Student Registration

• All Class Years: Registration closes on Tuesday, February 4
• 1L Priority Registration: Closes at 11:59 pm on Monday, January 27, 2025
• 2L & 3L Registration: Opens on Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Schedule of Events

Session 1 - 2:30 to 3:15 pm

CLIENT INTERVIEWING (Room 5042)

This session introduces students to the basics of client interviewing, a fundamental lawyering skill. We will cover the goals of a client interview, tips and techniques for effective interviewing, and some of the challenges and obstacles that often arise.

• Robin M. Lalley, 2007, Managing Principal of Sodoma Law York, Rock Hill, SC
• Sarah E. Bennett, 2011, Managing Principal of Sodoma Law North, Cornelius, NC
• Hailey N. Amico, Senior Attorney; Managing Attorney of Sodoma Law Raleigh, Raleigh, NC

EFFECTIVE COURTROOM COMMUNICATION (Room 5046)

Whether a judge or jury is deciding your case, a trial lawyer must be an effective communicator. We will discuss and demonstrate comparative means of effective courtroom presentation, including the differences in presenting to a judge or a jury, the use of electronic vs paper evidence, and distinct strategies for motions vs trial practice. Audience participation will be encouraged.

• The Honorable Benjamin Kahn, 1993, United States Bankruptcy Court - MDNC, Greensboro, NC
• J.P. Cournoyer, United States Bankruptcy Administrator - MDNC, Greensboro, NC
• Rebecca Redwine, 2007, Partner, Hendren Redwine & Malone, Raleigh, NC

GENERATIVE AI & LEGAL TECH IN LAW FIRMS (Room 5048)

Leading Goodwin's Knowledge & Innovation Strategy efforts, Anne Stemlar is uniquely positioned to provide law students an overview of the trends in the use of Generative AI and legal technology in a law firm and how to best prepare for a summer internship.

• Anne M. Stemlar, Managing Director, Knowledge & Innovation Strategy, Goodwin Procter, Atlanta, GA
• Adam Zielger, Director, Innovation Technology, Goodwin Procter, Boston, MA

Session 2 - 3:20 to 4:05 pm

CLIENT COUNSELING FROM BOARD ROOMS TO HOUSING PROJECTS (Room 5042)

Managing your relationship with your client throughout the long slog of litigation is imperative. With decades of experience counseling clients in private practice and at Legal Aid of North Carolina, Jack Lloyd will discuss setting client expectations at the outset of the attorney-client relationship, managing them through pre-trial proceedings, including mediations, and how to handle losing a case with your client.

• Jack Lloyd, Supervising Attorney, Consumer Practice Group, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Raleigh, NC

WRITING FOR LITIGATION (Room 5046)

Wondering if the key to litigation really is in the writing? Oral advocacy is important (and makes great TV) but cases are often won or lost on written advocacy. Join us as we discuss the essentials of excellent litigation writing. From drafting pleadings to briefs, you will learn about the types of writing that are unique to litigation practices. Come hear about strategies and tips to improve your litigation writing.

• Caroline H. Reinwald, 2021, Attorney, Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson, Research Triangle Park, NC
• Preetha Suresh Rini, 2016, Attorney, Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson, Raleigh, NC

CHOOSING A PRACTICE AREA (Room 5048)

Join Kate Reder-Sheikh and her colleague Rebecca Glatzer for a session designed to help you choose a practice area that fits your goals and interests. They will provide a market overview, discuss the factors that affect the legal industry, and the various career paths and geographies you can consider. They will then walk you through the 10 questions you should consider before choosing a practice area.

• Kate Reder-Sheikh, 2006, Partner, Major, Lindsay & Africa, San Francisco, CA
• Rebecca Glatzer, Partner, Major, Lindsay & Africa, Atlanta, GA

Session 3 - 4:10 to 4:55 pm

CLIENT DEVELOPMENT & BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS (Room 5042)

Please join us for a discussion on building relationships and best practices for business development. You will hear from a panel of lawyers at varying stages in their careers, and how they approach business development. This will include a discussion of building strong relationships with clients, potential clients, and other sources of business, including colleagues.

• Benjamin W. Smith, Counsel, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, Raleigh, NC

WRITING FOR TRANSACTIONS (Room 5046)

Wondering what legal writing looks like beyond pleadings and briefs? There is a whole world of legal writing outside of the courtroom. Join us as we discuss the hallmarks of excellent transactional writing. From drafting contracts to client advice, you will learn about the types of writing that are unique to transactional practices. Come hear about strategies and tips to improve your transactional writing.

• B.T. Atkinson, 1992, Corporate Attorney, Ward and Smith, Wilmington, NC
• Michelle Gonzalez, Real Estate Attorney, Ward and Smith, Raleigh, NC

GOVERNMENT PRACTICE, PRIVATE PRACTICE - HAVING IT BOTH WAYS (Room 5048)

A legal career provides a variety of opportunities if you are open to the possibilities. During this session we will explore the ways in which experiences in private practice and with government agencies can provide the foundation for an interesting and varied career. Many attorneys pursue opportunities with government agencies and then capitalize on their experience and transition to private practice. Likewise, many attorneys at law firms recognize the value in public service and seek opportunities with various agencies as they continue to build their careers.

• Karen A. Popp, 1985, Partner, Sidley Austin, Washington, DC