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Practical Skills - Basic Tort & Insurance Law Practice

- Location -
New York State Nurses Association
11 Cornell Road
Latham, NY 12110
(518) 782-9400

6.5 total credits (5.5 skills; 1.0 ethics)
This course has been approved for MCLE credit in New York for all attorneys, including newly admitted (less than 24 months). 

Co-sponsored by Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section, General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section
and the Committee on Continuing Legal Education of the New York State Bar Association

BY ATTENDING THIS PROGRAM YOU WILL:

• Learn about issues that arise while litigating cases involving bodily injury under various circumstances
• Gain a general overview of substantive law relating to bodily injury litigation
• Hear from experienced litigators regarding insurance issues as they relate to claims
• Hear discussion about liens and subrogation
• Earn skills credits

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This full-day practical skills program is designed for the newly-admitted general practitioner, as well as the more experienced attorney, who is interested in learning or reviewing the issues confronting those who litigate cases involving bodily injury, whether incurred in an automobile accident, an accident at commercial or personal premises, or on a sidewalk. In addition to providing a general overview of substantive law relative to bodily injury litigation, the local faculties, comprised of experienced litigators, will also address recurring insurance issues as they relate to the specific claims and will address the topic of liens and subrogation, including the recent amendment to General Obligations Law and the new Medicare set aside legislation.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

• Newly admitted attorneys interested in learning or reviewing the issues confronting those who litigate personal injury cases
• Experienced attorneys interested in learning or reviewing the issues confronting those who litigate personal injury cases

AGENDA

9:00-9:05    INTRODUCTION

9:05-9:55
1. THE FUNDAMENTALS OF A CIVIL LAWSUIT
 A. The Plaintiff's Perspective – Identifying Necessary Parties and Causes of Action
 B. The Defendant's Perspective – Affirmative Defenses, Discovery and Motion Practice
 C. E-Discovery, Litigation Holds and Social Media

9:55-11:10
2. INSURANCE COVERAGE FUNDAMENTALS – OVERVIEW
 A. Policy Fundamentals – Understanding the Basics
 B. Notice, Tenders Disclaimer of Coverage, Reservation of Rights – What You Must Know
 C. Common Coverage Issues in Premises Claims
 D. Update of Relevant Caselaw

11:10-11:20    BREAK

11:20-12:10 
3. PREMISES LIABILITY CLAIMS – OVERVIEW
 A. General Principles from Plaintiff’s and Defendant’s Perspectives
 B. Notice of Defect
 C. Proof of Prior Accidents
 D. Creation of a Condition
 E. Recent Caselaw

12:10-1:10    LUNCH (on your own)

1:10-2:00
4. AUTO INSURANCE COVERAGE
 A. Identifying Sources of Coverage
 B. Supplementary Uninsured Motorist (SUM), Mandatory Uninsured and No-Fault Coverage
 C. Priority of Coverage – Issues and Analysis

2:00-2:50
5. TIPS FOR SETTLING A CIVIL LAWSUIT ETHICALLY
 A. Liens: Workers Compensation, No Fault
 B. GOL 5-335—The New Subrogation Legislation
 C. Medicare Set Aside 

2:50-3:00    BREAK

3:00-3:50
6. PRACTICAL TIPS FROM THE PLAINTIFF AND DEFENSE BAR IN EVALUATING, NEGOTIATING AND SETTLING A CIVIL LAWSUIT – THE ROLE OF THE JUDGE AND/OR MEDIATOR
A panel consisting of plaintiff and defendant with mediator/judge will provide practical tips based upon real life experience for handling a civil lawsuit.

