University of Chicago, and his undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

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While some lawyers were adept at remote work prior to the pandemic, the majority of us were catapulted into this strange new world by the global pandemic in 2020. Three years later, even as many lawyers have returned to in-person work, there is no doubt that things in the legal field have changed forever. Many firms are offering hybrid work options for lawyers and staff. Some firms have transitioned to being fully remote (and fully paperless). Many courts have a strong preference for video appearances, rather than in-person appearances. For some, this “new normal” is a blessing; for others, a curse. This CLE program will address ethical issues that arise in the context of virtual remote work, including but not limited to competency (Rule 1.1), the duty to communicate (Rule 1.4), confidentiality (Rule 1.6), conflicts (Rules 1.7 and 1.9), the duty to supervise (Rules 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3), multijurisdictional practice (Rule 5.5), and others.

Alison Buchanan is a Shareholder in the firm’s Silicon Valley office, where she focuses her practice on business litigation. Alison is the Chair of the firm’s Business Litigation Practice Group. She represents clients in complex business disputes, including contract, fraud, misappropriation of trade secrets, unfair competition claims, and employment law litigation. She has significant trial experience, including serving as lead trial counsel in jury and bench trials in state and federal court.

Alison is a Certified Specialist in Legal Malpractice Law as certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. Her additional experience in employment and real estate litigation makes her a valued resource for her clients. Alison is a sought-after speaker on attorney ethics.

Alison was named a “Northern California Super Lawyer” from 2013-2022. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. She was named a Northern California “Rising Star” in 2012.

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The webinar will discuss the fundamental differences between calendaring deadlines in the Superior Court and the Federal Court.

Sheila Grela is a paralegal at Buchalter, founder of Virtual Lunch with Leaders at the San Diego Paralegal Association (SDPA), the Program Director of the San Diego Chapter Women in eDiscovery, and the Secretary of the Law Practice Management Technology Section for the California Lawyers Association (CLA). She is a published author serving on the NALA Continuing Education Council and the Global Advisory Board for EDRM. Sheila enjoys teaching, presenting, and coaching. She has received awards acknowledging her advocacy, including the 2022 Gayle O’Connor GO Spirit Award and 2021 the CAPA Paralegal of the Year.

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Vida Thomas believes that having an inclusive and diverse place of employment is very important. It doesn’t matter who you are — attorney, paralegal, secretary, file clerk — everyone deserves to feel equally supported in all areas of the workplace.

Vida has practiced law for more than 25 years. She started her career as an employment defense litigator. She also advised employers on all aspects of employment law and human resources management as governed by Title VII, the California FEHA, ADA, ADEA and other federal and state employment laws.

Vida has conducted more than 200 workplace investigations and is experienced in complying with Title IX, Title 5, the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights and the Firefighters Procedural Bill of Rights.

Vida also routinely conducts sexual harassment prevention training — including AB1825 compliance training — for state agencies and private companies. She teaches managers and supervisors how to implement legally effective performance reviews. She has conducted dozens of seminars on the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, employee drug testing and sexual harassment investigations.

Before joining the firm, Vida was Of Counsel with Stoel Rives LLP and Weintraub Tobin Chediak Coleman Grodin Law Corporation. She began her legal career as an employment litigator at Kronick Moskovitz and then co-founded Carlsen Thomas, LLP, a boutique employment law firm that offered workplace investigations and employee training throughout California for 13 years.

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Heather has been interviewing people looking for employment in law firms for over 20 years! This webinar will discuss her thoughts and insights about how to successfully navigate law firm job interviews.

She is the Executive Director of Hoge Fenton. She joined the firm in 2019, bringing over 20 years of midsize and large law firm leadership experience. She leads the firm’s administrative functions, including finance, marketing, quality assurance and risk management, human resources, staff support, systems administration, information resources, vendor relationships, facilities, and communication.

She is dedicated to achieving the highest level of excellence in all administrative and operations functions by balancing the interests of stakeholders across the organization. Her proficiency in legal compliance, employee recruiting and performance management, combined with her integrity and thoughtful approach to problem solving, help her reach this goal. Heather has expertise in building collaborative teams and fostering a collegial and effective working environment.

She is a Certified Legal Manager and active member of the Association of Legal Administrators. She is certified as a Professional in Human Resources in California (PHRca). Heather is also certified as a Senior Professional of Human Resources (SPHR).

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They will Law & Motion Discovery, Real Property Court, and Electronic filing at the Civic Center Courthouse.

Maria Olopernes-Pena is a Civil Courtrooms Manager at the San Francisco Superior Court. Ernalyn Bura is a Civil Operations Manager at the San Francisco Superior Court.

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Vivian will review the basics of Real Estate including ownership, acquisition and transfer of real property land the different types of deeds.

Vivian Shreve has been a legal secretary/assistant for more than 40 years. Vivian has been an Executive Assistant at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in Palo Alto, California since 2008. She is the current President of Santa Clara County Legal Professionals Association, where she has been a member since 2013. Vivian currently serves as LPI’s CCLS Chair, and prior to that was the Chair of the California Certified Legal Secretary Certifying Board.

