Top 50 Mistakes Attorneys Make in Civil Litigation

Agenda / Content Covered

1. 6 Common Errors in Pleadings, Motions, and Briefs
   11:00 — 11:30, Tracy Tool
2. 5 Discovery Mistakes Attorneys Make
   11:30 — 12:00, James Susag
3. 5 Big Deposition Don'ts
   12:00 — 12:30, Tracy Tool
4. 4 Worst Mistakes Attorneys Make With Expert Witnesses
   12:45 — 1:15, James Susag
5. 5 Top Negotiation and Settlement Agreement Traps
   1:15 — 1:45, Christopher Kriesen
6. 5 Jury Selection and Voir Dire Pitfalls
   1:45 — 2:15, Christopher Kriesen
7. 7 Evidence Blunders to Avoid
   2:45 — 3:30, Tracy Tool
8. 8 Dangers in Direct and Cross-Examination
   3:30 — 4:15, Tracy Tool
9. 5 Ways Opening Statement and Closing Arguments Can go Wrong
   4:30 — 5:00, Christopher Kriesen
10. Legal Ethics: Top Mistakes in Everyday Practice
    5:00 — 6:00, Robert Kasieta
    1. Conflict of Interest Screwups
    2. Misunderstandings and Communication Shortcomings With Clients
    3. Leaking Client Confidences
    4. Mishandling Attorney Fees and Client Funds
    5. Getting in Over Your Head - Competence Issues

Accreditation Details:

Robert J Kasieta is the founder of Kasieta Legal Group, LLC, in Madison, Wisconsin. He is a certified civil pretrial and trial specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocates. Mr. Kasieta practices in civil litigation, with an emphasis on plaintiff personal injury and employment cases, as well as commercial litigation. He has written and taught extensively in the areas of trial practice, personal injury law and insurance law, and is an instructor of trial practice at the University of Wisconsin Law School. Mr. Kasieta is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, and all Wisconsin courts. He is a member of the Dane County Bar Association, State Bar of Wisconsin, and the American Association for Justice. Mr. Kasieta earned his B.S. degree, summa cum laude, from Northern Michigan University and his J.D. degree from Marquette University Law School.

Christopher P Kriesen is the founder and principal of The Kalon Law Firm, LLC, where his practice areas include personal injury, civil litigation, appeals, and ADR. Mr. Kriesen is admitted to practice in Connecticut and before the United States District Court of Connecticut. He is a trained mediator (Harvard Law School, Advanced Mediation Workshop, Program on Negotiation) and serves as an Attorney Trial Referee in Hartford Superior Court. Mr. Kriesen earned his B.Sc. degree from Villanova University, his J.D. degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law, and his M.A. degree, with distinction, from Trinity College.

James M Susag is a shareholder with Larkin Hoffman Daly & Lindgren, Ltd., in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Since 1995, his commercial and real estate litigation trial practice has focused on franchise; dealer and contract disputes; and real estate, construction, and land use. He has extensive first chair litigation experience representing clients in numerous jury and court trials, domestic and international arbitrations, administrative proceedings, and appeals. Mr. Susag is a member of the Minnesota State, Hennepin County, and Ramsey County bar associations; the American Bar Association's Forum on Franchising; and the International Franchise Association. He is admitted to practice in state and federal courts in Minnesota and Wisconsin, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th, 4th, and 8th circuits. Mr. Susag earned his B.A. degree, summa cum laude, from the University of St. Thomas and his J.D. degree, summa cum laude, from William Mitchell College of Law.

Tracy N Tool is a partner with the law firm of Bye, Goff & Rohde, Ltd., serving Wisconsin and Minnesota. Since 1990, Mr. Tool has focused his practice in the areas of plaintiff's personal injury litigation, nursing home malpractice, wrongful death, employment litigation, and civil rights litigation. He is board certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy as a civil trial specialist. Mr. Tool earned his B.A. degree from the University of Minnesota and his J.D. degree from the University of Minnesota Law School. He is a member of the St. Croix Valley, Ramsey County, and Hennepin County bar associations; and the Wisconsin Association of Justice.