CLE Schedule
CLE Session 1
CLE Session 2
CLE Session 3
Plenary Session
Schedule is subject to change.
Wednesday, June 19, 2024
PLEASE NOTE: Wednesday is the WALA Annual Conference of Education, however, all paid registrants can attend these very relevant sessions.
WALA Session: Harnessing Technology: Preparing for Microsoft Copilot/AI and Ensuring Security with Print Management
Discover how Microsoft 365 Copilot uses AI to securely enhance your firm’s productivity and collaboration. Copilot is a new feature designed to help you unleash creativity, maximize productivity, and elevate your Microsoft 365 skills. Receive an overview of artificial intelligence and see real time demonstrations of how Copilot works within other Microsoft applications. Next, explore crucial strategies and technologies for safeguarding sensitive information in the realm of print security. Learn how to mitigate risks and protect confidentiality in document management systems.
WALA Session: The Art of Asking Better Questions: How The Right Questions Lead To More Efficient and Effective Outcomes
"Discover how to create an interculturally inclusive work environment for all. This participatory discussion is aimed at increasing knowledge and ability to utilize critical thinking skills to make authentic inquiry, apply appropriate meaning to terms and phrases, problem solve, communicate confidently, and foster more collaborative work environments rooted in authentic relationships.
Learning Objectives:
- Applying critical thinking to diversity and inclusion
- Creating and sustaining cultures of accountability
- Demonstrated mastery of the elements of thought and key questions for clarity
WALA Session: Wage and Hour Compliance Issues for Law Firms
As are other businesses, law firms are subject to state and federal wage and hour laws. It is not uncommon for law firms to cut corners when it comes to wage and hour compliance. Law firms, which are concerned with the rights of their clients, also need to make sure they are protecting the rights of their own employees to the fullest extent of the law. We will address the most common areas of concerns where employers may fail to properly track the hours of and pay properly non-exempt employees, including the following areas:
- Improper classification of employees as exempt when they perform non-exempt work;
- Payment for work performed remotely, including work performed while traveling; and
- Payment for work performed while monitoring emails and cell phones for calls, texts, and messages at firm’s request.
4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Presidential Swearing-in and Celebration
Marquette/UW Law School Alumni Reception (all attendees are invited)
Thursday, June 20, 2024
Plenary: Using Artificial Intelligence with Both the Benefits and Risks in Mind
Session Description:
Artificial intelligence (AI) has developed at an unprecedented pace, surpassing other technologies in its rapid growth. But this swift deployment of AI introduces various risks, leaving many in the legal profession apprehensive about safely incorporating it into their practice. Hear from experts who encourage lawyers to harness AI technology in representing clients, while approaching it with the risks in mind. You'll learn from Judge Scott Schlegel, one of the country's technology experts who has experience incorporating AI into the courts. Discover his perspectives on:
- The benefits AI brings to court automation and access to justice
- Regulation, standards, and best practices for lawyers using AI in generating court documents
- Other ways courts could use AI
- Increasing judicial awareness of AI
Professor David Kemp will explain strengths and limitations of AI based on his experience teaching legal research and writing and professional responsibility. He will discuss:
- Fundamentals of how generative AI models like ChatGPT work
- Strengths and weaknesses of the tool
- Ethical considerations
- Risk and safety concerns (i.e., privacy, security, inaccurate content, IP issues)
- How to assess the suitability of any AI-driven tool
Be prepared for the future of the legal profession by gaining a better understanding of the risks and benefits of artificial intelligence.
Prof. David Kemp will be presenting a separate, stand-alone session entitled “The Practical Applications of AI" following the opening plenary from 9:50 am - 10:50 am.
Cooks in the Kitchen: Law Development in the Wisconsin Court System
Session Description:
In
Cook v. Cook, the Wisconsin Supreme Court held the Wisconsin Court of Appeals does not have the power to overrule, modify, or withdraw language from its prior decisions. Since then, Cook has been cited in numerous cases as grounds for the Court of Appeals to refrain from answering questions when the outcome might conflict with or modify precedent. Examine recent decisions from the Wisconsin Supreme Court considering the impact of Cook and its progeny on the development of Wisconsin law.
