All Events

Trusting Trusts – Working with Trusts Under Revised Article Nine:  The intersection of Trust Law and the Uniform Commercial Code has historically been confusing to almost everyone.  The pitfalls have become more common with the growth and expansion of trusts.  This one hour seminar by CT attempts to crystalize some of the key points, including examples that can be used as guideposts for those legal professionals that work in this field.

Dan Lias is the UCC Business Consultant in the Chicago office of CT. He works primarily with area law firms in terms of their due diligence searches and filings. He shares market knowledge with the firms and assists in developing a strategy that meets the firm's specific needs. He graduated from the University of South Dakota Law School and has several years of experience working with UCC related issues in both his private practice and when he was corporate counsel for an invoice factoring firm. He is a member of the South Dakota State Bar Association, The Chicago Bar Association, and the American Bar Association.

Help Your Attorney Reduce or Eliminate Liens

CLE Seminar: Fundamentals of Legal Research

Bankruptcy 201: A Practical Guide for Practitioners:  The presentation will provide an overview of the fundamental features of chapters 7, 11, and 13 of the Bankruptcy Code and clarify basic Bankruptcy Code issues and practical features of bankruptcy litigation. Participants will have an opportunity to learn dos and don’ts of representing creditors and get a practical insight into the bankruptcy court system.

Paulina Garga-Chmiel is an attorney with Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. and represents creditors in foreclosure litigation, bankruptcy matters, collection actions, breach of contract disputes, evictions and other banking concerns, including loss mitigation. Named as an Emerging Lawyer for 2020, Paulina speaks fluent Polish and is an active member of the Bankruptcy Court Liaison Committee for the Northern District of Illinois, Polish American Chamber of Commerce, and Advocates Society, the Association of Polish-American Attorneys.

Fuel Your Professional Growth

Topic: Minnesota Legal Paraprofessional Pilot Project

Ms. Schroeder will discuss the Legal Paraprofessional Pilot launched March 1, 2021, which is intended to increase access to civil legal representation in tenant-landlord and family law cases where one or both parties typically appear without legal representation. The Pilot Project permits legal paraprofessionals, under the supervision of a Minnesota attorney, to provide legal advice and, in some cases, represent a client in court in these areas.

The next CLE hosted by JAGALP will occur on Saturday April 10, 2021 at noon EST via zoom.  

The Introduction to Tax Law CLE will be led by William Belvin an estate planning, tax, and business transactional attorney in central Arkansas. 

The class will provide an overview of tax law just in time for tax season. The class is scheduled for one hour.  The cost is $10.00 for JAGALP members and $20.00 for non-members. Zoom meeting details will be sent to attendees after confirmed registration. Link to register is located below.

The JAGALP hopes to see you there! 

Essential Elements of Estate Planning Documents

RMPA ANNOUNCES ITS APRIL 2021 LUNCH N LEARN EVENT

ZAIRA D. SOLANO, ESQ.
THE SOLANO LAW FIRM

TOPIC: FAMILY IMMIGRATION

DATE: TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2021

Zaira Solano earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Georgia College & State University. While earning her degree, she worked in the office of a solo practitioner in the metro Atlanta area. She gained valuable, hands-on experience in family law, criminal law, and worker’s compensation law prior to her legal education.

Ms. Solano worked for several firms throughout the Atlanta area while earning her law degree at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. She discovered her passion for immigration during law school. Later in her training, she clerked at an immigration firm in Atlanta, Georgia, and also worked in the Fulton County Public Defender’s Office in the Complex Case Division.

In 2011, Zaira founded Solano Law Firm with a focus on immigration law to serve the Latino community. She believes in providing honest representation and educating clients throughout the process. She is fluent in both Spanish and English. She is highly passionate about defending her clients’ rights and choses to practice immigration law because she believes in keeping families together.

Fifty Shades of Grey Can't Hold a Candle to the Legal Profession's Literary Masterpiece:  The Bluebook:  Not even the erotic romance trilogy Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker, and Fifty Shades Freed offers a more compelling, titillating and captivating read, as the legal profession's most enduring, literary masterpiece:  The Bluebook.  In an increasingly diverse and demanding legal profession, The Bluebook continues to provide the systematic method by which members of the legal profession communicate essential information about the multitude of sources and authorities they rely upon.  Come get intimately reacquainted with the definitive guide for legal citation in the United States.

