2017 NELA Convention New Lawyers Bundle

For new lawyers and those new to employment law, this session offers suggestions to help newer plaintiffs’ employment lawyers succeed, including substantive tips from case intake to case closing, and practical pointers on managing time, money, and people—including opposing counsel and themselves.

In this practical presentation, new lawyers will learn how to (1) develop potential evidence to support their own contentions as well as to undermine their opponent’s positions; (2) flesh out credibility evidence for (and against) both sides of the litigation, including evidence that might either explain or exploit an apparent inconsistency; (3) convert their potential evidence into topics to explore during their depositions; and (4) organize important topics into a useful deposition outline.

You face two questions when assessing the value of your case: First, what do you think the case is worth, and, second, how do you convince others (such as defendants, mediators, and insurance representatives) that you are right? The members of the panel provide guides and tips on how to marshal evidence to support damages; identify and quantify items of relief (including back pay, prejudgment interest, tax consequences of lump-sum payment, attorney fees, and non-pecuniary compensatory damages); prepare a persuasive demand letter or mediation statement; respond to counter-arguments; and deal with difficult opposing counsel and mediators. Attention also will be paid to the pitfalls which can arise when negotiating attorney fees along with damages.