|
Conference Sessions this year will be divided into 3 tracks: Probate/Estate Planning, Family Law, and Civil/Other. Mix and Match - no need to preselect your classes.
|
|
TIME & ACTIVITY 10am to 12pm 10am to 12pm BONUS SESSION! - 2 hours MCLE
Dangerous Documents: Avoiding Land Mines in Your Records, Notes, and Electronic Communications Nancy Singer, Compliance-Alliance and Elizabeth Nguyen-Espinoza, HISE Financial Corporation/ENE Business Solutions
Dangerous Documents: Avoiding Land Mines in Your Records, Notes, and Electronic Communications
In today’s fast-paced legal and business environment, legal document assistants and professionals operate under significant pressure to meet deadlines, performance metrics, and client expectations. In doing so, everyday work habits, such as handwritten notes during document review, informal margin comments, text messages, instant messaging, and email communications on personal or organizational devices, can unintentionally create significant legal exposure.
This dynamic and interactive session equips participants with practical strategies for recognizing and avoiding these hidden risks. Attendees will learn how routine documentation practices can become discoverable evidence and how to implement safer communication and documentation habits in professional settings. 1pm to 1:30pm PRESIDENT'S ORIENTATION Welcome to CALDA & Welcome to Conference Jenny Barei, CALDA President 2pm to 3:30pm PLENARY SESSION - 1.5 hours MCLE Cultural Competency: Where Ethical Duty Takes You Joe Richardson, Esq.
Cultural Competency: Where Ethical Duty Takes You
A standard definition of Cultural Competency is “the ability to understand, communicate, and effectively interact with people from cultures or belief systems different from your own.” In a diverse world, cultural competency has become all the more important. Add the fact that, for many individuals, the “journey to justice” may start (and end) with LDAS, it becomes imperative that people working in the legal spaces, including LDAs, are proficient in cultural competency. We will discuss the unique role that LDAs play as a bridge to level the “playing field” of legal issues, and how LDAs can embrace the opportunity to be “effectively fluent” in diverse cultural languages. And, ultimately, the presentation will point out that being a successful professional LDA does not have to come at the expense of a client that needs your help. Assuming cultural competency is a goal, and an LDA’s presentation and product offerings are delivered with the proper sensitivity. It is a win-win proposition for all involved. Indeed, what is good for the pocketbook can also be good for the soul.
3:30pm to 4pm VISIT EXHIBITORS 4pm to 5:30pm PLENARY SESSION - 1.5 hours MCLE How to Operate Your LDA Business Without Committing Unauthorized Practice of Law Richard Lubetzky, Esq.
How to Operate Your LDA Business Without Committing Unauthorized Practice of Law
Legal Document Assistants must carefully navigate the line between providing authorized document preparation services and engaging in the unauthorized practice of law (UPL). This session will provide a practical overview of what constitutes UPL and highlight key provisions of California Business and Professions Code section 6400 et seq. Participants will learn best practices for structuring and operating an LDA business in compliance with the law, including important restrictions such as the prohibition on registering an LDA business as an LLC. The session will also address how to respond appropriately to consumer complaints and UPL complaints, with an emphasis on reducing risk, protecting your business, and maintaining professional standards.
5:30pm-7pm WELCOME RECEPTION - Hosted Cocktails & Appetizers, Poolside |
|
TIME & ACTIVITY 8:30am to 10am BREAK-OUT SESSIONS Your choice... FAMILY LAW - 1.5 hours MCLE Intake, Contract Execution, Issue Spotting, and Case Path Selection Katherine Schwenke, Family Law Document Services
Intake, Contract Execution, Issue Spotting, and Case Path Selection
Learn how to conduct an effective client intake, identify key legal and procedural issues, and determine whether a case should proceed as a joint dissolution or a standard petition filing. This session lays the foundation for efficiently managing family law cases from the very beginning.
PROBATE & ESTATE PLANNING - 1.5 hours MCLE Part 1 - Funding the Trust Right the First Time: A Practical Guide for LDAs R. Sam Price, Esq.
Funding the Trust Right the First Time: A Practical Guide for LDAs
Join R. Sam Price, Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law, for 3-hours of CE (two 1.5 hr sessions) built specifically for Legal Document Assistants. We'll walk through a practical example of the three types of property that determine what happens to real and personal property after someone dies, the drafting provisions and funding practices that keep a trust out of probate and a practical look at what trust administration involves once a trust is properly funded. This session is designed to sharpen the work you're already doing for customers, not just fill a CE requirement.
CIVIL LAW - 1.5 hours MCLE California Name Changes: From Petition to Decree and Everything in Between Stacy Wiseman, Wiseman's Planning
California Name Changes: From Petition to Decree and Everything in Between
This session will walk participants through the California name change process from beginning to end, providing a practical overview of the steps required to successfully prepare and complete a name change matter. Attendees will review the forms involved, filing procedures, notice requirements, publication requirements, and other key procedural considerations that may arise during the process.
