The Trucking Defense Guide to Cellphone Forensics
Presented by:
Josh Lorencz
Principal Consultant, Digital Forensics Rimkus
Monday, March 16, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Online via Zoom
Presented by Josh Lorencz, Principal Consultant, Rimkus Digital Forensics Cell phone data is some of the most powerful - and most perishable - evidence in accident litigation. Location data, power logs, and application usage can begin degrading within 7 to 28 days of an incident, making rapid preservation the single most important step after a crash.
This session walks attendees through practical, no-special-training-required protocols for preserving cell phone evidence immediately after an incident, including enabling Airplane Mode, disabling updates, documenting credentials, and using Faraday bags. Attendees will learn the difference between limited logical extractions and Full File System (FFS) extractions, the forensic gold standard for recovering the most complete picture of device activity.
The presentation covers forensic analysis techniques used to prove or disprove distracted driving by integrating cell phone data - messaging gaps, app usage, screen activity, device orientation, and precise GPS - with vehicle data, call detail records, and connected devices like wearables. Real-world case examples illustrate how FFS extractions have revealed active app manipulation seconds before impact, enabling strong defense opinions in trucking litigation.
Additional topics include strategies for working with law enforcement to secure early high- quality data, obtaining plaintiff phone data through technical education and insisting on raw FFS extractions, joint examinations with livestreaming for transparency, advanced recovery methods for damaged phones, and leveraging wearable data to challenge injury claims.
While the case studies focus on trucking collisions, the principles and techniques covered apply across all civil and criminal disciplines. This session is built for attorneys, paralegals, adjusters, and litigation support professionals who want to understand what cell phone evidence can deliver and how to protect it from the moment an incident occurs.
Police Department Detective with 16 years of law enforcement experience, Josh Lorencz built a forensics lab from the ground up and led complex investigations into financial crimes, auto theft crews, crimes against children, and criminal enterprises. He holds over 1,100 hours of advanced digital forensics training and is certified by the National Computer Forensics Institute, Cellebrite, Magnet Forensics, and IACIS as a Mobile Device Examiner. He earned his B.S. in Finance from Cal State Northridge and is a California P.O.S.T. Academy graduate through the LA County Sheriff's Department. Since 2021, Josh has provided consulting services for businesses and attorneys across civil and criminal cases, with a focus on trucking collisions. He specializes in mobile forensics, cell site location analysis, call detail records, cloud investigations, and data recovery. He's also an IACIS instructor who has trained students worldwide, and regularly educates lawyers and insurers on cell phone forensics.
Navigating California's Electronic Filing Environment
Don Hoefnagel – Executive Vice President, First Legal Larry Kirlin – Product Manager, First Legal Sabrina Rodriguez – Client Training Specialist, First Legal
Thursday, March 19, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Online via Zoom
Don Hoefnagel - Bio
Don has been with First Legal for 20 years and now serves as the Executive Vice President of Business Development. His high level of client-vendor interface ensures that First Legal is up to date and responsive to all client needs. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Business from Biola University and is a member of the Association of Legal Administrators and Provisors LA3. He enjoys reading and playing tennis and lives in Lakewood, California with his wife, Maggie, and their Bichon Frees, Buddy, and two cats. His experience in Electronic Court Filing began back in early 2001 and 2002 when the Federal CM/ECF system came online for Bankruptcy and Civil cases. As soon as the system became mandatory the legal community came to Don for an easier solution, making First Legal the pioneer in electronically filing documents on behalf of lawyers. That process is now commonly referred to as “concierge” eFiling. A decade later, Don brought concierge filing to Orange County when they became the first state court to require electronic filing. Since that time Don has been on the forefront of client education and training relating to all types of electronic filing.
Larry Kirlin – Bio
My professional life began when I enlisted in the Navy’s delayed entry program shortly after my 17th birthday. I left for boot camp after graduating from St. Pius X High School in Pottstown, PA. During my active-duty service (1985-91) I was trained as an aircraft electronics technician and traveled the world repairing the Navy’s aircraft. The second chapter of my professional life began when I left active duty to pursue a degree in Electrical Engineering at California State University, Fresno. While going to school I continued with the Navy as a reservist and began working in the legal support industry as mobile photocopier. As my career progressed I worked in all aspects of the industry and held the positions of account manager, branch manager, sales manager, regional manager and equity partner. I graduated from Fresno State in 2004 and promoted to reach the rank of Master Chief in the Navy before I retired in 2009. The current chapter of my career began in June 2012 when I was recruited by First Legal to open offices in the Central Valley. Within the first year we opened offices in Fresno, Bakersfield and Modesto. My region was eventually expanded to include Redding, Sacramento, San Jose, San Luis Obispo and Ventura. In 2014 I was given the second job title of “eProducts Manager, and later Service of Process Product Manager. As a product manager, I’m responsible for staying current on industry trends, knowing what our competitors are doing and acting as a reference point within our company. The position also requires me to perform market research and make recommendations to our executive board regarding marketing, infrastructure and operations.
