May Telephone Seminars - Training Resources

Current Issues in Real Estate Title and Title Insurance BenefitsThis teleconference is a nuts-and-bolts program designed to give you real life practical information to facilitate the closing of commercial and residential real estate transactions. You'll gain insight into the workings of the title industry to better prepare you to anticipate problems and assist in developing solutions to ultimately close the transaction. This teleconference will  more...

Drafting Document Retention Policies ... cost of these shortcomings is significant. A corporation may lose significant business information required for on-going business needs. It may also be subjected to civil sanctions, including exclusion of evidence, monetary penalties, adverse inference jury instructions and default judgment, as well as the more serious potential for criminal liability. Indeed, several courts have made clear  more...

Understanding LEED for Sustainable Building ...chnical experts. The 2009 revisions are comprehensive and may reduce building environmental impacts by 10 percent on LEED certified projects. Improvements focused mainly on further reductions in energy waste and enhanced water conservation. USGBC has now focused rating and certification efforts using this latest unified version and rapidly will move away from the multiple-criteria products of  more...

Ethical Implications for Attorneys Transitioning to New Firms ...ng procedures to avoid a violation of the pertinent rules may lead to claims against the attorneys and firms involved and can result in financial loss and an impaired reputation. This 90-minute teleconference will address the fundamental professional rules implicated by an attorney's movement between firms and other professional associations, and the procedures for avoiding a violation of the  more...

IRS Guidelines for Good Governance and the Continued Tax Exemption of Section 501(c)(3) Organizations ...ccountability to the local community are key factors that may distinguish the tax-exempt sector from the taxable sector. The Internal Revenue Service, the press and others have linked the need for good governance to the quest for improved tax-exemption compliance. Much is made of the governance disclosure questions on the redesigned Form 990, annual return for tax-exempt organizations. This  more...

Revitalizing Vacant Commercial Properties ...pitalize on the current market and take advantage of what may be a once in a lifetime opportunity. The teleconference will walk through a simple process that allows you to evaluate a potential deal and the steps you may need to take to make it worth the effort. The ever-changing market will demand a plan and attention to detail to make sure the process and expectation are achieved. Presidents,  more...

The Art and Science of Ethically Firing a Client BenefitsSo you think distancing yourself from an uncooperative client is as simple as saying, in the words of Donald Trump, 'You're fired.'? Not so. Both ethical and fiduciary considerations come into play when a lawyer seeks to withdraw from ongoing representation of a client. This teleconference will provide a detailed discussion of those ethical rules, as well as the impact of withdrawal on  more...

Assignments for the Benefit of Creditors: What You Need to Know About ABC's BenefitsThis teleconference will give you an overview of the basics to general assignments for the benefit of creditors, a state law alternative for the liquidation of a distressed business that while long available under state laws, has had little use outside of states such as California, Illinois, Florida and Massachusetts. The fiduciary nature and responsibilities of the assignee will be  more...

Conflicts With Additional Insured Coverage ...s to the additional insured, whose own insurance coverage may not be implicated in the event of a claim. At the same time, relying upon additional insurance coverage can present pitfalls. A variety of forms are used to provide this coverage and these different forms may provide less (or more) coverage than the parties understand or anticipate. This teleconference will provide a critical review  more...

Battle of the Forms: Back to the Basics and Recent Developments ...nd minority views throughout the U.S. and how the results may differ under the varying approaches. We will also briefly discuss alternative international approaches and how doing business with international companies may impact the analysis. Finally, we'll offer some practical pointers to contracting and analyzing contracts under the battle of the forms. Attorneys, purchasing managers,  more...

Appealing Standards: Determining the Applicable Standard of Review BenefitsThis teleconference is designed to help you with your two most important jobs: prediction (telling clients what appellate courts are likely to do with a given case) and persuasion (getting the appellate courts to do it). The two most common mistakes in appellate advocacy are (1) taking the standards at face value, uncritically assuming that they mean what they say and that the court will  more...

Legal Ethical Issues BenefitsEthical issues present themselves in all aspects of an attorney's professional life. Knowledge of these ethical standards will assist you in properly representing a client and at the same time protect you from the adverse consequences of a violation of the ethical standards. This teleconference will provide an overview of typical ethical issues affecting the various areas of the practice  more...

Using Social Media in Collections ...have the added challenge of trying to contact debtors who may only have a cell phone and no land line; and that use email, text messages or instant messages to communicate. How can you face this challenge while following the laws, following your ethics and without breaking any debt collection laws? In this teleconference, 'Using Social Media in Collections,' you will learn how you can use  more...

Curing Title Exceptions BenefitsTitles are often subject to outstanding interests and claims, some genuine but others unsubstantial or baseless. What types of defects, liens and encumbrances impair the title to real estate? When, as the result of tangible matters revealed by a search and examination of the title, is the title unmarketable? Learn what to look for when reviewing the title commitment, and what endorsements  more...

Utilizing Graphs and Charts in Microsoft Excel ...out, color and content changes. Depicting data in a chart may reveal a trend that was not so obvious in the numerical data, which often can be dry and boring. That elusive meaning, buried in the obscurity of a sea of numbers suddenly springs to life in a chart - you get the big picture at a glance and Excel gives you a ton of formatting tools to add flair and pizzazz that enliven presentations  more...

Directors' and Officers' Liability Insurance: Current Topics and Key Issues ...d trends in the D O liability environment and issues that may arise in the negotiation and renewal of D O liability policies. This teleconference is geared toward a wide range of corporate professionals involved with negotiating and placing D O liability insurance policies, assessing the potential liability of directors and officers, and the insurance coverage issues that commonly arise due to  more...

Workplace Accident Investigations for the HR Professional BenefitsAttend this teleconference and learn how to conduct a workplace accident investigation as well as how to conduct an effective investigation and protect the company's interests. Many written investigative reports are used against the company because they are too conclusory or did not have sufficient information, and should have included certain language for risk management purposes. Learn  more...

Bankruptcy Retention and Disclosures: Knowing When and What to Say ...ailing to properly understand the disclosure requirements may have significant consequences that may bar compensation or recovery on your claims, or may even result in sanctions or criminal charges. This teleconference will discuss the need for disclosure, the contents of any disclosures and the consequences of that disclosure or failure to disclose. This teleconference is critical for those  more...

False Claims Act Update BenefitsThe False Claims Act is one of the most important weapons of the federal government in its efforts to combat fraud, waste and abuse in federal contracting and grants. This teleconference will identify and analyze many of the critically important issues in the interpretation and enforcement of the statute, and will review mandatory disclosure of credible evidence of False Claims Act  more...

Enforcement of Judgments BenefitsThis teleconference will present the fundamentals of locating and collecting assets to enforce a civil judgment. Topics will include asset search methods, the elements of a debtor's examination, obtaining liens against assets, executing on judgment liens, using garnishment procedures to collect assets, domesticating foreign judgments, handling bankruptcy filings and many other issues  more...

