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  Thursday, October 24, 2019  

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Conference Registration

8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

Continental Breakfast

8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Opening Plenary: Persuading Judges and Juries (1.5 CLE)

Discover the fundamentals of persuasion in the courtroom and learn techniques to improve your performance in criminal and civil trials, and at the trial and appellate court levels. This session offers numerous strategies and tactics for persuading judges and juries to find in favor of your client. You’ll learn tips for:

  • Presenting information to judges and juries
  • Developing effective themes and arguments
  • Writing persuasive briefs

Presented By:

Hon. Michael Fitzpatrick
Court of Appeals District IV


10:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

Refreshment Break

10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

CBD in Wisconsin - All Gray?

The 2018 Farm Bill and Wisconsin Act 100 opened the door to the growing, processing, and selling of industrial hemp. This session will offer growers guidance on the USDA and FDA regulations around industrial hemp, as well as how to:

  • Get a permit
  • Ensure THC content is within the legal limit
  • Obtain financing from wary lenders

Presented By:

Jeffrey A. Cormell
Bakke Norman, S.C.

 

Don't Change Your Size, Change Your Approach: The Advantages of Being Small

At their best, small firms can be nimble and focused, operating like a speed boat jetting through the water with ease. But achieving that type of high-performance doesn’t happen without some grease work. As the captain of your firm’s destiny, this session will help you chart a course forward towards success. You will:

  • Develop a vision for your practice
  • Learn practical steps for implementing your plan
  • Get advice for dealing with challenges and setbacks

Presented By:

Anthony K. Murdock
Murdock Law, S.C.

Erin R. Ogden
Ogden, Glazer + Schaefer LLC

AJ Sue
AJ Sue LLC

 

E-Discovery for the Effective E-Advocate

No litigation matter today can escape the “e” of discovery. Regardless of the size of your firm or the focus of your practice, every lawyer needs to know how to handle electronically-stored information (ESI). This session will cover the basics of collecting, processing, reviewing, and producing ESI, and then provide you with practical and applicable tips that you can integrate into your practice. You’ll learn:

  • Why virtually all relevant case information is electronic
  • The importance of using a document review tool
  • Why you should care about data processing
  • How to talk to your clients about collecting and preserving relevant ESI
  • How to talk to opposing counsel about producing ESI

Presented By:

Brett Burney
Burney Consultants LLC

 

Design Your Practice and Your Life

Many attorneys start their own firms so they can enjoy practicing law and spending time with their families. This interactive presentation will encourage participants to dig deep and articulate what they truly want in their career, finances, and family life. After setting your future goals, you’ll learn:

  • How defining a clear, specific vision boosts your confidence
  • How small changes in language use can affect outcomes
  • How creating a mental picture can turn your dreams into reality

Presented By:

Sarah L. Ruffi
Ruffi Law Offices, S.C.

 


11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Lunch and Grand Opening of Legal Expo

12:45 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Plenary: Moneyball for Lawyers: Using Big Data to Build a Major League Practice (1.5 LPM)

By utilizing numbers and data for analytic and predictive purposes, the Moneyball concept revolutionized the game of baseball. Similarly, statistical analysis models present a promising solution for responding to the challenge of marketing and delivering legal services to a new generation of clients. This fun, fastball presentation will help you see billing in a whole new light. You’ll learn how to:

  • Review your firm’s business numbers in detail
  • Use the “Profit Principle” to create a realistic “box score” for your practice
  • Increase your firm’s profitability

Presented By:

Jeffrey S. Krause
Affinity Consulting Group


2:00 p.m. - 2:25 p.m.

Refreshment Break – visit the Legal Expo and get your passport signed to be entered to win great prizes!

2:25 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Udderly Broke: How to Liquidate and Sell the Family Farm

In 2018, nearly 3,000 dairy farms went under—700 of those were Wisconsin farms. For the past three years, Wisconsin has led the nation in farm bankruptcies, losing almost two farms a day. This session will primarily cover the winding down and selling of a family farming operation, covering topics such as:

  • Whether to liquidate through bankruptcy or receivership
  • The tax implications of sales
  • Issues to take into account when drafting sale documents
  • Exemptions

Presented By:

John W. Menn
Steinhilber Swanson LLP

Troy R. Schneider
Twohig Rietbrock Schneider & Halbach, S.C.

