Agenda / Content Covered

Morning Session
Presenters: Hon. Patrick J. Ballard, Hon. Elisabeth French, Hon. Brendette Brown Green, Hon. Tamara Harris Johnson, Hon. Marshell Jackson Hatcher, Hon. Jim Hughey III, Hon. Javan Joille Patton, and Hon. Robert S. Vance Jr.
Moderator: Michael K. Wright

1. Navigating the Local Civil Court Procedure: Concrete Rules and Unwritten Etiquette
2. Initial Pleadings: Laying out the Legal and Factual Issues of the Case
3. Answers to Common Questions Asked in Case Conferences
4. Case Scheduling: Fast-Tracking Options and Handling Conflicts and Delays
5. Summary Judgment Motions and Hearings
6. Cooperation Between Counsel
7. Judges' View of Discovery
   1. Common Discovery Dispute Issues
   2. When You Should and Should Not Make Objections
   3. What is Appropriate for a Privilege Log
   4. When to Use a Motion to Compel
   5. How to Avoid Messing Up the Timing
   6. When are Sanctions a Possibility?
8. Pre-Trial Briefs that Promote Settlement
9. Unacceptable Pre-Trial Litigation Tactics

Afternoon Session
Presenters: Hon. Patrick J. Ballard, Hon. Elisabeth French, Hon. Brendette Brown Green, Hon. Tamara Harris Johnson, Hon. Marshell Jackson Hatcher, Hon. Jim Hughey III, Hon. Javan Joille Patton, and Hon. Robert S. Vance Jr.
Moderator: Michael K. Wright

10. Seeking the Judge's Guidance Outside of Scheduled Conferences
    1. When is it Appropriate to Contact the Judge or the Clerk?
    2. What Questions are Acceptable?
    3. Is it Ok to Contact the Judge During a Deposition?
11. Jury Selection and Juror Requests: What is Appropriate?
12. Types of Evidence Judges Value Most/Least
13. Witness Selection and Testimony: What Works and What's a Waste of Time for Everyone
14. Legal Ethics (2:45 - 3:45)
    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
15. Trial Presentation Do's and Don'ts
16. How to Confuse the Jury: Top Mistakes Judges Have Seen
17. Effective Ways of Handling Facts in Controversy at Trial

HON. PATRICK J. BALLARD is a Circuit Court Judge in the 10th Judicial Circuit of the Alabama State Court.

HON. ELISABETH FRENCH is a Circuit Court Judge in the 10th Judicial Circuit of the Alabama State Court.

HON. BRENDETTE BROWN GREEN is a Circuit Court Judge in the 10th Judicial Circuit of the Alabama State Court.

HON. TAMARA HARRIS JOHNSON is a Circuit Court Judge in the 10th Judicial Circuit of the Alabama State Court.

HON. MARSHELL JACKSON HATCHER is a Circuit Court Judge in the 10th Judicial Circuit of the Alabama State Court.

HON. JIM HUGHEY III is a Circuit Court Judge in the 10th Judicial Circuit of the Alabama State Court.

HON. JAVAN JOILLE PATTON is a Circuit Court Judge in the 10th Judicial Circuit of the Alabama State Court.

HON. ROBERT S. VANCE JR. is a Circuit Court Judge in the 10th Judicial Circuit of the Alabama State Court.

MODERATOR - MICHAEL K. WRIGHT is a senior partner at the law firm of Starnes Davis Florie LLP. His practice is devoted entirely to civil litigation and has included matters involving professional medical liability, product liability, medical device litigation, pharmaceutical liability, corporate litigation, insurance declaratory judgment litigation, bad faith litigation, fraud, contractual litigation, and other forms of professional liability litigation, including the representation of architects and engineers. Mr. Wright has tried more than 100 complex civil litigation cases to a jury verdict. He serves as a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Additionally, Mr. Wright is a frequent speaker on topics of litigation, including healthcare law and institutional liability for catastrophic injuries to athletes. He received his B.A. degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and his J.D. degree from the Birmingham School of Law.