Reading and Understanding Soil Reports ...ce will help you understand what type of soils report you may need, the technical terms found within the soils report, what is really the important information you need to get out of a soils report and what is the next step after receiving the soils information. Soils reports can be used in the earlier of middle stages of design and construction phases of a project. Findings from soils reports  more...

Strategies for Reducing Unemployment Claims Costs ...e discrimination charge or a lawsuit. Unfortunately, they may pay little or no attention to defending against the ex-employee's unemployment compensation claim. Those employers, albeit mistakenly, believe the ex-employee will be awarded unemployment compensation benefits no matter what they do - so why bother? Not so. This teleconference will assist you in defending against unemployment  more...

Avoiding Waiver of the Attorney-Client Privilege BenefitsThis teleconference will discuss the doctrine of attorney-client privilege: the scope of the privilege, exceptions to the privilege, procedural aspects of asserting the privilege, waiver of the privilege and the related but distinguishable doctrine of attorney work product. It should be useful for attorneys who represent individuals and organizations who are concerned about asserting and  more...

A Primer on Social Security Disability Law BenefitsThe Social Security law encompasses the Social Security regulations which span nearly a full volume of the Code of Federal Regulations, many volumes of law reporters, dozens of separately issued Social Security rulings and many volumes of internal regulations. This is why most lawyers do not want to develop an expertise in this area. This teleconference is designed to give you a broad  more...

White-Collar Defense Strategies and Developments BenefitsWhite-collar criminal defense is very different from the defense of other criminal cases. It must be approached uniquely from the time an attorney first learns of a client's target status in an investigation through trial. Failure to understand these differences and nuances can be fatal. This teleconference will examine some of these most important distinctions, and discuss the proper  more...

Current Issues in Cloud Computing: Is There Sun Behind Those Clouds? ...y when it comes to contracting with cloud companies. Many may be taking substantial risks without even knowing it. This teleconference will provide a thorough introduction to cloud computing technology and discuss the key commercial and legal issues involved in doing business 'in the cloud', including contracting, security and regulatory issues, and more. This teleconference will also provide a  more...

Rewards Transformation: A Unique Approach to Total Rewards Strategy and Design in the Current Economy BenefitsIn the current economic environment, organizations are concerned with reducing costs while retaining top talent. Total rewards costs can often exceed 40 percent of company's revenue and in many cases it is difficult to demonstrate ROI. This teleconference presents a unique approach to total rewards strategy, design and cost management called rewards transformation. Rewards transformation  more...

New Federal Rule of Evidence 502 - Preservation or Waiver of the Attorney Client Privilege and Work Product Protection in Federa BenefitsKnowing and preserving the attorney-client privilege and work product protection is a fundamental for most litigators. Rule 502 of the Federal Rules of Evidence has been adopted to clarify and resolve a common dispute regarding the effects of certain disclosures otherwise protected by the privilege or work product, including inadvertent disclosures and the agreement of the parties  more...

Affordable Housing: Finance and Development, How to Maximize the Available Resources ...how the various government stimulus concepts and programs may prove helpful to developers of affordable housing. This teleconference is designed for those involved in all aspects of the production and operation of affordable housing and will discuss, in both general and specific terms, current topics affecting affordable housing throughout the country. Recent trends in the housing market will  more...

Float Ownership Issues in Construction Project Management ...schedules, float and delays, and examine techniques which may be used to manipulate them and to minimize manipulation. This teleconference will also review the effect of contract provisions and the development of case law related to the use of float. This teleconference will increase awareness of issues related to float and better idea of how you can address those issues. Learning Objectives -  more...

Drafting Settlement Agreements in Personal Injury Cases: A Primer ...nd the participation of known (or unknown) nonparties who may hold liens or other claims on the impending settlement payment. It is important that the lawyer drafting a settlement agreement in a personal injury matter understand how to correctly identify and address all of the issues that may arise. Only then can the lawyer properly structure and document the settlement. This teleconference  more...

Understanding UCC Article 9 Foreclosures ...heir interests, foreclosing on assets under UCC Article 9 may be the right option. If appropriate, a public auction, private sale or friendly foreclosure under Article 9 may provide a quick and relatively inexpensive resolution. The UCC foreclosure process contains some pitfalls that creditors need to avoid and obstacles that should be addressed. However, with careful planning, these issues can  more...

Understanding Your Summary Plan Descriptions ...s, what benefits the plan provides and how those benefits may be obtained. The Summary of Material Modification describes changes made to the plan and changes in the information in the SPD. This teleconference will help you understand what a summary plan description is, what ERISA requires to be included in the document and how to distribute the SPD. You'll also discover what a summary annual  more...

Updated Best Practices for Legal Holds In Civil, Criminal & Business Contexts ...u how to avoid the devastating problems that your clients may face if they do not plan for effective legal holds in anticipation of legal proceedings. Specifically, you will learn how courts and government investigators are interpreting the basic requirement to preserve information in 'reasonable anticipation' of litigation or other formal proceedings. You also will learn how to work with your  more...

Alternative Dispute Resolution for Paralegals ...may misunderstand the nature of alternative dispute resolution, including its advantage and disadvantages. The myths that arbitration is 'just like a trial' or 'just like mediation' also can produce confusion. This teleconference helps provide an essential understanding of ADR, focusing on paraprofessionals and others who may never have encountered the unique procedures of settlement, mediation  more...

Taking and Defending Effective Depositions BenefitsIn the legal world where the use of mediation and arbitration has increased dramatically in recent years, the deposition of opposing parties and key witnesses often takes the place of the trial. Cases are evaluated and often settled based on information obtained at depositions. You will learn the fundamental concepts involved in taking and defending depositions. Included in this  more...

The Claims Process on Federal Government Contracts - Maximizing the Return on Your Investment ... can recover, the circumstances under which certain costs may be recovered and how to go about recovering these costs. This teleconference also explains the claims process under federal procurements as well as the options available, including forum selection alternatives, when the claim process does not achieve the desired result. Failing to understand how, when and where to file claims is a  more...

Sales and Use Taxation of Internet Sales: The Evolving Case Law BenefitsAs federal funds available for state governments are reduced, many states are taking aggressive positions in an attempt to impose sales and use tax obligations on interstate transactions. Internet sellers face a murky and sometimes ill-defined landscape with respect to sales and use taxes that are impacted by both state law and federal constitutional principles. This teleconference will  more...

Federal Tax Classification of Series LLCs ...may be the solution to many issues that confront federal tax practitioners on a daily basis. For example, the series LLC is very useful in situations where long and expensive regulatory processes are involved with a new state law entity. The series LLC also can be used in asset backed securitizations in place of business trusts in those states that treat single member LLCs as disregarded  more...

Trucking Litigation BenefitsLitigation involving trucking and bus companies seems straightforward. Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. Come hear how to negotiate the waters and learn how the myriad of confusing federal and state regulations could torpedo your case. Hear from the former top U.S. D.O.T. trucking lawyer on how to utilize federal and state information to help bolster your case. You  more...