 

Beyond Moneyball: Keeping Score

In sports, the scoreboard always tells you who is winning. In business, the reports are your scorecard. This session will build on Thursday afternoon’s plenary and dive deeper into the details of running reports. You’ll learn:

  • Which reports truly matter
  • How to create useful reports
  • Where to look to find the data you need

Presented By:

Jeffrey S. Krause
Affinity Consulting Group

 

Document Management for the Tech-Savvy Firm

Law firms deal with many different types of data. Effective and creative use of document management systems can reduce paper, improve efficiency, support process automation, and support risk management. This session will share software and strategies for effectively managing documents, systems, and email. Discover what to consider when choosing:

  • Document management software
  • Practice management software
  • Your own self-created document management system

Presented By:

Bryan Sims
Sims Law Firm Ltd.

 

What You Should Know Before You Go - Leaving the Firm

Making a career change inevitably triggers a slew of matters that need to be quickly wrapped up, but it’s important that your ethical obligations don’t get lost in the shuffle. In this session, prepare for a smooth transition by reviewing The Rules of Confidentiality and how to:

  • Check for any potential client conflicts
  • Handle and hand off trust accounts and files
  • Give appropriate and ethical notice to clients

Presented By:

Aviva Meridian Kaiser
State Bar of Wisconsin

Christopher C. Shattuck
State Bar of Wisconsin

 


3:15 p.m. - 3:40 p.m.

Refreshment Break – visit the Legal Expo and get your passport signed to be entered to win great prizes!

3:40 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Offer Strong: 5 Tips for Drafting an Offer to Purchase with Teeth

It’s a real estate lawyer’s worst nightmare: the deal that looked completely solid suddenly falls through and the client asks “what can we do?” This session will teach you techniques for drafting a solid WB-11—one that gives you and your clients as much peace of mind as possible. You’ll learn:

  • Tips for drafting contingencies that minimize wiggle room to back out
  • The clauses that help obtain a money judgment against defaulting buyers
  • Strategies for presenting non-standard clauses

Presented By:

Alexander L. Ullenberg
Ullenberg Law Offices, S.C.

 

Project Management for Law Firms

Most businesses have a process in place for when a big (or small) project comes their way, so they can hit the ground running. Why don’t lawyers? In this session, you will learn how to work smarter, not harder. Take your law firm to the next level by learning project management tips for:

  • Case management
  • Increased capacity
  • Resource planning

Presented By:

Jeffrey M. Glazer
Ogden, Glazer + Schaefer LLC

 

The Frugal Lawyer's Guide to Information Security

Is cost or complexity holding you back from implementing a security plan in your law practice? In this session, you’ll discover simple, cost-effective steps that will dramatically increase the security of your firm’s information. Learn the basics for protecting your firm from:

  • Ransomware
  • Hacking
  • Data breaches
  • Data loss

Presented By:

Brent J. Hoeft
FirmLock Consulting LLC

 

To Hire or To Fire: Ethical Concerns

Every business experiences employee turnover, but for attorneys, wrongfully handling hiring and termination matters can lead to ethical missteps and malpractice suits. In this session, we’ll review the appropriate circumstances in which a firm can consider hiring or firing additional staff. Review your rights as an employer, learn how to avoid violating employees’ rights, and receive practical guidance on:

  • How to give proper notice
  • The circumstances in which you should start a search to replace current staff
  • The limitations on an employer’s right to terminate
  • Potential ethical, malpractice, and employment law issues

Presented By:

Thomas J. Watson (Moderator)
Wisconsin Lawyers Mutual Insurance Co.

Brian C. Anderson
Wisconsin Lawyers Mutual Insurance Co.

Aviva Meridian Kaiser
State Bar of Wisconsin

Jennifer S. Mirus
Boardman & Clark LLC

 


4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Attendee Reception in the Legal Expo

Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine, and soda compliments of WILMIC and West Bend Mutual Insurance. Cash bar also available.