Nicholas Kourvetaris is an attorney at the law firm of O’Hagan Meyer. As a litigator with two decades of experience, Nicholas has served as a trusted legal advisor to a wide range of clients in multiple industries, including business clients, school districts, forest preserve districts, zoological societies, medical centers, homeowners and construction-related entities. He has extensive litigation experience in defense of matters throughout Illinois involving catastrophic bodily injuries and death, premises liability, food poisoning, bed bugs, wage garnishment, contract disputes, breach of fiduciary duty, dram shop, property damage, construction litigation, and housing, gender and age discrimination.

To date, Nicholas has tried 34 jury trials to verdict in Cook, McHenry and Will counties, including achieving 17 outright defense verdicts (one of which a Cook County jury returned in three minutes after a week-long trial).

Nicholas also teaches legal research & writing and torts at Loyola University Chicago’s Institute for Paralegal Studies and was a student-selected Professor of the Year in 2016.

Essential Tips for Assisting in Workers' Compensation Cases

Developing a Greater Outlook Using Outlook:  Tips For Better Organization:  This 60-minute session will create an awareness of the tool Outlook showcasing its capacity to keep oneself organized in the workplace.  A demonstration will be provided to highlight the basics as well as more advanced features that translate easily to the functions of your position.

Dr. Paul Busceni earned his doctorate in Education Leadership and Organizational Change from Roosevelt University, Chicago, Illinois, in 2000, and celebrates a twenty-three year history of teaching, learning, and advocacy.  He began his career in the Chicago north suburbs as teacher, principal, and associate superintendent of schools in P-12, eventually transitioning to leadership positions in Colleges of Education and Human Development at various institutions of higher learning.  He focused on business during his undergraduate tenure, but quickly realized his interests were in teaching and learning, and community action and awareness.  Progressing into graduate school, he became a staunch advocate for human rights and social justice.  He is a member of the LGBTQ Tucson Chamber of Commerce, volunteers for other philanthropic organizations, and is a reflection of his alma mater’s motto dedicated to the enlightenment of the human spirit.  He became a voice for legislative action with state Boards of Education as well as accrediting bodies, is a recognized educator and speaker, has spoken at professional conferences throughout the United States, and was keynote speaker in Leeds, England on international education.  He has been a consistent thought leader in areas of curriculum, instruction, assessment, accreditation, faculty development, and online/distance learning, and has written and reviewed grants for local, state, and national agencies.  He is a member of Kappa Delta Pi and is always seeking ways to give back to the various communities who helped make him the person he is today.  His greatest aspiration is to complete his debut novel and become the next great American writer.

Topic: From the Frontlines: Immigration Discussion on Legality and Human Rights

Join us as for an informative session with two experienced immigration paralegals based in the Twin Cities.They will discuss their work within different areas of immigration law and cover topics such as:

• Overview of immigration, and legal options for immigration in the United States
• Addressing the Border Crisis
• Immigration in Minnesota
• Future of Immigration under the Biden Administration
• Myths vs Facts about immigration

Speakers: Rachel Crane and Liz Eckholm

DELAWARE PARALEGAL ASSOCIATION

National Affairs Luncheon

"Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: A Cultural Evolution"

Guest Speaker: Dr. Devona E. G. Williams

Wed., April 14, 2021 at 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. 

Sheraton Suites (Wilmington) or via Zoom

For More Information Email:  info@deparalegals.org

What to Look for and Where to Find it

Topic: Ethics for Paralegals

There will be discussion regarding the Code of Ethics and various ethical scenarios for paralegals to consider when working on cases.

Speaker:  Kathryn Lammers

Inside Reports Due 

Presented by the Honorable Paul W. Grimm, United States District Court, District of Maryland and Professor Maura R. Grossman, J.D., Ph.D., School of Computer Science, University of Waterloo, and Osgoode Hall Law School, Ontario, Canada

In the ever-changing landscape of eDiscovery and modern forms of evidence, understanding cutting-edge topics relating to Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become essential for litigators. Topics to be covered in this presentation will include the fundamentals of artificial intelligence; an understanding of how and why AI is used; what admissibility issues are posed in introducing AI evidence and how to address those issues, as well as a description and analysis of the pertinent rules of evidence and how they apply to AI. 

