Keeping command of the myriad of documents, people and communications involved in legal cases is a challenging undertaking. Solid case management strategies can, and will, provide the foundation for maintaining a profitable legal team. Master proven case management and organization techniques that will improve team productivity from the convenience of your desk. Learn how to facilitate seemingly effortless workload management with solid discovery, witness and evidentiary procedures. Take the next step toward maximizing your effectiveness – order these vital reference materials today!

1. Initial Case Management and Organization
2. Ethical Questions – The Practical Do's and Don'ts
3. Effective Document Control and Organization
4. Powerful Discovery Techniques
5. Getting the Most Out of Your Witnesses
6. Preparing Evidence and Exhibits for Trial

Continuing Education Credits:   

* denotes specialty credits

1. INITIAL CASE MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION
   9:00 - 10:15, Leslie H. Matthews C.P. and Jay Quigley
   1. Initial Client Interview
   2. Basic Initial Research
   3. Setting Up the Case File
   4. Drafting the Initial Pleadings
2. ETHICAL QUESTIONS - THE PRACTICAL DO'S AND DON'TS
   10:30 - 11:30, Leslie H. Matthews C.P.
   1. Avoiding Situations That May Expose You to UPL
   2. Requirements for Attorney Supervision
   3. Evaluating Conflicts of Interest
   4. Managing Issues of Privilege
3. EFFECTIVE DOCUMENT CONTROL AND ORGANIZATION
   11:30 - 12:30, Jay Quigley
   1. How to Organize Your Case Documents
   2. Developing Information Retrieval Systems
      1. Why the Merits of the Case Are Important
      2. Types of Files to Create
      3. Categories for Organization of Documents
      4. Control Devices - Physical Space, Equipment and Budget
      5. Tracking Electronic Information
   3. Digesting, Abstracting and Indexing Documents
   4. Using Technology in Document Control
      1. Document Management/Case Management Software
      2. When to Hire a Vendor
4. POWERFUL DISCOVERY TECHNIQUES
   1:30 - 2:30, Michael Bragg
   1. What to Do When Putting Together a Complaint
   2. Formal Discovery - What is Its True Purpose?
      1. Initial Disclosures
      2. Request for Admissions
      3. Request for Production of Documents
      4. Interrogatories and Answers
   3. Motions and Notices
   4. Using Informal Discovery and Public Sources of Information
5. GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR WITNESSES
   2:45 - 3:45, Jay Quigley
   1. Preparing the Client for Deposition and Trial
   2. Expert Witnesses
      1. Ways to Locate a Qualified Expert
      2. Expert Interrogatories
      3. Communication With the Expert Witness
   3. Lay Witnesses
6. PREPARING EVIDENCE AND EXHIBITS FOR TRIAL
   3:45 - 4:30, Michael Bragg
   1. Key Rules of Evidence and Why They Are Important
   2. Preservation of Evidence
      1. General Considerations
      2. Spoliation and Issues Related to Electronic Evidence
   3. Creating Demonstrative Evidence, Evidence and Exhibits for Use at Trial

MICHAEL BRAGG is a Florida registered paralegal  with Banker Lopez Gassler P.A., where he works as a paralegal in the Technology and Products Liability Department. Mr. Bragg has been in the legal profession for more than 25 years and has been involved in aviation, automotive, products liability, personal injury cases, and litigation support. He has worked for major automotive manufacturers, handling seat belt and airbag litigation. Mr. Bragg has a bachelor's degree in legal assistant studies (ABA approved program) from Madonna College in Michigan. Mr. Bragg is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Tampa Bay Paralegal Association and the Paralegal Association of Florida, Hillsborough Chapter.

LESLIE H. MATTHEWS, C.P. received her Associate of Science degree in legal assistant studies from Hillsborough Community College and obtained her paralegal certification from the National Association of Legal Assistants. Ms. Matthews has worked in the legal field for 20 years, primarily in litigation; including commercial, civil, eminent domain, construction, securities, labor and employment, and personal injury. She is currently employed as a senior paralegal by the Hillsborough County Attorney's Office in its litigation division, where she assists her supervising attorneys in defending the county in all aspects of litigation; including wrongful death, personal injury, and labor and employment issues. Ms. Matthews is a founding officer and charter member of the Tampa Bay Paralegal Association, where she has served on the Board of Directors in various positions; including president, treasurer, second vice president, secretary and parliamentarian. She also is a member of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations and the Hillsborough County Bar Association. Ms. Matthews served on The Florida Bar's Committee for the Unlicensed Practice of Law for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Committee A, to which she was appointed by the Supreme Court of Florida for a three-year term. Ms. Matthews has been a speaker on the topic of paralegal ethics at seminars sponsored by the Institute for Paralegal Education and the Hillsborough County Bar Association. Ms. Matthews currently serves on the ethics board for the National Federation of Paralegal Associations.

JAY QUIGLEY, RP, CP, FRP is the founder and principal of Tampa Independent Paralegals, Inc. (TIPS), a full-service paralegal support consulting firm. Jay has been a paralegal for more than 18 years and began his career as a legal assistant with the law firm of Perenich & Carroll, in the practice of personal injury, workers' compensation and medical malpractice. He also enjoyed two opportunities at Fowler, White as a nursing home litigation paralegal and as a securities litigation paralegal. His other work experience includes: corporate and business law, class-action litigation, civil and federal litigation, and products liability. In addition, he has an extensive background and training in mediation, arbitration and trial preparation; utilizing the latest in technology. Jay holds an A.S. degree in paralegal studies from Tampa College and a bachelor's degree in business administration from Florida Metropolitan University. He is a member of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) and the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). He has been a certified legal assistant (CLA) since 1994 and successfully passed NFPA's Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (RP) in 2006. Jay is a certified guardian ad litem in the 13th Judicial Circuit. In addition, he has served on the paralegal Advisory Board for Florida Metropolitan University and Hillsborough Community College. Jay is a founding officer and charter member of the Tampa Bay Paralegal Association (TBPA) and served in many capacities, including president in 2003 & 2004.

Please refer to Continuing Education Credit FAQ for general information about seeking credit for your participation in one of our continuing education programs.

Additionally, our team of credit specialists are here to answer your specific credit-related questions weekdays 7am - 5pm Central:

Phone: 866-240-1890

Email: credit@nbi-sems.com