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Firm News

Ken makes guest appearance at Florida Justice Association seminar

December 28, 2015 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

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Earlier this month, Ken was invited to speak as a guest faculty member for the Hell on the Highways: Motorcycles, Trucks and Roads Seminar, presented by the Florida Justice Association.

The three-day conference provided hands-on, practical experience on litigation practices for lawyers, as told by nationally renowned trucking accident lawyers from around the country. Ken and his fellow faculty members led sessions by noting examples and successful litigation methods, based on previously tried cases and their experiences in the field.

Ken spoke on the benefits of utilizing focus groups as a way to prove liability and damages in trucking cases. During the session, Ken provided insight on how to select members of focus groups and how to ask the right questions to improve the odds of a winning a case.

Throughout his career, Ken has organized and led focus groups for high-profile cases involving auto and trucking accidents. While managing his own case load, Ken travels the country working with firms to gather important information to formulate strategies before going to trial.

The Florida Justice Association, formerly the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers (AFTL), is dedicated to strengthening and upholding Florida’s civil justice system and protecting the rights of Florida’s citizens and consumers. FJA works in the legislative, political and public arenas to ensure that Floridians know and understand the importance of their rights to justice and to make certain that these rights, which are at the very core of what it means to be American, are safeguarded and protected.

Rewind: Ken speaks at the 2015 Meadowlands Seminar

November 30, 2015 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Ken_New-Jersey
Levinson and Stefani founding partner Ken Levinson recently traveled to the Garden State to be an invited faculty member in the New Jersey Association for Justice 2015 Meadowlands Seminar, providing insight into two specific areas: child injury cases and the benefits of conducting focus groups.

The first session, titled “Maximizing Damages in Child Injury Cases,” concentrated on liability and trial strategies and three categories of injuries: brains, bones and burns. Levinson touched on the process of dealing with traumatic injuries by consulting with appropriate physicians and conducting extensive interviews with family members, among other things.

Levinson also led a session titled “Learn from Legends,” giving advice and explaining the benefits of using focus groups to better understand potential jurors. Levinson talked about the “blind spots” that lawyers frequently overlook, and how the use of a focus group can minimize dangers and maximize chances of winning the case by employing already-tested strategies.

Other topics during the three-day event included discussions regarding criminal law, tort law, proving standard of care and others.

The Meadowlands program featured 19 seminars, where speakers covered a broad range of legal areas as requested by current and former attendees. More than 600 people have attended since the seminar’s inception.

The NJAJ is headquartered in Trenton, New Jersey, a statewide association of over 2,500 members in private practice and public service, paralegals, law clerks, law students and law school graduates.

Levinson’s next speaking engagement takes place this Thursday at the Florida Association for Justice in St. Augustine, FL. He will lead the “Hell on the Highways: Motorcycles, Trucks and Roads” seminar, teaching fellow trial lawyers how to represent their clients more effectively.

Ken spotted at the AAJ Trucking College in Dallas

October 19, 2015 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

This month Ken joined fellow lawyers from around the country specializing in truck collision cases to take part as a faculty member at the American Association for Justice Trucking College in Dallas, Texas. Working together with select high-profile litigators and students, Ken was honored to teach a series of daily workshops on truck cases that continues to impact legislation.

The AAJ regularly provides lectures, conferences and other formats for fellow lawyers to get a better understanding of current trucking issues; but more importantly, it’s a chance for people to come together to help improve their skills. Ken had the great pleasure of speaking to a variety of participants, as well as provide one-on-one tutorials for trial lawyers looking to gain insight on individual cases.

Topics of the trucking college included truck driver depositions, hours-of-service laws, insurance coverage, using the CDL manual, motor carrier training/safety manuals and safety director issues, among others.

Ken was able to spend time with participants to discuss their respective cases, using examples from real-life examples to help them apply meaningful techniques to their current and future cases.

Ken currently serves as chair of the Education Committee of the AAJ’s Interstate Trucking Litigation Group, planning, coordinating and participating in the TLG’s trucking education initiatives, which includes in-person seminars as well as webinars.