Sponsored by:
Appellate Practice Section
Presented by:
Bryna Godar
University of Wisconsin Law School, Madison
Hannah Schieber Jurss
Wisconsin Department of Justice, Madison
Hon. Paul F. Reilly
Concurrence ADR, LLC, Milwaukee
Judicial and Expert Witness Perspectives on the Discovery of Electronically Stored Information
Session Description:
Receive practical tips from a judge and an expert witness to increase your chances of success in discovery disputes involving electronically stored information (ESI). Review what the Wisconsin Statutes and Federal Rules have to say about ESI and the resolution of ESI discovery disputes and assess how the scale and scope of ESI discovery can impact the attorney-client privilege and the work product doctrine.
Sponsored by:
Hon. Michael R. Fitzpatrick
Presented by:
Hon. Michael R. Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick ADR, LLC, Janesville
Matthew J. Stippich
Stippich Selin & Cain LLC, Milwaukee
The Practical Applications of AI
Session Description:
Take a deep dive into the practical applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and learn how you can formulate more effective queries. Determine when AI is most beneficial and appropriate to use, how to use AI ethically and responsibly, and hear valuable insights that will keep you at the forefront of technology.
Presented by:
Prof. David S. Kemp
Managing Editor of Justia's Oyez
and Verdict
Adjunct Professor, Rutgers School of Law, Newark, NJ
Herding Cats: Legal Ethics When Engaged in Community-Based Representation
Session Description:
Explore the many substantive ethical challenges involved in representing community groups whose members have competing agendas. Using an environmental law fact pattern, you’ll learn best practices for approaching third-party payor situations and handling emerging conflicts between group members that arise after representation has begun.
Sponsored by:
Environmental Law Section; State Bar of Wisconsin Ethics Program
Presented by:
K. Bartlet Durand Jr.
Durand Law Firm LLC, Middleton
Jodi Arndt Labs
Law Firm of Conway, Olejnlczak & Jerry, S.C., Green Bay
Timothy J. Pierce
State Bar of Wisconsin, Madison
Edward B. Witte
Godfrey & Kahn, S.C., Milwaukee
Anthony Voskuil
Midwest Environmental Advocates, Inc., Madison
Guidance From the Bench to Young Lawyers
Session Description:
State court trial and appellate judges will answer questions from young lawyers on topics including motion practice, oral advocacy, and gaining courtroom experience. You’ll also hear advice on the benefits of getting involved in the legal community and hear stories about the jurists’ paths to the bench. Don’t miss this chance to pose your own questions to the bench!
Sponsored by:
Young Lawyers Division
Presented by:
Hon. Tammy Jo Hock
Presiding Judge, Brown County Circuit Court, Green Bay
Hon. Thomas M. Hruz
Wisconsin Court of Appeals – District III, Wausau
Hon. Yadira Rein
Outagamie County Circuit Court, Appleton
Tiffany Woelfel
Amundsen Davis LLC, Green Bay
Emotional Regulation: Advanced Understandings for Elevating Your Practice
Session Description:
Learn how your emotions can make the difference between good judgment and poor decisions, as well as functional and contentious relationships. Develop strategies for cultivating deeper emotional intelligence so you can strategically respond to others when it counts; improve your relationships with clients, friends, and family; avoid emotional exhaustion and burnout; and enhance your decision-making skills in situations where emotions run high.
Sponsored by:
Wisconsin Lawyer Assistance Program
Presented by:
Amber Ault, Ph.D., MSW
WisLAP Manager, State Bar of Wisconsin
Jennifer L. Edmondson
Edmondson Law Office, Appleton
Unconscious Bias
Session Description:
Unconscious bias can influence your behavior and seep into decisions affecting recruitment, retention, hiring, interpersonal interactions, and the justice system in ways that disadvantage individuals and groups of people. Assess your unconscious bias, learn how unconscious bias affects everyday life, and discover ways to mitigate your bias, fostering more equitable interactions and decisions.
Sponsored by:
Litigation Section; Diversity & Inclusion Oversight Committee
Presented by:
Derek C. Mosley
Director of the Lubar Center, Marquette University Law School, Milwaukee
Point/Counterpoint: Advantages and Pitfalls of the Mediation/Arbitration Hybrid Process
Session Description:
Alternative dispute resolution, particularly arbitration, is gaining traction in family law beyond traditional mediation and collaborative divorce. Receive guidance on the essentials of arbitration, including its benefits and challenges, procedural details, arbitrator selection, and the arbitration process itself. Discuss the rise of mediation/arbitration (med/arb) in areas like Dane County and ethical considerations surrounding the med/arb process.