She is passionate about the legal field, her association, and LPI. Vivian believes in giving back and has been instrumental in mentoring and inspiring many in this profession. In her spare time, Vivian enjoys cooking for her family, spending as much time as possible with her three grandsons, working with her German shepherd, and playing softball.

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Mr. McDonough will go through a multi-million-dollar personal injury case from inception to settlement. You will learn first-hand what such a case involves, the type of injuries to classify as a multi-million-dollar case, and how different this is from what we see and hear on TV.

Kevin M. McDonough is a Partner who has been with Morey & Upton, LLP since 2009. With nearly two decades of experience in personal injury, Mr. McDonough is a zealous and passionate advocate who fights relentlessly for his clients. Over the course of his career, Mr. McDonough has deepened his practical knowledge of the law, tailoring its application to serve his clients’ unique needs and achieve optimal results, including numerous multimillion-dollar recoveries.

Mr. McDonough graduated from the University of California, Davis with a B.A. in history and earned his Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School, where he consistently ranked in the top of his class and graduated cum laude. While attending Whittier Law School, Mr. McDonough was named to the Dean’s List and Honor Roll and received a CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Transactional Writing.

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During this presentation, Mr. Ayer will provide a brief overview of the subpoena laws in California. There are different rules for each subpoena type available.

Jim Ayer is currently the Vice-President of Titan Legal Services and has been in the Subpoena industry since 1997. He was previously the Office Manager for Whitmont Legal Technologies’ Subpoena Division and later became the division’s Senior Account Executive.

Along with his business partners, Jim has helped turn Titan Legal Services into one of the most trusted and knowledgeable Subpoena Services in California and Titan takes take great pride in providing excellent customer service to their clients throughout the state.

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Mr. Diaz will provide an overview of NextGen CM/ECF v1.7.1 and a review of the upgrade. During this review he will discuss linking the CM/ECF account to a PACER account. Finally, he will review looking up active attorney bar members, new civil case submissions, and best e-filing practices.

Joe Diaz is the CM/ECF Coordinator for the United States District Court, Southern District of California.

Joe started working with the court in May 2004 and he was one of the members of the team that successfully implemented the CM/ECF system. Prior to working for the Southern District, he worked for Affiliated Computer Systems, which implemented the Jury Management System (JMS) throughout the federal judiciary. He has held positions within the Administrative Office of the United States Courts in Washington D.C. and in Phoenix, Arizona and within the U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, Phoenix Division. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science with an Emphasis in Latin American Studies from Arizona State University and a Master of Science Degree in Judicial Administration from the University of Denver College of Law.

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This presentation will review court updates, processing times, when to request court interpreters, and eService for restraining orders. The clerks will also provide a Calendar Matrix update and other important information pertaining to Placer Superior Court.

Holly Dodge is the Manager for the Family Law Unit at Placer Superior Court. She assumed this position in November of 2021, after serving as a Court Services Analyst for 5 years. Holly’s previous work included development and implementation for the court’s eFiling system, the Self-Help Settlement Services program, and Family Centered Case Resolution Conferences.

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This informative webinar will include electronic filings on the Case Management/Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF) system, judges’ procedures, the latest changes to local rules, and other court news.

Nancy Hackney, has been with the federal court for twenty-one years. She is currently a CM/ECF Administrator. Nancy works along with a team of CM/ECF Administrators to update the CM/ECF system.

Nancy and her team also manage the CM helpdesk. Prior to joining the CM/ECF team she was a docket clerk and worked in various positions within the clerk’s office. She then became a Judge’s Magistrate core clerk for several years. Nancy was also appointed as a CM/ECF trainer for the court staff and trained others on e-filing. Prior to joining the federal court, she worked in the state court for about ten years in the Civil Department.

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They will review the court’s continued conversion to the e-court case management and online access to files which will occur early in the Summer of 2023.

Attorney Michael H. Friel was licensed to practice law on June 11, 1993. Michael was a solo-practitioner for twenty years in Lake County before becoming the Lake County Family Law Facilitator. After working for Lake County Courts for four and one-half years he became the Family Law Facilitator for El Dorado Superior Court. He has been the Family Law Facilitator for the law four and one-half years and recently taking on the role of self-help attorney. Mr. Friel was also an adjunct professor at the local college in Lake County and taught English and Political Science.

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Michael will be conducting a presentation on Writs. He will share information on “What You Need to Know About Writs.”

Michael Kern, CEO of Direct Legal Support, Inc. is a 35-year veteran of the profession as well a second-generation process server. Michael has had his hand in every aspect of litigation support ever since, and directly attributes his success to his dedication to his passion for this profession.

He has educated hundreds of process servers across the county on marketing, service of process certification, marketing techniques and strategies to marketing your business, offer new services, client management & cost control, while maintaining the basic and successful philosophy that it is important to teach others for the betterment of the profession to continue to evolve and expand

He has been a member of the CALSPro, since 1992 (30 Years) and has served on board member of CALSPro for over 17 years, serving in many different capacities including President of the association. Michael has also served on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Professional Process Servers (NAPPS), including President from 2017-2019 and has been on the board of directors, since 2015. Michael has been a member of NAPPS since 1997 (25 Years). Michael is also a member/vendor of the Los Angeles Paralegal Association (LPI), since 2010 and have given several educational presentations to the membership.

