Conference Workshops & Seminars
In an attempt to cover “Every Square Inch”, the Conference workshops will span a variety of practice areas and issues. We are offering a series of substantive and practice-specific sessions, along with workshops addressing Christian Mediation, Christian Legal Aid, Church/Non-Profit, Ethics, Judges’ Perspective, Jurisprudence, Religious Liberty, and Spiritual Formation. Through the conference programming, you can qualify for a full year’s worth of CLE credits (up to eleven CLE credits during the conference and three-to-four more for participation in pre-conference programs). Several non-CLE special interest workshops are also available. Workshop sessions are as follows:
Thursday, October 18
Early Bird Session I – 4:00-5:30pm
Friday, October 19
Session II – 1:30-3:00pm
Session III – 3:30-5:00pm
Saturday, October 20
Session IV – 10:00-11:30am
Session V – 1:00-2:30pm
Session VI – 3:00-4:30pm
Every Square Inch - Practically Speaking
CLS Survival Guide for Present and Prospective Associates in Large Law Firms
Rick Claybrook, Partner, Crowell & Moring LLP
Steffen Johnson, Partner, Winston Strawn LLP
Wally Larson, Jr. Counsel, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
Forrest Latta, Partner Burr & Forman, LLP
How should my faith impact my work? How do I perceive the Lord's calling in my career? Is my goal to make partner? Come hear Christians who are senior lawyers at large firms address these questions and more.
The Discovery Process: Initial Disclosures, Paper and Electronic Discovery, Depositions, and Privileges
Scott Browning, Partner, Rothgerber Johnson and Lyons LLP
Theresa Sidebotham, Founder, Telios Law PLLC
Over the last 30 years, the litigation process has become more and more about preparing for trial – with each side probing the strengths and weaknesses of the case using complicated discovery procedures. What this means is that to be effective, a lawyer must understand and manage the discovery process. This workshop gives an overview of discovery and how to use that process effectively to meet specific goals. It will first consider decisions surrounding initial disclosures and framing a case from the outset of the litigation process. Then it will review the use of written discovery, focusing on document production and electronic discovery rules. It will also discuss how discovery may be limited by the impact of various privileges. Finally, it will address the collaboration between outside litigation counsel and an entity’s inside counsel, including ways to manage fees and costs.
Working with Experts
Roger Brooks, Partner, Cravath, Swaine & Moore
Expert witnesses are at the heart of many high-value litigations. We will consider the process of selecting an expert, working with him to analyze the facts relevant to your case, developing the expert report, dealing with difficult facts, and preparing your expert for his deposition testimony.
Federal Removal of Abnormal Cases
Forrest Latta, Partner, Burr & Forman, LLP
Federal removal jurisdiction was born of conflict during reconstruction. The removal procedure was authorized by Congress in the interest of promoting “a more perfect union”. Congress gave parties the right to petition a federal judge to take jurisdiction over state court disputes among parties of different states or where federal questions existed. Inconsistent results, however, have always been a hallmark of the law, which provides for no appeal. As a result, recent changes by Congress effective in 2012 have addressed some of the recurring issues, such as fraudulent joinder or sandbagging on damages. The same practical questions remain, however: whether to remove; what are the options; and why it matters. This workshop will tackle the difficult issues, in light of recent changes, and discuss their implications for civil litigators, both plaintiffs and defendants.
Law & Order: Christians in the Criminal Practice, Inside Perspective from Prosecutors and Defense Attorneys
Paul Baertschi, Partner, Tallen & Baertschi
Sanjeev (Sonny) Bhasker, Attorney, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office
Brenda Jordahl, El Paso County Colorado Office of the District Attorney
Christian Criminal Attorneys will share an intimate view of the criminal practice and its ministry opportunities. Both Prosecutor and Defense attorneys will share how a case is prepared from the initial stages to jury trial. Attorneys will explain counseling techniques and trial strategy. Learn how the criminal practice allows you to hunger and thirst for justice while also appreciating the value of mercy.
