February 2012
By Kathryn Alfisi
Essential Trial Skills Series Among February CLE Offerings
In February the D.C. Bar Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Program will provide litigators with more than one opportunity to improve their skills and expand their knowledge.
The CLE Program’s “Essential Trial Skills” series is a great introduction to and overview of the trial skills a lawyer must possess in the courtroom.
The course will examine everything from jury selection and opening statements to witness preparation, direct examination, cross-examination, and closing arguments. Civil and criminal trial considerations also will be discussed.
The series opens on February 2 with “Jury Selection,” where faculty will examine the process and procedures of jury selection, including learning the composition of the jury pool, peremptory strikes, and using jury selection services.
Paulette Chapman of Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis & Lightfoot, L.L.P.; Janet Mitchell of the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia; and Dwight Murray of Jordan Coyne & Savits, L.L.P. will lead this session.
Part two, “Opening Statements and Closing Arguments,” on February 9 will look at opening and closing arguments from several key perspectives, including preparation, presentation, and objections, as well as the legal and ethical considerations.
Debra S. Katz of Katz, Marshall & Banks, LLP and Michael F. Williams of Kirkland & Ellis LLP will serve as faculty.
Part three, “Witness Preparation and Direct Examination,” on February 16 will cover the vital task of preparing witnesses to testify credibly at trial. It will examine techniques and strategies for effective direct examination, maximizing a witness’ potential and minimizing his or her weaknesses.
Faculty members Catherine Bertram of Regan Zambri & Long, PLLC and Sara E. Kropf of Baker Botts L.L.P. will discuss legal ethics issues in the context of witness preparation and direct examination.
The final part of the series, “Cross–Examination,” takes place on February 23, where participants will learn how to use cross–examination to tell their story, to control the witness, and to impeach the witness.
This session is useful for attorneys who have yet to cross–examine a witness as well as for practitioners who have a modest level of trial experience. It will delve into the objectives, strategies, tactics, mechanics, and legal principles governing effective cross–examination, and will also look at the ethical concerns involved.
Patrick J. Attridge of King & Attridge and Barry Boss of Cozen O’Connor will serve as faculty.
The series is cosponsored by the D.C. Bar Corporation, Finance and Securities Law Section; Courts, Lawyers and the Administration of Justice Section; Criminal Law and Individual Rights Section; Family Law Section; Government Contracts and Litigation; Labor and Employment Law Section; Law Practice Management Section; Litigation Section; Real Estate, Housing and Land Use Section; and Tort Law Section.
All sessions will take place from 6 to 9:15 p.m. at the D.C. Bar Conference Center, 1101 K Street NW, first floor.
On February 28 litigators can hone their negotiating skills by attending “How to Get What You Want: A Litigator’s Guide to Negotiations.”
The course will cover important topics such as how, why, and when to achieve a negotiated settlement of litigation; what motivates people to settle; how to use different negotiation styles to settle litigation; how to negotiate successfully with difficult parties; how to use the relationship between negotiation and litigation to enhance your position; understanding win–win negotiation and its limits in litigation; opening offers—when, how, and how much; when to use mediation; ethical issues in negotiation; and the traits of good negotiators.
Stephen Altman of Stephen D. Altman, PLLC, and Peter R. Steenland, of counsel at Sidley Austin LLP, will serve as faculty.
The course is cosponsored by the D.C. Bar Criminal Law and Individual Rights Section; Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Section; Family Law Section; Labor and Employment Law Section; Law Practice Management Section; Litigation Section; and Real Estate, Housing and Land Use Section.
The course takes place from 5:30 to 8:45 p.m. at the D.C. Bar Conference Center, 1101 K Street NW, first floor.
For more information, contact the CLE Program at 202-626-3488 or visit www.dcbar.org/cle.
Course Focuses on Administrative Practice and Antitrust Developments
Attorneys who have an administrative practice that is affected by antirust developments will benefit from the D.C. Bar Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Program’s February 13 course “A Plain English Guide to the Revised FTC/DOJ Horizontal Merger Guidelines.”
The revised Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Department of Justice Horizontal Merger Guidelines (Revised Guidelines), issued in August 2010, will impact any attorney who advises clients on major acquisitions or competition–related regulatory matters. This course will explain what has changed and how the Revised Guidelines will impact merger proceedings before relevant federal agencies.