 


6:00 p.m.

Dinner - Choose Your Own Adventure!


 Friday, October 25, 2019 

7:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.

Legal Expo is Open - Today is your last chance to meet with companies that can help your practice.

7:45 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Conference Registration - Be sure to sign in each day!

7:45 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.

Deluxe Continental Breakfast

8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

Informational Session – New State Bar of Wisconsin Member Benefit: competitively-priced health insurance for firms with 2+ employees

8:45 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

Plenary: Houdini’s Greatest Secret: Unlocking a Path to Personal and Organizational Success (1.5 LAU)

This unique keynote presentation will employ actual magic tricks to disclose amazing secrets about the Wisconsin-raised master magician, Harry Houdini. By observing how Houdini approached his “greatest physical and mental challenge”—an escape in full view from a real hospital straitjacket—you’ll be inspired to set (and break through) your own seemingly impossible goals. You’ll come away with:

  • New techniques for dealing with problems, fears, challenges and change
  • Specific tips for achieving success in your professional and personal life

Presented By:

Michael Brandwein
 


10:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Refreshment Break - Last chance to visit the Legal Expo and get your passport signed to enter to win great prizes!

10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

The Great Debate: Lawyers and Immigration

As lawyers, we understand the rule of law, due process, and the roles of the government. Or do we? In the midst of a heated national debate between our three branches of government, it can be easy to forget that America’s immigration system is built on a venerable web of laws. This session will help you separate policy from politics—and law from lore—and provide:

  • An overview of the issues impacting immigrant clients/li>
  • Tips for avoiding political landmines when immigration-related issues arise in your practice
  • How to use your legal skills to help achieve a just outcome

Presented By:

Reid F. Trautz
American Immigration Lawyers Association

 

Way More than 50 Tips

A recurring favorite, this popular session on life hacks is back and in a newly expanded 75-minute slot. Presented in rapid-fire format, you’ll learn technology and practice management tips that will promise to change your life. You will:

  • Learn 50+ tips for achieving greater efficiency at work
  • Get things done smarter, faster, and maybe even cheaper

Presented By:

Brett Burney
Burney Consultants LLC

Brent J. Hoeft
FirmLock Consulting LLC

Jeffrey S. Krause
Affinity Consulting Group

Nerino J. Petro, Jr.
The Erickson Group

Bryan Sims
Sims Law Firm Ltd.

Christopher C. Shattuck
State Bar of Wisconsin

 

Practical Guide to Implementing Encryption and Security on Your Technology

When transmitting sensitive and confidential client and case details within devices, emails, documents, backups, and flash drives, you need methods and tools to ensure that the information you’re storing and sharing is only read by the intended party. Encryption and multi-factor authentication are valuable tools to ensure information makes it only to the right person, but how you do you actually enable them? In this session, we’ll demonstrate how to:

  • Identify the types of info that should only be shared in encrypted formats
  • Protect Microsoft files before sending (with technology you probably already have)
  • Send and receive encrypted email
  • Implement multi-factor authentication on downloaded apps
  • Encrypt and store your passwords
  • Uncover security blind spots
  • Properly “wipe” a device at the end of its life

Presented By:

Jeremy Cherny
Tobin Solutions Inc.

 

Technical Capabilities and Ethical Duties: Online Communication and the Rules of Professional Responsibility

The Duty of Competence doesn’t just involve possessing a substantive knowledge of law. It also necessitates that attorneys keep up with technology trends. In this session, you will:

  • Review how confidentiality affects lawyers’ technology usage
  • Learn how to safely transmit and dispose of confidential information
  • Identify ways to control risk in a small practice environment

Presented By:

Peyton B. Engel
Hurley Burish, S.C.

 


12:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.

Networking Lunch and Presentation of the 2019 Lederer Award

(Please indicate attendance when registering for the Conference) Luncheon sponsored by M3 Insurance and the Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section.

 
 


1:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.

