Adam Hofmann is our Latest Featured Speaker!

Our latest featured speaker is Adam Hofmann from Hanson Bridgett!

Adam will be speaking at our upcoming Appellate Law Certified Legal Specialist Exam Four-Part Online Prep Course (CA) on August 22, 23, 24 and September 7, 2023.  In addition to the exam prep course, Adam will be speaking at our Fall 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Boot Camp: The Nuts and Bolts Webinar on September 26 & 28, 2023.

In fact – Adam has spoken at many of our appellate programs over the past few years, including our 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Boot Camp in 2021,  where he was praised by the attendees for his engaging presentation of course!

We’re excited to have you with us again, Adam!

Adam is a partner and a Co-Chair of the Appellate Practice Group at Hanson Bridgett. He has briefed and argued cases in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and every District Court of Appeal in California, and has filed amicus briefs on the merits in several cases before the U.S. and California Supreme Courts.

Throughout his career, Adam has represented cities, counties, and special districts in writs and appeals relating to public finance and revenue measures, land use, civil rights, employee benefits, labor standards, and election law. He has represented water districts and cities in a range of disputes regarding rates, fees, and charges, including work on some of the leading published cases interpreting related provisions of the California Constitution.

Outside of his work at Hanson Bridgett, Adam coaches regionally and nationally competitive moot-court teams at UC Davis School of Law. He also speaks and writes on questions of local government authority and policy under the California Constitution and has taught courses in local government and land use law as an adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco School of Law.

Thank you for joining us again, Adam!

Jack Reiter is our Latest Featured Speaker!

Our latest featured speaker is Jack Reiter from GrayRobinson!

Jack will be speaking at our upcoming Preserving the Trial Record for Appeal in Florida Civil Cases Webinar on August 1 & 3, 2023. Most recently, Jack spoke at our Advanced Appellate Practice (FL) Seminar. Attendee testimonials commended Jack on his informative presentation and excellent content.

Jack is a shareholder at GrayRobinson and leads the firm’s Appellate and Trial Support Team (nationally ranked Tier 1 by U.S. News- Best Lawyers in 2023). He is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Appellate Practice and former chair of Florida Bar Appellate Court Rules Committee and Appellate Practice Section. Jack focuses his practice on litigation and trial support matters in commercial and business disputes, insurance coverage issues, products liability and negligence, and toxic tort law. His experience includes preparing and arguing complex trial motions to dismiss and for summary judgment, as well as motions in limine and for directed verdict.

Outside of the firm, Jack is a member of the American Bar Association, the Tort and Insurance Practice Section and the Defense Research Institute. Jack has also served as chair of The Florida Bar Appellate Court Rules Committee, the Appellate Practice Section of The Florida Bar and the Dade County Bar Appellate Court Committee.

Thank you for joining the program, Jack!  We are so happy to have you back.

Alyssa Reiter is our Latest Featured Speaker!

Our latest featured speaker is Alyssa Reiter from Wicker Smith!

Alyssa will be speaking at our upcoming Preserving the Trial Record for Appeal in Florida Civil Cases Webinar on August 1 & 3, 2023. Alyssa has collaborated with Pincus before at our Illinois appellate programs. We are so excited to have her back with us!

Formerly of Illinois, Alyssa is now a partner at Wicker Smith’s Fort Lauderdale office and focuses her practice on handling appeals, litigation support, and insurance coverage matters. She has argued cases in the Florida Supreme Court, the Illinois Supreme Court, the 11th Circuit and the 7th Circuit, and numerous appellate courts throughout not only Florida and Illinois, but the entire United States.

Throughout her career, Alyssa has represented clients in a wide range of cases, including: products liability, professional malpractice, commercial litigation, insurance coverage and bad faith, vehicular accident, premises liability, and aviation.

Having served three terms on the Board of Directors for the Appellate Lawyers Association, Alyssa is a highly capable attorney. She was selected by her peers as a Leading Lawyer and a Super Lawyer in the field of civil appeals. Alyssa has also earned an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating awarded by that organization.

Thank you for joining the program, Alyssa!

 

Scott Howie is our Latest Featured Speaker!

Our latest featured speaker is Scott Howie from Donohue Brown Mathewson & Smyth!

Scott will be speaking at our upcoming Preserving the Trial Record for Appeal in Illinois Civil Cases Webinar on July 18 & 20, 2023. This will be his first time speaking with us. Welcome, Scott!

Scott is a partner at Donohue Brown Mathewson & Smyth. His expertise is concentrated in posttrial motions and appeals. Scott regularly practices in appellate courts throughout Illinois—and has even been called on to participate in appeals in other jurisdictions, either appearing pro hac vice or working behind the scenes to prepare written briefs.

