Category Archives: News

Mike Leonard is our latest Featured Speaker!

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22 May

Mike Leonard is our latest Featured Speaker!

Mike first spoke at one of our Wage & Hour Class Action seminar back in 2014 and has been back several times since then.  Mike is incredibly knowledgeable and thorough in his presentations and our attendees love him.

Recently, Mike spoke at our Mastering the Deposition seminar in Chicago in April and is also speaking at our annual Federal Court Boot Camp this week.  If you want to hear from this speaker and get his excellent tips you can get the audio version of this program here.

Mike Leonard
Leonard Meyer, LLP

Mike is a nationally recognized trial lawyer who has successfully tried to verdict a wide variety of cases in Federal and State courts across the country. He is a “go-to” trial lawyer who has represented individuals in single plaintiff actions; individuals and companies in class and collective actions; some of the nation’s and region’s largest corporations; and individuals in Federal and State criminal trials.

Mike has been recognized as a top trial lawyer and commercial and criminal litigator by the following: The National Trial Lawyers; America’s Best Attorneys; Super Lawyers; Leading Lawyers Network; American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys; and Crain’s Chicago Business.

Mike’s extraordinarily diverse practice has seen him successfully take to verdict cases ranging from securities fraud, employment discrimination, sexual harassment, breach of contract, ERISA, personal injury, and Federal and State criminal matters, among others.

Mike has also arbitrated a wide variety of cases, including international arbitration. Many of his cases have been the subject of national and local media attention, stirring recognition in publications ranging from the Wall Street Journal to the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times, Los Angeles Times, CBS News, Law 360, and Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.

Mike has a keen interest in the craft and science of trial practice, and he is a frequent lecturer on trial and litigation related subjects. He is an instructor in Northwestern School of Law’s prestigious trial practice program, where he has also coached some of its Mock Trial teams.

Bob Wilson is our Latest Featured Speaker!

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10 May

Bob Wilson is this week’s Featured Speaker at Pincus Pro Ed.  Bob has been speaking at our litigation programs since 2013.  We love having Bob at our programs because he is fun to work with, and provides stellar handouts and top-notch presentations.  Attendees frequently say great things about Bob, including:

“Bob is excellent.”

“Clear and concise.”

“Great to get tips from someone who is well-versed in this area.”

With reviews like this it is no wonder we keep asking Bob to come and present at our programs again and again.  Bob will be speaking at our 13th Annual Federal Court Boot Camp this Friday, May 12th in San Francisco, his fourth year in a row.  Don’t miss out on the opportunity to hear from this experienced professional.

 

Bob Wilson
Law Offices of Robert M. Wilson

Robert Wilson recently opened his own practice at the Law Offices of Robert M. Wilson.   His practice focuses on white collar criminal defense, professional negligence and complex business litigation in both state and federal court.  Mr. Wilson graduated from the University of Colorado in 1979, and received his J.D. from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in 1983.  Mr. Wilson has trial experience in both state and federal court, including complex white collar criminal matters.  He has appellate experience in the Fifth, Ninth, and Tenth Circuits and the Supreme Court of the United States.  The Chief Judge for the Eastern District of California recently appointed Mr. Wilson to serve as a Lawyer Representative to the Ninth Circuit.

From 1986 through 1993, Mr. Wilson practiced with Segal & Kirby, initially as an associate and later as a partner. In 1993, Mr. Wilson formed his own firm and continued to represent individuals and business clients targeted in criminal investigations, and collateral civil, regulatory and administrative actions. Mr. Wilson has a longstanding interest in technology and the internet, and was an Advisory Board member to FindLaw.com, a legal internet research portal which was eventually acquired by Thomson/West.

Prior to starting his own practice Bob was a member of Kimball & Wilson LLP as a partner and served as the Executive Director of Sacramento Child Advocates, Inc., a non-profit law firm which served the 3000-plus children in foster care in Sacramento County.

Wine Tasting to benefit the Rescue Train

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Aside from quality CLE, one of our passions at Pincus Pro Ed is the rights and welfare of companion animals.  The Rescue Train has joined forces with Silver Lake Wines to save the lives of pets.

On Saturday, June 10th you can save lives while tasting delicious wines.  From 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. enjoy wine and light appetizers.  Tickets are $40 at the door and all proceeds will benefit the Rescue Train.

You can pay at the door at 2395 Glendale Avenue, Los Angeles 90039.  To RSVP, and to get more information, go here.

Writs of Administrative Mandamus

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02 May

On April 20th we held the popular program Writs of Administrative Mandamus Demystified: A Step By Step Guide in Sacramento. We were fortunate enough to have an Administrative Law Judge on our panel to offer his view on Writs of Adminis. Hon. W. Jay Lee offered his best tip to attendees, he calls it the Three P’s.

Prepare!

Prepare!

Prepare!

Have a well prepared brief, know the agency specific laws and procedures, and understand that it is not all about you.

This popular program comes to Sacramento about once every two years. If you missed it you can still get a copy of the recording here. Judge Lee, along with the rest of fabulous panel, offer tips and insights on the process and procedure to bring a Writ of Administrative Mandamus.

The Originalist at the Pasadena Playhouse

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Join the Italian American Lawyers Association for a night of thought provoking entertainment. The Originalist, written by John Strand and Directed by Molly Smith, will be performed at the Pasadena Playhouse.

When a bright, liberal law school graduate embarks on a nerve-wracking clerkship with Justice Antonin Scalia, she discovers him to be both an infuriating sparring partner and an unexpected mentor. The Originalist looks into the complexities of one of the most polarizing Supreme Court Justices of all times. This powerful work portrays the passionate people risking heart and soul to defend their interpretation of the truth, and the constitution.