10am to 10:30am VISIT EXHIBITORS with COFFEE & PASTRIES 10:30am to 12pm BREAK-OUT SESSIONS Your choice... FAMILY LAW - 1.5 hours MCLE Regular Dissolution Petition vs Joint Dissolution Petition: How to Prepare the Initial Documents Marcel Neumann, Affordable Document Preparation Services
Regular Dissolution Petition vs Joint Dissolution Petition: How to Prepare the Initial Documents
This 90-minute workshop provides a practical, step-by-step overview of how to properly complete the initial forms required for both a Regular Dissolution Petition and a Joint Dissolution Petition. Participants will learn the purpose of each form, how to accurately enter information, common mistakes to avoid, and the initial procedural differences between the two filing options. By the end of the session, attendees will have a better understanding of the required paperwork and will be more confident in preparing these specific dissolution forms within the scope of a Legal Document Assistant service.
PROBATE & ESTATE PLANNING - 1.5 hours MCLE Part 2 - Funding the Trust Right the First Time: A Practical Guide for LDAs R. Sam Price, Esq.
Funding the Trust Right the First Time: A Practical Guide for LDAs
Join R. Sam Price, Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law, for 3-hours of CE (two 1.5 hr sessions) built specifically for Legal Document Assistants. We'll walk through a practical example of the three types of property that determine what happens to real and personal property after someone dies, the drafting provisions and funding practices that keep a trust out of probate and a practical look at what trust administration involves once a trust is properly funded. This session is designed to sharpen the work you're already doing for customers, not just fill a CE requirement.
CIVIL LAW - 1.5 hours MCLE Staying in Your Lane - The LDA's Role in Personal Injury Cases Annie C. Lu, Esq. 12pm to 1:30pm LET'S DO LUNCH! (no-host lunch) 1:30pm to 2pm VISIT EXHIBITORS 2pm to 3:30pm BREAK-OUT SESSIONS Your choice... FAMILY LAW - 1.5 hours MCLE Family Law Disclosures: Beyond the Forms Jenny Barei, Sacramento Legal Documents
Family Law Disclosures: Beyond the Forms
Financial disclosures may be routine, but they are rarely simple. Knowing which forms to prepare is only the beginning. This practical session takes a closer look at California family law disclosures, including supporting documentation, common trouble spots, incomplete or questionable information from clients, and the mistakes that can delay, or derail, a case.
This session will help you spot issues earlier, prepare more complete disclosure packages, and better understand how all the pieces fit together. Come ready for practical tips, real-world examples, and a better understanding of the mandatory disclosure process. PROBATE & ESTATE PLANNING - 1.5 hours MCLE The Trust Isn’t Funded. Now What? Understanding Post-Death Options for Unfunded Trust Assets Ryan E. Fender, Esq.
The Trust Isn’t Funded. Now What? Understanding Post-Death Options for Unfunded Trust Assets
A common problem after a settlor’s death is discovering that an asset—often the family residence—was never properly transferred into the trust. This session will examine what happens when a trust is unfunded or an asset is left outside the trust and introduce the procedures that may be available to address the problem.
Attendees will receive a brief overview of Heggstad petitions and learn why these matters often require legal analysis and attorney involvement. The session will then focus on statutory alternatives that may be available in appropriate circumstances, including spousal property petitions and California’s Petition to Determine Succession to Primary Residence. Practical examples will illustrate how different facts can lead to different procedural options, when formal probate may become necessary, and when a matter should be referred to or handled in conjunction with an attorney. The goal is to help attendees recognize common funding problems, understand the general procedures that an attorney may consider, and work more effectively with clients and attorneys when post-death issues arise. CIVIL LAW - 1.5 hours MCLE Responding to a Debt Collection Lawsuit Christopher Stefan, Esq.
Responding to a Debt Collection Lawsuit
This session will provide a practical overview of preparing responses to debt collection lawsuits from the Legal Document Assistant perspective. Participants will examine the typical stages of a debt collection case, the documents commonly encountered, and the procedural steps involved when a consumer needs assistance preparing a response. The session will also address the appropriate role and limitations of the LDA when assisting consumers with these matters, helping participants recognize where document preparation ends and legal advice begins.
3:45pm to 5pm SPEED MENTORING (Three, 20-minute roundtable sessions; sign ups at Registration Table) TIME FOR A SWANKY, RETRO NIGHT AT THE OASIS! 5:30pm to 6:30pm HAPPY HOUR - Hosted Cocktails & Appetizers and Photo Booth Fun! 6:30pm to 9pm DINNER, RAFFLE, MEMBER RECOGNITION & AWARDS Keynote Address with Amy O'Gorman Jenkins, Precision Advocacy |
|
TIME & ACTIVITY 7am to 8:30am BREAKFAST & ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING State of the Association Address & Installation of New Directors 8:30am to 10am BREAK-OUT SESSIONS Your choice... FAMILY LAW - 1.5 hours MCLE Decision Making & Settlement Terri Breer, Esq.
