Agenda / Content Covered

AM Session 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Panel Members: Hon. Christopher J. Bruno, Hon. Stephen D. Enright Jr., Hon. Rachael D. Johnson, Hon. John J. Molaison Jr., Hon. Kern A. Reese and Hon. Raymond S. Steib Jr.
Moderator: James R. Nieset Jr.

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

PM Session 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Panel Members: Hon. Christopher J. Bruno, Hon. Stephen D. Enright Jr., Hon. Rachael D. Johnson, Hon. John J. Molaison Jr., Hon. Kern A. Reese and Hon. Raymond S. Steib Jr.
Moderator: James R. Nieset Jr.

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

Accreditation Details:

HON. CHRISTOPHER J. BRUNO is a District Court Judge in the Civil District Court of the 41st Judicial District in Orleans Parish.

HON. STEPHEN D. ENRIGHT JR. is a District Court Judge of the 24th Judicial District in Jefferson Parish.

HON. RACHAEL D. JOHNSON is a District Court Judge in the Civil District Court of the 41st Judicial District in Orleans Parish.

HON. JOHN J. MOLAISON JR. is a District Court Judge of the 24th Judicial District in Jefferson Parish.

HON. KERN A. REESE is a District Court Judge in the Civil District Court of the 41st Judicial District in Orleans Parish.

HON. RAYMOND S. STEIB JR. is a District Court Judge of the 24th Judicial District in Jefferson Parish.

MODERATOR - JAMES R. NIESET JR. is a partner in the New Orleans law firm of Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson, LLP. Mr. Nieset defends insurance companies in personal injury, bad faith, coverage and property cases. Mr. Nieset has successfully tried cases to both judges and juries in state and federal courts throughout southeast Louisiana. Mr. Nieset has argued appeals in the Louisiana First, Third, Fourth and Fifth Circuit courts of Appeal and in the Louisiana Supreme Court. He is a frequent presenter on bad faith law, the law of social media, the use of technology in the practice of law and professionalism. He received his B.S. degree from Tulane University College of Arts and Sciences, and J.D. degree from Tulane University School of Law. Mr. Nieset is a member of the American Bar Association, the Defense Research Institute, the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys, the Louisiana State Bar Association, the New Orleans Association of Defense Counsel, the Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel, the New Orleans Bar Association and the Council on Litigation Management (president, SE Louisiana Chapter 2015).