Avoiding Malpractice When An Immigration Matter Comes Your Way
Ann Buwalda, Executive Director, Jubilee Campaign & Founder, Just Law International P.C.
A growing area of malpractice involves erroneous advice given in immigration matters, particularly when involving criminal pleadings. This workshop will systematically review options for a non-immigrant and an intending immigrant to remain lawfully in the United States, explore the criteria and pitfalls for immigrant visas, as well as review the “must know” issues related to crimes and how convictions affect an intending immigrant or a permanent resident.
States' Rights and Immigration Reform
Len Munsil, President, Arizona Christian University
Michael A. Scaperlanda, Gene and Elaine Edwards Chair of Family Law, University of Oklahoma College of Law
This panel explores the failure of federal law and policy to stem the tide of undocumented immigration, legislative responses by the states, the Supreme Court recent rulings on the constitutionality of the state laws, and contrasting Christian perspectives on the reform agenda.
Estates and Trusts: Leveraging Charitable Shareholder Strategies for Business Owner Clients
Jeanne Lee McMains, Vice President - Gift Planning, National Christian Foundation
This program will address the legal and tax implications for charitably-minded business owners of gifting a portion of their company shares to charity. Using a real-life case study, attendees will learn how and why an entrepreneur would gift shares in his company to charity. Attendees will also learn how having a charitable shareholder in the business can help their clients better leverage their charitable giving for greater benefit in their income tax planning, estate planning and business succession planning.
Website Basics: How to be in Google's Top 10
Terry O'Malley, Owner, O'Malley Law Office, P.C.
If you are not on the first page of Google’s search results for your law firm, you are wasting your money and missing a great opportunity to grow your business. There are free websites where you can create your own site and then host it for $10 per month. Tens of thousands of dollars in business await you if you will follow the basic principles which I have used in the competitive Denver market to show up in Google’s top ten.
Cyber Security and the Current Threat to Lawyers and Law Firms
Dave Willson, Owner, Titan Info Security Group, LLC
Lawyers and law firms are under attack. Hackers, whether nations like China, hacker and hacktivist groups like “Anonymous”, or organized crime groups, are targeting law firms to use them as a backdoor to their clients. Certainly if involved in a controversial case, as many religious oriented cases are, attorneys should be extra careful to protect information. Lawyers have a legal and ethical responsibility to protect client information. This lecture will discuss the current threats to data, whether theft or loss, virtual or physical; who the threat actors are; how data is being lost and stolen; and some tips on how to prevent data loss, theft, and better secure information. There will also be a discussion on what the code of ethics and rules of professional responsibility require.
Ethical & Enjoyable Business Development: Tips & Techniques for Enjoying Yourself While Growing Your Ideal Practice
Chris W. Kirby, Esq., Owner, PCT Solutions, Inc.
While no practice can be perfect, how close to that ideal would you consider yours? Do you enjoy business development? Can you effectively source new business? Are you satisfied with what your practice does – for you, your family, your clients, your community? In this workshop, Chris Kirby will help you improve your client development skills through proven, Biblically sound, methods. You’ll leave with knowledge and tools capable of changing the trajectory of your career. Moreover, you’ll leave knowing how to “Succeed as you define it™” by helping everyone with whom you come in contact to do the same.
Trial Techniques
Gene Fahrenkrog, Walther/Glenn Law AssociatesCraig Shultz, Shultz Law Office, P.A.David Van Meter, Van Meter Law Firm
Jury trial of civil cases are occurring with less and less frequency. But obtaining a good settlement or knowing how to properly evaluate a case requires that an attorney know how to try a case. There is no substitute for experience. This panel of trial lawyers will discuss basic tips for trial practice from jury selection through closing, all in an effort to improve skills in this important area of the law.