Legal Overview of Financial Records: Obtaining and Understanding the Information ...ds for child support and maintenance. In many cases, this may be sufficient, such as that of a W-2 wage earner. However, in those cases where a client's spouse owns their own business eliciting the true available funds for child support and maintenance can be more complicated. This teleconference is designed to help you understand various options in securing information, interpreting that  more...

Data Mapping and Electronic Information Management (EIM) - Risk Management for Daily Efficiency and Litigation-Preparedness BenefitsIn the digitized world of the twenty-first century, it is more important than ever for every organization to know as much as possible about the information it creates, stores, receives and maintains. As an attendee at this teleconference, you will learn from an expert how to develop multipurpose menus or charts of key storage locations and contents and use data-mapping to achieve  more...

The Fundamentals of Estate Planning for Pets BenefitsPets are an important part of the lives of many individuals. People own pets for a variety of reasons - they love animals, they enjoy the companionship and they enjoy receiving unconditional love. On many occasions, pets have supplanted children in people's lives. Planning for these companions requires a comprehensive look at the various opportunities and techniques which are available to  more...

Implied Obligations in Construction Contracts ...arties enter into construction or design contracts, there may be numerous implied obligations that arise under law or in equity. These implied obligations should be carefully considered by owners, design professionals and contractors. These implied obligations apply to most construction and design contracts unless a specific contractual provision is provided in the contract that supersedes each  more...

Electronic Invoicing and Payments: Paperless A/P Best Practices ...may seem impossible to escape the paper heavy processes in your AP department and achieve the coveted paperless status but pulling off this caper is not a feat reserved for only paper mavericks. Instead, we can show you there is a way to achieve a paper-free environment and realize your ROI. In this teleconference, e-invoicing architect Henry Ijams will discuss your options for a paperless  more...

Payroll Tax Pitfalls: Preventing IRS Penalties and Personal Liability for Late Payments BenefitsAmong many other legal obligations, employers face the ongoing requirement to timely withhold and remit payroll taxes to the federal government. People responsible for fulfilling a company's payroll tax obligations often do not realize the substantial penalties that can be imposed by the IRS against the company when payroll taxes are not timely deposited or paid at all. Additionally, in  more...

Pupil Records: Rules, Responsibilities and Requirements ...ss of the legal ramifications. Among many others, schools may face pupil records dilemmas such as: 1. Expelled student claims she was wrongfully disciplined and takes her case to the media. The media asks the school for documentation to support the expulsion and respond to student's claims of wrongful discipline. Can the school defend its decision? 2. Local newspaper asks for a list of  more...

8 Issues When Doing Business or Contracting With Native American Tribes BenefitsThere are more than 500 federally-recognized American Indian tribes in the United States, each established under a constitution unique to the tribe. Each tribe, through its constitution and subsequent legislation, has developed its own laws and regulations addressing issues of contracting, jurisdiction and waivers, if any, of sovereign immunity. Individuals and entities seeking to do  more...

Construction Recordkeeping and Documentation Requirements for Government Contracts ...actical considerations of contracting with the government may expand a contractor's record retention obligations beyond what is minimally required under the contract. This teleconference will outline federal contractors' general recordkeeping obligations and will discuss penalties that can result from noncompliance. In addition, the speakers will provide practical considerations that should be  more...

When HOA's and the IRS Compete for Lien Property: Lien Priorities, Perfections and Foreclosure Rights ...me tax lien, lien priority determinations under state law may be complicated by governed federal laws. This teleconference will discuss HOA lien priority according to state statutes, which may be preempted by the federal tax code. We will also discuss when the federal tax lien does not take priority over an HOA lien. Considering these respective lien rights, we will discuss an alternative  more...

Preparing for Medicaid Audits BenefitsThe current and future state of Medicaid audits - are you and your clients adequately prepared? The Medicaid program is a state's most significant health care expense and, in many instances, one of its largest budgetary items. It is the health insurer of last resort for children and the economically disadvantaged. The recent economic downturn has caused shortfalls to many states' overall  more...

Doing Business with Distressed Vendors and Customers: Strategies to Employ in Workouts, Litigation and Bankruptcy BenefitsThe strains of the current economic crisis are being felt in every industry and at every point in the supply chain. More and more often, vendors are encountering distressed buyers and buyers are dealing with distressed suppliers. Attend this teleconference and you will learn to recognize the early warning signs of financial distress, and be armed with strategies that can be employed in  more...

Substance Abuse and the State Bar Disciplinary Process BenefitsThis teleconference will give an insider's view of the state bar and how it handles matters that have substance abuse as an element of a case. The program will also discuss the scientific basis for addiction and how it can impact your law practice. This program is primarily designed for attorneys. Other legal professionals may also benefit from attending.  more...

Medicare Secondary Payer Act - Protecting Medicare's Interest in Insurance Settlements ...monly known as the Medicare Secondary Payer Act, Medicare may not make payment for medical benefits where 'payment has been made or can reasonably be expected to be made under a workmen's compensation law or plan of the United States or a state or under an automobile or liability insurance policy or plan (including a self-insured plan) or under no fault insurance.' By law, Medicare has a  more...

Covenants Not to Compete and Trade Secrets BenefitsThis teleconference will provide an overview and general principles of the law and legal theories related to protecting competitive business interests and confidential business information - one of the fastest growing areas of intellectual property law outside of traditional patent, copyright and trademark concerns. You'll learn about covenants not to compete, nonsolicitation agreements,  more...

Advanced Microsoft Excel Formulas and Functions: Master Your Usage of Excel's More Powerful Formulas and Functions ...t. Also included are some of those valuable tips that you may have picked up in the previous teleconference, 'Mastering Excel Formulas and Functions,' such as quick formula copying methods, creative use of the Ctrl to create formulas/Function in multiple locations simultaneously and a host of others. Specific functions that will be covered include MATCH, INDEX, CONVERT, TRANSPOSE, FREQUENCY,  more...

Integrated Project Delivery Principles and Building Information Modeling ... benefits and how? Some that have heard about IPD and BIM may be wondering how to either ask for it in their projects or implement these principles in their firms. There are some basic concepts in IPD and BIM that can be used in every project large or small. Dialogue among the project team members is the key but without a level understanding that dialogue can fail to bring the desired results.  more...

Form-Based Coding: An Alternative to Conventional Zoning ...oning regulations will be reviewed. Form-based provisions may not fit neatly into a municipality's existing zoning and subdivision framework. Practitioners must consider a variety of legal issues, such as the municipality's general authority to adopt form-based provisions, application and approval processes, and the treatment of nonconforming structures in a form-based district. This  more...

Mental Illness and the ADA ...use employees to violate work rules or request treatment? May an employer require a medical examination of an employee exhibiting signs of mental illness? This teleconference will assist you in addressing these issues and more within the boundaries of the ADA. This teleconference will highlight employee and employer rights and responsibilities, provide practical strategies for managing  more...