Feeling lucky? Passport to prizes and exhibitor drawing winners will be announced in the Expo Hall

1:45 p.m. - 2:35 p.m.

There's No Place Like (Someone Else's) Home? Restrictions on Listing a Home for Vacation Rental

Are there limits to if or how often homeowners can rent out their homes on rental services like Airbnb or VRBO? Do neighbors have any legal means to prevent the house next door from becoming a vacation rental? In this dynamic point-counterpoint session, you’ll hear the case for both sides. Topics covered include:

  • Zoning and municipal restrictions
  • Necessary licenses and permits
  • The sanctity of land ownership
  • Insurance and liability considerations

Presented By:

Carol E. Krigbaum
Krigbaum Law LLC

Liz Tobolt
Liz Tobolt Law LLC

 

How to Speak so People Stay Awake and Do Not Hate You

An effective presentation motivates others to take positive action. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned presenter, this session will offer valuable techniques for how to create a more engaging, effective presentation— one that doesn’t simply involve commenting on dull PowerPoint slides. You will:

  • Learn exactly what to say to grab and hold any audience’s attention
  • Discover fool-proof tips for improving your existing presentations or for creating new ones
  • Identify and wipe out extremely common presentation blunders
  • Gain confidence in your public speaking abilities

Presented By:

Michael Brandwein
 

 

iMazing Presentations from Your iPad

From wirelessly driving a PowerPoint presentation (while using speaker notes) to creating callouts and highlights on the fly in trial, an iPad can do it all and make you look poised at trial. This interactive session will show you exactly how to prepare your iPad for showtime. Bring your iPad and learn:

  • How to get files on and off your iPad
  • What apps and equipment you need to look flawless
  • Tips for creating an “iMazing” presentation

Presented By:

Brett Burney
Burney Consultants LLC

 

In Case of Emergency, Put Your Mask On First

Between balancing the needs of clients, running a firm, taking care of family, and maintaining friendships, solo and small firm lawyers often have the weight of the world on their shoulders. While well-being is an indispensable part of a lawyer’s duty of competence, many busy attorneys often put their health last. Attend this session to hear first-hand experiences of attorneys who’ve corrected course. You’ll gain:

  • Tips for getting your groove back (No meditation required)
  • Perspective on what behaviors may be unhealthy
  • Strategies for expressing concern about a colleague
  • A lawyer well-being toolkit, including an action plan for a healthy workplace

Presented By:

Nicholas E. Fairweather
Hawks Quindel, S.C.

Comm. Daniel P. Murray
Daniel P. Murray Attorney at Law

Allison M. Ritter
Ritter Law Office LLP

Mary Spranger
State Bar of Wisconsin

 


2:50 p.m. - 3:40 p.m.

Thinking About Adding Public Defender Appointments to Your Practice? What You Need to Know as Private Bar Counsel

In some northern Wisconsin counties, it can take up to 24 days for the State Public Defender’s Office to appoint an attorney for indigent defendants. This session will explore if, when, how, and why attorneys can (or should) accept these appointments. Receive the latest update and analysis of a recent lawsuit filed against the State Public Defender’s Office and review:

  • The appointment process
  • What you need to know to competently represent indigent individuals
  • What to consider if criminal law is not currently part of your practice
  • The personal and professional benefits of taking appointments

Presented By:

Blake Gross
Haukaas Law Office, S.C.

H. Craig Haukaas
Haukaas Law Office, S.C.

Kenneth W. Ryder, III
Haukaas Law Office, S.C.

 

Motivating Communication: How to Get People to Talk More about What Matters Most

What clients and others don't tell you can really hurt, especially when you find out too late. This one-of-a-kind session will help you and your colleagues reduce unproductive behaviors like problem avoidance and whining, and teach you techniques for modeling open, full, and prompt communication. You will learn:

  • Four direct steps for encouraging direct communication
  • Positive problem-solving techniques
  • Barriers that interfere with healthy communication and how to eliminate them

Presented By:

Michael Brandwein
 

 

Getting the Most from Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Outlook can be an effective email communications tool, but gaining and keeping control over your inbox can sometimes seem futile. This session will bring you closer to that elusive state of email nirvana by demonstrating:

  • Strategies and techniques for powering through a cluttered inbox
  • Outlook’s helpful email features, security settings, and add-ins

Presented By:

Nerino J. Petro, Jr.
The Erickson Group

Bryan Sims
Sims Law Firm Ltd.