Attendees will be able to pose questions during a half an hour live Q&A with Judge Grimm and Maura R. Grossman after the presentation concludes.

For more information and to register click HERE. 

1.5 hours of CLE credit will be offered to the surrounding MCLE states. If you miss the livestream, it will be available on the MSBA CLE catalog.

Draft Solid, Error-Free Agreements for Your Attorney

Topic:  MPA Duluth Chapter Meeting - Family Law Updates

Updates in Family Law for 2021. The presentation will be on new laws, policies or procedures for 2021.

Speaker: Katrina M. Viegas

Handwriting Analysis and the acceptance of electronic v wet signatures

IPA Town Hall: Circuit Clerks:  Join us for the IPA Circuit Clerk Town Hall.  We’ve been working in the COVID era for some time now and it is a great time to meet the newly elected circuit clerks, get updates on how their offices are handling things and what they see on the horizon for their offices.  Currently scheduled to participate in the discussion:  Cook County Clerk Iris Martinez, DeKalb County Circuit Clerk Lori Grubbs, DuPage County Circuit Clerk Candice Adams, Lake County Circuit Clerk Erin Cartwright Weinstein, McHenry County Circuit Clerk Kathy Keefe and St. Clair County Circuit Clerk Kahalah Clay.  This townhall will give paralegals a better understanding of the new procedures now in place as new communication procedures brought about by New Rule 14 which allows more electronic communication from the court being implemented in their offices.

Attendees also have the opportunity to submit questions during the registration process.

Federal Circuit Appeals: A Procedural Guide: Effective July 1, 2020, there were a number of changes to the Federal Circuit Rules of Practice, including updates to the rules concerning confidential filings and service. We will discuss the updated procedures, and how they have been implemented in practice. Attendees will be provided with a digital copy of the new rules of practice, which includes practice notes discussing matters that are often asked of the Clerk’s office staff.

Effective Ways to Get and Stay Organized

Estate Planning & Guardianship for the LGBTQ+ Community: This presentation will address considerations for working with LGBTQ+ clients on their estate plan. We will also take a look at advocacy when there was no advance planning and the LGBTQ+ individual is the subject of a guardianship. Participants will learn strategies that address all phases of legal practice from client intake to document terms to holistic planning for the LGBTQ+ community.

Melissa Kallio concentrates her practice in elder law, which includes Medicaid planning and applications, litigation for vulnerable adults against abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and guardianship estates. Melissa also serves as a court appointed Guardian ad Litem (GAL) and counsel for Respondents in guardianship estates.

Melissa has been named as an “Emerging Lawyer” in the field of Elder Law by the Leading Lawyers Network since 2018. Less than 2% of all lawyers licensed in each state have receive the distinction of Emerging Lawyer. Melissa has also been named as an Illinois Super Lawyers “Rising Star” in the field of Elder Law since 2018. The Rising Stars list recognizes no more than 2.5% of attorneys in each state.

Workers’ Compensation Law Spring Update: What Constitutes a Work Accident?:  This session will give a brief background of Illinois Workers’ Compensation Law, and then examine case law surrounding what constitutes a compensable work accident in the State of Illinois, including the recent Illinois Supreme Court case McAllister v. Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.

Dan DeBias has been licensed to practice law since 2018. He obtained his JD degree from the John Marshall Law School in 2017. Dan focuses his entire practice on representing injured workers’ in Illinois, and has been working in the field of workers’ compensation since 2007.

During this presentation Teresa will discuss seller figures and ways to help the title company facilitate a smooth closing for all. Topics to be covered are preparing numbers for closing, the mystery behind preparing a Master Statement, disbursements, and common issues that arise and ways to avoid them.

Teresa Haish has been with Chicago Title over 33 years where she is currently Assistant Vice President, Executive Account Manager for the Geneva, IL office. She works with law firms in the western Chicago suburbs managing attorney agent relationships, structuring closing and title services to ensure efficient client focused escrow services. She is an active member of the Kane County Bar Association, and Realtor Association of Fox Valley, serves on the Board of Directors for the Northern Illinois Homebuilders Association and Treasurer of Trinity Lutheran Church. When not working she enjoys reading, yoga, and traveling.

Learn about the sources of ESI and how to properly identify, preserve, collect, and process information.

Learn Where the Risks Lie!

