NATA CLE SEMINAR : FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2025
SCOTT CONFERENCE CENTER, 6450 PINE STREET, OMAHA, or Online

NATA is offering a hybrid annual meeting combining the best of both worlds.  Attend in person at the Scott Conference Center in Omaha and enjoy time with your peers, or, join us over Zoom from your office.  The seminar has been approved for 6 hours of MCLE including 1 hour of Ethics.  WE ARE MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR AN ON-DEMAND OPTION. INQUIRE AT NATA@NebraskaTrial.com IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ON DEMAND.

Nebraska MCLE Activity Numbers: Live Seminar - #266346  / Distance Learning -  #266347

Iowa MCLE Activity Number: Live Seminar - #419394 /  Distance Learning - #419395

“PRACTICE POINTERS”

7:30 am  -- Registration and Continental Breakfast  Sponsored by Great Plains Reporting

8:00 – 8:15 am -- Opening Remarks, Mandy Gruhlkey, Program Chair

8: 15 – 9:00 am -- “Crash Reconstruction – What Types of Analysis and Data Can a Reconstructionist Provide?” Chris Mannel, ACTAR, Nebraska Accident Reconstruction, LLC

9:00 – 10:00 am -- “Structured Settlements 101” Chris Harlan, CEO, CSSC, Summit Structured Settlements

10:00 – 11:00 am -- “Estimating Economic Losses” David Rosenbaum PhD, Professor of Emeritus of Economics, UNL College of Business 

11:00 – 11:45 am -- “Motivations for Staying Aggressive in the Face of Challenging Political Prevailing Winds” Mark Richardson, J.D. Rembolt Ludtke 

11:45 – 12:00 pm Break to visit the sandwich buffet and return to the seminar for the next speaker. Sandwich Buffet Sponsored by Minnesota Lawyers Mutual

12:00 – 12:45 pm “Pleading Pivots: Key Updates to Nebraska’s Pleading Rules for 2025” Jennifer Turco Meyer J.D. Turco Meyer Law 

12:45 – 1:45 pm -- “Substantive Changes to Nebraska Discovery Rules Effective January 1, 2025” John P. Lenich, JD UN College of Law 

1:45 – 2:00 pm Break Sponsored by Precision Life Care Planning & Medical Analysis 

2:00 – 3:00 pm -- “Navigating the Complexities of Medical Malpractice: Ethical Considerations and Best Practices” John F. Carroll, J.D., R.N. Watson & Carroll 

3:00 -3:10 pm -- Closing Remarks Mandy Gruhlkey, J.D., Program Chair The Advocates Injury Attorneys 
 

Topics & Speaker details listed here:

• Chris Mannel, Partner at Nebraska Accident Reconstruction LLC

Bio: Chris has served as a Partner for Nebraska Accident Reconstruction LLC since 2006. He also worked as a crash reconstructionist with the Nebraska State Patrol for 15 years.

Title: Crash Reconstruction: What types of analysis and data can a reconstructionist provide?

Summary: This presentation will explore the latest technologies and techniques used in crash investigations for litigation. After a brief overview of these topics, the session will dedicate the remaining time to a Q&A, allowing attendees to ask their own questions.

• Chris Harlan, CEO of Summit Structured Settlements 

Bio: Chris has been with Summit Structured Settlements since 2005. He graduated from Iowa State University and lives in Urbandale, Iowa.

Title: Structured Settlements 101

Summary: We will guide attorneys on effectively utilizing structured settlements to resolve cases, focusing on their role in case evaluation and negotiation. The course will cover the definition of structured settlements, relevant laws and tax regulations, and practical guidance on when and how to use them. Additionally, we will discuss strategies for introducing structured settlements, determining the appropriate timing for their presentation, and leveraging them to facilitate negotiations.

• David Rosenbaum, Chair of the Economics Department at the University of Nebraska Lincoln 

Bio: David Rosenbaum is Chair of the Economics Department at the University of Nebraska Lincoln. In addition, he served as Economic Consultant to the Nebraska Public Service Commission. Dr. Rosenbaum earned his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1985.

Title: Estimating Economic Loss

Summary: A discussion of topics and methods incorporated in estimating economic losses in cases of personal injury or wrongful death.

• Jennifer Turco Meyer, Attorney at Turco Meyer Law - 

Bio: Jennifer Turco Meyer is an attorney at Turco Meyer Law. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska Lincoln and her J.D. from Creighton University.

Title: Substantive Changes to Nebraska Pleading Rules Effective January 1, 2025

• Professor John Lenich, University of Nebraska College of Law -

Bio: Professor Lenich joined the faculty of the College of Law in 1984 and taught for 36 years before retiring in 2019. He earned his J.D. from Northwestern University.

Title: Substantive Changes to Nebraska Discovery Rules Effective January 1, 2025

• John F. Carroll, President at Watson & Carroll - 

Bio: John Carroll is an attorney and registered nurse practicing in Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota. He earned his BA at Bellevue University and J.D. from Creighton.

Title: Navigating the Complexities of Medical Malpractice: Ethical Considerations and Best Practices

Summary: This session examines the unique challenges of medical malpractice litigation, focusing on ethical pitfalls and best practices. Topics include coordinating expert witnesses, maintaining professional responsibilities, and insights from recent Nebraska case law and practical experience.

• Mark Richardson, Partner at Rembolt Ludtke -

Bio: Mark Richardson is a partner at Rembolt Ludtke in Lincoln. He earned a BS from Nebraska Wesleyan University and his JD from the University of Nebraska College of Law.

Title: Motivations for Staying Aggressive in the Face of Challenging Political Prevailing Winds

Summary: Humble suggestions to help move your clients’ cases forward aggressively, respectfully, and in a manner that achieves the best results regardless of the jurisdiction in which you find yourself.

The Scott Conference Center is located at 6450 Pine St., Omaha. From I-80 East take Exit 449 for 72^nd Street.  Turn left onto South 72^nd Street, and proceed north to Pine Street. Turn right onto Pine Street, and proceed east to the Scott Conference Center which will be on the left.  Parking is available across the street from the conference center in Parking Lot 9.

Refunds in full will be made if cancellations are received by February 18, 2025. After that date there will be an administrative fee charged for late cancellation.