Attendees will learn how the Revised Guidelines may affect competition analysis in areas such as entry market definition and unilateral effects analysis in merger and even nonmerger proceedings. Faculty expert Elizabeth McIntyre of the Federal Communications Commission will update participants on developments in acquisitions of partial interests and mergers of competing buyers.
The course takes place from 6 to 9:15 p.m. at the D.C. Bar Conference Center, 1101 K Street NW, first floor. It is cosponsored by the D.C. Bar Administrative Law and Agency Practice Section; Antitrust and Consumer Law Section; Arts, Entertainment, Media and Sports Law Section; Computer and Telecommunications Law Section; Corporation, Finance and Securities Law Section; Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Section; Government Contracts and Litigation Section; and Litigation Section.
For more information, contact the CLE Office at 202-626-3488 or visit www.dcbar.org/cle.
D.C. Courts Celebrate Black History Month
The District of Columbia Courts will mark Black History Month in February with an event each Friday.
The annual observance will feature entertaining and enlightening events that celebrate black heritage. Recent celebrations featured a traditional step show, a Buffalo Soldiers reenactment and a presentation by the African American Civil War Memorial and Museum, a speech on black inventors, and a performance depicting the life of Frederick Douglass.
For more information, contact Tom Feeney at 202-879-1700.
International Law Section Tackles BRICS Agenda
Starting in February, the D.C. Bar International Law Section will host a series of discussions centered on BRICS, an international political organization made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. A self–described organization of “the leading emerging economies,” BRICS represents one-third of the world’s population and holds more than $4 trillion in international reserves.
The series will continue until the fourth BRICS summit takes place in New Delhi in the spring. The discussions will cover a broad range of issues related to the BRICS agenda.
The series is cosponsored by the section’s Committees on Inter–American Legal Affairs, International Dispute Resolution, International Intellectual Property, International Trade, Investment and Finance, Immigration and Human Rights, and Public International and Criminal Law.
Programs and dates will be announced on the section’s Web site at www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/sections/
international_law.
Georgetown Law Holds International Trade Update
Private practitioners, government attorneys, and in–house counsel who want to learn practical and timely information on international trade should attend Georgetown Law CLE’s 2012 International Trade Update from February 9 to 10.
The program will inform participants of important new developments affecting the trade and customs bars, as well as provide critical interpretation of those developments by senior partners, top government officials, judges, and corporate counsel.
Speakers include Kathleen W. Cannon and Paul C. Rosenthal, partners at Kelley Drye & Warren LLP; Jean Anderson, senior partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP; Timothy C. Brightbill, partner at Wiley Rein LLP; Bruce Wilson, senior counsel at King & Spalding; and Valerie A. Slater, partner at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP.
The program takes place from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on day one and from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on day two at Georgetown University Law Center’s Hart Auditorium, 600 New Jersey Avenue NW.
To RSVP or for more information, visit www.law.georgetown.edu/cle.
WCL Discusses Pro Bono Challenges, Rewards for Government Attorneys
On February 28 the Washington Council of Lawyers (WCL) will hold a brown bag event from 12 to 1 p.m. where government attorneys can learn about the challenges and rewards of doing pro bono work.
Laura Klein, pro bono program manager at the U.S. Department of Justice, and two former WCL Outstanding Government Pro Bono Attorney award recipients, Sean Keveney of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and James Yoon of the Criminal Division, will speak at the event.
To RSVP or for more information, visit www.washingtoncounciloflawyers.org or contact WCL executive director Nancy Lopez at 202-942-5063 or nalopez@wclawyers.org.
D.C. Bar Welcomes Williamson at 2012 Celebration of Leadership
Thomas S. Williamson Jr., senior counsel at Covington & Burling LLP, will be sworn as the D.C. Bar’s 41st president on June 19 during the 2012 Celebration of Leadership: The D.C. Bar Awards Dinner and Annual Meeting at the historic Mayflower Renaissance Hotel, 1127 Connecticut Avenue NW.
The celebration also features the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program’s Presidents’ Reception honoring Williamson. The reception will benefit the Pro Bono Program, which is supported entirely by voluntary contributions.
Highlights of the Awards Dinner and Annual Meeting include the announcement of the 2012 D.C. Bar election results; the presentation of awards to D.C. Bar sections, pro bono attorneys, law firms, and others who have served the Bar and its community; and Williamson’s swearing-in ceremony.
The dinner also will include the presentation of the 2012 Thurgood Marshall Award to a Bar member who has demonstrated exceptional achievement in the pursuit of equal justice and equal opportunity for all Americans.