In hundreds of civil appeals, Scott has written more than 500 appellate briefs and delivered well over a hundred oral arguments, including several each in the Illinois Supreme Court and the U.S Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Scott is a past president (2021–22) of the Appellate Lawyers Association, which coordinates speakers and seminars on appellate topics and promotes interactions with appellate judges and court officials. Since 2013 Scott has been a regular contributor to the IDC Quarterly, the scholarly publication of the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel, for which he writes a column on appellate practice. He also serves by appointment of the Illinois Supreme Court on the E-Business Policy Advisory Board, which formulates standards for the implementation of electronic and online procedures. He is also a member of the amicus committee of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, which promotes the interests of the business community in cases before the state supreme court.

Thank you for joining the program, Scott!

Jamie Moses is our Latest Featured Speaker!

Our latest featured speaker is Jamie Moses from Holland & Knight!

Jamie will be speaking at our upcoming Preserving the Trial Record for Appeal in Florida Civil Cases Webinar on August 1 & 3, 2023. Most recently, she spoke at our Advanced Appellate Practice (FL) Program, where she was praised for the advice and perspective she brought to the table. Jamie also taught at our Florida 2021 Deposition Training program and received fantastic reviews.

It’s great to have you back with us, Jamie!  We love working with you and having you speak!

Jamie is a member of Holland & Knight’s Appellate Team. Her practice primarily focuses on state and federal appeals. She also has significant experience representing clients in real estate and broker litigation, professional malpractice litigation, along with insurance and bad faith litigation. She is board certified in Appellate Law by The Florida Bar. Prior to joining Holland & Knight, she was a partner at a large Orlando law firm, where she led the appellate practice group.

As the former president of the Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers and the Florida Bar’s Young Lawyers Division, Jamie offers practical advice that only a seasoned attorney can provide. Jamie has also been recognized by “The Best Lawyers in America” guide in Appellate Law, 2021-22 as well as “Florida Super Lawyers” magazine, 2015-2023.

Thank you for joining the program, Jamie!

Peder Batalden is our Latest Featured Speaker!

Our latest featured speaker is Peder Batalden from Horvitz & Levy!

Peder will be speaking at our upcoming 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Boot Camp: The Nuts and Bolts Webinar on September 26 & 28. He most recently spoke at our 8th Annual Advanced Appellate Practice Seminar in California and was praised by the attendees for his knowledge and insight.  He also spoke at our 2021 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Boot Camp to rave reviews.

We’re excited to have you with us again, Peder!

Peder is a partner at Horvitz & Levy. He has successfully petitioned for review in the U.S. Supreme Court, and he has argued and won numerous appeals in the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Ninth and Tenth Circuits. He routinely assists clients in responding to large money judgments, drawing upon a deep knowledge of federal jurisdiction and procedure to assist in staying enforcement of judgments and preparing post-trial motions so that issues for appeal are not lost.

Additionally, Peder is co-author of the leading treatise on civil appeals before the Ninth Circuit, the Rutter Group’s Ninth Circuit Civil Appellate Practice. Because Peder is speaking at our 9th Circuit program, along with co-author John Querio, the Rutter Group will give attendees at that program 40% off the Guide.  Attendees will learn how to take advantage of this discount during the program.

He is also a past Chair of the State Bar of California’s Standing Committee on the Federal Courts, which works to enhance bench-bar relations and studies proposed changes to federal rules. He also routinely comments on proposed amendments to the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure and to the Ninth Circuit rules.

Throughout his career, Peder has represented many significant companies, including AutoNation, Bank of America, Chevron, Ford Motor Company, Honeywell, Hospital Corporation of America, Lyft, Media News Group, The Sherwin-Williams Company, Newell Brands, Sempra Energy, TASER International, Travelers, and Toyota Motor Sales. He has also represented government entities and employees in federal civil rights actions; major medical providers in healthcare matters; and insurers in coverage actions.

Thank you for joining us again, Peder!

Christopher Bellows is our Latest Featured Speaker!

Our latest featured speaker is Christopher Bellows from Holland & Knight!

Christopher will be speaking at our upcoming Preserving the Trial Record for Appeal in Florida Civil Cases Webinar on August 1 & 3, 2023. He most recently spoke at in 2022 at our Advanced Appellate Practice Seminar for Florida and attendees loved him!  We’re glad to have you with us again, Chris.

Christopher is a Partner at Holland & Knight. He is an appellate attorney who has handled complex civil appeals in the Supreme Court of Florida, all Florida District Courts of Appeal and the federal appellate courts.

Christopher has significant experience in complex commercial litigation, including areas of contract law, Uniform Commercial Code, business torts, foreclosures, receiverships, replevins, construction disputes, landlord-tenant litigation, product liability, personal injury, first amendment, employment discrimination, housing discrimination, environmental law, professional malpractice, antitrust, securities fraud and shareholder disputes.

Thank you for joining us once again, Christopher!

