The Role of Paralegals in Mass Tort Litigation
May 10-11, 2004
The San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina, San Diego

Conference Chaired by
Jennifer Johnson, Esq., Lopez Hodes Restaino Milman & Skikos, Newport Beach, CA

Conference Agenda

Monday, May 10, 2004

8:30
Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00
Welcome & Introductory Remarks and Review of Mock Fact Pattern
Jennifer Johnson, Lopez Hodes Restaino Milman & Skikos

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, Director New Business Development, LexisNexis File & Serve

10:00
The Future is Now: Electronic Discovery Issues
• What is and is not discoverable
• Researching, finding and working with computer forensic experts
• Methods for acquiring old and deleted information
• Translating old information into materials that are readable and usable
Christina Chiaramonte, Electronic Discovery Specialist, LexisNexis, Applied Discovery

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
Wendy Behan, Casey Gerry Reed & Schenk LLP
Debbie Starr, RN, Nurse Consultant, Gauthier Downing LaBarre Dean & Sulzer and Allen Berger & Associates

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!
Marilyn Dupies, CLA, CLS, Paralegal, Lopez Hodes Restaino Milman & Skikos
Jennifer Johnson, Lopez Hodes Restaino Milman & Skikos

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
Pamela Pierce, Litigation Support Specialist, Shea Stokes & Carter ALC

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
April Cowgill, Paralegal, Littlepage Booth

5:00
Adjourn

Tuesday, May 11, 2004

8:30
Continental Breakfast

9:00
Working with the Insurance Company
• Periodic Claim Reporting Requirements and Status Reports
• Interfacing with Computer Claims Systems
• Discovery of Insurance Documents
Charles Wheeler, Cozen O'Connor
Lisa Neuweld, Paralegal, Cozen O'Connor

10:00
Morning Break

10:15
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
Shelley Blas, Paralegal, Kline & Specter

11:00
A Paralegal’s Role In 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: Speaker to be announced
Defense: Chris Vargas, Paralegal, Morgan Lewis & Bockius

11:45
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 San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina is located at 333 West Harbor Drive, just 5 minutes from San Diego International Airport. Attendees should make reservations directly with the hotel by calling (619) 234-1500. When making reservations, indicate that you are attending Mealey’s The Role of Paralegals in Mass Tort Litigation Conference, May 10-11, 2004. A block of rooms has been reserved for attendees at a rate of $185 a night for a single or double room. The cut-off date for this rate is April 19. 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 April 26 will receive a full refund. Registrants cancelling from April 27- May 4 will receive a full credit towards another Mealey’s conference. Cancellations made after May 4 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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