Impact of Confidentiality Rules in Bankruptcy Proceedings BenefitsDistressed companies struggle to protect their proprietary and strategic information against the assumption that a bankrupt's financial affairs are public. Since 2005, creditor committees have similarly confronted their statutory obligation to share information with creditors with their practical duties in working through a Chapter 11. This teleconference will provide both a relevant  more...

Loan Modifications: Available Programs, Issues and Fundamentals ...d disadvantages of each, as well as servicing issues that may affect a servicer's ability to modify its portfolios, given investor servicing agreements and restrictions. A tutorial on the fundamentals of processing a loan modification, including documentation, disclosure and closing issues, will also be provided. This teleconference is critical for those tasked with addressing nonperforming  more...

Ethical Issues in Effective Settlement Negotiations BenefitsThis teleconference will outline the key ethical rules and parameters faced by lawyers during negotiations of litigated matters, and emphasize the recent guidance from the ABA and various state and federal courts on matters ranging from basic duties of disclosure to the often murky rules affecting class actions and the settlement of complex litigation affecting numerous parties. This  more...

Commercial Ground Leases: A Conceptual Framework ...may not have enough direct experience with ground leases to negotiate them effectively. Indeed, lessons learned in negotiating ordinary leases often mislead lawyers handling ground leases into taking negotiating positions that are fundamentally incompatible with the economic basis for ground lease transactions and the requirements of leasehold lenders. This teleconference, which begins with a  more...

Drafting Clear and Enforceable Contracts BenefitsCommercial contracts have become increasingly complex in our litigious society. Why can't contracts just be written in plain language with the common words (and sentence structures) we use in everyday conversation? The truth is - they can! This teleconference is an introductory course on drafting clear and enforceable contracts in a business environment - using language that everyone can  more...

Commercial Foreclosure Due Diligence Checklist: What to Do Before, During and After Foreclosure ... in lieu of foreclosure or exercising other remedies that may be available to it. But these steps pose additional concerns that the lender must address, including potential lender liability claims. In addition, the borrower may file for bankruptcy at any time. And as more and more people are looking for ways to profit from the commercial real estate downturn, potential buyers may be interested  more...

Online Collection Techniques: Do's and Don'ts ...have the added challenge of trying to contact debtors who may only correspond via email or online portals. Some debtors no longer have a land line phone and only use cell phones, texting, email and instant messages to communicate. How can debt collectors face this challenge while following debt collection laws that are outdated and don't cover new technology or ways of communication? In this  more...

Executory Contracts in Bankruptcy: What Every Attorney Needs to Know BenefitsBankruptcy filings can unexpectedly disrupt the expectations, rights and remedies of contract counterparties. This teleconference seeks to demystify the idiosyncrasies of Bankruptcy Code Section 365. You'll hear strategies for avoiding traps for the unwary and protecting the value of contract rights from the perspectives of both the debtor and the nondebtor counterparties. This program is  more...

Collection Issues for Condominium and Homeowners' Association: Legal Tips, Concepts and Current Trends in Assessment Collection ... legal issues in degrees not previously experienced. What may have been generally accepted as effective practices just a few years ago to collect unpaid assessments may not be working in today's economy. This teleconference will discuss various legal rights, remedies and proceedings related to community association assessment collection, particularly in light of the historically high  more...

Daubert Motions: Challenging Expert Opinions BenefitsSince the U.S. Supreme Court decided Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals in 1993, the federal law governing expert testimony has undergone a radical transformation. The courts of most states have also now adopted Daubert to some extent. Every litigator needs to understand the impact of Daubert and its progeny. Used properly, Daubert can be a powerful tool for excluding expert evidence.  more...

Practical Transportation Design and Solutions: Concepts and Implementation ...inues to diminish. Typical planning and design approaches may prioritize projects at the planning and programming stage in order to best address system needs; however, project designs are then developed with the intent to deliver the best or optimum project. While some general financial bounds may be used, this design approach can often result in an over-designed roadway. In order to meet the  more...

Handling Your Post-Judgment Files ...may seem easier than keeping it, effectively enforcing it and collecting your money. The effective use of judgments and developing a strategy toward effective enforcement can be confusing. In this teleconference, you will learn how to assure that your judgment is effective and can be enforced in and out of the jurisdiction where the judgment was entered. You will learn how judgment liens can be  more...

Current Issues in Cell Tower Leases ...issues that are unique to wireless siting, including what may be included in a lease that can not be included in a government-issued permit, site location and value, lease term and terminations, access requirements, interference regulation and mitigation, design and camouflage, radio frequency emissions regulation and mitigation. Learning Objectives - You will be able to discuss the common  more...

Form 5500 Reporting Update BenefitsEmployers who offer an employee benefit plan must file an annual report regarding the plan's financial condition, investments and operations, unless specifically exempt by law. Filing the Form 5500 will satisfy this. This teleconference will help you understand when you need to file a Form 5500 and what you need to file, and will focus on some recent changes that may impact your filings.  more...

Director and Officer Liability: A Focus on Creditor Issues BenefitsLearn the new theories of director and officer liability and what can be done to protect directors and officers from personal liability. The world of director and officer liability is changing. Creditors and trustees are the new plaintiffs asserting new and evolving theories of liability. The causes of action range from failing to take action to avoid insolvency to failing to implement  more...

Statutory Research and Legislative History for Paralegals ... a case or issue is covered by statutory authority, there may be questions as to what the language of the statute means and how it can be applied to a given situation. Attorneys often need to research the legislative history of the applicable statute to create a viable argument as to what was the intention of the legislative body that passed a particular law. Courts have different approaches to  more...

Current ERISA Fiduciary Issues for Financial Institutions ...and has more generally affected the manner in which ERISA may affect financial institutions. In addition, the regulatory environment continues to evolve, apart from any impact from the present economic climate. Our panel will give the insider's view of ERISA fiduciary issues affecting financial institutions in this new economy and evolving regulatory world. Among the topics to be covered are  more...

Landlord and Tenant Law: Commercial Tenant Bankruptcy Considerations ...In today's uncertain economic climate, commercial tenants may find themselves with diminishing cash flows and limited resources to satisfy their obligations to their landlords, leaving both grappling with tough decisions, including whether to renegotiate the existing lease, terminate the lease or exercise other remedies upon default. This teleconference will explore the rights, remedies and  more...

Workers' Compensation Metrics: Assessing and Reporting on the Success of Your Program BenefitsIn today's economy, it is especially critical to be able to assess the success of your workers' compensation program and provide meaningful reports to the C-Suite. In this teleconference, you will learn about the key metrics that can be used, where the data for these metrics may be found, sources of benchmarking information and how to most effectively present your success story to  more...

Sale-Leaseback Transactions Today: Monetizing Real Estate Assets ...etizing real estate assets by sale-leaseback transactions may free up needed capital to invest in your business, particularly if the real estate is undervalued. This teleconference will help you understand when and where sale-leaseback transactions on real estate assets may be better than debt financing or ownership. Companies have significant capital outlays in real estate that can be  more...

