Kelly L. Centofanti
Centofanti Law, S.C.
Mequon
Ronald G. Pezze, Jr.
Otjen Law Firm, S.C.
Waukesha
Thomas J. Watson
Wisconsin Lawyers Mutual Insurance Co.
Madison
8:30 a.m. : Screening, Accepting and Signing Up Personal Injury Cases
- Initial client contact – screening, client interviews, CCAP and other research
- Eventual value vs. true potential for recovery
- Placing proper emphasis on damages vs. liability
- Keeping costs and time in proper proportion to value and risk
- Eventual fees vs. risk of loss
- Public duty and pro bono representation
Kelly L. Centofanti
9:00 a.m. : Case Intake and First Steps for Defense of Personal Injury Cases
- Defendant’s perspective: jury or non-jury considerations
- Expert witnesses for the defendant: medical, accident reconstruction, and damage experts
- Witness preparation: the defendant, fact witnesses, experts
- Presentation of evidence: theme of the case, liability
- Demonstrative evidence – direct evidence and visual aids
- Closing arguments
- Post-trial
Ronald G. Pezze, Jr.
9:30 a.m. : Pre-Suit Investigation
- Witness statements, record collection, physical evidence
- Finding coverage
- Will you need experts?
- Where to find them
- What if your expert doesn’t agree?
- Evaluation of the case: strengths, weaknesses, viability
- Case theme
- Do you need further investigation?
- Presenting a demand letter
- If and when a suit would be advisable
- The value of the case: how to find this information
- In a perfect world: what should be in the client’s file? (And what shouldn’t?)
Kelly L. Centofanti, Ronald G. Pezze, Jr.
10:00 a.m. : Statutes of Limitation, Notices of Claim/Injury, and Other Traps for the Unwary
- Requirements for government claims
- Traps to avoid in filing notices and claims
Kelly L. Centofanti
10:30 a.m. : Break
10:45 a.m. : Discovery – Formal and Informal
- General considerations
- Authorizations
- Interrogatories
- Depositions
- Preparing for your first deposition
- Dealing with the difficult witness
- Should you try to win the case? Or set it up for trial?
- Requests for Admission
Ronald G. Pezze, Jr.
11:30 a.m. :Subrogation/Section 102.29/ERISA/Medicare Set-Asides
- Collateral source rule
- Made whole rule
- Health insurance liens
Kelly L. Centofanti
12:00 p.m. : Lunch
1:00 p.m. : Mediation Overview
- Responsibilities of attorneys
- Responsibilities of mediators
- Payment for mediation
- Preparing the client
Matthew J. Kolodoski
1:15 p.m. : Preparing for Trial
- Pre-trial motions including motions in limine
- Scouting the courtroom for technology
- Jury instructions and verdict
- Preparing a trial notebook
- Jury selection
- Opening statement
- Presentation of evidence
- Direct examination of witnesses
- Cross examination of witnesses
- Proving specials
- Proving pain, suffering and disability
- Closing arguments
- Post-trial relief
Kelly L. Centofanti, Ronald G. Pezze, Jr.
3:15 p.m. : Break
3:30 p.m. : Ethics: Avoiding the PI Malpractice Claim
Thomas J. Watson
4:30 p.m. : Program Concludes
Following program start times, webcast replay schedule will vary slightly from above listed times.
- Receive step-by-step guidance through every stage of a personal injury case
- Explore substantive law and issues to be aware of before starting a personal injury practice
- Hear advice on client selection, pre-suit investigation, mediation, and trial preparation
- Understand both plaintiff and defense perspectives
- Discover how to avoid malpractice claims and maintain an ethical practice
- Walk away with sample documents, practical tips, and tools to help you stay better organized and more efficient
- Attorneys seeking to add personal injury to their practice
- Experienced personal injury lawyers seeking a refresher
- General practitioners
YLD Discount!
Young Lawyers Division members receive a $20 discount on tuition.* Discount applied automatically upon log-in.
*Young Lawyers Division Members are State Bar member attorneys 36 years of age or younger, or within five years of admission to the State Bar of Wisconsin. If you’ve opted out of YLD, you will not receive this discount. The $20 discount only applies to the live webcast and webcast replays, not CLE OnDemand. YLD members with Ultimate Passes, other CLE passes, or PINNACLE discounts are not eligible for this discount.
Book Sale – Save 20%!
Wisconsin Civil Litigation Forms Manual
Save 20% on Wisconsin Civil Litigation Forms Manual. Plus, all seminar attendees receive a free two-week trial of the Books UnBound® version.** Take command of the litigation process with annotated sample forms to help make litigation more understandable for novices and more efficient for experienced practitioners.
Use discount code CA3249 when you order online or by calling (800) 728-7788.
**Discount applies to both print and digital Books UnBound® editions of this title and cannot be applied to previous purchases. Offer valid as long as CLE credit is available for this program. For Books UnBound users, discount may be applied to purchase of individual Books UnBound title only and may not be used on purchase of full library.
The Build Your Practice Series from State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE® introduces you to the fundamentals of various practice areas. Gain the tools and information you need to develop a new area of practice and expand your firm's offerings. Build Your Practice Series programs are endorsed by the State Bar's Young Lawyers Division.