Trading Suits for Suits
January 29 - February 2, 2016
at Occidental Grand Xcaret Resort
in CANCUN, MEXICO
The Grand Rapids Bar Association presents its inaugural Destination CLE, intended to allow GRBA members to connect, learn, and discover the art of practicing law in West Michigan.
ConnectInteractive sessions designed to share best practices, resources and ideas to improve your practice. Networking receptions, relationship-building and business development with GRBA judges and lawyers. |
LearnEight sessions will provide useful information about areas of the law that impact your practice. Sessions are specifically tailored so that any GRBA member will gain value and insight from each speaker. |
DiscoverLawyers and judges have commented for years that the practice of law in West Michigan is “different” in many positive ways. But has that changed? Hear from those who have mastered the art of practicing law in West Michigan and discover the secrets to keeping it a special place to practice. |
Seminar Registration |
|
|
Register for the seminar using the link below.
|
|
|
|
|
All-Inclusive Hotel Accommodations at Occidental Grand Xcaret Resort |
|
|
Hotel accommodations may be reserved through Terri Nelson at Aspen Travel (616) 785-9610 // tanaspen@comcast.net
For questions or additional information, contact Terri Nelson at Aspen Travel (616) 785-9610 // tanaspen@comcast.net |
Day 1: Saturday, January 30, 2016
| Session I:
8:15-9:00am |
Supreme Court Developments for the West Michigan Practitioner Presented by the Hon. Christopher P. Yates, 17th Circuit Court & Janice Yates
Judge and Janice Yates will provide a practical and humorous overview of the most recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions and how they impact the legal issues that routinely occur in West Michigan practice.
|
| Session II: 9:00 - 9:45am |
10 Best Ways to Get Sued for Malpractice Presented by John Allen, Varnum
Round Table Discussion: Experts say that the best defense against ethical problems is a good offense. By looking out for potential conflicts and discussing them candidly with colleagues and clients, attorneys can avoid misunderstandings. They can also prevent hurt feelings and sticky situations that lead to hearings before ethics boards, lawsuits, loss of license or professional memberships, or even more dire consequences.
|
| Session III:
10:00-10:45am |
Negotiation: Views From Both Sides of the Table Presented by Tom McCarthy, Smith, Haughey, Rice & Roegge
This presentation will explore principles and techniques of negotiation from both plaintiff and defense perspectives. This presentation will also address the use of mediation as an important negotiation tool.
|
| Session IV:
10:45-11:30am |
Let History Repeat Itself: Why Civility and Collegiality Are Still Relevant For Effective Lawyering and Business Development Presented by Bill Azkoul, Gruel, Mills, Nims & Pylman
Why does the history of the Grand Rapids bar matter for today's practice? Trial lawyer Bill Azkoul will answer the question, and lead a roundtable discussion about the perennial topics of civility and collegiality, whether related to local practice or business development. |
Day 2: Sunday, January 31, 2016
| Session I:
8:15-9:00am |
The Local Bench's Observations of Evidence Questions, Old and New
Presented by the Hon. George Jay Quist, 17th Circuit Court
Judge Quist will talk about his observations of changes to the Michigan Rules of Evidence and the thorny MRE issues that come up most often in the Kent County trail setting. Learn the details surrounding business records, medical charts, and hearsay testimony that you may be overlooking.
|
| Session II:
9:00 - 9:45am |
Social Media Discovery
Presented by Tom Behm, Gruel, Mills, Nims & Pylman & Sarah Riley Howard, Pinsky Smith Fayette & Kennedy, LLP
Understand the current state of the law in Michigan, and specifically in local courts, for advising clients on social media risk. Further, know what you can and cannot do to introduce those damning Facebook entries of the opposing party.
|
| Session III:
10:00-10:45am |
The "Less Paper" Journey to a Small Firm Paperless Practice Presented by Gary Springstead, Springstead & Bartish Law
Achieve "less paper" in your small firm with smart reliance on legal technology. Gary Springstead will talk about software programs, challenges associated with trading technology for the legal pad, and how to overcome them.
|
| Session IV:
10:45-11:30am |
Medical Discovery: How to Get it, When to Get it, and What You Can and Can't Get
Presented by Dick Hillary, II, Miller Johnson
Round Table Discussion: Insightful information focusing on medical discovery. Learn what medical documentation is able to be discovered, how to ask for and obtain such information and what obstacles practitioners well face when seeking medical discovery. Share tips and workshop best practices concerning subpoenas, interrogatories, requests to produce, requests for admission, discovery motions, and more.
|
