FAMILY LAW and BANKRUPTCY SECTIONS present:
'Protecting Distressed Families In Bankruptcy'
Featuring: David A. Tilem, Esq., Law Offices of David A. Tilem

This presentation of Bankruptcy as it affects Family Law will include a) an introduction and history of the interaction of these two areas of law, b) the recent changes related to the discharge of family law related debts (Chapters 7, 11 and 13), c) the priority of divorce obligations, d) pre-bankruptcy planning topics (means test and exemption planning), and e) a non-debtor spouse as a creditor or equity holder.

Mr. Tilem is certified by the California Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California as a Personal and Small Business Bankruptcy Specialist and by the American Board of Certification as a Business Bankruptcy Specialist. With twenty years in practice, Mr. Tilem frequently speaks before groups of family law attorneys on the subject of bankruptcy law and provides expert testimony on the impact of bankruptcy law on family law issues.

ERISA: The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974
Featuring: James C. Williams, Esq.

Mr. Williams will provide an overview of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and related topics. Enacted by Congress in 1974, ERISA regulates the establishment and operation of employee benefits plans, including retirement plans (such as pension plans and 401(k) plans) and welfare benefit plans (such as employer-provided medical benefits, group life insurance, and travel and accident insurance). ERISA imposes duties on employers and other sponsors of employee benefit plans relating to reporting (to the federal government) and disclosure (to participants), minimum funding standards for pension plans, as well as standards for persons who are fiduciaries of employee benefits plans. In addition, ERISA provides standards for benefits claims procedures and contains provisions for enforcement.

ERISA may be of special interest to you if you work with ERISA/Employee Benefits attorneys, tax attorneys, labor and litigation attorneys, corporate and/or mergers and acquisition attorneys. However, a general knowledge of ERISA will be helpful to everyone.

Mr. Williams is a partner at Proskauer Rose LLP in their Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Group in Los Angeles. Mr. Williams advises employers on all aspects of employee benefits and executive compensation matters. His clients include publicly held and private companies, as well as universities, schools, tax-exempt organizations, multi-employer plans, and governmental entities. Mr. Williams also represents companies and organizations that provide employee benefits services to employers, such as financial institutions, plan administrators, and consultants.

LAPA’s San Fernando Valley Section Presents
“REEL” ETHICS
Featuring Edward O. Lear, Esq.

We are all aware that legal professionals are barred, both legally and ethically, from the unauthorized practice of law. However, in real life the line between the practice of law and the work of a paralegal is often blurred. Paralegals are also obligated to maintain the confidentiality of client information in the same manner as the attorneys with whom they work and never to use such information to the disadvantage of the client. Our speaker, Edward Lear, will discuss practical ways in which attorneys and paralegals can be sure to avoid the disclosure of confidential information, and in which paralegals can avoid the unauthorized practice of law. He will also use film clips to demonstrate common ethical pitfalls in the practice of law. Join us for this fun and informative presentation that will help to ensure you fulfill your ethical obligations.

In 2002, Mr. Lear founded the Century Law Group. Since 1994, part of his practice has been devoted to the representation of attorneys in matters ranging from ethics consultation to defense in disciplinary matters before the State Bar Court. Previously, Mr. Lear was a Prosecutor in the Office of Trials for the State Bar of California handling attorney discipline matters in which he never lost a trial before the State Bar Court. He has tried over 90 cases, is a recognized speaker on ethical issues at legal seminars and has published numerous articles on legal ethics.

The Litigation Section Presents:
'DOCUMENT AND DATABASE MANAGEMENT'
Presentation by: Charles G. Adams and Rick D. Mason

If you’re responsible for managing large volumes of electronic and paper data, but you don’t have the proper roadmap, this is your opportunity to learn about the discovery lifecycle!

Our Speakers will discuss discovery workflow (gathering evidence, reviewing evidence & producing evidence), collecting paper/native file evidence, approaches for review and production, and provide real world document management examples for small, medium and large volume cases. They will also discuss metadata and document coding, tell you how to properly communicate with your Firm’s litigation support staff, and provide invaluable information on how to deal with your litigation service providers and tell you how to save your firm and clients time and money!

This year's October Conference shines the spotlight on the diverse spectrum of paralegals while providing an equally diverse range of networking opportunities. Mandatory Continuing Legal Education seminars, recruiters, service providers and a resume tune-up - this is an event you won't want to miss! Save the date and join your fellow paralegals in a day of learning, networking and celebration of this enriching profession.

For additional details regarding this event, please click on the below PDF October Conference flyer. To register for this event, please click here. You may also contact October Conference Co-Chairs Kimberli Taylor at (310) 914-7992 or Bobby Rimas at (213) 952-9914.