Sabrina Rodriguez – Bio
Sabrina has been with First Legal for 27 years and is now a Client Training Specialist. Her experience in Electronic Court Filing began in early 2001 when the Federal CM/ECF system was launched for Bankruptcy and Civil cases. Shortly after the system became mandatory, First Legal became the first litigation support services company to electronically file documents for their clients. That process is now commonly called “concierge” eFiling. Sabrina’s extensive experience in eFiling makes her uniquely qualified to provide client training and education as eFiling expands. Her team at First Legal now offers filing until midnight and can serve every eFiling court across the United States. Since launching its first direct eFiling portal in Orange County, Sabrina’s lectures have been in high demand throughout California, providing client education and training for all types of eFiling. When she is not working, Sabrina enjoys reading, hiking, and working out. She lives in Duarte, California, with her husband Juan, their two children, and their dogs Marshmallow and Frankie. Fun fact: her favorite book is “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill!
Digital Intelligence: The Future of Evidence
Digital Forensics Rimkus
Monday, March 23, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Online via Zoom
Mr. Josh Lorencz, a seasoned leader in digital forensic consulting, brings a degree in finance with over 1,100 hours of advanced digital forensics training. Certified by the National Computer Forensics Institute, Cellebrite, Magnet Forensics, and the International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists (IACIS) as a Mobile Device Examiner, he excels in mobile forensics, cell site location analysis, call detail records, cloud investigations, and data recovery. As a retired Simi Valley Police Department Detective, Mr. Lorencz built a forensics lab and led complex investigations into financial crimes, auto theft crews, crimes against children, and criminal enterprises, including foreign-based residential burglary crews, merging 16 years of law enforcement investigative experience with digital forensics.
Since 2021, Mr. Lorencz has provided consulting services for businesses and attorneys on a wide spectrum of civil investigations with a focus on trucking collisions, as well as criminal cases, offering expert testimony and strategic insights to clients drawn from his wealth of knowledge in investigations, including advanced case analysis, evidence interpretation, and investigative methodologies. As an IACIS instructor, he provided training to students from all over the world. He educates lawyers and insurers on cell phone forensics and speaks to middle and high school children about cell phone safety. His unique skill set drives innovative, business-focused forensic solutions.
Cellphone Forensics - Applications in Discovery and Investigations
Tom Plunkett
Managing Director of Digital Forensics & eDiscovery ArcherHall
Thursday, March 26, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Online via Zoom
Cellphones represent one of the fastest-changing areas of legal practice. Mobile device evidence is more important than ever, thanks to the rapid evolution of the technology and the way this evidence is treated by the courts. Touching on important recent cases, technology developments, and ArcherHall direct experience advising attorneys, this presentation provides up-to-date guidance on the application of cellphone forensics in litigation, investigations, and other legal matters.
Thomas Plunkett is Managing Director of Digital Forensics & eDiscovery at ArcherHall. He is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and EnCase Certified Forensic Examiner (EnCE) with over 20 years of experience in digital forensics, cybersecurity, and counterintelligence. He holds a master’s degree in Information Systems and is an adjunct professor, teaching cybersecurity and digital forensics topics at the University of San Diego. Tom has led investigations involving data breaches, computer hacking, theft of intellectual property, and foreign intelligence operations. His clients have included all levels of government, law firms, casinos, medical device manufacturers, hospitals, technology companies and celebrities.
Join us at our Annual Spring Career Conference and meet successful legal professionals who will inspire you to move forward in your career! Bring your resume for the Resume Tune-Up and dress to impress for your FREE professional headshot!
April 18, 20268:00 am to 12:00 pm
Students – $25.00
Non-Students – $50.00
Light Breakfast & Professional Headshots8:00-9:00 am
Legal Recruiters 9:00 am - 9:55 am
Professional Certifications 10:00 am - 10:55 am
Alternative Careers 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: California State University - 6th Floor 801 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90017 (Downtown Campus) Parking structure next to the building is $5.00 for all day parking on Saturday
Meet and network with senior paralegals and top recruiters who will help you identify the next steps in your career path that are right for you.
The Recruiting Professionals Panel will provide insight on how agencies work as part of the team with HR/Paralegal Managers to match highly qualified candidates with the right position in the right firm.
The Professional Certification Panel will explain the impact that professional certification can make in your career.
The Alternative Career Panel will provide tips on optimizing your skills so that you can envision yourself stepping outside the box of traditional paralegal roles onto alternative career paths.
No refunds per LAPA policy.
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