Mass Tort Litigation Tools for Paralegals
March 8-9, 2004
The Westin Chicago River North, Chicago

Conference Chaired by
Eileen P. Kavanagh, Esq., Litchfield Cavo, Lynnfield, MA

Conference Agenda

Monday, March 8, 2004

8:30
Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00
Welcome & Introductory Remarks and Review of Mock Fact Pattern
Eileen P. Kavanagh, Litchfield Cavo

9:15
The Future is Now: E-Filing in U.S. and State Courts
• Which Courts Require E-Filing
• Overview of PACER and other Electronic Case Filing (ECF) Systems
• Software and Hardware Requirements (PDF files)
• Support and User Assistance
Scott Wetzel, Esq., LexisNexis File & Serve

10:00
The Future Is Now: E-Discovery Best Practices for Paralegals
• Effectively planning for electronic discovery in advance of a discovery request
• List of electronic discovery topics to cover with clients as soon as litigation arises
• Assisting clients and attorneys in formulating a data-gathering plan
• Tips for processing electronic data for efficient review and production
Daniel Goldwin, Esq., Electronic Discovery Specialist, LexisNexis, Applied Discovery
Matthew Neumeier, Jenner & Block

10:45
Morning Break

11:00
Medical Records: How to Obtain, Decipher and Use Them
• Obtaining records & information – the brave new world of HIPPA
• Organize, review & summarize – managing the mess!
- Identifying and organizing for best use
- Summarizing medical records
• Where is the most useful information found?
- Nurse’s notes vs. Doctor’s notes
- Lab results
• Common medical terminology and symbols
• Collating documents – now what do we do?
- Determine what’s missing
- Keeping track and following up
- Charting information for legal and medical purposes
• Researching and cross referencing information
- Background checks on medical providers
- Medline & internet resources
- Identifying pre-existing conditions, prior claims & alternative causation
- Understanding drug interactions and the effects of multiple medications
Doreen James Wise, CEO, Medical Research Consultants
Paula Schenck, Sidley Austin Brown & Wood

12:30
Lunch Break – On Your Own

2:00
Obtaining Your Client’s Documents
• Plaintiff perspective
- Gathering your client’s medical records, family history and work history
- Effective ways to organize and make your documents readable and accessible even when you are working with a large number of clients
• Defense perspective
- Coordinating with in-house paralegals and representatives to obtain all relevant documents
- Understanding the corporate client’s record retention practices – You have documents at how many different divisions, physical plants and offices?
- Mechanisms to ensure you have received all of the required documents –
Don’t forget the email!
Plaintiff: Speaker to be announced
Defense: Eric Gladbach, Edwards & Angell

3:00
Afternoon Break

3:15
Getting It Together - Systematic Document Organization
• Applying tools to manage your own client’s documents as well as coordinating and maintaining opposing counsel’s documents
• Maintaining & organizing the paper
- Binders – Witness, Deposition, Discovery
- Coding, scanning & databases
• Exhibits – for depositions, motions & trial
• Witness lists
• Demonstratives
• High-tech tools - electronic trial technology
Plaintiff: Elisabeth Chapman, Coverage Specialist, Morgan Lewis & Bockius
Defense: Gordon Sellers, PhD, Paralegal, McDermott Will & Emery

4:15
Computer Tools, Skills and Short Cuts
• File Management & Docketing software
• Document coding & scanning
• Copier Services – make your life easier
• Useful Internet Sites
• Building a database of medical literature, articles and studies
• Tracking the history of expert witnesses: trial testimony, depositions, and published articles

5:00
Adjourn

Tuesday, March 9, 2004

8:30
Continental Breakfast

9:00
Effective Use of Paralegals in Communications with Outside Counsel
• Cost-savings applied to staffing, dealing with experts
• Organizational shortcuts
Thomas M. Crawford, Litchfield Cavo

9:45
Working with the Insurance Company
Carli Fish, Esq., Associate, Cozen O’Connor

10:30
Morning Break

10:45
Appropriate Utilization of Discovered Documents
• What Can Paralegals Do With The Records Obtained?
• Putting the information learned into a useable format for the trial team –
charts, graphs, demonstratives, etc.
• Distilling the information for use with:
- Identifying expert weaknesses
- Identifying alternative causation
- Preparation of Daubert motions
- Knocking out counts/plaintiffs
• Determining if you’ve joined all the appropriate defendants/co-defendants

11:15
A Paralegal’s Role Part II – Trial Organization
• Logistical considerations – getting your trial team & materials to court
• Investigating the courtroom setup
• Interviewing the judge/judicial staff about courtroom procedures
• Staying organized
• Witness preparation & coordination
• Tracking trial exhibits
• Troubleshooting in the courtroom
Plaintiff Paralegal: Jean Casserly, Legal Assistant, Propes & Kaveny
Defense paralegal: Sandra Antczak, Litigation Adminisrator, Schiff Hardin

12:00
Adjourn

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Registration Fee
The registration fee includes continental breakfast each day, attendance at all conference sessions, a copy of the conference handbook on CD, and coffee breaks. The registration fee is $550 for the first attendee.

How to Register
Fax is the best way to enroll, please fax this form to (610)768-0303, or call 1-800-MEALEYS, (610)768-7800, e-mail mealeyseminars@lexisnexis.com or mail this form with payment to Mealey Publications, P.O. Box 62090, King of Prussia, PA 19406-0230. Receipt of payment guarantees your registration.

Special Discounts
• 2-3 additional registrants from the same firm/company—$100 off — $450
• 4 or more registrants from the same firm/company—$150 off — $400
• Government employees — one third off — $365
• Sitting judges — attend free

Special Needs
Should you have any special needs, please contact Mealey’s at least three weeks prior to the conference, to allow us time to make reasonable accommodations.

Hotel Accommodations
The Westin Chicago River North is located at 320 N. Dearborn Avenue, just 25 minutes from Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Attendees should make reservations directly with the hotel by calling (312) 744-1900. When making reservations, indicate that you are attending Mealey’s The Role of Paralegals in Mass Tort Litigation Conference, March 8-9, 2004. A block of rooms has been reserved for attendees at a rate of $189 a night for a single or double room. The cut-off date for this rate is February 14. After that date, this rate will be offered based on space availability. Please note, there are a limited number of rooms in our room block so make your reservations early. For alternative hotels and rates, please call us at (610) 768-7800.

Cancellation Policy
Registrants who cancel on or before February 20 will receive a full refund. Registrants cancelling from February 21-27 will receive a full credit towards another Mealey’s conference. Cancellations made after February 27 will be subject to a 25% administrative fee; the remaining amount will be credited towards another Mealey’s conference. Credits must be used within one year of the date of issuance. Substitutions may be made at any time.

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