3:50-4:00    QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

4:00    ADJOURNMENT

PROGRAM FACULTY

Overall Planning Chairs

• Elizabeth A. Fitzpatrick, Esq., Lewis Johs Avallone Aviles, LLP, Melville, NY
• Mirna M. Santiago, Esq., White Fleischner & Fino, LLP, White Plains, NY

Local Panels (listed in order of appearance)

TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 2012

Long Island

Chair:  Elizabeth A. Fitzpatrick, Esq., Lewis Johs Avallone Aviles, LLP, Melville, NY

Panel: Edward J. Nitkewicz, Esq., The Sanders Firm, Mineola, NY * Elizabeth A. Fitzpatrick, Esq., Lewis Johs Avallone Aviles, LLP, Melville, NY * Michael P. Mezzacappa, Esq., Kaufman Borgeest & Ryan LLP, Valhalla, NY * Jonathan A. Dachs, Esq., Shayne, Dachs, Corker, Sauer & Dachs, LLP, Mineola, NY * Joseph A. Oliva, Esq., Goldberg Segalla LLP, White Plains, NY * Michael T. Colavecchio, Esq., Lewis Johs Avallone Aviles, LLP, Melville, NY * Robert Sack, Esq., Salenger Sack Schwartz & Kimmel LLP, Woodbury, NY * Hon. George J. Silver, Acting Supreme Court Justice, New York State Supreme Court - New York County - Civil Branch, New York, NY

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2012

Buffalo

Chair:  Audrey A. Seeley, Esq., Hurwitz & Fine, P.C., Buffalo, NY

Panel: Tiffany M. Kopacz, Esq., Chiacchia & Fleming, LLP, Hamburg, NY * Steven E. Peiper, Esq., Hurwitz & Fine, P.C., Buffalo, NY * Johanna M. Healy, Esq., Rupp, Baase, Pfalzgraf, Cunningham & Coppola LLC, Buffalo, NY * Kenneth A. Krajewski, Esq., Brown & Kelly, LLP, Buffalo, NY * James E. Morris, Esq., Law Offices of James Morris, Buffalo, NY * Michael Menard, Esq., Law Offices of Michael Menard, Hamburg, NY * Richard P. Weisbeck, Jr., Esq., Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria LLP, Buffalo, NY * Thomas J. Drury, Esq., Damon Morey LLP, Buffalo, NY

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

Albany

Chair:  Robert H. Coughlin, Jr., Esq., Flink Smith LLC, Albany, NY

Panel: Eugene Sarfoh, Esq., O'Connor O'Connor Bresee & First PC, Albany, NY * Carolyn B. George, Esq.,
Friedman, Hirschen & Miller, LLP, Albany, NY * Timothy J. Higgins, Esq., Lemire Johnson, LLC, Attorneys At Law, Malta, NY * Frank M. Putorti, Jr., Esq., Frank M. Putorti, Jr., PC, Schenectady, NY * Jason L. Shaw, Esq., Whiteman Osterman and Hanna LLP, Albany, NY * Robert H. Coughlin, Jr., Esq., Flink Smith LLC, Albany, NY * Hon. Leonard A. Weiss, McNamee, Lochner, Titus & Williams, P.C., Albany, NY

Westchester (Tarrytown)

Co-Chairs:  Mirna M. Santiago, Esq., White Fleischner & Fino, LLP, White Plains, NY * Robert J. Permutt, Esq., Nationwide Insurance Company, Elmsford, NY

Panel: Gary A. Cusano, Esq., The Law Office of Gary A. Cusano PC, Yorktown Heights, NY * Patti F. Potash, Esq., White Fleischner & Fino, LLP, White Plains, NY * Craig L. Rokuson, Esq., White Fleischner & Fino, LLP, New York, NY * Robert J. Permutt, Esq., Nationwide Insurance Company, Elmsford, NY * Mirna M. Santiago, Esq., White Fleischner & Fino, LLP, White Plains, NY * Eileen E. Buholtz, Esq., Connors & Corcoran, PLLC, Rochester, NY * Evan M. Goldberg, Esq., Trolman Glaser & Lichtman PC, New York, NY * R. Evon Idahosa, Esq., Furman Kornfeld & Brennan LLP, Elmsford, NY * Hon. William E. Sherwood, Former Supreme Court Justice, Stony Point, NY

FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 2012

New York City

Co-Chairs:  Mirna M. Santiago, Esq., White Fleischner & Fino, LLP, White Plains, NY * Robert J. Permutt, Esq., Nationwide Insurance Company, Elmsford, NY

