ABA Section of Litigation's Sound Advice

Listen to Judge Jeffrey Cole, U.S. District Court Judge for the northern District of Illinois as he gives tips on how to make it easier for a judge to rule in your favor by following these common sense rules.

Listen as New York attorney Greg Joseph, former Chair of the Section of Litigation, and expert in Federal Practice, discusses the dramatic amendments to Rule 26 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure going into effect on December 1, 2010, which confer greater protection from discovery on many types of expert witness communications and reports.

The use of involuntary "screens" by law firms to avoid the imputation of conflict of interests from a transferring lawyer is currently a matter of debate in state courts. Listen as Larry Fox, Ethics Lecturer at The Yale Law School and Partner at Drinker Biddle Reath, LLP, Philadelphia, surveys the landscape of permissible voluntary and involuntary "screens" under Model Rules of Professional Conduct 1.10, 1.11 and 1.12, and suggests eight important ways to insure that involuntary "screens" are most effective.

Want to be a leader in the profession? Listen to New Jersey Administrative Law Judge Tiffany Williams’ 10 quick tips for avoiding “lameness, sameness and tameness” in your professional life, and you will be well on your way to creating your legacy and bettering our world.

Listen as David Tsai, associate at Townsend and Townsend and Crew of San Francisco and Co-Chair of the ABA Section of Litigation’s LGBT Committee shares 10 specific ideas for fostering an environment in your law firm that welcomes and promotes diversity.

Facing a difficult and unprofessional adversary? Don’t lose your cool! Listen as Paulette Brown, partner at Edwards Angell Palmer amp; Dodge LLP in Madison, New Jersey, and seasoned employment and labor law attorney gives practical advice for how to remain in control and professional when those around you are not!

Has your client asked you to outsource some aspect of work on the newest case? Wondering what Rules 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 of the Model Rules of Professional Conduct require of a lawyer contemplating and supervising an outsourcing relationship? Listen as Lawrence J. Fox , Ethics Lecturer at Yale Law School and Partner at Philadelphia's Drinker, Biddle amp; Reath, LLP, shares his timely advice in navigating between appropriate delegation and supervision in the brave new world of outsourcing. 

Mentoring Circles for Women can be easier and more rewarding than one on one mentoring for professional development. Hear Former Chair of the Section of Litigation, Louise LaMothe, currently a practicing arbitrator and a mediator in Santa Barbara, California, describe six years of working with Mentoring Circles: who should join, how the Circles should be conducted, and what the benefits are for both young and experienced lawyers alike.

Listen to Penny White, Director of the Center for the Advocacy amp; Dispute Resolution at the University of Tennessee College of Law, as she covers the topic of impeachment and the very careful strategic planning it requires along with the knowledge of substantive and procedural rules. Penny also focuses on the important questions that need to be asked about whether or not to impeach, and if the decision is made to impeach, how to go about with the process.

Listen to Greenberg Traurig Shareholder, Raymond B. Kim as he guides the listener through the art of jury persuasion in our diverse and fast-past world. Always present a compelling story to jurors that includes visual aids. Be sure to pay close attention to each juror and his or her uniqueness. Lead jurors to your conclusion using clear language without wasting jurors’ valuable time.

Listen as Paul McDonald, in-house counsel at Kraft Foods, Northfield, Illinois, and a leader in the ABA Section of Litigation, describe how younger attorneys can take advantage of opportunities within their own firms for client development, by becoming familiar with the firm's clients and their businesses, connecting with the firm’s business development professionals, and taking advantage of professional development opportunities that coincide with the firm's business plans.

Bound to arbitrate? Before you begin, listen to Rob Remington, 22 year veteran of numerous arbitrations and mediations, and a partner at the Cleveland firm of Hahn Loeser and Parks, LLP, review the risks and benefits of sole vs. panel arbitrations, the value of expanded arbitrator discovery, and the strict rules for arbitration appeals.

Learn how the Honorable Barbara Lynn, U.S. District Court for the Northern District, Dallas, developed business during her 23 years as a trial lawyer, and had fun doing it. Judge Lynn offers special tips for women lawyers, but all can appreciate her smart, practical advice: take clients to events you enjoy yourself, and then: don’t be shy about actually asking for the business!

Listen to District Court Judge of the Southern District of Texas and former practicing lawyer, Lee H. Rosenthal talk about the importance of using clear, concise, declarative language for lawyers when writing for judges, especially when writing a summary judgment motion.

Tempted to conduct informal discovery outside of the usual depositions and interrogatories? Such informal discovery can be inexpensive and fruitful, but listen as Larry Fox, Crawford Lecturer of Law and Ethics at Yale Law School and partner at the Philadelphia firm of Drinker Biddle amp; Reath, reviews the significant restrictions that Rule 4.2 of the Rules of Professional Responsibility places on the conscientious investigating lawyer, including situations involving former employees, corporate entity control groups, and privileged information.