Reductions in Force Litigation Update ...yment and labor law issues, even the best-constructed RIF may well be challenged in litigation. This teleconference focuses on the potential areas of challenge; the manner in which the company can respond and, if necessary, defend itself; and special issues regarding electronic discovery, class or collective actions and the unionized workforce. Although the presenter speaks based on a career of  more...

Form 709: Gift Tax Fundamentals ... When property is transferred during lifetime, a gift tax may be imposed. While the most ignored tax, failure to properly comply with the gift tax laws during life may cause estate tax problems at death. During this teleconference, you will learn when a gift tax return should be filed, what type of gifts need to be reported, what type of information needs to be included to adequately disclose  more...

Protecting Attorney Work Product in Communications With Testifying and Consulting Experts BenefitsTechnology has rendered communications with critical expert witnesses as easy as an email, a text message or a voice mail. Many attorneys fall into the trap of engaging in informal communications with experts that are later revealed through discovery. Experts also create materials or communicate in a way that is subject to disclosure. These communications and materials can undercut the  more...

Promoting Wellness and Recovery of People With Mental Illness Through Strengths-Based, Person-Centered Practice ...everal innovative initiatives and creative ideas that you may begin to utilize in your practice. Learning Objectives - You will be able to define the purpose of working with people with mental illness. - You will be able to identify three critical concepts in strengths perspective. - You will be able to describe the six principles of strengths-based, persons-centered practice. - You will be  more...

Dealing with Employee Gambling in the Workplace ...ee addiction are just a few of the potential dangers that may arise from gambling in the workplace. This teleconference will help you appreciate the risks and potential rewards of this common workplace activity. From crafting practical responses, to day-to-day issues caused by workplace gambling, to responding to more serious issues such as employee addiction, fraud and theft, this  more...

Taxation Issues When Conducting Business With Native American Tribes BenefitsThe American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 included a number of provisions designed to encourage economic development on Native American reservations, including expanded authority for American Indian tribes to issue tax-exempt bonds for projects on American Indian lands and a $500 million investment of funds for infrastructure, renewable energy, tribal detention facilities and  more...

Current Issues in Attributional and Agency Nexus ...sical presence is not limited only to direct presence. It may also be established indirectly through relationships with third-parties in the taxing state. In today's economy, states are pushing nexus limits farther than ever before and are increasingly focusing on third-party and affiliated relationships as a means to create nexus. This teleconference will explore the concept of third-party  more...

Making Revisions to Closed Medical Records ...ut individuals in modern society, and some closed records may need revision because of new information received or because of the requests of individuals to correct or modify existing information. When is it appropriate to make revisions, how and under what circumstances, and at whose request? This teleconference will enable health information professionals to know how to respond to requests to  more...

Employment Law Compliance: Disciplining or Terminating a Workers' Comp Claimant ...hese situations? This teleconference will review when you may legally discharge or layoff an employee who is on leave due to a compensable workplace injury or other reason. As a result of this teleconference, you will understand the restrictions imposed on discipline and discharge of employees while on worker's compensation, as well as how those restrictions may be affected by other statutes  more...

Purchasing Law: Breach, Repudiation and Excuse ...eed to take to preserve your rights and the remedies that may be available under the Uniform Commercial Code. Learn about the important notifications you need to make when the goods arrive but are defective, or when you learn the goods don't work after you accept delivery. Learn about when you have the right to terminate an agreement purchase replacement goods from another source and whether  more...

Major Issues in WiMAX Tower Leases and Zoning ... states with similar laws, required environmental reviews may have to examine the entire proposed WiMAX antenna network. WiMAX companies may raise discrimination or other claims, such as claiming protection under federal cell tower zoning or telecommunications statutes, if their zoning results differ from those for cell phone companies. This teleconference will focus on the unique aspects of  more...

Metadata Scrubbing and Mining - Legal, Ethical and Practical Implications BenefitsMetadata lurks in every electronic document each of us creates and edits. Every computer application and platform we use also generates metadata. The consequences of human error are greatly magnified in the 21st century by the prevalence of electronic communication and the ability of anyone with a web browser to download - for only $0.08 per page - a copy of any document electronically  more...

5 Principles for Successful Design-Build Projects ...gn-bid-build system, how to evaluate whether design-build may be advantageous for your particular situation and project, how to structure a design-build approach to maximize the probability of a successful project in either the private or the public sector and how to select an appropriate contract format. Learning Objectives - You will be able to propose potential risks in design-build. - You  more...

When Worlds Collide - Bankruptcy and Probate ... (a) analyze and determine what issues a bankruptcy court may adjudicate notwithstanding the possible effect on a probate estate, (b) analyze and determine when a bankruptcy court must abstain and when it may abstain from adjudicating issues that have an impact on a probate estate, (c) know what effect the death of a debtor while a bankruptcy proceeding pending has on that proceeding, (d)  more...

Social Networking in the Workplace: Policies, Monitoring and Discipline Issues ...line; and, without effective policies in place, employers may be opening themselves to liability on a host of issues. It is therefore crucial for employers to understand their rights and obligations when dealing with employees who present such problems. This teleconference provides both the legal framework within which an employer already facing such issues can act as well as strategies for  more...

Buying and Selling Partnerships, LLCs and Other Similar Entities ...ween the corporate model and the alternative entity model may result in transaction documents that do not accurately reflect the parties' intent and may result in unexpected, adverse tax consequences to the parties. This teleconference will identify some of the major differences between the corporate model and alternative entity model, and specific issues to address and pitfalls to avoid when  more...

Collection Issues for Attorneys: Practical and Ethical Considerations ...with your client over the payment of your fee. The client may complain about the quality of the service or may claim that they cannot pay your fees. Whatever the excuse, it is a problem that can be lessened. This teleconference is designed to provide you with practical and ethical methods how to best avoid this potential problem. The teleconference explains that the best way to avoid problems  more...

New Regulations for the Credit Card Industry: Prepare Now and Avoid Penalties ...May 22, 2009, President Obama signed the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 to regulate several aspects of the credit card industry. This is one of the most sweeping changes to hit the industry for quite some time. This new legislation amends the Truth in Lending Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Federal Trade Commission Act, and places a number of  more...

Don't Bet the Company: Understanding and Avoiding Class Actions in Labor and Employment Law! ...sic example of this concerns overtime payments. Employees may show up early or stay a few minutes late, but the employer is responsible for paying overtime for this work, even though it was never authorized and the company may even have a policy against it. Once a plaintiff's lawyer gets hold of the case, the company may have to pay for all that back-pay at an overtime rate, plus attorney's  more...

Effective Use of Medical Records in Personal Injury Litigation BenefitsPersonal injury litigation requires the effective and efficient use of medical records. In order to present your case persuasively, you must have an understanding of how to collect medical records, how to use them during discovery and how to present them to a jury. This teleconference discusses both plaintiff and defendant perspectives, and it will explain the role of medical evidence in  more...

