MEMBERSHIP while on vacation and a spouse trying a case while their wife was giving birth . All panelists agreed that for successful work life balance , you must learn to say no .
Family Law Virtual Hearings and Trial – Learn it or Lose it ! ( Trial Practice )
The next panel discussed “ tips and tricks ” to prepare yourself , your clients , and expert witnesses for successful virtual hearings , trials , and mediations . Ronne Kaplan ( Kaplan Family Law ) moderated , and Laurie Dyke ( IAG Forensics & Valuation ); Jed Silver ( The Silver Firm ); and Louis Tesser ( Tesser Mediation ) were the panelists . In the age of COVID-19 , the panelists offered insight based upon their own virtual hearings and trials . Once a hearing is set , it is helpful to call the judge ’ s chambers to learn how the judge normally handles the hearings . As with in person proceedings , every judge is different and has different protocols .
One panelist shared how he had 5,000 exhibits for a hearing , and he hired a technology company to organize the exhibits and present them during his presentation .
He believed that the process was ultimately overkill , but it gave him peace of mind during a stressful situation . The panelist did concede that he would never try to prepare those exhibits on his own . The panel also discussed the need for a back-up plan . Finally , they offered encouragement to the traditional practitioner and assured everyone that they will be able to handle any virtual proceedings , even if no paper is involved .
Balancing Client Needs and Family Needs While Working Remotely ( Professionalism )
The third panel explored the meaning and aspirations of professionalism as it relates to client expectations and quality of life issues for the lawyer working remotely during the pandemic and thereafter . The panelists Nilufar Abdi-Tabari ( Atlanta Lawyers Volunteer Foundation ) and Michelle Urbani Wallace ( Association County Commissioners of Georgia ) were moderated by Heather Ancrum ( Atlanta Housing Authority ). Abdi-Tabari talked about dressing up for Zoom meetings , as if you were attending in person . She suggested keeping normal routines as much as possible . Abdi-Tabari also provided practical tips , such as elevating your laptop and editing your Zoom profile , to ease your transition to a virtual world .
Wallace ’ s portion of the session was more interactive and invited audience members to participate in the discussion . Audience members were honest , which sparked genuine responses from Wallace . Her portion of the presentation focused on mental health and discussed the well-bring toolkit . She reminded everyone that most people suffer in silence and suggested that audience members take the time to reach out and check on their colleagues .
Ethics In Negotiations ( Ethics )
The final panel of the day focused on ethics in negotiations and was moderated by S . Gardner Culpepper , III ( Rogers & Hardin ). Presenters were former Georgia Supreme Court Justice Keith Blackwell ( Alston & Bird ); Andrea Farley ( Troutman Pepper ); and Noshay Collins
( continued on page 23 )
PHOTO SOURCE : PIXABAY . COM
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