Your In-Depth Guide to Navigate Through the Process

Help Your Attorney Build a Strong Case

Behind every successful personal injury lawyer is often a paralegal. Even the little things you do have the power to make or break a case. Are your skills on point? This program will reveal what you should be doing at each key step to give your attorney the best chance to succeed.

Topic:  The Gig Economy During the Pandemic

This presentation will touch on the "gig economy" in 2020/21 - where temporary positions, short-term contracts, and freelance positions are becoming more common. Attorneys Kurt J. Erickson and Ben Sandahl with Littler in Minneapolis will cover some of the common issues arising from temporary "gig" workers, including recent developments, throughout the Covid-19 Pandemic. This presentation will also cover recent regulatory efforts by local Minnesota agencies, such as the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, and will address changes with the new Biden administration.

Speakers:  Kurt J. Erickson and Ben Sandahl

Learn how MCAP represents abused, neglected and trafficked children and the types of cases advocates handle.  Also a discussion regarding duties of a Guardian Ad Litem and learn the differences between Legal Counsel and Best Interest Counsel.

Unconscious and Implicit Bias in the Legal Profession: Unconscious and implicit bias are prevalent in the legal profession and play a consequential role in hiring, assignments, mentoring, compensation, promotions, and retention in the work place, as well as inclusion and participation in professional organizations.  This presentation will address the following issues:

• Defining Unconscious and Implicit Bias
• Identifying the Implications of Cognitive Associations
• Accessing and Overcoming Unconscious Bias
• Eliminating Implicit Bias
• ABA Model Rules of Professional Contact:  Rule 8.4- Misconduct

NFPA Webinar: Income Taxes in Decedent Estates 
Tuesday, April 29, 2021 12:00 PM Central (CDT) - 1:00 PM Central (CDT)

Click here to register!

Bill will be discussing what he has learned over the past year in remote depositions and strategies for effective remote depositions.  He will discuss the following:

• Appearance
• Surroundings
• Hardware
• Zoom
• Sharing
• Recording
• Delivered Product
• Bonus: Zoom Trials

Cost is $25.00 for Members | $50.00 for non-members
This webinar is worth 1.0 CLE Credit

About the Presenter
Bill Mayleben, Depo International Director of Trial/Video Services, Certified Trial Director Trainer
Bill Mayleben brings over 25+ years of expertise to the litigation technology industry. Prior to working in the legal field, Bill worked as an IT Consultant. Providing full service technical support for various small to medium sized businesses. In 1998, Bill joined a Midwest IP law firm to head up the Litigation Support department. In January 2001, Bill left that law firm to specialize in courtroom technology and consulting.  Recently Bill and his company merged with Depo International to streamline and maximize video quality for onsite and remote depositions.  Still maintaining his skillset as a trial consultant he has been participating in remote and onsite trials.

Recognize and Resolve Problems When You See Them

Comply with security law requirements and avoid serious legal liability issues.

Deadline to Submit Articles/Ads/Materials for the National Paralegal Reporter

Help Your Clients Achieve Greater M&A Success, Starting with a Winning Playbook!

An effective M&A playbook facilitates positive – and sustainable – outcomes. Do your M&A clients have playbooks that cover the full lifecycle of the deal, starting with strategy alignment, progressing to initial preparation and identification of targets with the right DNA and ending with integration and full realization? What is often missing is how people, culture and leadership fit into the early financial calculations and restructuring, including how those aspects directly affect valuations and how they influence the post-acquisition period where value really is captured.

Having a full-cycle playbook helps you as counsel and trusted advisor to shape and structure the deal, and develop a contract that keeps your client’s interests in the forefront. It also helps you to recognize when additional resources and expertise may be needed.

This webinar will:

• outline a full lifecycle playbook,
• show how later stages like integration need to start with a strategy developed long before day one,
• share how the developing ISO standards regarding human capital metrics will become an important consideration,
• emphasize the importance of having an effective marketing package on both the seller and buyer sides, and
• include tips on managing the public face of the deal to avoid confusion and maintain engagement and retention of the key people in the acquired company.

Presented by Fred L. Hencke, Senior Vice President, Segal Management and HR Consultant, M&A Solution Leader

For more information and to register click HERE. 

1.5 hours of CLE credit will be offered to the surrounding MCLE states. If you miss the livestream, it will be available on the MSBA CLE catalog.