“Strand writes lively, fluid dialogue…Scalia, portrayed with terrific verve and snappy humor by Edward Gero.”  – The New York Times

“He (Gero) lands the laughs, delivers the gravitas and at every turn makes you believe this tantalizing man knows and feels American law down to his very bones.”  – The Washington Post

Performances will be held through May 7th. Right now you can save 35% on the performance being held this Saturday, April 29th and 20% on all other performances with coupon code IALA. Purchase tickets here. Attend the performance and stay for the post-show conversation with the Italian American Layers Association, moderated by Hon. George Schiavelli with Lydia Liberio, Greg Salvato, Valerie Granata and Ed Lindain.

Attendees are guaranteed to be entertained as well as enlightened!

Chicago Legal Aid Center Turns Three

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The Resource Center provides critical legal aid. The center is a firmly established part of the court and operates in partnership with Chicago Bar Foundation, the Circuit Court and two other legal aid organizations. Illinois JusticeCorps plays a critical role as well, helping 160,000 individuals. JusticeCorps volunteers make the court much less intimidating to individuals who do not have lawyers.

This network of assistance at

Great Witness Preparation Tips from our Mastering the Deposition program held last week in Chicago

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19 Apr

Last week we held our Mastering the Deposition program in Chicago and the speakers were fantastic! Larry Heftman, of Schiff Hardin and Kelly Warner of Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP taught Witness Preparation and provided the attendees with the following simple and effective list of things you should say to your witnesses to effectively prepare them for their deposition.

 

Top ten things to remember to tell your witnesses:

1. Tell the truth.
2. You are in control
3. You are in the field*
4. Provide most concise, accurate answer possible*
5. “One of the things I remember”
6. Pause before answering
7. Compose your entire answer in your head before you start talking
8. Read the entirety of any document
9. Words matter
10. Silence is okay

*  Nuances if the witness is a party or corporate representative.

 

Evaluations from the seminar were fantastic and included comments like:

“I appreciated the practical advice regarding how to deal with problematic situations which arise during the taking of a deposition.” – J. Scifo, Esq.

“Excellent written materials. Just reading through these materials was worth my time and money to take the course.”

Thank you Larry and Kelly for providing great training and input for our attendees!

Chicago Bar Foundation’s Passport to Chicago on April 28 – Don’t Miss it!

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Access to justice never tasted so good!

On Friday, April 28, Chicago’s legal and culinary communities will come together for the fourth annual Passport to Chicago event in support of The Chicago Bar Foundation. Guests will enjoy dishes representing Chicago’s rich and diverse neighborhood landscape, conceived and prepared by members of the Kendall College Competition Club. Tasty treats, local libations, and captivating conversation will be the highlights of an evening whose culmination will see the two top chefs awarded culinary scholarships. 

In addition, Passport to Chicago will place the spotlight on various CBF-supported organizations throughout the city. Through grants, legislative advocacy, work in the Courts, and other programs and partnerships, The Chicago Bar Foundations works tirelessly to improve access to justice for many low-income and disadvantaged people, including domestic violence victims, people at risk of losing their homes, and immigrants fleeing abuse. Providing grants to more than 30 pro bono and legal aid organizations each year, tens of thousands of low-income Cook County residents will receive the help they need as a result of the CBF grants program. The organizations highlighted at this year’s event will include Equip for Equality, Legal Council for Health Justice, Indo-American Center, and many others.

The event’s co-chairs, Jeanne Doran (LexisNexis) and Nancy Roberts Linder (Linder Legal Staffing Inc.), are joined by members of the CBF’s Young Professionals Board in planning this year’s event, which will give guests and a panel of local celebrity chefs the opportunity to vote for the scholarship winners. Passport to Chicago will be held at Kendall College (900 N. North Branch St.) from 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Individual tickets are $100 and can be purchased here.

See you on April 28!

Thursday Insight Series by presenter Bruce Givner

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Speaking at Sacramento Estate Planning Council
04 Apr

Have you heard about the Thursday Insight Series presented by Bruce Givner of The Law Offices of Givner & Kaye, APC.?  Each week Bruce gives a free presentation on topics pertaining to asset protection, estate planning and tax planning.

Bruce is a frequenter presenter for us here at Pincus Professional Education so we know that he gives a great presentation.

You can attend these events live or access the recordings.  The next presentation is April 6th: Family Limited Partnerships: Capital Gain Tax and Creditor Planning.  You can register for the event and request recordings of past events at the Givner & Kaye website.

Congratulations to the Hon. Kira Klatchko

Posted on by Faith Pincus
03 Apr

Congratulations to one of our favorite speakers, and my friend, Judge Kira Klatchko, sworn in to serve on the Riverside Superior Court just a bit ago!

Photo: Judge Klatchko is second from the right in the photo. I’m not quite sure how I (Faith) ended up in the middle of this photo – it was Judge Klatchko’s day! That’s Lead Appellate Court Attorney for the California Appellate Court Pablo Drobny on the far right and on the left is frequent speaker and appellate attorney Extraordinaire, Ben Shatz with his wife Meena Patel.

Previously, Judge Klatchko was a partner at Lewis Brisbois and handled both state and federal appeals arising from all areas of civil practice for clients as varied as cities, businesses and families. She was vice chair of the firm’s national Appellate Practice Litigation group. And she has served as the President of the Riverside County Bar Association.

Judge Klatchko is also an Appellate Law Specialist, certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.