For more information on the Presidents’ Reception or to make a donation to the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program, contact Angela Boone at 202-942-9759 or aboone@dcbar.org. For more information on the Celebration of Leadership, contact Verniesa R. Allen at 202-737-4700, ext. 3239, or vallen@dcbar.org.
Women’s Bar Presents Panel Discussion, Fundraiser
The Women’s Bar Association (WBA) of the District of Columbia will offer an educational program and a fundraiser in February.
On February 9 and 12 the WBA’s Diversity Forum and the Environmental Law Forum and the Howard Women Law Students Association will host “Changing Realities for Women in the Law: Strategies for Navigating the Post–Recession Legal Field.”
The program will provide attendees with practical information about navigating the latest challenges and persistent obstacles. Topics to be discussed include finding and financing a job in public interest law, overlooked opportunities in government and public policy, post–recession hiring and workplace changes in law departments and law firms, and persistent and emerging challenges to the advancement and retention of women and women of color.
Panelists for this forum include Christine Greene, director of legal programs at Neighborhood Legal Services Program; Nicole Austin-Hillery, director and counsel for The Brennan Center for Justice Washington, D.C., office; WBA President Monica Parham, of counsel at Crowell & Moring LLP; Ama Romaine, senior vice president and assistant general counsel at Hilton Worldwide; Imoni Washington, director of programs at the D.C. Bar Foundation; and WBA immediate past president Holly Loiseau, a partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.
The 90–minute panel discussions and receptions take place from 5:30 to 7 at Howard University School of Law, Pauline Murray Conference Room, 2900 Van Ness Street NW.
On February 23 the WBA Association Foundation will hold its ninth annual wine–tasting and silent auction to benefit the Foundation Founders Fellowship that will be awarded to The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law.
Established in 2006, the fellowship provides a stipend to an area law student to work with a local legal services provider on projects benefitting women and children in our community.
The event will feature an array of wines and auctions items such as jewelry, vacation getaways, and sports and theater tickets, as well as door prizes. It takes place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Hogan Lovells, 555 13th Street NW.
For more information or to register, visit www.wbadc.org.
Practical Ethics Offerings From CLE Program
The D.C. Bar Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Program will hold two ethics courses in February.
The February 13 course “Conflicts of Interest: Advanced Topics and Considerations” will provide the practicing attorney with an understanding of advanced conflict–of–interest issues under the D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct.
Thomas B. Mason, a partner at Zuckerman Spaeder LLP, will explore topics such as a lawyer’s duty of loyalty, representing both sides in a business transaction, being adverse to one’s own client in an unrelated matter, conflict–of–interest considerations involving former clients, and conflict issues after changing law firms. The course also will address the consequences of a conflict of interest, including disqualification, professional discipline, and malpractice liability, as well as law firm procedures to avoid conflicts.
The course takes place from 6 to 8:15 p.m. and is cosponsored by the D.C. Bar Administrative Law and Agency Practice Section; Computer and Telecommunications Law Section; Corporation, Finance and Securities Law Section; Courts, Lawyers and the Administration of Justice Section; Criminal Law and Individual Rights Section; Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Section; Family Law Section; Government Contracts and Litigation Section; Health Law Section; Labor and Employment Law Section; Law Practice Management Section; Litigation Section; and Real Estate, Housing and Land Use Section.
The February 27 course “Fee Agreements in the District of Columbia: Ethics and Practice Guide” will provide practical advice about developing fee agreements in the District and the ethical issues involved.
Using sample agreements, faculty will talk about the requirements of a written agreement, including the scope of the agreement; fee structure (hourly, fixed, contingency, and others); and handling of expenses. Attendees will learn how to deal with client files and property in their fee agreements, how to address fees to be charged for the services of associates and legal staff, and other important issues such as termination and withdrawal and fee dispute arbitration.
Joel P. Bennett of the Law Offices of Joel P. Bennett, P.C. and Daniel M. Mills, assistant director of the D.C. Bar Practice Management Advisory Service, will serve as faculty.
The course takes place from 6 to 9:15 p.m. and is cosponsored by all D.C. Bar sections.
Both courses will be held at the D.C. Bar Conference Center, 1101 K Street NW, first floor.
For more information, contact the CLE Office at 202-626-3488 or visit www.dcbar.org/cle.
UDC–DCSL Brings Back Public Interest Job Fair
As part of its effort to fund law students who work full–time at public interest law jobs during the summer, the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law (UDC-DCSL) will hold its Summer Public Interest Job Fair on February 8.