Panel: Charles J. Siegel, Esq., Law Offices of Charles J. Siegel, New York, NY * Elizabeth A. Fitzpatrick, Esq., Lewis Johs Avallone Aviles, LLP, Melville, NY * Robert J. Permutt, Esq., Nationwide Insurance Company, Elmsford, NY * Mirna M. Santiago, Esq., White Fleischner & Fino, LLP, White Plains, NY * Emilio F. Grillo, Esq., Carroll McNulty & Kull LLC, New York, NY * James P. Delaney, Esq., O'Dwyer & Bernstien, New York, NY * Sheri Holland, Esq., White Fleishner & Fino, LLP, New York, NY * Robert T. Adams, Esq., NAM - National Arbitration and Mediation, New York, NY

PROGRAM LOCATIONS

TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 2012

Long Island (Melville)
Melville Marriott
1350 Old Walt Whitman Road
Melville, NY 11747
(631) 423-1600

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2012

Buffalo
Holiday Inn Amherst
1881 Niagara Falls Blvd.
Amherst, NY 14228
(716) 691-8181

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

Albany
New York State Nurses Association
11 Cornell Road
Latham, NY 12110
(518) 782-9400

Westchester (Tarrytown)
Westchester Marriott
670 White Plains Road
Tarrytown, NY 10591
(914) 631-2200

FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 2012

New York City
The New Yorker Hotel
481 Eighth Avenue @ 34th Street
New York, NY 10001
(212) 244-0719

MCLE CREDITS

6.5 TOTAL CREDITS
5.5 credit hours of skills; 1.0 of ethics
This basic-level course has been approved for MCLE credit in New York for all attorneys, including newly admitted (less than 24 months).

This program has also been approved for MCLE credit by the State Bar of California and the Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board for 4.5 credit hours of substantive law and 1.0 credit hour of ethics. All inquiries regarding MCLE credits may be directed to (518) 487-5606.

This course includes NO credit hours for the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements of New York and New Jersey CPAs. Sponsor numbers: New York: 000026; New Jersey: 20CE00099900. 

The New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Continuing Legal Education has been certified by the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board as an accredited provider of continuing legal education in the State of New York.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: PARTIAL CREDIT FOR PROGRAM SEGMENTS NOT ALLOWED. Under the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board Regulations and Guidelines, attendees at CLE programs cannot receive MCLE credit for a program segment unless they are present for the entire segment. Persons who arrive late, depart early, or are absent for any portion of the segment will not receive credit for that segment.

Directions

From the South/West Take Thruway to Exit 24 - Northway (I-87) Take the Northway (I-87 North) to Exit 6 Make left on to Rt. 7 (Troy-Schenectady Road) Follow approximately 2-3 miles, until you see Wendy's on your left Turn left at Wendy's onto British-American Blvd. Follow for ¼ mile to Cornell Road Make a Right onto Cornell NYS Nurses Association is 3rd driveway on right, before the cul-de-sac From the North Take the Northway (I-87) to Exit 6 Turn right onto Rt. 7 (Troy-Schenectady Road) Follow approximately 2-3 miles, until you see Wendy's on your left Turn left at Wendy's British-American Blvd. Follow for ¼ mile to Cornell Road Make a Right onto Cornell NYS Nurses Association is 3rd driveway on right, before the cul-de-sac From the East 1-90 to the end - follow signs to I-87 North Take Exit 6 Turn left onto Rt. 7 (Troy-Schenectady Road) Follow approximately 2-3 miles, until you see Wendy's on your left Turn left at Wendy's British-American Blvd. Follow for ¼ mile to Cornell Road Make a Right onto Cornell NYS Nurses Association is 3rd driveway on right, before the cul-de-sac PARKING IS NOT PERMITTED ON CORNELL ROAD, GRASSY AREAS OR IN EMERGENCY ZONES IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING.

The last day to pre-register online was June 13, 2012.

Members, please login to get member discounts.

Seminar
ALB-Registration	$165.00

Seminar
ALB-Registration	$265.00

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ALB-Registration	$60.00

Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities:
NYSBA welcomes participation by individuals with disabilities. NYSBA is committed to complying with all applicable laws that prohibit discrimination against individuals on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of its goods, services, programs, activities, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations. To request auxiliary aids or services or if you have any questions regarding accessibility, please contact Cindy O'Brien at 800-582-2452 or cobrien@nysba.org.