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Speaking Engagements

Ken & Jay Speak at New Jersey Trial Lawyers Association

May 21, 2019 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Ken and Jay recently spoke at the New Jersey Association for Justice’s2019 Boardwalk Seminar. The seminar, held annually in Atlantic City, New Jersey, is consistently one of the largest educational gatherings of trial lawyers in the country, drawing over 2,000 attorneys. Ken and Jay, while always seeking to hone their skills by learning from some of the top trial lawyers in the nation, pride themselves in their commitment to speak at these seminars themselves.

“We really feel a responsibility to helping not only our clients, but all the people affected by the carelessness of others. With that, Jay and I try to help teach other lawyers whenever we have the opportunity,” said Ken.

Trying the Truck Case

Ken first presented at the “Trucking 2019: Big Rigs, Big Wrecks” session. He stressed how important it is for lawyers representing individuals and families in truck crash cases to realize the differences between trucking cases and automobile cases. One of the initial reasons, is the injuries tend to be more catastrophic given the typical tractor-trailer on the highway weighs roughly 40 times as much as a standard sedan. Ken highlighted the importance of helping clients navigate the often difficult medical path ahead of them.

Ken also stressed that truckers are professional drivers, usually working for large, sophisticated corporations. These drivers and truck companies are regulated by well-established federal safety rules, put in place to protect everyone on the roadways. In that vein, he spoke about the importance of educating judges and juries on those rules and the differences between “regular” drivers and professional drivers. For example, in hazardous weather conditions, professional truck drivers are required to not only exhibit “extreme caution,” but they are not allowed to drive once the weather becomes unsafe.

How to Handle Difficult Client Issues

Ken’s second presentation at the seminar was at during the “Intake to Verdict: Maximizing Your Client’s Claim” session. Ken quickly set the stage by clarifying that “difficult client issues” did notmean “hard to deal with.”

“Every client has challenges that we, as lawyers, have to be sensitive to,” Ken explained. Some clients are vulnerable, whether due to age, injuries, or any of a myriad of factors. Ken continued, “Our clients often have complex needs when they come to us: they’re overwhelmed with medical bills, they’ve lost income because they can’t work, or the family may need help navigating the probate system after a death.” Specifically pertaining to medical issues, Ken stressed the role lawyers play in helping clients find the right medical specialist, sorting out health insurance issues, and even guiding them through the often long and arduous road to recovery ahead of them.

“First and foremost, we must always remember that while we are experienced veterans of the litigation process and the court system, this is a new and frightening experience for the people we represent. We are here to help – and that extends beyond just ‘winning the case,’” Ken concluded.

Case Management Systems: Choosing the Right One, Maximizing Their Use and Automating Your Practice

At the “Technology for Litigators” session, Jay discussed the many options lawyers have for case management systems. He walked through the criteria that should be used to help choose the right CMS, but also how to leverage its various functions to improve efficiency and productivity at the law firm. Jay was able to utilize his trials and tribulations as managing partner of Levinson and Stefani Injury Lawyers for the past five years. He provided numerous examples of what works, what doesn’t work, and how each firm and attorney may have different needs and wants.

“As trial lawyers, we are always focused on serving our clients and getting the best results we can. Sometimes, though, it’s easy to forget that part of that is running an efficient office – and in doing so, we can better help our clients,” Jay said. The presentation included topics such as building checklists and processes into the CMS, as well as using document generation to more quickly push cases against insurance companies and their corporate lawyers.

Ken and Jay are always thrilled to help whenever they can. If you have a seminar where either of them could be of assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out!

Ken Speaks to Select Group of Trucking and Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers

December 4, 2018 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Founding partner, Ken Levinson, was honored with an invitation to help teach other trial lawyers at a private program for attorney members of the American Association for Justice last week in our nation’s capital. Ken shared his knowledge and experience advocating for victims of serious truck collision and traumatic brain injury cases with his fellow practitioners in conferences held on Friday and Saturday.

Ken taught other trucking attorneys about his experiences running focus groups in Chicago. In one example, he discussed a serious injury resulting from a tractor-trailer crash. Ken detailed ideas and strategies to help a severely injured young man hold a driver and trucking company accountable for their careless actions.