ADA Update: Overview of Americans with Disabilities Act and Practical Implications for Employers BenefitsThe ADA Amendments Act of 2008 takes effect January 1, 2009. The new amendments substantially alter and expand the definition of disabled under the ADA and who might be protected. This teleconference will review the ADA amendments and related issues, provide you with practical advice on how to comply with the ADA, and address common ADA and employment issues that may be impacted by the new  more...

Managing External Health Information ...w to handle external health information. This information may come in the form of unsolicited health information - i.e., information that is volunteered by patients or by other health care providers, either at the time the patient arrives for treatment or thereafter - and in some cases even after the patient has been discharged. It may also come in the form of information deliberately requested  more...

Show Me the Money: Determining Return on Investment for People, Projects and Programs ...rifiable numbers that prove the worth of investments, you may never gain the respect and leverage necessary to keep your processes moving forward. But to report ROI in isolation of other measures of performance is insufficient. The ROI methodology is the most applied and documented approach to addressing this needed accountability. By developing six types of measures, the ROI methodology not  more...

Collection Techniques for Landlords ...ok at standard collection techniques and discuss why they may not be effective as they historically have been, to identify alternate collection techniques for you to utilize with respect to both current and future tenants, and to discuss bankruptcy-related considerations you should keep in mind when attempting to collect from your tenants. Attorneys, presidents, vice presidents, real estate  more...

Value Engineering Change Proposals in Government Contracting ... Value Engineering Change Proposal ('VECP'), a contractor may suggest a contract change that, if accepted and implemented, provides cost savings to the Government and a substantial share in those savings to the contractor. Contractors that do not understand the VE clauses and their specific submittal requirements will ultimately forego their share of potentially substantial cost savings. If the  more...

Business Combinations and Goodwill: What Is the Latest With Fair Value? ...usiness Combinations (SFAS 141R), fair value measurements may change the way acquiring companies report the acquisition on its financial statements. These changes could ultimately impact deal pricing and structure. Fair value measurements often require the use of outside valuation specialists. This teleconference will help management of companies making acquisitions understand how these revised  more...

Basics of Trust Administration nThis teleconference will provide an overview of basic principles of trust administration under U.S. law, including powers and duties of trustees; relations with beneficiaries; removal and replacement of trustees; the use of directed trustees, protectors and investment managers, etc., to "slice and dice" trustee powers; probate court involvement in trust administration; and concepts in fiduciary  more...

Statement on Auditing Standards No. 104 - No. 111 Risk Assessment Standards ...ter realization on audits. Since the majority of auditors may be working with smaller businesses, this teleconference will include situations encountered with companies that have limited controls and suggestions to meet the standards in this environment. n nFor nonauditors (for example controllers and CFOs), suggestions will be provided to implement controls using cost effective measures. This  more...

Building Information Modeling: Planning, Design and Legal Considerations ...t some new developments in BIM contract language that you may have heard about, as well as what legal issues may be real and what may just be excuses. When we talk about the tools and the processes, we will explore some costs and benefits of BIM throughout the team. We will talk through a couple project examples where BIM tools and processes were used to really make a difference in the outcome  more...

Voir Dire: Effective Techniques for Getting and Using the Information You Need nVoir dire is one of the most important phases of a jury trial. However, the rules and procedures governing the jury selection process are often informal, subject to the broad discretion of the trial court, and can vary widely between jurisdictions, judges and even different cases before the same judge. A trial lawyer's strike decisions are some of the most important strategic decisions made in  more...

Enforcing Arbitration Agreements: 14 Penn Plaza and Other Recent Developments in Arbitration of Statutory Employment Claims nIn 14 Penn Plaza v. Pyett, 07-581 (S. Ct. April 1, 2009), the Supreme Court held that a union-negotiated arbitration agreement can bind individual employees to arbitrate statutory age discrimination claims. This decision continues the trend of enforcing agreements to arbitrate employment discrimination claims. 14 Penn Plaza should cause all legal professionals to consider the advantages of  more...

Construction Site Hazard Prevention ...ns over and over again. Penalties can be quite severe and may also result in lost business. Although most companies have detailed safety programs, translation of requirements to field activities may not be consistent. The most difficult aspect of establishing an effective safety plan involves the establishment of proactive hazard recognition and accident prevention systems. We all want our  more...

How To Prevent Construction Projects From Going Bad ...may have become more risky than ever. This teleconference focuses on actions you can take to keep your project pointed toward success. It addresses the steps that can and should be taken to help anticipate, identify and manage the problems inherent in the construction process. n nThis teleconference is intended to benefit attendees who want to have a better understanding of the pitfalls of the  more...

Finding, Qualifying & Closing Sales Leads nIt's getting harder and harder to find new prospects. Once you find them you may think you have a hot one, and suddenly the sale slips through your fingers. There is nothing more frustrating for professional sales people than to spin their wheels with unqualified leads. In this fast paced teleconference learn how to identify good leads, qualify those leads to find the top prospects and then use  more...

Understanding the Language of Mold Assessment Reports ... the language presented in a mold assessment report. They may be prone to accepting the written word of the consultant at face value, without question. This would be a mistake for anyone. For others it could be considered negligent and result in liability. Far too many mold assessment reports are produced by nonscientists. As a group, nonscientists often do not appreciate the limitations  more...

Presenteeism: Measurement and Intervention Issues for Employers and Health Plans nProductivity is fast becoming an even more vital issue to the business world. Presenteeism, or work loss due to underlying health conditions when individuals remain at work, is one important facet of productivity. One study found that approximately 6 percent of a global company's total compensation (salaries, wages and all benefit costs) were lost due to presenteeism. Work site wellness programs  more...

AIA Document A312 Payment Bond Forms nMany owners require contractors to obtain payment and performance bonds using the American Institute of Architect's A312 bond forms, but those bond forms require contractors, owners and sureties to contend with a number of challenges - the most recent of which is the surety industry's refusal to issue such bonds without modification because of the so-called 45-Day Rule. This teleconference is  more...

Understanding Pregnancy Leave and Return to Work Issues nUnder federal and state law, employers must not treat pregnant employees any differently from other employees. But, what exactly does this mean? Questions often arise as to how much leave a woman may take, what her rights are when she is on leave and what rights does she have when she returns to work. Employers often times are unwittingly violating the law. This teleconference will help you avoid  more...

Writing to Win: The Fundamentals of Legal Writing nLawyers and other legal professionals are paid to communicate. Your success depends on your words - and now, more than ever, on our written words. This teleconference, taught by a litigator, novelist and screenwriter, will provide you with the insights, skills and confidence needed to write with clarity and precision. Douglas E. Winter's practical, easy-to-implement strategies will improve your  more...

Brownfield Redevelopment and LEED. in 2009 - What Happens When You Mix Green and Brown? ...m was the costs incurred for green building related costs may not enhance the market value even on greenfield sites. Now studies indicate that increased energy efficiencies and a market demand for a limited supply of green buildings can provide ROI when measured against the up-front development and construction costs. Green buildings can also yield an increase to net operating income and  more...

