Sailing the Stormy Seas, Trial Techniques for the Modern Lawyer

Thursday, August 15, 2024

4:00-5:30PM               MDLA Board Meeting                                   

5:30 – 6:30 PM           Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Welcome Reception (open to all)

DECC, Harbor Side Ballroom (Second Floor)

Join us as we kick off another great seminar and meet our law school attendees in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.  Drinks and light appetizers will be served. 

6:45-9:00PM               President’s Reception and Dinner (by invitation only) 

Kitchi Gammi Club, 831 Superior Street, Duluth

6:45-9:00PM               Dine Arounds (open to all; attendees are responsible for their own costs)  

Get to know fellow TTS attendees in a causal dining setting.  Choose one of Canal Park’s most popular options and sign up at the links below.  While it is free to sign up, please note that you are responsible for your own food and beverage.  Both restaurants are walkable to and from the DECC and The Inn on Lake Superior. 

Little Angie’s Cantina, 11 East Buchanan St, Duluth, MN 55802 

Bellisio’s Italian Restaurant, 405 S Lake Ave, Duluth, MN 55802 

Sign-up link:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0E49ADA829ABF49-49521689-mdla

Friday, August 16, 2024

ALL DAY         Registration & Donations Accepted for Companies to Classrooms 

Help MDLA make an impact in the Duluth community!  Companies to Classrooms (C2C) is a Duluth-based all-volunteer run nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting students and educators by providing classroom supplies free of charge. 

Monetary donations can be made online: https://tinyurl.com/bmu375xb

If you prefer to buy supplies, most-needed items are listed here:  https://www.c2cduluth.org/_files/ugd/4a23a6_2dbf2e95e7bd42a8951ecf4762443be0.pdf  School supply donations can be made in-person or bought via this Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3EN5JAH7RXPXU?ref_=wl_share

8:00-8:45AM              Breakfast and Exhibit Visits DECC

8:30-8:45AM              Welcome, Announcements, and Sponsor Recognition

                                    Elizabeth Sorenson Brotten, Foley Mansfield

8:45-9:45AM              The Do’s and Don’ts Jury Selection

This interactive session will help you develop and employ a strategic approach to jury selection.  A senior consultant in litigation strategy, jury research, and trial consulting, and an experienced trial attorney will share best practices for identifying topics to explore with the venire, utilizing a supplemental juror questionnaire, following up during voir dire, using strikes effectively, navigating difficult members of the jury pool, and more. 

Presenters: Janet Stellpflug, Ropers Majeski & Hailey Drescher, Trask Consulting

9:45-10:45AM            Safety-ism, Conspiracy-ism, and the Conservative Juror

The rise in nuclear verdicts has prompted many studies on the psychology of our jury pools to identify key themes that attempt to manipulate jurors. Two main psychological techniques (Safety-ism and Conspiracy-ism) have been used to develop compelling arguments that cause jurors at both ends of the political spectrum to act. In this session, we will discuss the science behind both themes, the studies that support their impact on jurors, and how counsel can proactively work to prevent themes from developing in litigation and at trial.

Presenters: Nick Polavin, IMS Consulting & Nick Rauch, Larson King

10:45-10:55AM          Break & Visit Exhibitors

10:55-11:55AM          The Ethics of Trial

Presenters: Christine Chambers, Arthur Chapman & Paul J. Rocheford, Arthur Chapman

12:00-1:15PM             MDLA Annual Meeting Lunch and Awards 

1:15-1:30PM               Sponsor Recognition

1:30-2:30PM               Using Your Experts to Win at Trial  

Expert witnesses can make or break your case.  Testimony from a skilled expert is essential to help a jury understand complex issues in a case.  Hear from an experienced products liability trial attorney how an expert can mean the difference between winning and losing a case!

Presenters: Dave Dahlmeier, Bassford Remele & Duane Wolf, Wolf Engineering

2:30-3:30PM               Wellness -  Rethink the Way You Think About Practicing Law

As a lawyer, being too busy is often a source of pride.  And for all the talk about work-life balance, how can that lawyers actually take actions that provide more balance?  Does success have to mean we have too much to do, too much stress, and not enough open discussion about how it affects our well-being? The next generation wants to practice law differently – and perhaps they’re thinking about it in a more healthy way? This session will foster an open discussion about how we can all do it better, including tips and strategies to find your legal “zen”.

Presenter: DRI Representative, Lana Alcorn Olson, Lightfoot, Franklin & White, Birmingham, AL

3:30-6:00PM               Afternoon Free Time

After a morning of learning from the best of Minnesota’s trial attorneys, enjoy an afternoon stroll on the shores of Lake Superior, shopping in Canal Park, a visit to Vikre Distillery, Canal Park Brewing, or Hoops Brewing, or a tour at historic Glensheen Mansion.  Just don’t be late for boarding the Vista Fleet!

7:00-9:00PM               All Aboard!  Lake Superior Cruise 

(open to all attendees and family members/guests with paid registration - guest fees not included in registration)

Enjoy a dinner cruise on beautiful Lake Superior, enjoy viewing of the Lift Bridge, Duluth Harbor, and the beautiful north shore.  While this event is open to all attendees and guests, paid registration is required for guests. 