Bioethical and Legal Aspects of Embryo Donation
Dr. Reginald Finger
Dr. Finger will define embryo donation and briefly discuss the key terms used in this endeavor. He will then discuss two bioethical dilemmas solved by embryo donation, as well as offer for discussion two or three bioethical dilemmas that embryo donation creates. Finally, Dr. Finger will summarize the legal framework underlying embryo donation in the United States, and give both the pro and con arguments for the passage of a model embryo donation statute. Dr. Finger's responses to questions and discussion following the presentation will be informed by the results of about a dozen recent visits to the offices of adoption and assisted reproduction attorneys across the United States.
Religious Liberty
One Amendment, Three Branches
Kimberlee Wood Colby, Senior Counsel, CLS Center for Law & Religious Freedom
It's been a fascinating, troubling, exciting, unpredictable year in Washington, D.C. Congress and President Obama have taken each other's measure with all eyes on the 2012 election. Kim Colby will give an overview of the key religious liberty matters that have been advanced or hindered this year by the President, Congress, and Supreme Court. Topics will include faith-based organizations' hiring rights; health care workers' rights of conscience; the Supreme Court's affirmance of the ministerial exception; ECFA's Commission on Accountability and Policy for Religious Organizations; public education initiatives; DOMA's status; the HHS mandate and religious liberty; and other substantive updates on current religious liberty topics.
What Do Chief Justice Roberts, Senator Grassley & HHS Secretary Sebelius Have in Common? The Shifting Sands of Religious Accommodation
Susan Campbell, Counsel, Bryan Cave LLP
Stuart Lark, Partner, Bryan Cave LLP
John Wylie, Partner, Bryan Cave LLP
This session will examine recent developments related to religious accommodation in the area of employment rights, tax exemptions and health care and benefits. The session will also discuss strategies to preserve an organization’s religious character and mission in light of these developments.
Religious Freedom Under Assault by the Obama Administration
L. Martin Nussbaum, Partner, Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons LLP
Martin Nussbaum, a religious liberty advocate with a national practice and a consultant to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Religious Liberty, will report on the unprecedented ways that the Obama Administration and others have discriminated against religious groups, forced them to engage in immoral acts, reduced their voice, and limited their participation in American life. He will also articulate why protection of the religious conscience is at the core of both of Christian social teaching and the American experiment in government.
Preventing Sexual Abuse in Children's and Youth Ministry
Gregory Love, Love & Norris, Attorneys-at-Law
Kimberlee Norris, Love & Norris, Attorneys-at-Law
It is impossible for you to reduce a risk you do not understand. This segment will begin with why children are at risk of sexual abuse by providing information regarding the ever-increasing problem of sexual abuse, the grooming process by which an abuser picks and prepares a child for abuse, key risk indicators of child sexual abuse and legal requirements for reporting sexual abuse. This segment will then provide a description of a safety system that can reduce the risk of sexual abuse: Sexual Abuse Awareness Training, tailored policies & procedures, skillful screening, appropriate criminal background checks, and a system for monitoring and oversight.
Christian Mediation
Every Practitioner Needs Peacemaking 101
Dave Schlachter, Co-Founder, Crossroads Resolution Group LLC
This workshop introduces the core principles of a biblical approach to conflict resolution that are essential for every lawyer in his or her daily practice. It will identify the core principles and provide insight into their practical application in a law practice. No matter what your area of law, size of your law office, or type of clients you represent, understanding the cause of conflict, how people respond to conflict, and how to address the conflict to achieve reconciliation and resolution will help you in your office, with clients, and at home.
Christian Conciliation for the Resolution of Denominational Conflicts with Member Churches
Dave Schlachter, Co-Founder, Crossroads Resolution Group LLC
This workshop will review the current trends and results of denominations and associations and their member churches using the secular dispute resolution services and court system to address the serious and complex disputes related to a church withdrawing for theological or other reasons. Issues over property rights and control create disputes that result in the exhausting of resources, which could be available to Kingdom work, the destroying of relationships, and the tarnishing of the witness of Christ and the Church. The workshop will look at the benefits and availability of Christian Conciliation as a preferred alternative for dispute resolution, protecting the witness of Christ and preserving the relationship of believers.
