The Federal Practice Bench-Bar Symposium

9:00 | Welcome from the Leaders - Victor A. Afanador, Esq. and Adam E. Gersh, Esq.
9:15 | Welcome Remarks from Hon. Renée Marie Bumb, U.S.D.J.
9:30 | The Interplay Between Federal Civil Procedure and State Court Litigation
- Panelist: Victor A. Afanador, Esq. (moderator); Hon. Brian R. Martinotti, U.S.D.J., Hon. Christine P. O’Hearn, U.S.D.J., Hon. André M. Espinosa, U.S.M.J., Hon. Matthew J. Skahill, U.S.M.J.; Susan M. Leming, Esq. and Adam E. Gersh, Esq.

There are important differences between state and federal civil practice. Federal district court and magistrate judges and seasoned practitioners will highlight some of the most important distinctions. Topics include:
• Removal to Federal Court – A discussion of the types of cases handled in federal court and when it is appropriate to seek removal
• Nuts and Bolts of Federal Pleadings – Drafting tips and requirements for pleadings including joinder and amending complaints upon motions to dismiss
• District Judge vs. Magistrate Judge – Roles and Responsibilities of Each
• Discovery
   o Initial Disclosures
   o Procedure for Presenting Discovery Disputes to the Court
• Rule 16 – Pretrial, Scheduling and Management Conferences – Purposes, requirements, what the court may consider, actions that the court can take and why and what the judges would like you to know
• Administrative Termination
• Ways to Stay a Case
• The “Entire Controversy Doctrine”
• The “Rooker-Feldman Doctrine” that prohibits litigants from challenging state court orders in federal court as a means to relitigating a case
• Settlement In’s and Out’s - Why settling on the courthouse steps could be costly for your clients
• Scheduling conflicts between federal and state courts including abstentions in federal court
11:00 | Break
11:10 | Thorny Substantive Issues in Federal Court
- Panelists: Hon. Jessica S. Allen, U.S.M.J. (moderator); Hon. Claire C. Cecchi, U.S.D.J., Hon. Julien X. Neals, U.S.D.J., William P. Flahive, Esq.; Kerri E. Chewning, Esq.; Rajiv D. Parikh, Esq. and Arthur M. Owens, Esq. 

Our look at the vital differences between federal and state courts continues with a discussion of important federal substantive issues. Topics include:
• Final pretrial orders – This order, unique to the Federal Courts, sets forth a motion in limine schedule and deadline, the date for a future pretrial if needed, the date for a final pretrial and a trial date
• Daubert motions
• Motions in limina
• TRO’s and Preliminary Injunctions
• How to navigate Pro Se actions filed in both courts
• Artificial intelligence
12:40 | Lunch
1:30 | Breakout Session – Choose from Two
• Federal Criminal Practice Primer
- Panelists: Robert Scrivo, Esq. (moderator); Hon. Robert B. Kugler, U.S.D.J.; Hon. J. Brendan Day, U.S.M.J.; Jamie Hoxie Solano, Esq. and Michael P. Koribanics, Esq. 

This is a vital primer for state court practitioners who represent defendants charged with federal crimes. Experienced federal court practitioners will point out some of the most important differences between state and federal court. Topics include:
  o Federal client initial interview
  o The Federal Investigation: Dealing with agents and prosecutors pre-indictment
  o Navigating the Federal Criminal Justice system: Arrest through plea/trial
  o Basics of federal sentencing
o Q&A session with the presenters
• Hot Topics in Federal Civil Practice 
- Panelists: Christine A. Amalfe, Esq. (moderator); Hon. Karen M. Williams, U.S.D.J., Hon. Robert Kirsch, U.S.D.J., Hon. Joel Schneider, U.S.M.J. (Ret.); G. Glennon Troublefield, Esq. and Rebekah R. Conroy, Esq. 

  o Motions and More – When to file, scheduling of motions, how to get a motion decided, whether to request oral argument
  o Scheduling of trials
  o Settlement ins and outs, including whether to send a case to arbitration or mediation
  o Q&A Session with the presenters
2:35 | Break
2:45 | Federal District Judges’ Roundtable
- Panelists: Ricardo Solano, Jr. Esq. (moderator); Hon. Renée Marie Bumb, Chief U.S.D.J.; Hon. Michael A. Shipp, U.S.D.J.; Hon. Zahid N. Quraishi, U.S.D.J.; Hon. Evelyn Padin, U.S.D.J. and Hon. Ann Marie Donio, U.S.M.J.

There are many new federal judges in New Jersey, each with their own likes and dislikes. Hear from several of them as they discuss how to present your case for the greatest success. Topics include: brief writing, proffers of evidence, oral arguments, preserving the record for appeal and more.
4:00 | Adjourn. Cocktail reception begins.