Sponsored by:
Dispute Resolution Section; Family Law Section
Moderated by:
Marta T. Meyers
Boardman & Clark LLP, Madison
Presented by:
Hon. Michael J. Dwyer
Hansen & Hildebrand, S.C., Milwaukee
Katherine Cole Harrell
Stafford Rosenbaum, LLP, Madison
Carlton D. Stansbury
Burbach & Stansbury, S.C., Milwaukee
Win, Lose, or Draw Names: Election Recounts
Session Description:
Delve into Wisconsin’s election and recount laws using a fascinating case study of a recount with a one-vote margin favoring a winning candidate for town chair who happened to be the town’s chief election administrator. Explore the key roles, responsibilities, and challenges faced during recounts and related litigation under the pressure of expedited timelines. With a focus on the upcoming elections, develop your understanding of how to advise candidates, election officials, and the public. Plus, gain insights on answering election-related questions from the public and the media.
Sponsored by:
Administrative and Local Government Section
Presented by:
Erin K. Deeley
Stafford Rosenbaum, LLP, Madison
Michael R. Haas
City of Madison, Madison
Douglas M. Poland
Stafford Rosenbaum, LLP, Madison
Five Important Wisconsin Legal Developments Affecting Women and the Women Lawyers who Advanced Them
Session Description:
Join the Association for Women Lawyers, Legal Association for Women, and Women Lawyers of the North in celebrating 150 years of women practicing law in Wisconsin! Explore a diverse range of legal developments affecting women and learn about the women lawyers who advanced them. Topics will include Lavinia Goodell and the right to practice law, the right for married women to have credit and own property in their own names, fair employment, the Violence Against Women Act and its relationship to missing and murdered indigenous women, and more.
Sponsored by:
Association for Woman Lawyers; Legal Association for Women; Women Lawyers North
Presented by:
Hon. Hannah Dugan
Milwaukee Circuit Court, Milwaukee
Elizabeth A. Fernandez
Wisconsin Education Association Council – Legal Department, Madison
Martina Gast
Pipestone Law LLC, Lake Mills
Hon. Nancy A. Kopp
Wisconsin Supreme Court, Madison
Understanding How Elder Fraud Cases are Investigated and Prosecuted
Session Description:
Go behind the scenes of the investigation and prosecution of elder fraud cases. Explore the legal procedures for conducting investigations, focusing on tools like subpoenas duces tecum and search warrants. Discuss theft as a course of conduct, venue and place of trial issues, discovery practice, and employing depositions to address the unavailability of victims or witnesses at trial. Understand how elder fraud intersects with probate law and discover strategies for overcoming defenses.
Sponsored by:
Government Lawyers Division
Presented by:
April M. Devalkenaere
Waukesha County District Attorney's Office, Waukesha
Robert M. Mihelich
Law Office of Robert M. Mihelich, New Berlin
Peter M. Tempelis
Waukesha County District, Waukesha Attorney's Office, Waukesha
An Update on Developments with the NLRA
Session Description:
In this labor-focused briefing, get up to speed on the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) recent pivotal actions which marked significant departures from long-standing precedent. Receive guidance for both union and non-union employees on key topics like the potential for union recognition without a secret-ballot election, a broader interpretation of “protected concerted activity,” and implications of the expedited “Ambush” election rule, the approval of “micro units” for easier union organization, and the NLRB’s scrutiny of employee handbooks and policies.
Sponsored by:
Health Law Section; Labor and Employment Law Section
Presented by:
Benjamin Mandelman
National Labor Relations Board, Milwaukee
Kevin Terry
Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, Milwaukee
Christopher M. Toner
Axley Brynelson LLP, Madison
Friday, June 21, 2024
Family Feud: Legal Ethics Episode
Session Description:
Welcome to the Annual Meeting and Conference Ethics Game Show!
Perhaps you learned and laughed during “Survivor 2023: Law Firm Challenge” or “To Tell the Truth 2022: Legal Ethics Edition.” This year, our Dream Team Contestants return to battle it out in “Family Feud: Legal Ethics Episode” refereed by our Ethics Game Show Host Extraordinaire. Join in the learning and laughter as the contestants compete to correctly answer questions about new ethics opinions issued by the ABA and the State Bar of Wisconsin, as well as ethical questions raised by generative artificial intelligence. Your ability to stay on top of your ethics game will be further enhanced by the commentary of our panel of experts!