Ethics
With "Friends Like These/The New "Face" of Legal Practice - Ethical Implications in Cyberspace and Social Media
Wendy L. Patrick, San Diego Deputy District Attorney's Office
In an age of electronic communication and social networking, lawyers must be aware of their ethical and professional responsibilities and how they apply within the increasingly public realm of modern electronic communication. This program will discuss the mechanics of popular social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and how the use of such services both professionally and personally can raise issues relating to client confidentiality, the attorney-client privilege, contact with represented parties, ethical attorney advertising, and more!
Movie and Ethics Panel Discussion - An Ethical Critique of Mick Haller, The Lincoln Lawyer
Delia Bouwers Bianchin, General Counsel, Penn United Technologies, Inc.
Bruce M. DiCicco, Attorney
Wally Larson, Jr., Counsel, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
Finding clients, negotiating fees, getting paid, and working the system. At what point does clever conduct become an ethical violation? Our panelists will screen scenes from the Lincoln Lawyer movie and evaluate the conduct of fictional criminal defense attorney Mick Haller according to the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct.
Christian Legal Aid
Doing Justice By Serving The Poor - An Overview of Christian Legal Aid
Bruce Strom, Executive Director, Administer Justice
Craig Shultz, Shultz Law Office, P.A.
As a part of the CLS community of faith, have you sensed the very real command to do justice for the poor through your law practice? We all have in varying degrees. Join us and others involved with the Christian Legal Aid ministry as we participate in two workshop opportunities to encourage and train each other to better help in this important effort. This workshop provides an overview of the Christian legal aid ministry model.
Doing Justice By Serving The Poor - Panel Discussion
Craig Shultz, Shultz Law Office, P.A. & Other CLA Clinic Leaders
Join us and other clinic leaders who are involved with the Christian Legal Aid ministry in this opportunity to fellowship, share ideas, encourage and equip each other to better help in this important ministry.
Church/Non-Profit
Legal Issues in the Church & Christian School in the 21st Century
John L. Cooley, Esq., Cooley Sublett PLC and General Counsel, Association of Christian Schools
H. Robert Showers, Esq., Partner, Simms, Showers L.L.P.
This interactive workshop will provide numerous resources and scenarios for real life legal questions on a variety of topics that schools face daily, ranging from board and governance issues to teacher and employment issues to parent-student relations to housing allowances and liability to religious liability issues. Co-taught by two lawyers with 50+ years of experience in representing Christian and church schools throughout the nation - from the board rooms to public arena to the highest courts in the land.
Leading Well: Board Responsibilities From A Legal Perspective
Sally R. Wagenmaker, Esq., Mosher & Wagenmaker, LLC
What are board members' legal responsibilities, and how do they affect each director's and officer's involvement, potential liability, and capacity to govern well? This workshop will equip directors, officers, and other key leaders to identify and understand board members' fiduciary responsibilities, organizational accountability, and "best practices" for optimal board strength. Topics to be addressed include effective use of key corporate documents, conflicts of interest, financial oversight considerations, critical areas of program supervision, and strategic succession planning, all with many real-life examples and practical applications.
Work Life Balance
Judges' Panel - A View from the Bench
Hon. R. Baldock, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
Hon. Michael E. Hegarty, U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
Hon. David M. Furman, Colorado Court of Appeals
Hon. G. David Miller, Jr., Fourth Judicial District of Colorado
Moderator: Theresa Lynn Sidebotham, Founder, Telios Law PLLC
A judges’ panel will address issues of faith in the practice of law. The panel will discuss common issues and questions about ethics and the practice of law as a Christian in everyday life and before the Bench.
Women Leaders in the Law: Cultivating Success, Balance, and Fruitfulness
Leslie C. Ruiter, Senior Attorney, Stokes Lawrence, P.S.
