Agenda / Content Covered

1. IDENTIFYING THE "RAMBO" LITIGATOR
   9:00 - 10:15, Scott M. Hawkins
   1. Who is This "Rambo?"
   2. Civility: The Hallmark of Professionalism
   3. Knowing What You are up Against: 13 Helpful Hints on How to Deal With Difficult Opposing Counsel
   4. Win Battles by Knowing the Rules of Procedure
   5. Documenting Bad Behavior and Dirty Tactics
2. HIDDEN AGENDAS: WHY DOES "RAMBO" EXIST?
   10:30 - 11:45, Lawrence N. Curtis
   1. Climbing the Ladder
   2. Beware of "Little Big Man"
   3. Bad Facts = Bad Case
   4. Overcompensating
   5. Preparation, Knowledge and Experience
3. DIRTY TRICKS THAT YOU NEED TO LOOK OUT FOR
   12:45 - 2:00, Philip E. Roberts
   1. "Hiding the Ball:" Make Sure You Get Documents and Discovery That You are Entitled To
   2. How to Deal With Frivolous Objections to Discovery
   3. Improper Behavior of Counsel at Depositions: Coaching the Witness and Instructing a Witness Not to Answer a Question
   4. Dealing With the "Rambo" Lawyer Who Will Not Communicate
   5. The Paper War and the Poison Pen
   6. Prescriptions for Controlling Bad Conduct: Videotaped Depositions and Providing for Special Masters/Judges at Depositions
   7. "Scorched Earth" Litigation Tactics: Winning at All Costs
   8. "The Documents Don't Exist:" The Needle in the Haystack
   9. Hiding Discovery That is Relevant to the Case
   10. Dealing With "Paid for Hire" Expert Witnesses
   11. How to Ensure That Your Opponent Designates the Proper 30(B)(6) Corporate Designee Witnesses
   12. Using Motions to Compel Effectively
4. ETHICS - IT'S LEGAL, BUT IS IT RIGHT?
   2:15 - 3:15, Scott M. Hawkins
   1. State Bar Code of Ethics and Ethics Code of Various Specialties
   2. Real and Potential Conflicts of Interest
   3. Vigorous Representation or Questionable Practices
5. USING EFFECTIVE REMEDIES TO COMBAT "RAMBO" LITIGATION
   3:15 - 4:30, James E. Sudduth III
   1. Sanctions
   2. Motions to Strike Pleadings
   3. Rules Governing Professional Conduct
   4. Telling it to the Judge
   5. Your Reputation and the Big Picture
   6. Why Playing by the Rules is the Only Way to Practice
   7. Weeding Out the "Rambos:" Cleaning the Slate

LAWRENCE N. CURTIS is a sole practitioner in Lafayette, Louisiana. Mr. Curtis practices in the areas of maritime personal injury and wrongful death involving offshore drilling rig accidents, supply, utility and crew boat accidents, dredge boat accidents, fishing boat accidents, construction barge accidents, commercial diving accidents, helicopter accidents, as well as accidents involving railroad employees (FELA claims), railroad crossing accidents, and automobile and commercial truck accidents. He is a member of the American, Federal and Louisiana State bar associations; The Association of Trial Lawyers of America; The Academy of Catastrophic Injury Attorneys; Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association; Lafayette Trial Lawyers Association; Acadiana Inn of Court (Master of the Bench, 1994 -); The Maritime Law Association of the United States; and The Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute. Mr. Curtis received his B.A. degree from St. John's University and his J.D. degree from Loyola University School of Law.

SCOTT M. HAWKINS is a managing partner with Hawkins Oetjens, L.L.C. He began his legal career with a single point of focus - helping his clients navigate the complex legal system. Mr. Hawkins has successfully handled hundreds of cases covering a wide variety of legal issues ranging from child custody to multi-million dollar intellectual property disputes. He earned his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University and his J.D. degree from Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert School of Law. Mr. Hawkins was a member of the National Moot Court team and was awarded the Louis J. Powell Award for Excellency in Oral Advocacy.

PHILIP E. ROBERTS is special counsel in the Lafayette office of the law firm of Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr & Smith, A PLC, where he practices primarily in the areas of employment law, workers' compensation defense, insurance defense & coverage and subrogation. Mr. Roberts lectures for various professional organizations. He is a member of the Lafayette Parish and Louisiana State bar associations. Mr. Roberts earned his B.A. degree from Louisiana State University and A&M College and his J.D. degree from Louisiana State University Law Center.

JAMES E. SUDDUTH III is the founder of Sudduth and Associates, LLP, where his office practices in the areas of criminal litigation, labor and employment, personal injury and general civil litigation. Mr. Sudduth is a former assistant district attorney for the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office, and during his tenure, he was promoted to Misdemeanor Section Chief. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Louisiana State Bar Association, the State Bar of Texas, the Southwest Louisiana Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, the National Employment Lawyers Association, the American Law Society, the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys, and the American Society of Legal Advocates. Mr. Sudduth received his B.S. degree, cum laude, from the Louisiana State University and A&M and his J.D. degree from Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Louisiana State University.