The holiday season is a time for family gatherings, open houses and events where many people get together to celebrate. Yet it is also a time to be mindful of the conditions that could result in an accident, injury and a potential lawsuit. Learn about the most common kinds of issues presented in premises liability cases from a panel of experts who represent both plaintiffs and defendants, including: The types of conditions that are actionable; Proof of actual and constructive notice; The most important things to worry about at depositions; When an expert witness might be necessary; Comparative fault; …and MORE

Faculty: Kimberly A. Schirripa, Lester Schwab Katz & Dwyer; Timothy Staines, NYC Law Department

Join NYCLA’s Justice Center for a discussion of the past and the future of the NYC Housing Court. what went right? What needs improvement? What can we expect in the future? Panel 1: Missteps and Milestones: In 1973, The Civil Court Act Section 110 created the Housing Court as a separate body. Since then, the Housing Court has grown ten-fold, adding judges, court attorneys and courthouses. It was also reformed, modernized and even shutdown during the COVID pandemic. What lessons can be learned from this history? Panel 2: Housing Court of the Future: Housing Court faces numerous challenges, including access to justice, language access, high volume filings, implementing “right to counsel,” among others. How will the Housing Court address these challenges? What should Housing Court look like in the future?

Faculty: Hon. Fern Fisher (Ret.), Special Assistant for Social Justice Initiatives to the Dean of Hofstra Law School, former Deputy Chief Administrative Judge, NYC Courts; Adriene Holder, Legal Aid; Hon. Sergio Jimenez, NYC Housing Court, Queens County; Jenny Laurie, Housing Court Answers; Andrew Scherer, New York Law School, Hon. Jack Stoller, Supervising Judge for the Housing Part of the Civil Court; Hon. Michael Weisberg, Housing Court, Bronx County

This all-day program will satisfy the 9 Skills and Ethics for 1st or 2nd year newly admitted attorneys in New York. John Cleese of Monty Python fame once said, “He who laughs most learns best.” This applies equally to learning how to persuade others in court. Learn the practical tips that will make you more effective, efficient and persuasive in court, as well as the ethical considerations you need to keep in mind. Topics range from the best deposition practices, ethical pitfalls to avoid in litigation, cross-examination techniques and how to avoid the dreaded bench slap. Topics include: Lying and the Law: Case studies of lawyers facing discipline for engaging in dishonest conduct Using humor to persuade: Law is about persuasion and persuasion involves educating someone — a judge, a jury — that you are right. Yet while humor may be important , you also need to follow certain rules for effective uses of humor and how to avoid disasters in court Deposition Do’s and Don’ts: Avoiding being an unethical or unprepared attorney during depositions Cross examination tips: Rules for killer cross examinations that can be learned from Vinny Gambini of My Coons Vinny fame. The greatest bench slaps and how to avoid them: Avoiding poor oral arguments, make sure you are clear, don’t argue — persuade, prepare, prioritize and know when to pivot.

Faculty: Joel Oster, Esq., litigator in private practice and public speaker, Comedian of Law

*Part of all-day BTG event Using a review of the ethics rules as well as case studies of lawyers facing discipline for engaging in dishonest conduct, understand the appropriate conduct for litigators from pre-trial motions to conducting depositions, selecting a jury, proper conduct in court … and MORE! Not only will you gain an understanding of what not to do, but you will also gain a new appreciation for acting in a professional manner.

Faculty: Joel Oster, Litigator in private practice and Comedian of Law.

*Part of all-day BTG event Law is about persuading others and persuasion involves educating someone, a court or the jury, that you are right. Litigation can be extremely stressful, so adding humor to your practice can be a great stress reliever. Yet there are rules for using humor in your practice. Hear effective and disastrous examples of the use of humor – and learn from the mistakes of your peers, as well as the rules for using humor in your practice: No inappropriate jokes Do not target vulnerable people Recognition/familiarity Self-deprecating jokes Absurdity Allow the Court to be the jokester Be yourself

Faculty: Joel Oster, Litigator in private practice and Comedian of Law.

*Part of all-day BTG event Understand what you need to do to conduct a deposition effectively, as well as conduct that is deemed unprofessional. Learn about the modern problem with unethical and unprepared depositions as well as the do’s and don’ts. Do’s include: Be prepared Own the deposition Use your documents Use an outline Use open ended questions Exhaust and drill down Use impeachment nuggets Object as to form Take breaks when needed Do read everything before signing Don’ts include: Don’t wing it Don’t be bullied Don’t use a script Don’t fail to get an answer Don’t use double negatives Don’t make improper objections Don’t agree to a stipulation without truly understanding it

Faculty: Joel Oster, Litigator in private practice and Comedian of Law.

*Part of all-day BTG event Understand the problems with modern cross examinations, such as poor questions which can hurt your case, and not understanding that the purpose should be to collect important points for you summation. Using examples from Vinny Gambini, from the movie My Cousin Vinny, you will learn the rules for killer cross-examinations such as: Keep it short and simple Lead the horse to water Be prepared Listen Don’t fight with the witness Be credible … and MORE

Faculty: Joel Oster, Litigator in private practice and Comedian of Law.

*Part of all-day BTG event Lawyers want to avoid receiving a slap from the bench and should act in a manner to avoid one at all costs. Hear examples of conduct that resulted in bench slaps, as well as tips from an experienced litigator on how to avoid them. Some of the topics to be discussed include: Examples of poor oral arguments, as well as great oral tips The need for clarity not complexity Don’t argue; learn to persuade Prepare Prioritize Learn to pivot Answer a question directly and then explain Proper decorum Be candid … and MORE!

Faculty: Joel Oster, Litigator in private practice and Comedian of Law.

Article 81 of the Mental Hygiene Law reequires that persons wishing to serve as Court Evaluators or Certified Guardians receive training approved by the Office of Court Administration (OCA). This approved training program covers all the topics required by OCA. Some of the issues to be discussed by our expert faculty include: Overview and Concepts of Article 81 Duties, Responsibilities and Ethics of the Guardian of the Person and Property Counsel to the Alleged Incapacitated Person Part 36 Rules of the Chief Judge The Court Evaluator: Duties, Responsibilities and Ethics A View from the Bench Forensic Accounting and Recovering Misappropriated Funds Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements: The Role of the Court Examiner Final Accountings from a Surrogate’s Court Practitioner’s Perspective

Faculty: Alison Arden Besunder, Goetz Fitzpatrick LLP; Laura M. Brancato, Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein & Breitstone, LLP; Steven R. Finkelstein, Finkelstein & Virga, PC; Meredith R. Jones, NYS Office of Court Administration, Special Counsel for Surrogate & Fiduciary Matters; Linda Redlisky, Rafferty & Redlisky;Frank Santoro, Farrell Fritz, PC; Hon. Lisa A. Sakaloff, New York County Supreme Court; Wendy Scheinberg, Rivkin Radler; Tzipora Zelmanowitz, Greenfield Stein & Senior, LLP