Paralegal Conference - 2024

Anatomy of a Trial

Every two years BASF has been honored to host a full day In-Person Conference. We hope you can join us.

8:30 - 9:30 a.m.  | MCLE Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:30 a.m.  | Opening Remarks

9:30 - 10:00 a.m.  | No MCLE provided.
Keynote Speaker

Judge Elaine Hammond
United State Bankruptcy Court
Ninth Circuit

10:00 - 10:30 a.m. | Refreshment Break and Exhibitors Hall

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | MCLE: 1 Hour of which 0.5 hour of Legal Ethics
Panel I: Reality Check - Protecting Record Integrity in the Age of AI
The administration of justice hinges on the accuracy of the record. Learn about the risks of utilizing digital audio recordings and AI in lieu of a licensed court reporter and how they may impact the integrity of the record and affect your case.

Topics

• The role of impartial, state-licensed Certified Shorthand Reporters (CSRs)
• Understanding voice writing and title protection post AB-156 (2022)
• Who or what is recording and transcribing the audio files of your deposition or trial?
• The differences between transcripts produced by licensed CSRs, audio transcriptionists, and AI

Mary Pierce CSR  Pantera Court Reporters	Jeff Cobb CEO Cobb and Company	Stefani Dawkins Adjunct Professor West Valley College	Stephanie Leslie CSR, CCRR Regal Court Reporting

12:00 - 1:15 p.m. | Lunch and Exhibitors Hall

During the Afternoon Programs focused on Concurrent Programming, please note that you will need to choose one option for each hour when registering.

1:15 - 2:30 p.m. | MCLE: 1 Hour
Panel II A: Breaching the Divide - Working Collaboratively During Trial Prep (PART I)
Family law trials can feel like a blend of civil procedure and pure chaos, but collaborating with your team and opposing counsel can benefit everyone. Learn effective strategies to work cooperatively with your team and the other side to make your trial prep silky smooth.

Topics

• Effective calendaring techniques
• Strategizing early and often with your attorney colleague
• Coordinating with opposing party and their staff
• Outlining your case

Karin L. Buckley Senior Paralegal Van Voorhis & Sosna	Robert Rathmell Hersh Family Law Practice

1:15 - 2:30 p.m. | MCLE: 1 Hour
Panel II B: The ABCs of ED Documentation and Discerning the Bias Within
With nearly 140 million emergency department visits yearly, ED medical records are a critical component of the medical record. Learn the basics of ED documentation as well as how bias may be presented within the medical record. 

Topics

• Learn the basics of Emergency Department documentation
• Learn how to identify bias in medical documentation
• Learn how to mitigate bias when found in documentation to provide objective reviews for the client

Marilyn McCullum, BSN, RN, CEN Bilingual Emergency Nursing Expert McCullum Legal

2:30 - 3:00 p.m. | Refreshment Break and Exhibitors Hall

3:00 - 4:15 p.m. | MCLE: 1 Hour
Panel III A:  Breaching the Divide - Working Collaboratively During Trial Prep (PART II)
Family law trials can feel like a blend of civil procedure and pure chaos, but collaborating with your team and opposing counsel can benefit everyone. Learn effective strategies to work cooperatively with your team and the other side to make your trial prep silky smooth.

Topics

• Effective calendaring techniques
• Strategizing early and often with your attorney colleague
• Coordinating with opposing party and their staff
• Outlining your case

Karin L. Buckley Senior Paralegal Van Voorhis & Sosna	Robert Rathmell Hersh Family Law Practice

3:00 - 4:15 p.m. | MCLE: 1 Hour
Panel III B: Anatomy of Criminal Adjudication - New Developments
Criminal defense Attorneys Daniel Portman and Avi Singh will present on the different stages of a criminal trial from arraignment to verdict/sentencing with a focus on new developments, including Code of Civil Procedure 231.7 and Penal Code section 745 (the Racial Justice Act).

This training will provide an overview of the criminal trial process from beginning to end with an emphasis on several recent reforms that dramatically change the nature of the criminal practice. This includes pretrial release updates, new options for mitigation with mental health and judicial diversion, how instances of implicit bias are treated during criminal process, the jury selection process, and post-verdict mitigation. The training will include case law updates and a practical discussion of working within these reforms.

Topics

• Stages of the Criminal Process from Arraignment to Sentencing
• Humphrey and Bail Reform
• The California Racial Justice Act
• Updates to Jury Selection with CCP 231.7
• New Laws Regarding Mental Health Diversion and Mitigation

Avanindar Singh Deputy Public Defender Office of the Public Defender for Santa Clara County	Daniel Portman Deputy Public Defender Office of the Public Defender for Santa Clara County

Section Chair
Amy Jo McGuigan, Swanson & McNamara

Planning Committee
Karin Buckley, Van Voorhis & Sosna; Ana Fatima Costa, West Valley College; Julie Hill; Erin Keller, KAYE•MOSER•HIERBAUM•FORD; Cynthia Montoya, Law Offices of James A. Gallo;
Javier Morelos, Hersh FamilyLaw; and Elizabeth Shimozaki, Ross Family Law

Thank You to Our Sponsors
(as of 10/7/24)

Platinum Sponsor


Silver Sponsor






Success Sponsor
Express Network

Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Email events@sfbar.org
For a printable sponsorship form, click here.

Event Code: G243505
For a printable flyer, click here.
For related events, click here. 

Cost (as of 9/23/24)

To Register

1. Sign in to your account, then select Register Myself at the bottom of the page.
   • Don't know your account information? Click Forgot username? or Forgot password? at the bottom right-hand corner.
   • Don't have an account? Select Create Account at the top right-hand corner.
   • Simply want to register for an event? Select Register for an Event at the bottom right-hand corner.
2. Select Proceed to Checkout to enter payment information, then Submit Order to complete the registration process.

Program Access
This is an in-Person program only.  Virtual access will not be available. Program recordings are not guaranteed and/or included with this registration, nor immediately accessible to registrants. Approved recordings of live programs are converted to On-Demand CLE Courses and available for separate purchase through a third-party library 30 business days after the live recording. 

For CLE events of 1.5 hours or less, Lunch & Learn programs, Happy Hours, Receptions, and Mixers, a refund is available if you submit your cancellation request at least 48 hours prior to the event. A $10 handling fee will deducted from your refund. Please complete the Event Cancellation Form.

For CLE events longer than 1.5 hours, and for special events such as conferences, symposiums, professional development training programs, a 50% refund is available if you cancel at least 10 business days prior to the event. Please complete the Event Cancellation Form.

If you are unable to attend, you may send a substitute. Please complete the Event Cancellation Form.

MCLE Notice
To receive MCLE credit, you must sign in during the designated MCLE registration period. This activity is approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of California. BASF is a certified provider: Provider #103

Accessibility
People with disabilities and/or special requests should contact BASF regarding reasonable accommodations.