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Clara will provide a basic understanding of how Canva works and how to create flyers for your office.

Carla M. Clark, CCLS has over 25 years of experience working with civil litigators that specialized in personal injury, insurance bad faith, business, and construction litigation. She specialized in complex civil litigation and enjoys taking on the complex matters. For Carla, no case was too large to manage.

Currently, Carla has taken her years of experience and now owns and operates her own consulting, in-house training, seminar/webinar, continuing education and publication business which emphasizing on California Civil Litigation Rules and Procedures. She also holds seminars that emphasis on local rules and procedures in the counties of San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside and Orange. She is also the editor and publisher of the Mary Alexander’s Civil Litigation Manual. She is very excited that her production company is gearing up and will be back up and running in time to publish once again come January 2023.

She passed the CCLS exam twice, once in 2010 and again in 2021. She was the SDLSA CCLS Study Group leader for several years and proudly worked with, and took the test with the 7 most current SDLSA CCLS. She is so very proud of them. She was also the civil litigation instructor for the last 3 years that SDLSA held their Beginning Legal Secretary Training Course. She was nominated and selected as the 2011 SDLSA Secretary Cum Laude, and was presented with an award for her 2021-2022 Continued Commitment to Elevate SDLSA and LPI. She is a long-time member of the San Diego Legal Secretaries Association and has been their President since 2020.

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Vivian will conduct a basic overview of corporations and limited liability companies, including reference to California’s new Online BizFile filing system.

Vivian Shreve, CCLS, has been a legal secretary/assistant for more than 40 years. Vivian has been an Executive Assistant at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in Palo Alto, California since 2008. Vivian is the current President of SCCoLPA, where she has been a member since 2013, and she is the current CCLS Chair for Legal Professionals Inc. She is passionate about the legal field and about SCCoLPA and is looking forward to her term as President. In her spare time, Vivian enjoys cooking for her family, spending as much time as possible with her three grandsons, working with her 5-year old German shepherd and playing softball.

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Bethany will discuss copyright law in entertainment and the arts, including copyright traps for the unwary, using the Digital Millennium Copyright Act to remove infringing content online, and current hot topics such as artificial intelligence.

Las Vegas entertainment and intellectual property attorney Bethany Rabe focuses her practice on entertainment-related litigation, with particular interest in copyright, trademark, right of publicity, defamation, and Internet matters, as well as appellate litigation and brand management. Bethany also has a broad range of general commercial litigation experience.

Bethany is a Teaching Fellow at CopyrightX (an online copyright course offered through Harvard Law School, the HarvardX distance learning initiative, and the Berkman-Klein Center for Internet and Society). She is a current Editorial Board Member and Editor-at-Large, and past Editor-in-Chief, of Litigation News, the American Bar Association’s Section of Litigation flagship publication.

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Brooke will review how Marsy’s Law came to be, how Victim Services advocates for victims in the process and the role of a Victim Advocate.

Brooke is the Victim Services Coordinator for Modoc County. She is a department of one, serving as her county’s only Victim Services Advocate. In addition to her duties as Advocate, she serves as the Mass Victim Advocate, serves on the Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Response Team. Her department is also the Child Advocacy Center, advocating for children of sexual assault. When not in court with victims, she assists with Civil Harassment Restraining Orders and Domestic Violence Restraining Orders.

Brooke is LPI’s current Liaison to the Law Practice Management and Technology Section of the California State Bar. Brooke is a Past President of LPI – prior to joining the LPI (then LSI Executive Committee) she was appointed by then LSI President Kay Thornburg to serve as Legal Secretary Training / Seminar Chair.

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Jason will review legal issues facing law enforcement and firefighters, including the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act (“POBR”) and recent legislative developments, with an overview of the protections that law enforcement and other members of the public safety community have under the law that are different than the average citizen.

Jason’s practice focuses primarily on representing employees and employee associations regarding a wide range of labor and employment issues, including internal and other administrative investigations, disciplinary and termination proceedings, grievances, arbitrations, civil litigation and appellate work, collective bargaining, and actions before the California State Personnel Board, the California Public Employment Relations Board, and the National Labor Relations Board. He serves as the Chief Negotiator for a number of public sector employee associations.

Before starting Messing Adam & Jasmine LLP with his partners Gary Messing and Gregg Adam, Jason was a partner with Carroll, Burdick & McDonough LLP in the Public Sector Law Group.

Jason is an Adjunct Professor at the University of California, Davis School of Law, where he teaches a Lawyering Skills Lab, which includes instruction in topics such as Negotiations and Client Counseling. He also has been active as an arbitrator in the mandatory fee arbitration programs of both the Sacramento County Bar and State Bar of California and has arbitrated dozens of disputes both as a sole arbitrator and as a chair or member of arbitration panels.

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