Decision Making & Settlement
Many clients tell their Legal Document Assistant (LDA) that they have reached a complete agreement and simply need the necessary paperwork prepared. In practice, however, unresolved issues frequently emerge once the settlement is examined more closely. Property division, parenting plans, child or spousal support, and other important matters often remain unsettled, leaving clients uncertain about how to move forward.
In this practical session, attorney and family mediator Terri Breer will introduce proven decision-making tools and settlement strategies that LDAs can use to help clients resolve disputed issues and reach informed agreements. Participants will also learn when mediation may be appropriate, how LDAs and mediators can work collaboratively, and how this partnership can help families resolve disputes efficiently while avoiding unnecessary litigation. PROBATE & ESTATE PLANNING - 1.5 hours MCLE Probate in Practice: From Petition to Inventory & Appraisal Debbie Driver, Quality Document Preparation Center
Probate in Practice: From Petition to Inventory & Appraisal
This session will cover the probate administration process from the initial Petition for Probate through preparation of the Inventory and Appraisal. Attendees will gain a practical understanding of the major procedural steps, required forms, notices, filing requirements, and deadlines that arise during the early stages of a probate matter.
The presentation will also address creditor procedures, post-appointment responsibilities, and requirements involving real property, while highlighting practical workflow considerations that can help LDAs organize and manage probate document preparation more efficiently. Emphasis will be placed on the appropriate role of the LDA, including recognizing situations that may involve legal issues beyond document preparation and require attorney involvement. CIVIL LAW - 1.5 hours MCLE Deed & Recording Issues: When a Name Change Clouds Title Rob Van Steen, Teuninck & DeBishoppe 10am to 10:30am VISIT EXHIBITORS 10:30am to 12pm PLENARY SESSION - 1.5 hours MCLE LDAs, Artificial Intelligence and the Unauthorized Practice of Law Christopher Stefan, Esq.
LDAs, Artificial Intelligence and the Unauthorized Practice of Law
Large language models such as ChatGPT have quickly moved from a shiny new object to ubiquitous in the retail law space. Increasingly, LDA clients arrive with AI-generated research and documents to attempt to manipulate lawyers and LDAs alike. While these tools can be useful, they can also create new ethical and professional challenges for LDAs.
Designed as a participatory session, attendees will be encouraged to share experiences, analyze hypothetical situations, and consider practical strategies. The goal is to help LDAs use sound judgment, maintain appropriate professional boundaries, and navigate the increasingly complex intersection of technology, client service, and UPL. 12-pm to 2pm LUNCH & EXHIBITOR GIVE-AWAYS 2pm to 3:30pm BREAK-OUT SESSIONS Your choice... FAMILY LAW - 1.5 hours MCLE Judgment Preparation & Processing Judgments Terri Breer, Esq.
Judgment Preparation & Processing Judgments
If an LDA is retained to provide the client(s) with an uncontested dissolution of marriage, then the LDA’s services are not complete until entry of judgment. A step-by-step process will be described to ensure that the parties’ Judgment is drafted and prepared correctly for approval by the Family Law Clerk in the applicable California Court jurisdiction. The session will include a comprehensive review of all the forms that are included to obtain entry of judgment in an uncontested or default process. Common mistakes and pitfalls to avoid will be discussed by Attorney Mediator, Terri Breer and Katherine Schwenke, LDA that they have learned over a combined six decades of processing family law uncontested dissolution of marriage cases.
PROBATE & ESTATE PLANNING - 1.5 hours MCLE Probate in Practice: Telling the Story Through Final Distribution Helen M. Bellamy, JD, Judicial Self-Help Center
Probate in Practice: Telling the Story Through Final Distribution
Every probate has a story, and the Petition for Final Distribution is where it all comes together. This session shows the legal professional how to turn the events of the administration into a clear and complete final petition—from accounting for what happened to distribution, receipts, and final discharge. Attendees will see how each step of the administration contributes to the final story presented to the court.
CIVIL LAW - 1.5 hours MCLE Wage Garnishment Exemptions Christopher Stefan, Esq.
Wage Garnishment Exemptions
This session will provide Legal Document Assistants with a practical overview of wage garnishment exemptions. To provide broader context, the session will also explain how wage garnishment fits into the larger civil judgment process, including default judgments, issuance of a writ, and post-judgment enforcement. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how these stages connect and why each step matters when preparing exemption-related documents.
Conclusion of Conference 4pm to 5pm BOARD OF DIRECTORS - CLOSED MEETING |
|
