Agenda / Content Covered

Morning Session 9:00AM - 12:00PM
Panel Members: Hon. Randy I. Bellows, Hon. Lon E. Farris, Ret., Hon. Daniel S. Fiore II, Hon. Douglas L. Fleming Jr., Hon. Richard E. Gardiner, and Jeanette A. Irby
Moderators: Lacey Ullman Conn, Michael L. Davis, and Charles E. Gallagher Jr.

1. Recent Developments in State Evidentiary Laws
2. Obtaining, Requesting and Spoliation of Evidence
3. How to Prepare and Win Your Discovery Motion
4. Demonstrative Evidence vs. Demonstrative Exhibits
5. Expert Evidence and Gatekeeping: Effective Use and Defense of Daubert Motions
6. Pretrial Conferences/Statements and Issues Involving Late Disclosure of Evidence
7. Effective Use of Motions in Limine on Evidentiary Issues
8. Handling Voir Dire
9. Submitting and Objecting to Proposed Jury Instructions
10. Jury Views and How to Deal With Them

Afternoon Session 1:00PM - 4:30PM
Panel Members: Hon. Randy I. Bellows, Hon. Lon E. Farris, Ret., Hon. Daniel S. Fiore II, Hon. Douglas L. Fleming Jr., Hon. Richard E. Gardiner, and Jeanette A. Irby
Moderators: Lacey Ullman Conn, Michael L. Davis, and Charles E. Gallagher Jr.

11. Legal Ethics (1:00 - 2:00)
    1. The Meaning of "Justice" and the Role of the Judges and Attorneys in Upholding it
    2. Candor Toward Tribunal
    3. The Duty of Zealous Representation in the Courtroom Setting
    4. How Judges and Lawyers can Work Together to Improve the Justice System
12. Hearsay/Other Most Common Evidentiary Issues
13. Getting Your Evidence Admitted at Trial
14. Using Technology in the Courtroom
15. Using Expert Depositions at Trial
16. Mediation Best Practices/Issues
17. The Significance of an Opening Statement
18. Diffuse the Issue or Ratify the Argument
19. Making and Handling Motions in Objections at Trial
20. When is a Side Bar Appropriate?
21. Did You Get Everything on the Record?
22. Post Trial Relief/Issues
23. Preserving the Right to Appeal

HON. RANDY I. BELLOWS is a Circuit Court Judge for the 19th Judicial Circuit of Virginia.

HON. LON E. FARRIS RET. served as a Judge in Prince William County for 26 years, 13 years as a General District Court Judge and 13 years as a Circuit Court Judge.

HON. DANIEL S. FIORE II is a Circuit Court Judge for the 17th Judicial Circuit of Virginia.

HON. DOUGLAS L. FLEMING JR. is a Circuit Court Judge for the 20th Judicial Circuit of Virginia.

HON. RICHARD E. GARDINER is a Circuit Court Judge for the 19th Judicial Circuit of Virginia.

HON. JEANETTE A. IRBY is a Circuit Court Judge for the 20th Judicial Circuit of Virginia.

MODERATOR - LACEY ULLMAN CONN is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Thomas, Thomas & Hafer LLP, where she focuses her practice on personal injury and wrongful death litigation, and insurance law. Most of her practice focuses on the defense of those who are sued in motor vehicle accidents and premise liability cases. Prior to joining her current firm, Ms. Conn was a trial attorney with the State Farm Insurance Company Claims Litigation Counsel in Alexandria, Virginia, where she focused on civil trials in the general district and circuit courts. She has tried over 50 civil jury trials to verdict. Ms. Conn obtained her chartered property casualty underwriter (CPCU) designation in 2015. She has been an active member of the legal community and has served the Fairfax Bar Association in many capacities, including serving as president of the Young Lawyers Association. Ms. Conn currently serves the Fairfax Bar Association as a member of its Board of Directors. Over the years, she has assisted younger lawyers with improving their trial skills and serves as an active member of the George Mason American Inn of Court, where she created its first formal mentor/mentee program, which is the platform currently utilized by the Inn.

MODERATOR - MICHAEL L. DAVIS is an assistant professor of law at the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University. After twenty-four years serving as an adjunct professor, he joined the law school full time in August, 2015. Prior to that (2003-2015), he was the managing attorney for State Farm Insurance Company Claim Litigation Counsel (Michael L. Davis & Associates) in Alexandria, Virginia, where he was involved primarily in personal injury and wrongful death litigation, and insurance law. From 1980 to 2002, he was an attorney and principal in the trial litigation firm last known as Brandt, Jennings, Roberts, Davis & Snee in Fairfax, Virginia, where he served many years as its managing partner. He has tried more than 300 civil jury trials to verdict. In 2014, the law school recognized Mr. Davis as its Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. Mr. Davis teaches trial advocacy, advanced trial advocacy, evidence, and Virginia practice; and oversees the law school's Virginia Practice Externship Program and pro bono initiatives. He was the 2017 recipient of the inaugural Law School Teaching Excellence Award. He has served as lecturer, author and participant at numerous seminars on litigation topics over the years and maintains an active role in the legal community. Mr. Davis has served the Virginia State Bar as chair of the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Board, a member of its Disciplinary Committee, and as a faculty member to its professionalism course. He has also served two terms on the Fairfax County Bar Association's Judicial Screening Committee. Mr. Davis received his B.A. degree from Ohio Wesleyan University, cum laude, and his J. D. degree from George Mason University School of Law. He is a member of the American, Fairfax and Arlington bar associations; the Virginia State Bar; the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association; and the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys. He maintains an active association with the George Mason American Inn of Court, where he serves as emeritus master.

MODERATOR - CHARLES E. GALLAGHER JR. is a partner in the Fairfax law firm of DeCaro, Doran, Siciliano, Gallagher & DeBlasis, LLP, where he practices in the areas of general negligence (trials and appeals) law, insurance defense law, toxic tort litigation, products liability law, insurance coverage litigation, and appellate law. He has taught a number of courses to insurance companies throughout northern Virginia on auto, homeowner and commercial liability. Mr. Gallagher is a member of the Virginia State Bar, the Maryland State Bar Association, Inc., The District of Columbia Bar, the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys, the Maryland Association of Defense Counsel, and the Washington Claims Association. He earned his B.A. degree, with high honors, and his J.D. degree from the University of Notre Dame.