Reid F. Trautz
American Immigration Lawyers Association

 

Becoming a Happy Lawyer Without Finding Work-Life Balance

Traditional tips for managing work-life balance are not practical for the practicing attorney. Log out of your email and clients call the office to see if you are ignoring them. Take a day off and suddenly you’re behind on filing an emergency motion. In this session, you’ll learn why achieving work-life balance isn’t always realistic, but also, how acknowledging that reality can help you live your best life. This session will explore:

  • Why the traditional “5-steps to work-life balance” doesn’t work
  • Why the constant search for work-life balance is making you unhappy
  • How embracing the realities of private practice leads to greater happiness

Presented By:

Deanne M. Koll
Bakke Norman, S.C.

 


3:55 p.m. - 4:55 p.m.

Plenary: Gadgets, Gizmos, and Widgets (1.0 LPM)

Back by popular demand, this session will give you technological tips to improve your law practice so you can de-stress and enjoy life more. You will learn:

  • Tips for getting more from your favorite gadgets and office equipment
  • New gizmos that can streamline your work processes

Presented By:

Brett Burney
Burney Consultants LLC

Nerino J. Petro
The Erickson Group

Bryan Sims
Simds Law Firm Ltd.


5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Hospitality Suite – Enjoy wine and refreshments
 
 


 Saturday, October 26, 2019 

7:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.

Conference Registration – Be sure to sign in each day!

7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.

Continental Breakfast

7:30 a.m. - 8:20 a.m.

Plenary: Substantive Law at Sunrise

Whether you have a specific or general law practice, you still need to be familiar with a range of substantive law issues. This rapid-fire primer will familiarize you with practice areas that every solo practitioner should know about. You’ll learn:

  • What’s new in real estate, bankruptcy, family law, intellectual property, and criminal defense
  • How to refer clients with needs outside your practice
  • Confidence-building tips for adding a new practice area

Presented By:

Kate Knowlton
Knowlton Law Group LLC

J. David Krekeler
Krekeler Strother, S.C.

Sarah L. Ruffi
Ruffi Law Offices, S.C.

Anne Wal
von Briesen & Roper SC

Michael Seung-Hyock Yang
MY Law Office LLC


8:30 a.m. - 9:20 a.m.

Advising Small Businesses Regarding Tax Liability

The past year has brought big changes for small businesses regarding tax liability. The Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA) made significant changes to the corporate income tax and taxes on pass-through businesses, including S-Corporations. Meanwhile, a recent Supreme Court decision held that states can tax remote (online) sales. This session will address:

  • Practical implications of the TCJA for small service corporations
  • Guidance for how to efficiently comply and minimize tax liability
  • Limits that law firms face in taking advantage of the new deduction
  • Planning for state sales tax for online sales

Presented By:

Alison E. Helland
Boardman & Clark LLP

Douglas A. Pessefall
Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, S.C.

 

Promoting Diversity Through Special Business Designations

Obtaining certification or representing clients designated as a Minority Business Enterprise, Women-Owned Business Enterprise, or Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise can increase a business’s competitive advantage. This session will offer insights on:

  • The steps to obtaining a minority-owned business designation
  • How MBE-certified businesses positively impact individuals and communities
  • The economic advantages of seeking certification

Presented By:

Emery K. Harlan
MWH Law Group LLP

Michael Seung-Hyock Yang
MY Law Office LLC

 

The Amazing Value of Video Conferencing

From one-to-one conference calls to multi-party settlement conferences, the use of video is more useful than ever before. Yet, while video technology opens up a world of possibilities for both small and large law firms, many lawyers report still feeling uncomfortable using video. Others lament that web conversations lack human connection and aren’t “real” meetings. This session will help you become more confident in your skills by covering:

  • The benefits of digital discussions
  • What tools to use
  • Confidentiality and security concerns
  • Tips and ideas to be your best

Presented By:

Nerino J. Petro, Jr.
The Erickson Group

Reid F. Trautz
American Immigration Lawyers Association

 

Protecting Client Information - How to Win When Fighting Technology

This session will explore the risks of digitally communicating with clients and offer techniques for how to safely transmit information in the 21st century. You will:

  • Review your obligations under the Duty of Competence
  • Explore ways to protect client information
  • Discuss proper usage of social media
  • Learn what technology traps to avoid

Presented By:

Dean R. Dietrich
Dietrich VanderWaal Law Group, S.C.

 


9:20 a.m. - 9:50 a.m.

Break/Hotel Check-out

9:50 a.m. - 10:40 a.m.

Blockchain and Smart Contracts

“Blockchain” and “smart contracts” used to be futuristic buzzwords, but nowadays, businesses are regularly employing blockchain-powered, self-executing contracts or “smart contract technology.” These technologies have the potential to bring massive transactional efficiencies to every aspect of transactional and commercial life, in all industries, across the globe. In this session, you’ll learn:

  • What blockchain, artificial intelligence, and smart contracts are
  • How these new technologies are deployed
  • What legal issues you should be aware of when working with clients using these technologies

Presented By:

Jeffrey M. Glazer
UW Law & Entrepreneur Clinic

 

Check Your Attitude, Win Your Case

Get ready for a fast paced, interactive workshop that will empower you and your clients to view life events in a whole new way. Learn how to view the circumstances in your clients’ cases as neutral, so you can diffuse negative energy and tension that keeps you from developing a strong strategy. Build a strong case and drive your desired outcome by learning how to:

  • Take ownership of how your attitude affects a situation’s results
  • Define the goal of representation
  • Refocus your perspective
  • Move towards your goal with a clear-head and confident attitude

Presented By:

Sarah L. Ruffi
Ruffi Law Offices, S.C.

 

Ask the Tech Guys: Law Firm Technology Workshop

Do you want to implement more technology into your law practice, but don't know where to start? Do you have questions on what tools are available, or how to implement options you’ve already found? During this session, you will:

  • Get recommendations for tech tools for solo and small law firms
  • Find out what tools may be a good match for your tech ability
  • Learn the best ways to start implementing new tools into your practice
  • Have the opportunity to ask all of your lingering tech questions

Presented By:

Brent J. Hoeft
FirmLock Consulting LLC

Christopher C. Shattuck
State Bar of Wisconsin

 

Ins and Outs of (In)Active Practice in Wisconsin

Only active and emeritus State Bar members may practice law in Wisconsin. This session will cover best practices for lawyers who are looking to take a timeout from practice or assume a non-attorney career role. We’ll explore the quasi-legal roles an inactive Wisconsin lawyer can participate in that don’t require reactivating membership, how to reframe your communication to avoid inadvertently giving legal advice, as well as how to position yourself to re-enter practice. Learn how to:

  • Assess whether to go inactive
  • Prepare your clients (and your files) for the transition
  • Rephrase business communication so it’s not mistaken for legal advice
  • Return to active practice after a hiatus, sabbatical, or extended medical leave

Presented By:

Scott E. Mickelson
Total Administrative Services Corporation

 


10:50 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Plenary: The Fine Art of Getting Paid... Ethically ​(1.5 EPR)

For many lawyers, recording time, billing clients, and getting paid is the worst part of running a practice. This session will help you improve your processes, so you can boost your client relationships and capture more of what you’ve earned! You will learn how to:

  • Create an ethical and profitable representation agreement
  • Set fees for your clients
  • Avert ethical and financial troubles
  • Avoid accounts receivable

Presented By:

Reid F. Trautz
American Immigration Lawyers Association

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Contact Us

General Info:
Barbara Moddes
bmoddes@wisbar.org
(800) 444-9404 ext. 6157
(608) 250-6157
Exhibitors/Sponsors:
Karen Richter
krichter@wisbar.org
(800) 444-9404 ext. 6132
(608) 250-6132