Hon. Gerald Cope, Jr. (Ret.) is our Latest Featured Speaker!

Our latest featured speaker is Hon. Gerald Cope, Jr. (Ret.) from Akerman!

Judge Cope will be speaking at our upcoming Preserving the Trial Record for Appeal in Florida Civil Cases Webinar on August 1 & 3, 2023. He has taught this class several times before to rave reviews! Judge Cope always provides a detailed outline and walks attorneys carefully through the topic.

It’s so good to have you back with us, Judge Cope!

As the former Chief Judge of Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal and member of the court for 22 years, Gerald Cope is the chair of Akerman’s Appellate Practice. He represents clients in appellate litigation at the state and federal levels. He was recognized by the Business Law Section of The Florida Bar for his contributions toward the 2013 enactment of the Revised Uniform Arbitration Act in Florida. As a member of the Court of Appeal, he participated in approximately 60 appeals involving arbitrability of disputes, interpretation of arbitration clauses, proceedings to enforce or vacate awards, and comparable proceedings involving appraisal clauses in insurance contracts.

Judge Cope is a founding member of Akerman Bench, an innovative practice including former appellate and trial court judges providing the perspective of both sides of the bench. He conducts practice oral arguments for attorneys appearing in state and federal appellate courts, serves as a consultant on appeals, and provides support to trial counsel.

Additionally, Judge Cope has served as an adjunct professor teaching federal and Florida arbitration at the University of Miami School of Law. He is a member of the Executive Council of the Florida Bar’s International Law Section and Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section. Judge Cope also serves as a special master.

Thank you for joining us, Judge Cope!

Michael Sachs is our Latest Featured Speaker!

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Our latest featured speaker is Michael Sachs from Clark Hill PLC!

Michael will be on the faculty panel at our upcoming 13th Annual California Superior Court Boot Camp in San Francisco on November 8!

Michael has previously spoken for us at our 12th Annual CA Superior Court Boot Camp, and our 2018 Mastering the Deposition seminars, where seminar attendees raved about his presentations. Welcome back, Michael!

Michael’s practice focuses on a variety of civil litigation matters, including toxic tort and product liability, Proposition 65, lemon law and employment law. He has handled these matters in all phases of pre-litigation, litigation and appeal. Michael has tried several matters to verdict in the various Bay Area Superior Courts and the Northern District of California and has argued before the California Court of Appeal. Michael is devoted to his clients and seeks to find cost-effective ways to manage their cases while still vigorously defending their interests in and out of the courtroom. He has achieved numerous successful results for his clients through settlement negotiations, mediations, dispositive motions and trial.

Steven Hart is our Latest Featured Speaker!

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Our latest featured speaker is Steven Hart from Hart McLaughlin & Eldridge!

Steven will be on the faculty panel at our upcoming The Art of Jury Selection: Getting it Right in Chicago on November 29! This is Steven’s first year speaking with us, and we can’t wait for his presentation!

A seasoned trial lawyer with more than two decades of experience, Steven litigates a wide variety of civil matters including class action, mass torts, personal injury, products liability, toxic tort, environmental, automotive, and transportation cases. He also has a record of success representing both defendants and plaintiffs, from Fortune 500 companies, medium, and small businesses to individuals, in class action cases. Most recently, Steven obtained a $100 million-plus settlement for a class of farmers and small businesses in an antitrust class action suit in the Northern District Federal Court in Chicago. Steven received a 2013 Jury Verdict Reporter Trial Excellence Award for his work on this case, the highest reported Illinois verdict/settlement in 2013.

Steven has tried cases to successful jury verdict throughout the country and has argued before State and Federal courts of appeal. His practice includes State and Federal trial work in construction and premises liability actions. It was Steven’s work in the latter arena that led Kohl’s to nominate Steven’s firm as a “Go-To” Litigation Law Firm in American Lawyer’s 2012 survey. Steven also represents corporations and individuals in employment-related matters.

Steven serves as National Coordinating and Trial Counsel for several Fortune 500 companies in asbestos and environmental litigation. He is National Coordinating and Trial counsel for DHL transportation litigation. He has tried cases in Illinois, New York, Texas, Indiana, California, and Wisconsin for manufacturers and premises owners. He has developed extensive experience in epidemiology, medical causation, industrial hygiene, accident reconstruction, and biomechanics.

Steven is a published legal author and frequent lecturer. His writings have been published by the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, including “Using Expert Witnesses: Principles and Pitfalls.” Steven is also an adjunct professor in trial advocacy at Chicago-Kent College of Law. Numerous bar associations and legal organizations have asked him to speak at distinguished events.

Steven was recently appointed to the 47th Ward Democratic Organization Judicial Review Committee, where his committee will be responsible for interviewing, vetting and slating Cook County Judicial Candidates for election.
A resident of Chicago, Illinois, Steven is married to Jill Hart, and together they have two daughters and a son.