From Start to Finish: Legal Issues, Case Management & Ethical Considerations from Case Initiation through Trial 2026

  • OnDemand seminar
  • MP3
  • Civil Litigation Law
Up to 4.5 Credit Hours
View schedule and faculty
From Start to Finish: Legal Issues, Case Management & Ethical Considerations from Case Initiation th

Tools for trial teams

When a trial date looms and deadlines close in, small missteps in case management can have outsized consequences. Litigation teams must manage increasing procedural demands while maintaining ethical clarity and strategic focus when the pressure is highest. Paralegals and new litigators play a central role in the development, management, and presentation of cases. Understanding how each phase of a case connects to the next is essential to keeping matters on track and supporting sound strategic decision-making.

9:30 am
Initiating Litigation

Victoria Karcher

  • Drafting complaints and understanding responsive pleadings
  • Service of process requirements
  • E filing procedures and best practices
  • Venue considerations and differences between state and federal court filings
10:00 am
Discovery Procedure – State and Federal Court

Corey Lorenz

  • Overview of rules governing discovery in Wisconsin state court and federal court
  • Review different discovery docs and methods - including interrogatories, requests for production, depositions, and 3rd party subpoenas
10:30 am
Working with Experts

Adam Fitzpatrick

  • Rules governing expert discovery in state vs. federal court
  • Identifying experts
  • Paralegal responsibilities in coordinating expert engagement
  • Preparing expert disclosures and reports
  • Managing communication and scheduling with experts
12:00 pm
Effective Case Management

Kelly Leibhan

  • Document management
  • Effective communication with clients, opposing counsel and the courts
  • Scheduling orders/deadlines
  • Obtaining records or other documents
12:15 pm
Trial Preparation and Courtroom Support

Jennifer L. Wiechec, Adam Fitzpatrick

  • Overview of trial preparation workflows
  • Using trial presentation software and technology
  • Organizing exhibits and witness lists
  • Paralegal roles during trial:
    • Assisting attorneys in real-time
    • Managing documents and evidence
  • Post-trial responsibilities and wrap-up tasks
12:30 pm
Initiating Litigation

Victoria Karcher

  • Drafting complaints and understanding responsive pleadings
  • Service of process requirements
  • E filing procedures and best practices
  • Venue considerations and differences between state and federal court filings
1:00 pm
Discovery Procedure – State and Federal Court

Corey Lorenz

  • Overview of rules governing discovery in Wisconsin state court and federal court
  • Review different discovery docs and methods - including interrogatories, requests for production, depositions, and 3rd party subpoenas
1:15 pm
Program Concludes
1:30 pm
Working with Experts

Adam Fitzpatrick

  • Rules governing expert discovery in state vs. federal court
  • Identifying experts
  • Paralegal responsibilities in coordinating expert engagement
  • Preparing expert disclosures and reports
  • Managing communication and scheduling with experts
2:00 pm
Break2:15 PM The Rules of Professional Conduct and Ethical Considerations for Paralegals

Corey Lorenz

  • Review of key ethical rules applicable to paralegals
  • Understanding paralegal obligations under attorney supervision
  • Common ethical pitfalls and how to avoid them
  • Hot topics in ethics:
    • Use of AI in legal practice
    • Confidentiality in digital communications
  • Practical scenarios and discus sion
3:15 pm
Trial Preparation and Courtroom Support

Jennifer L. Wiechec, Adam Fitzpatrick

  • Overview of trial preparation workflows
  • Using trial presentation software and technology
  • Organizing exhibits and witness lists
  • Paralegal roles during trial:
    • Assisting attorneys in real-time
    • Managing documents and evidence
  • Post-trial responsibilities and wrap-up tasks
4:15 pm
Program Concludes

Chair and Presenter

Corey G. Lorenz
Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C. · Madison

Presenters

Adam M. Fitzpatrick
Pitman Kalkoff Sicula & Dentice, S.C. · Milwaukee
Jennifer L. Wiechec
Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C. · Madison
Kelly Leibhan
Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C. · Kenosha
Victoria Karcher
Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C. · Wausau/Rhinelander

  • Manage litigation deadlines and workflows with greater confidence and consistency
  • Anticipate next steps in a case, reducing last-minute scrambles and preventable errors
  • Contribute to the trial team more effectively during discovery, expert coordination, and trial preparation
  • Maintain professional standards when handling emerging technologies and AI
  • Gain practical takeaways you can apply immediately to active cases
  • Reduce the risk of procedural errors that can delay or derail litigation
  • Enhance your ability to contribute strategically and demonstrate value to the litigation team
  • Paralegals
  • Attorneys new to litigation

Sponsored by

Interested in sponsoring this program? Find out more.