Ken’s upcoming events: AAJ Trucking College and Chicago Bar Association seminar

October 1, 2015 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Fall is officially here and cooler weather is slowly creeping its way to Chicago. Just in time for Ken to make a trip to a much-hotter Dallas next week. The American Association for Justice has asked Ken to be a faculty member for its Advanced Trial Advocacy College: Litigating Truck Collision Cases, October 7–10, at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel by the Galleria, where he’ll be discussing:

  • Crafting the Rules and Themes
  • Truck Driver Depositions
  • Safety Director Depositions
  • Opening Statements
  • Summations
  • Turning and Lane Change Cases
  • Backing and Parked/Stopped Trucks
  • Hours of Service and Fatigue
  • Focus Grouping the Trucking Case

As part of the learning and lecture format, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on workshops in small groups with invited faculty for individual attention. If you’re interested in attending, or happen to be in the Dallas area next week, you can find more information on how to register by checking out the AAJ website.

After Dallas, the Chicago Bar Association will be hosting a seminar for solo and small firm practitioners on October 16, titled The Business of Law: Starting Up, Staying Strong. Levinson and Stefani is well into its second year of practice, and Ken’s looking forward to sharing some of the lessons he’s learned since opening the firm’s doors in June of 2014.

Lots of great things coming up. If you have questions about these and/or other events, feel free to contact us for more information.

Orientation Day: Back to law school

August 31, 2015 by Ken Levinson Leave a Comment

A special stop at DePaul University.

Almost 26 years to the day, I started my first day of law school. I was excited, nervous and not sure what to expect. I was meeting new people, getting to know the campus and privately wondering if I’d make it through three years of intense study. There were always moments of doubt, but I knew I was making the right decision.

Roughly a week ago, I was reminded of that decision and how much I love being a lawyer. On Wednesday, DePaul University welcomed its newest crop of law students for the 2015–2016 academic year, part of the Professionalism Orientation Program, a statewide initiative that takes place annually at all nine of Illinois’ law schools. The program is designed to give students an opportunity to interact with their peers and a few experienced lawyers from around the city. The best part: it gives local attorneys like me a chance to mingle with the future of the profession.

As part of the program, an Illinois Supreme Court Justice speaks to incoming students about the responsibilities of being a lawyer. Students then take the Pledge of Professionalism, and later, they participate in a facilitated discussion (led by practicing attorneys) that touches on the ethical and moral dilemmas that often arise in the practice of law.

Our group talked about a range of topics: The process of disclosing delicate information, even if it might be detrimental to a case; the context with which deleted social media posts constitutes destroying evidence and violating ethical rules; client confidentiality; and professionalism, especially. The students voiced their thoughts on courtesy and cordialness, right and wrong, which turned into an important part of our discussion that afternoon.

Before then, I had a great conversation with members of the DePaul Law faculty and the invited attorneys who were facilitating other groups. We talked a lot about the responsibilities we have to our clients, but also to one another. I was reminded of one of my first cases as a young lawyer. I’d been working with a much more experienced colleague who’d been haggling with a defense attorney all morning. It was a heated discussion, firing on all cylinders. Two people couldn’t have been at greater odds. So it was surprising when both attorneys, after the fact, decided to grab lunch together.

I don’t expect all opposing counsels will want to break bread after a heated debate, but I was struck by the similarities in the context of the 20-or-so students that I’d been charged to lead. There were lots of passionate opinions, but respectful ones nonetheless. And when it comes down to it, respect is the most important as we work with our peers.  It was nice to see that same feeling reflected during the first day of law school. The students at DePaul are embarking on a great journey, and they all seem headed in a great direction. I felt privileged to be just a small part of it.

Talking liability waivers with Ken (Shhh, it’s a webinar!)

August 27, 2015 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Do waivers mean no liability?

We all know Ken is thrilled when he doesn’t have to wear a suit and tie to a conference, one of the added benefits of being asked to take part in a webinar.

Here he is as one of the panelists on Defeating Liability Waivers in Personal Injury Cases, organized by Strafford Publications. You’ve likely signed a waiver at some point in your life, whether at the gym, an amusement park or a spa. Ken’s at work right now discussing how signing a waiver form doesn’t necessarily protect a company or individual from negligence.

Under the right circumstances, a waiver can be challenged as unenforceable according to state laws. Some of the key issues he and the other panelists are discussing at the moment:

  • What makes a liability release form valid or invalid?
  • How can personal injury attorneys defeat liability releases on substantive law grounds?
  • How can personal injury attorneys use procedural strategies to defeat personal injury releases?
  • What are the public policy considerations that support and oppose liability waivers?
  • Are liability releases signed by a parent on behalf of a minor child enforceable?
  • When are liability releases prohibited?

If you’d like to know more or have questions about liability waivers, feel free to drop Ken a line.

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