Tax and Practical Aspects of Business Succession Planning nClosely held family businesses are often as important to the owners of that business as are their own children. With business failures increasing in today's economic environment, the importance of a well planned, dynamic and long-term succession plan is vital to the continuation of the family business as it is passes from generation to generation. Tax considerations are one part of that plan, but  more...

An Overview of Maritime Law Torts nAdmiralty law is expansive in its reach covering operations in brown water, blue water and offshore industries. The issues are complex and often involve federal and state law conflicts. An overview of maritime law torts addresses the primary and secondary issues arising out of Jones Act, USL&H and OCSLA claims. This teleconference is of practical interest to the occasional and experienced  more...

Understanding Warranties and Guarantees in the Standard AIA Contract nUnderstanding the interplay between warranties and call-back periods and the limitations on each is critical to both successful negotiation of a construction contract and the successful completion of a construction project. This teleconference will help you understand the issues concerning warranties and call-back periods, including the legal limitations on them, which will in turn allow you to  more...

Preparing for the International Financial Reporting Standard nOn November 14, 2008, the SEC released its proposed road map for the adoption of IFRS in the United States. At about the same time, leaders from the G20 countries at a financial summit in the United States issued a statement which, among other things, confirmed the leaders' support for developing a single set of high-quality global accounting standards. n nBoth of these events represent progress  more...

Payment Fraud ...ou need to understand the signs to look for that an order may be bad. You need to understand the tools that are available to you to investigate a potential customer. n nThe teleconference is intended to be a fundamentals session, providing you a foundation-level of knowledge about the theories, best practices and terminology surrounding electronic payment fraud. This teleconference is presented  more...

Cumulative Impact Claims ...may be one of the more common occurrences on projects with multiple changes over the course of the project. However, cumulative impact claims may be one of the most difficult claims to present and prove at trial or in arbitration. Evidentiary issues, logistics of proving what the cumulative impact was and proving damages can prove to be very difficult. Defenses to cumulative impact claims can  more...

Impact of the New ADA Amendments on Schools ...iring, employment and student eligibility practices which may have been legal under the earlier Court opinions but are no longer valid under ADAAA. This teleconference will provide educators responsible for serving special needs students, as well as school administrators responsible for hiring and employment, with a review of these laws, examples and analyses of practices that the laws now  more...

Internal ERISA Audits: Getting It Right Before the Government Shows Up nEmployee benefits plans are subject to a large number of requirements imposed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and by other laws such as the Internal Revenue Code. Failure to comply with these complex and ever-changing requirements could lead to substantial penalties or even the meltdown of the plan. This teleconference will highlight a number of these requirements and show you how  more...

Preparing for and Properly Reacting To Legal and Illegal Drug and Alcohol Use in the Workplace ...s. This teleconference will help you understand what laws may govern or affect workplace decisions relating to drugs and alcohol. You will also learn how to develop appropriate policies that can be tailored to particular workplaces, train managers on their role in the process, and properly document suspected employee drug and alcohol abuse and employee discipline. Finally the teleconference  more...

Stemming the Tide: 10 Best Practices for Litigation Expense Management nNew rules governing e-discovery, a continued increase in corporate reliance on electronic data and growing sophistication of plaintiffs' counsel have all combined to result in skyrocketing litigation costs with no end to this growth in sight. This comes at a time when pressure from business clients to reduce the cost of legal services is at an all time high. This teleconference will suggest 10  more...

Mitigating the Impact of Construction Projects: Hurdles to Project Success ... these impacts is avoiding them altogether; however, that may not be practical or attainable. The alternative is to mitigate these impacts to a level where they are acceptable. You'll also learn about planning and logistics for prevention and proactive mitigation of impacts as well as accountability on the project after the contractor has broken ground. This teleconference is critical for  more...

What Every Business Person Needs to Know About Legal Issues in Contracts ...o often this is not actually the case. Written agreements may not reflect what a business believes it negotiated. Parties may later recall terms different from what seems to be reflected in the initial agreement. And all too often, the legal boilerplate terms turn out to matter in ways never considered by the parties. This teleconference will help you avoid many of the common problems that can  more...

Workplace Flexibility: Innovative Strategies for an Evolving Workforce nOver the last three decades, the needs of the American workforce have changed dramatically. In response, many businesses have turned to workplace flexibility in order to recruit and retain the best workers, boost productivity and increase their competitive advantage. At the same time, policymakers in Washington have been exploring various approaches for increasing access to workplace flexibility  more...

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in Children ...however, do not display morphological anomalies, yet they may show significant cognitive deficits. Therefore, the term fetal alcohol spectrum disorders is commonly used to include the wide spectrum of physical and cognitive anomalies seen in children exposed to alcohol during pregnancy. Some studies have shown that children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders tend to develop multiple  more...

The Do's and Don'ts of Telephone Monitoring ...nto California and other states with mutual consent rules may follow suit, it is imperative that any company engaging in telephone monitoring for quality assurance or otherwise, review and update their telephone monitoring practices to avoid serious problems. Some state statutes impose more stringent requirements than federal law and impose significant criminal and civil penalties for  more...

Designing Effective Interest Rate Risk Management in Turbulent Times nThe current market has created challenges in managing risks while making a profit. Our tools for risk measurement were in place to help us take action to avoid as much of the impact as possible; yet a review of bank interest margins in the wake of massive rate reductions shows that bankers have a ways to go when using the interest rate risk information to make decisions. n nDuring this  more...

Retirement Benefit Solutions For Nonprofit Organizations and Government Entities nNonprofit organizations face many of the same issues regarding use of retirement benefits to attract and retain employees and executives as for-profit companies, but the tools available to them are often more limited. This teleconference will explore both broad-based retirement programs and executive deferred compensation available to nonprofit organizations. It will highlight new rules for  more...

Multistate Sales Tax Issues for Contractors ... Without an understanding of these concepts, a contractor may significantly under-bid construction projects or be subject to additional taxes, penalties and interest upon audit. This teleconference will not only review basic general rules but discuss exceptions and special applications. n nLearning Objectives n- You will be able to debate who is responsible for collecting or paying the sales  more...

Maximizing Innovation and Design Process Credits for LEED. Certification ...ng both system technologies and design innovations, which may qualify under the Innovation and Design Process section. The IDP section and qualifications policy has been reworked under the 2009 revisions to the LEED® program. n nThe information in this teleconference is important to anyone involved with major green building projects and is useful for building professionals who will engage in  more...

Pros and Cons of Cost-Plus vs. Fixed Price Contracts ...ontractors to understand how the adverse economic climate may impact the legal rights and duties that apply to a construction project. n nLearning Objectives n- You will be able to recall factors to consider in choosing between lump sum and cost-plus contracts. n- You will be able to compare advantages and disadvantages of lump sum and cost-plus contracts. n- You will be able to specify  more...

