Police liability claims are on the rise. Do you have the knowledge to handle this type of case from start to finish? Are you up to date with the ins and outs of state and federal law involving civil actions against police departments and officers? Learn how to overcome any obstacle you may encounter with a police liability claim – order today!

1. Overview of State Law Involving Civil Actions Against Police Departments and Officers
2. Overview of Federal Law
3. Common Liability Issues
4. Understanding the Police Investigation and Disciplinary Process
5. Filing of a Civil Action
6. Defending a Police Liability Claim

1. Overview of State Law Involving Civil Actions Against Police Departments and Officers
   9:00 - 10:00, Bryan Campbell
   1. Forms of Immunity
   2. Criminal Procedure Rules Regarding Arrest, and Search and Seizure
   3. State Laws or Attorney General Opinions Regarding Use of Force
   4. Current Case Law
2. Overview of Federal Law
   10:15 - 11:15, Jon Pushinsky
   1. Liability Under §1983
   2. History
   3. Elements
   4. Defenses
   5. Current Case Law
3. Common Liability Issues
   11:15 - 12:15, Bryan Campbell
   1. Excessive Force
   2. Pursuit
   3. Wrongful Arrest and Malicious Prosecution
   4. False Imprisonment
   5. Shooting Incidents
   6. Automobile Incidents
   7. Detainee Suicides
   8. Off-Duty Activities
   9. Vicarious Liability of Supervisors and Department
4. Understanding the Police Investigation and Disciplinary Process
   1:15 - 2:15, Michael E. Kennedy
   1. What Documents are Available for Discovery?
   2. Is a Civilian Entitled to Any Information During an On-Going Investigation?
   3. The Internal Affairs Process
   4. Subsequent Investigation by Attorney General or Other Governmental Agency
   5. Procedural Protections Due to Law Enforcement Officers
5. Filing of a Civil Action
   2:30 - 3:30, Jon Pushinsky
   1. Jurisdictions (Federal vs. State)
   2. Sovereign Immunity
   3. Discovery (Interrogatories, Request for Production of Documents, Request for Admissions)
   4. Understanding What Documents are "Out There"
   5. Breaking Through the "Blue Wall"
   6. Methods for Deposing Police Officers
   7. Development of Case
   8. Finding the Right Expert
6. Defending a Police Liability Claim
   3:30 - 4:30, Michael E. Kennedy
   1. Initial Handling
   2. Affirmative Defenses
   3. Immunity (Statutory and Common Law)
   4. Discovery
   5. Motion for Summary Judgment
   6. Trial and Settlement
   7. Appeals

BRYAN CAMPBELL is a sole practitioner in Pittsburgh where he has been practicing as a police labor lawyer for more than 40 years. Mr. Campbell earned his B.A. degree from Colgate University in 1963 and his J.D. degree from Duquesne University in 1967. He has been a member of the Allegheny Bar Association since 1967.

MICHAEL E. KENNEDY is the assistant city solicitor with the Pittsburgh City Department of Law. Mr. Kennedy is responsible for defending every police misconduct case that comes into the city of Pittsburgh. Prior to holding his current position with the city, Mr. Kennedy was in private practice for 15 years where he focused his practice in litigation. He first developed an interest in police liability work while serving as chair of the Public Safety Committee for the Public Safety Department with the Borough of Forest Hills. He received his B.S. degree from St. Vincent University in 1984 and his J.D. degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Law in 1988. He is a member of the Pennsylvania State Bar (member, Municipal Law Section).

JON PUSHINSKY maintains a private practice in Pittsburgh, where he concentrates in the areas of civil rights/civil liberties and appellate litigation. He practices before all levels of the federal and state courts. Mr. Pushinsky has handled numerous cases involving employment, housing and educational discrimination, separation of church and state, free speech, disability, police misconduct and whistleblower issues. He is one of the lawyers representing clients whose civil rights were violated during the 2009 G-20 conference in Pittsburgh. He earned his B.A. and M.A. degrees in political science from the University of Pennsylvania in 1976 and his J.D. degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1979. Mr. Pushinsky was nominated for an appointment to the Pennsylvania Superior Court by the acting governor in 1993. He is a member of the Allegheny County Academy of Trial Lawyers. Mr. Pushinsky's civil rights/civil liberties work earned him the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania's, Annual Civil Liberties Award in 1991. He is a frequent lecturer on civil rights and civil liberties topics.

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