Through his talk, Ken helped other lawyers by testing themes that would resonate with a jury and to craft arguments that would most effectively help to obtain a fair result for their injured clients. He shared exhibits, videos, photos of the crash scene, as well as examples of truck safety rules and regulations that were helpful in telling the young man’s story and how to best express to a jury how the defendants’ careless acts led to his condition. He also showed the approximately 80 lawyers in attendance video clips demonstrating how participants of his focus group reacted to his presentation and what they thought of the case.

On Saturday, Ken spoke to a group of trial lawyers about effectively representing clients in traumatic brain injury cases. Specifically, he shared his experience helping another lawyer with a case in a rural, conservative county, where even after the wife of a brain injury victim testified at a deposition, the insurance company offered no money for her husband’s tragic and avoidable injury.

After spending the day with the victim’s family and learning about what they have gone through and what they have been dealing with since this awful crash, Ken shared his experience with his colleagues of how he was able to help the family’s attorney, despite no offer to settle from the defense, to present the family’s testimony at trial in a more effective way leading to the jury awarding a record setting verdict in the case, by truly learning their story and helping share it effectively on the client’s day in court.

Levinson to Speak to Trial Lawyers at National Convention

February 23, 2015 by Ken Levinson Leave a Comment

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Showing – rather than telling – members of the jury is not as easy as it may seem.  At the American Association for Justice Winter Convention, I will be showing other trial lawyers how to better connect with juries by using visuals beyond text and photographs.

If you’ll be there, I welcome you to attend the Advocacy Track: Demonstrative Evidence CLE program on Wednesday, February 25, 2015. My presentation, Using Animations & Other Visuals to Tell the Story, will show attendees creative, effective ways to present persuasive visual evidence at trial.

Jay Stefani Discusses Nursing Home Cases at the CBA

December 12, 2014 by Jay Stefani Leave a Comment

Jay Stefani speaks on Nursing Home Lawsuits
Jay Stefani Offers Tips to Lawyers About Nursing Home Cases

I was honored to speak at the Chicago Bar Association (CBA) recently about nursing home abuse cases.  I enjoyed the opportunity to share tips, strategies, and experiences with the Tort Litigation Committee’s member lawyers.

Insurance companies and corporate defense lawyers work very hard to prevent nursing homes from being held responsible when their carelessness injures the elderly or disabled.  Wrongdoing in a nursing home, whether by doctors, nurses, or staff, can cause immense pain for patients and families. And the well-funded corporations behind the nursing homes will be aggressive in their defense.  This is why it’s so important to choose an experienced nursing home attorney if you or a loved one has been harmed.  You and your family should have somebody you trust working for you, who knows the ins and outs of nursing home litigation.

Ken Levinson Helps Ohio Attorneys with Truck Crash Cases

October 14, 2014 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Ken Levinson
Ken Levinson leads a demonstration to attorneys of the Ohio Association for Justice

The Ohio Association for Justice (OAJ) invited partner Ken Levinson to speak about trucking cases to attorneys who represent people injured in in truck crashes.   The OAJ asked Ken to give a half-day presentation on how to better handle truck crash lawsuits on behalf of injury victims.  Making this event unique was the fact that attendees were able and encouraged to ask questions and be involved in the discussion.  The audience clearly enjoyed the energy and interactive nature of the presentation.  One commenter stated it was “more more enjoyable and educational than just listening to someone talk.”

“I had a great time working with the members of OAJ,” Levinson said, adding, “I am honored the organization asked me to come speak at its event.”

 

Ken Levinson to Teach Trial Lawyers about Child Injury Cases

September 26, 2014 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment


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We’re very excited for Ken Levinson, who again will be addressing a group of other trial lawyers on how to handle child injury cases.  On Monday, September 29, 2014, Ken will be presenting at the Auto Litigation 3.0 conference hosted by the group 360 Advocacy.  During the presentation, which is here in Chicago, Ken will share important insights that he has gained over his years representing children who have been injured in car or truck crashes.

Ken has previously presented to the American Association for Justice, as well as state associations of trial attorneys, offering his tips, stories, and wisdom to lawyers looking to improve their litigation strategy in child injury cases.

Ken’s next speaking engagement after the 360 Advocacy conference is for the members of the Ohio Association for Justice in October, 2014.

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