Criminal Liabilities Under HIPAA-Who Knew You Could Go to Prison? ...re providers and Medicare prescription drug card sponsors may be prosecuted criminally for HIPAA violations. n nWith ID theft on the rise, prosecutors are becoming more aggressive in enforcing HIPAA laws, particularly when intent to illegally obtain patient information is involved. In addition, failing to be aware of criminal liability under HIPAA can lull health care providers into lax  more...

Managing Risk and Investments for Trustees and Other Fiduciaries ... losses. Further complicating the matter, such litigation may not occur for many years after the initial investment decisions in question were made, and the people involved in those initial decisions are no longer living or employed by the fiduciary. This teleconference will discuss those areas that have presented the greatest risk of liability to fiduciaries and steps you can take to reduce  more...

Reducing Insulin Errors ...iagnoses seen in hospitalized patients. Moreover, insulin may be the preferred medication to manage glucose while patients are hospitalized. The Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and the Institute for Safe Medication Practice continue to identify insulin as one of the top 5 high alert medications. This teleconference will investigate the factors that contribute to  more...

Investing IRAs and Qualified Plan Rollovers in Real Estate, Franchises, Start-Ups and Other Private Investments - Techniques and ...ng directly in real estate and small businesses that they may intend to manage or otherwise be personally involved in. This trend has accelerated in recent years as syndicators, entrepreneurs, private fund managers and franchisors have come to view IRAs and qualified plan rollovers as sources of capital. This raises significant policy and enforcement issues for government regulators, especially  more...

Recent Developments With Loan Syndications nAttend this teleconference and stay abreast of the latest issues relating to the loan syndication process. Our seasoned faculty will provide practical answers to your most pressing questions about loan documentation. You'll get an inside look at how to respond to confusing post-Lehman bankruptcy issues and other new developments. n nRegister now and you'll learn how to overcome any obstacles you  more...

Problems and Risks Associated With Green Construction ... Moving in the green direction without proper preparation may cause a development to see red in the form of red tape, interruptions and negative bottom-line impacts. In this teleconference, we will be going beyond the basic principles of designing and building green to explore some of the challenges more likely to be encountered when building green, or made more acute when the goal of the  more...

Same-Gender Marriage Rulings: Impacts on Employee Benefit Plans Across the Nation ...May 2008, the California Supreme Court ruled that the state cannot deny same-gender couples the right to marry. Same-gender couples - many of them, in fact - flocked to California and started getting legally married on June 17, 2008. But then in November 2008, California voters approved Proposition 8, which bans same-sex marriage going forward. Massachusetts and Canada also allow same-gender  more...

Estate Planning for Vacation Homes nSummer and holiday gatherings at the family vacation home have become important traditions for many families. Providing a place where family members can relax, reconnect and escape the busy pace of life is increasingly significant to many families. Parents want to perpetuate these cherished memories and experiences throughout the generations. To do so requires careful, thoughtful planning by both  more...

Differentiated Instruction: Striving to Reach and Teach All Learners nIn every classroom, teachers are faced with the challenge of educating students who differ in their readiness, interests and learning needs. They are supposed to deliver a set of standards, which may overwhelm some students while leaving others unchallenged and unmotivated. What can you do to help meet the needs of all students? In this teleconference, you will get an overview of differentiated  more...

Preparing a Winning Closing Argument ...losing arguments." Even the most experienced trial lawyer may inwardly quake when the judge utters these fateful words. But what makes for an effective closing? Do closings even matter? When should you object? Should you really start preparing your closing the day you get a new case? These are questions that are not addressed in law school, and even today lawyers seeking guidance are forced to  more...

Internet Research for Legal Professionals ...s appear in a variety of file formats; and search engines may or may not index legal materials in concert with the legal researcher's expectations. This teleconference will help you develop an understanding of how to search for and find legal information on the Internet. The teleconference also explains the context for efficient searching by comparing electronic searching with print research  more...

Restructuring: Changing Your Choice of Business Entity nEach business goes through various stages of its life cycle as it grows. The plans of its owners change, and management succession and exit strategies become more immediate concerns. As a result, initial tax and state law decisions need to be revisited, and when warranted, consideration of changes to a company's tax and legal structure may be advisable or necessary. This teleconference will  more...

Protecting Yourself From Client Violence ...g profession, such as social work, anticipating that they may become targets of violence from the very individuals they want to help. However, evidence suggests that violence perpetrated by clients or their family members toward practitioners is increasing across settings. Such workers are facing increasing risks in their jobs because of the nature of their work; the increasingly complex and  more...

Reclamation and Rehabilitation of Vacant Properties ...t waiting for the economic cycle to change for the better may not be enough. Coming out of the recession will require new techniques. The sprawl model is dying and not just because of swings in energy prices. Consumers increasingly enjoy urban settings and lifestyles. This is driven by demographics and consumer preferences. To deliver what people want, it's time to learn more about urban  more...

Medical Privacy Rights of Minors ...of the minor to medical privacy and the ways those rights may be served while also serving the right of the parent or guardian to oversee the medical care provided. You'll learn about the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and related regulations, as well as common state statutory and regulatory schemes to deal with parental rights and  more...

Multiplaintiff Settlement Negotiations ...ng lists of employees as co-plaintiffs. Dukes v. Wal-Mart may herald a revival and expansion of discrimination class actions. Employers are confronted with the burden, expense and difficulty of defending large numbers of claims joined in a single action, and their opponents seek to capitalize on those factors. Employers face numerous practical and legal problems in attempting to settle such  more...

Answers to Top 10 Common Payroll Questions ...ften shocked to learn that their payroll practices, which may be entirely compliant under federal regulations, do not comply with differing state laws and regulations. Register for this teleconference and learn how to prevent 10 common payroll-related mistakes that employers face, such as proper pay statements, how to correctly calculate pay and overtime, accounting for vacation and time off  more...

Mortgage Cocktail: Lessons From the Credit Crisis and What May Be Next nJoin us at this teleconference and you'll gain perspective on the massive forces moving within the credit markets - the genesis of their movements, their direction and their likely consequences. We'll spend some time describing less obvious contributors to the arc of the credit bubble. During the majority of the teleconference, you'll hear about fiscal and monetary solutions to the crisis and the  more...

FMLA Regulation Update: Managing FMLA Leave under the New Regulations nEmployers are continually faced with the problem of FMLA abuse. Unfortunately, many employers are unaware of the tools at their disposal to effectively manage FMLA leave. This teleconference will help you understand lawful methods you can use to restrict unwarranted use of leave. You'll get a firm grasp of the most effective FMLA policies that may be instituted. Failing to adhere to FMLA  more...

Defining Electronic Data Terminology and Concepts nElectronic discovery has fundamentally altered both the corporate and legal worlds. The discovery and production of electronic records is now expected by litigants and courts alike. Attend this session and learn how to determine what is "electronically stored information" and proven methods for litigation readiness in the e-discovery era.  more...