Representatives for nonprofit public interest groups, government agencies, or the judiciary who would like a UDC-DCSL student to work for their organizations this summer are welcome to attend.
To RSVP, e–mail UDC-DCSL director of career services Dena Bauman at dbauman@udc.edu. Include the name of the organization and the person attending, street/mailing address, phone and fax numbers, and the organization’s e-mail and Web site address. A written internship description should also be attached.
The job fair takes place from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at UDC–DCSL, 4340 Connecticut Avenue NW, room 214.
To post employment opportunities for UDC–DCSL students and graduates, go to www.law.udc.edu/networking/ submit.asp.
Howard University Law Holds Jazz Benefit
On February 11 Howard University School of Law will hold a jazz concert to benefit the Howard Family Law Certificate Program.
The concert will feature performances by the Dick Morgan Quartet, Antonio Parker, and Carl McIntyre, as well as by law school administrators, faculty, staff, and students. There will be a VIP champagne and chocolate reception and significant giveaways just in time for Valentine’s Day.
The concert takes place from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the University of the District of Columbia Auditorium, 4200 Connecticut Avenue NW, building 46.
To purchase tickets, be a sponsor, or to place an advertisement, contact professor Cynthia Mabry at 202-806-8067 or cmabry@law.howard.edu, or visit www.law.howard.edu.
Course Explores Privacy Issues in the Workplace
Issues of privacy in the workplace have become increasingly subject to litigation, regulation, international agreements, and even new legislation as technology makes it easier for employers to obtain knowledge about their employees. Attorneys who work with business clients or who represent employees need to be aware of this evolving area of the law.
On February 29 the D.C. Bar Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Program will offer the course “Privacy in the Workplace: Where It Is and Where It Isn’t” to help attorneys better understand the laws that affect workplace privacy.
Attendees will learn how to deal with issues such as employee monitoring, searching the electronic and physical workplace, employee privacy rights, investigation of applicants and employees, international data flows, and potential liability for improper release of personnel information. Diane A. Seltzer of The Seltzer Law Firm and Gerard M. Stegmaier of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati will serve as faculty.
The course takes place from 4 to 7:15 p.m. at the D.C. Bar Conference Center, 1101 K Street NW, first floor. It is cosponsored by the D.C. Bar Computer and Telecommunications Law Section; Corporation, Finance and Securities Law Section; Criminal Law and Individual Rights Section; Health Law Section; Intellectual Property Law Section; Labor and Employment Law Section; Law Practice Management Section; and Litigation Section.
For more information, contact the CLE Program at 202-626-3488 or visit www.dcbar.org/cle.
Pro Bono Program Offers Training on How to Represent Asylum Seekers
On February 3 the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program will train attorneys interested in representing asylum seekers.
The training session will prepare pro bono attorneys to represent indigent clients in asylum cases at the affirmative stage as well as detained individuals. Among the topics to be covered are U.S. asylum law, preparing the I-589 application form, documenting asylum cases, representing survivors of trauma and torture, and barriers to asylum.
Faculty will include experienced practitioners, a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services asylum officer, and law professors. This training is appropriate for attorneys, paralegals, and law students. Participating attorneys must be admitted to practice in some U.S. jurisdiction and have their own malpractice insurance.
The training takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the D.C. Bar Conference Center, 1101 K Street NW, first floor. For more information, contact the Pro Bono Program at 202-626-3489.
Section Luncheon Examines District’s Budget Outlook
While the worldwide economy remains in flux, how would this impact the District of Columbia’s budget developments for the coming year? On February 17 the D.C. Bar District of Columbia Affairs Section will explore this question in the luncheon program “The District’s FY 2013 Budget: How Will the District Address Spending Pressures?”
The program will address questions such as what are the forecasters saying; what spending pressures is the city expecting; what is the impact on its reserves and bond ratings; how will the mayor, chief financial officer, and city council work together to address revenue forecasts and any budget gaps; what options are available; and what does it mean for agency budgets and government programs.
Speakers include Jennifer Budoff, budget director for the Council of the District of Columbia; D.C. chief financial officer Natwar Gandhi; and Eric Goulet, director of the mayor’s Office of Budget and Finance.
The luncheon takes place from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at Wiley Rein LLP, 1750 K Street NW. For more information, contact the D.C. Bar Sections Office 202-626-3463.
Reach D.C. Bar staff writer Kathryn Alfisi at kalfisi@dcbar.org.