Saturday, August 17, 2024

8:00-11:50AM            Registration & Donations Accepted for Companies to Classrooms 

Help MDLA make an impact in the Duluth community!  Companies to Classrooms (C2C) is a Duluth-based all-volunteer run nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting students and educators by providing classroom supplies free of charge. 

Monetary donations can be made online: https://tinyurl.com/bmu375xb

If you prefer to buy supplies, most-needed items are listed here:  https://www.c2cduluth.org/_files/ugd/4a23a6_2dbf2e95e7bd42a8951ecf4762443be0.pdf   School supply donations can be made in-person or bought via this Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3EN5JAH7RXPXU?ref_=wl_share

8:00-8:30AM              Breakfast and Exhibit Visits

8:30-8:40AM              Welcome, Announcements, and Sponsor Recognition

Elizabeth Sorenson Brotten, Foley Mansfield

8:40-9:40AM              Direct and Cross-Examination at Trial

Learn the essentials of preparation of your witnesses, and key strategies for direct and cross-examination of fact witnesses at trial. 

Presenter: Mark Fredrickson, Lind Jensen Sullivan & Peterson

9:40-10:40AM             Pivoting at Trial: New Rule of Evidence 107, Closings, Jury Polling, and Adapting

A successful outcome at trial can depend on the attorney’s ability to pivot when the unexpected happens.  This session will analyze how an attorney can successfully pivot mid-trial and incorporate juror feedback to improve for the future. 

Presenter: Stephanie Angolkar, Iverson Reuvers

10:40-10:50AM          Break & Visit Exhibitors

10:50-11:40AM          Preserving the Record for Appeal 

A good appeal can be lost due to a failure to preserve the record.  This session will explore how best to preserve issues for appellate review and which issues have a greater chance of reversal.

Presenter: Mark Bradford, Bradford Andresen Norrie & Camarotto

11:40-11:45AM           Closing Remarks, Elizabeth Sorenson Brotten, Foley Mansfield

HOTEL INFORMATION

The Inn on Lake Superior

218-726-1111
https://innonlakesuperior.com/
Cut off Date: July 16, 2024 or until room block is exhausted, whichever comes first
Rate: $239 - $329 – Lakeview  – Bridgeview/Pool view - Cityveiw
*Rate dependent on type of room reserved.
**please mention the MDLA Trial Techniques Seminar Block to receive the discounted rate

Overrun Hotel - The Suites Hotel 
218-727-4663
https://www.thesuitesduluth.com/
Cut off Date: July 24, 2024 or until room block is exhausted, whichever comes first
Rate: $200 – $345.00 Studio Suite – 1 Bedroom Suite  – 2 Bedroom Suite

Guests will have to call the hotel directly at 218.727.4663 asking for the “MN Defense Lawyers Association” group block.  

Registration Rates

Conference Registration includes: Friday & Saturday CLE Sessions, Friday & Saturday  Breakfast. Friday Annual Meeting Lunch, Friday Evening Cruise and Breaks and beverages during the conference.

Member - $450 (includes 1 Friday Evening Cruise ticket)

Non-Member - $575 (includes 1 Friday Evening Cruise ticket)

In-House - $350 (includes 1 Friday Evening Cruise ticket)

Judge - $250 (includes 1 Friday Evening Cruise  ticket)

Annual Meeting Lunch Only - $50

Attendee Cancellation

To receive a registration refund, less a $25 processing fee, all cancellations must be received via the online form found at https://www.mdla.org/page/refund-request-form by January 6, 2024 by 11:59 p.m. U.S. Central Time. No refunds will be granted thereafter. No-shows will not be refunded. Registrations can be transferred to another person within your organization with the same membership status by contacting  info@mdla.org or 612-750-8606. 

Conference Modification or Cancellation

MDLA reserves the right to modify the course’s schedule or program as necessary without notice. MDLA also reserves the right to cancel this Event, in which case a full refund of the registration fee will be provided. We are unable to refund any travel costs (flight, hotel, etc.) in the case of MDLA cancellation.

View Full Registration Agreement 

Data Privacy/GDPR

We host events throughout the year, including our annual conference, webinars, and trainings (collectively "events"). If you are a member and register for one of our events, we will access the information in your member account to provide you with information and services associated with the event. If you are not a member and you register for one of our events, we will collect your name and contact information, which we will store in our database and use to provide you with information and services associated with the event. If you are a presenter at one of our events, we will collect information about you including your name, employer and contact information, and photograph, and we may also collect information provided by event attendees who evaluated your performance as a presenter. As an attendee, speaker, or sponsor/exhibitor, we will keep a record of your participation to provide you with post-event information including details on upcoming events you may be interested in. Your contact information may be shared via an event mobile app or attendee list as part of your participation in the event. Your hotel reservation information may be shared between MDLA and the hotel.

PCI Compliance

Please do not email forms with credit card information. To protect your data and to comply with PCI standards, the MDLA office will not accept emailed credit card information.

Photo/Audio/Video Release

Registration for or attendance at this event acknowledges consent to be recorded or photographed. We reserve the right to use any photograph/video taken at our events, without the expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video. We may use the photograph/video in publications or other media material produced, used or contracted including but not limited to: brochures, invitations, books, newspapers, magazines, television, websites, etc. To ensure the privacy of individuals, images will not be identified using full names or personal identifying information without written approval from the photographed subject.