Terry Klein, Therapist, Life Dimensions, LLC
Susan E. McPherson, Wallace, Jordan, Ratliff & Brandt, LLC
Richard C. Baker, Mauck & Baker, LLC
How do Christian women develop as leaders in the legal profession and beyond? One response may be to lead as servants, with humility, compassion, and sacrifice. Our distinguished, mixed-gender panelists will address how that answer squares with gender issues affecting the legal profession, challenges of balancing family and community commitments, other chronic imbalance issues common to lawyers, communication and negotiation strategies, and how the Biblical fruits of the Spirit can be manifested both professionally and personally. Our panelists share from their rich and diverse perspectives: Leslie Ruiter, a senior Seattle attorney who wears a multitude of “hats” including counselor, resolver of disputes, wife, mother, and sailor; Susan McPherson, a Alabama attorney specializing in appellate litigation who works to lead and serve while balancing health and family challenges; Terry Klein, a Colorado Springs therapist with an extensive background in Christian mental health; and Rich Baker, a senior Chicago attorney and strong family man who thrives on actively mentoring others.
Lessons from Cancer: How I Learned to Love Photopheresis
Robert Thomson, Shareholder, Babst Calland Attorneys at Law
In this workshop, Bob will share his journey from diagnosis in 1998 through release by his doctors in 2012. It is designed to encourage others to trust in the faithfulness of the Lord, recognize our dependence, and redeem the time left to us.
Spiritual Formation
Sharing Faith in Practice – Lawyers Fulfilling the Great Commission
Tyler Makepeace, Founder, Courtside Ministries & Attorney, Law Offices of J. Tyler Makepeace
Courtside Ministries was founded to assist individuals impacted by the justice system. The Chaplains and volunteers of Courtside Ministries are a dynamic group of people who offer to pray and encourage everyone walking into the courthouse whether they are judges or lawyers, clients or witnesses. Beyond offering a single prayer on the courthouse steps, the volunteers of this ministry follow-up with individuals to offer ongoing support, continue to pray for them even after their legal matters have concluded, and work diligently to connect them with a church community. This workshop will discuss the impact of reaching out to those in the legal arena in this way and will demonstrate how others can start the ministry in their area.
Christianity, Islam and Arab History: Law, Process, and the Secular
John Buckley, III, Buckley Law
Bruce Sidebotham, Founder, Operation Reveille
This program will provide a historical basis for relationships in the Arab world and will use the history to bridge into the differences in law between Judeo-Christian societies and Arab societies. If all religions are basically the same then differences between legal systems of different cultures have little to do with religion, but if religions are basically different, then significantly different legal systems emerge from different religions. This workshop reveals how differences in Christian and Muslim theology create different systems of law. These differences affect conflict resolution, liability, community development, women’s rights, disability, and religious freedom.
The Merton Prayer – Authentic Surrender with Confidence!
Steven Denny, Mediator and Attorney, CivilAgreement Mediation Services, Inc.
This workshop will introduce you to Thomas Merton and allow you to experience the “Merton Prayer” through personal and small group exercises. Thomas Merton was a monk who lived in the Abbey of Gethsemani, a Trappist Monastery in Kentucky, from 1948 until his death in 1968. He was a prolific writer whose words have enriched the spiritual transformation journey of millions of Christians worldwide. Perhaps he is most well-known for his spiritual autobiography, The Seven Story Mountain. His book, Thoughts in Solitude, contains a one-page chapter that has been since dubbed “The Merton Prayer” and has been a source of strength and encouragement for Christians seeking real transformation in their walk with the Lord.
Nurturing the Heart & Mind of the Christian Lawyer: Helpful Books, Old and New
Byron Borger, Hearts and Minds Books
Join our long-standing partner bookseller as he shares his passion and a bit about the role of books in forming the Christian mind; you will be encouraged by his stories on the front-lines of the book world. From devotional classics to the latest in spiritual formation, from great novels and memoirs to serious works of Christian legal theory, you’ll learn about some of the best – and most interesting – works of recent years.