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May 18-21, 2006
TIPS on
the Beach
Eden Roc,
a Renaissance
Resort & Spa
Miami, FL

TIPS CLE Programs

Thursday Programs | Friday Programs

 

Thursday, May 18, 2006

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10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ethical Issues in Insurance Defense Litigation
*ETHICS CREDIT*
Using hypothetical scenarios, this program will tackle various ethical issues insurance defense litigators wrestle with on a daily basis. Topics covered include the scope of representation, informed consent, communication with insureds and related issues. Our speakers will also address practical applications of the Rules of Professional Conduct.

12:30 -1:30 pm
Contempt of Court: A Lesson in Legal History
*ETHICS CREDIT*
In 1906, a young black man from Chattanooga, Tennessee, was falsely accused of raping a white woman. He was railroaded by the courts, abandoned by his own lawyers, and wrongly convicted and sentenced to death. A pair of courageous African-American lawyers stepped forward to handle his appeal, filing the first ever federal habeas petition in a state criminal case. To everyone's surprise, they convinced the U.S. Supreme Court to issue its first ever stay of an execution in a state criminal case. But days before the justices were scheduled to hear oral arguments, a lynch mob, led by the sheriff and his deputies, snatched the defendant from his jail cell and hung him on the county bridge. What followed was a historic case in which the Supreme Court justices ordered the arrest of the sheriff, his deputies and members of the lynch mob on charges of contempt of the Supreme Court of the United States -- the only such case of its type in U.S. history.

This case, from a century ago, exemplifies why lawyers, as advocates for the poor and downtrodden, are best positioned to take the steps necessary to uphold the rule of law. It serves as an example of how lawyers should use the law and the courts for the protection of individual rights - even when the court itself is part of the problem. It goes to the heart of the need to protect of the rule of law.

1:30 – 3:30 pm
The Legal Landscape of Same Sex Marriage and Domestic Partner Benefits, Rights and Responsibilities
With the recent expansion of domestic partner rights in Massachusetts, California and others, application of the often conflicting state and federal laws leave employee benefits, retirement planning and other rights and benefits of domestic partners unclear. Although state laws may recognize domestic partners, federal laws like ERISA do not recognize them for the purpose of retirement and other federally regulated benefit plans. While Connecticut and Vermont are the only states allowing same-sex civil unions, only Vermont requires they receive the same insurance benefits as married couples - unless a federal law (such as ERISA) prohibits such participation. The mounting confusion over state and federal law is creating new and significant hurdles for employee benefits and employment lawyers.

Our panel of employee benefits and employment experts will examine the current status of gay marriage, civil unions and the rights and benefits of domestic partners. They will also explore family and estate planning and the significant issue of how federal laws affect state laws that grant benefits to domestic partners.

3:30 – 5:30 pm
Glass Ceilings to Open Doors: Minority Advancement in the Legal Profession
Many believe that lawyers of color will never achieve a level of deserved success without economic power. This seminar will explore and expound upon the business case for diversity, the ABA’s commitment to diversity, TIPS’ commitment to diversity and the corporate commitment to diversity. Our faculty will delve into all aspects of economic power and how outside lawyers of color in both majority and minority firms succeed. Examine what other minority bar associations are doing to encourage economic success for lawyers of color and how we can build upon theses efforts. Our faculty consists of the General Counsel of Fireman’s Fund, the Vice-Chair for the National Bar Association Commercial Law Section, founder of the Brown Law Group, a minority partner with majority firm Baker & Donelson. General Counsel of SaraLee and ACCA board member, Roderick Palmore, and the Chair of the ABA Minority Council Program, Stephanie Franklin-Suber, have also been invited to speak. Lawyers attending this seminar will learn about a variety of minority counsel programs.

 

Friday, May 19, 2006

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9:00 – 11:30 am
Winning Your Case – What's Voir Dire Got To Do With It?
Going beyond mere speculation and generalized examples of what works and what doesn't work in voir dire, this interactive program will give you a rare glimpse into the mind of a jury. In this simulated voir dire, potential jurors will share their reactions to questioning in real-time using electronic devices that will show you their reactions as they occur. Go beyond simply picking a jury and learn how to use voir dire to your advantage. Learn how jurors respond, not only to what questions are being asked, but to how the questions are being asked.

Our expert jury consultant will walk you through a post-voir dire critique and expound upon the tactics that worked and strategies for those that didn't work. The presiding Judge, the plaintiff and defense attorneys in this mock-voir dire will also offer strategies and pointers for an effective voir dire. A question and answer session will follow.