Representing Clients with Diminished Capacity in Litigation
Session Description:
Join experienced ethics advisors, adult GAL lawyers, and litigators to discuss your ethical obligations when determining whether a client is of diminished capacity and if so, the severity of that capacity. Identify potential pitfalls to avoid and learn best practices for working with clients with diminished capacity. Know what actions you should take in circumstances where potential financial harm is imminent.
Sponsored by:
Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Section
Presented by:
To be announced.
What Clients Want
Session Description:
Want to know your clients’ biggest pet peeves? Could you use some insider information on how to impress clients and get referrals for similarly situated clients? Want the inside scoop on what communication is necessary (and unnecessary) from your clients’ perspectives? You’re in luck. Attorneys who have successfully transitioned from private practice to roles where they can hire outside counsel are ready to spill the beans and tell you what clients really want.
Sponsored by:
Bankruptcy, Insolvency, and Creditors' Rights Section
Presented by:
Rebecca R. DeMarb
Swanson Sweet LLP, Madison
Deanne M. Koll
Bakke Norman, S.C., New Richmond
Amanda K. Schlitz
U.S. Bank, Minneapolis, MN
Take a Deep Dive Into Technology Competence
Session Description:
As technology becomes more integral to practicing law, it’s essential to know how to use it responsibly. Take a deep dive into your ethical duties in using technology in your practice, including maintaining confidentiality, ensuring competence, data security, and integrating artificial intelligence (AI). Gain the insights and tools necessary to navigate the rapidly evolving, technology-infused legal landscape.
Sponsored by:
State Bar of Wisconsin Law Office Management Assistance Program (LOMAP); State Bar of Wisconsin Ethics Program
Presented by:
Brent J. Hoeft
State Bar of Wisconsin, Madison
Timothy J. Pierce
State Bar of Wisconsin, Madison
Avoiding Employee Threats to Intellectual Property
Session Description:
Intellectual property (IP) is a critical asset that shapes a company’s competitive edge, but it’s vulnerable to risks, often from within the organization itself. Learn how to safeguard these intangible assets by acting proactively, through effective policies, procedures, agreements, and registrations. Discover best practices for protecting IP at onboarding, termination, and in between for more robust IP security.
Sponsored by:
Intellectual Property and Technology Law Section
Presented by:
Michael J. Bendel
Amundsen Davis, LLC, Appleton
Craig Kubiak
Amundsen Davis, LLC, Appleton
The History and Legacy of Restrictive Covenants and Redlining in Black and White
Session Description:
We’ve all heard about restrictive covenants and a practice called “redlining” but may not understand their origins or enduring effects on communities. Delve into the historical context and implementation of these practices and their lasting implications on homeownership and generational wealth. Gain insight into how these discriminatory practices continue to influence disparities in wealth and opportunity.
Sponsored by:
Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Section; Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
Presented by:
To be announced.
THC & FCC: Tips, Tricks, and Take Aways for Handling Marijuana Issues in Family Court and Beyond
Session Description:
Keeping up with ever-changing laws and attitudes regarding marijuana is difficult, but it’s also essential for effective client representation in family and juvenile courts. Get a crash course in the legal history of marijuana and learn how to address judicial concerns (based on fact and fiction) about marijuana use and abuse. Receive tips and takeaways you can use in your next case where marijuana use is a factor.
Sponsored by:
Family Law Section
Presented by:
Comm. Elizabeth M. Pfeuffer
Kenosha County Circuit Court, Kenosha
Communicate More Effectively: Power Moves to Increase Confidence and Influence
Session Description:
We spend most of our working hours communicating without purpose, and then wonder why we don't secure that client, receive the promotion, or feel defeated. Whether you communicate in the courtroom or in the conference room, this program will show how communication behaviors dictate our future success and will include specific tips for women to show up with purpose and power!
Human beings are judged every day by how we show up, personally and professionally. Our communication style - what we say, how we say it - has become the basis for how others view us and ultimately treat us. Take charge of your personal and professional future by learning how to communicate with precision and intent for dynamic growth!
Participants will learn how to:
- Increase awareness of how our communication behaviors dictate how others view us and treat us
- Show up confidently (and why that is important)
- Adopt specific body language techniques to increase your influence
- Control any fears of speaking in front of others
- Communicate purposefully in both formal and informal situations
At the close of the program, attendees will report:
- An increased knowledge of how their communication behaviors affect others' perception of them and how this influences their career
- Increased ability to implement specific techniques to communicate confidence, expertise, and influence