Step Into Practice:
Bootcamp for New Attorneys

Agenda

1. Session 1: View from the Bench
   1. "View from the Bench" offers new attorneys valuable insights directly from the judiciary. Judges will share practical advice on courtroom professionalism, highlight the traits they appreciate in new lawyers, and discuss common missteps to avoid. This panel provides a unique opportunity to understand what truly resonates—and what doesn’t—with the bench.

2. Session 2: From Draft to Response: Building Strong Written Discovery Skills
   1. In this session, Anne Keaton will walk new attorneys through the essentials of written discovery, including how to draft clear and effective requests and craft strong, strategic responses. Attendees will gain practical tips to avoid common pitfalls and build a solid foundation for successful litigation.

3. Session 3: Starting Strong: Real Talk from New Lawyers on the First Years
   1. This candid panel features attorneys reflecting on their early years in practice—the challenges they faced, the lessons they learned, and how they overcame common hurdles. Attendees will hear practical advice, honest insights, and encouragement from those who’ve been in their shoes.

4. Session 4: Staying Grounded: Managing Stress, Avoiding Burnout, and Thriving in Practice
   1. In this session, a licensed therapist will share tools and strategies to help new attorneys manage stress, prevent burnout, and build sustainable habits for personal and professional well-being. Attendees will learn how to navigate the demands of practice without losing balance.
       
5. Session 5: Skillfully Handling Your First Court Appearance
   1. This session will guide new attorneys through what to expect—and how to prepare—for their first court appearance. From courtroom etiquette to effective advocacy, attendees will gain practical tips to appear confident, competent, and professional from day one.
       
6. Session 6: How to Write a Stand Out Legal Brief
   1. This session will cover the fundamentals of crafting clear, persuasive, and well-organized legal briefs. New attorneys will learn practical strategies for effective legal writing, including structuring arguments, using authority, and writing with clarity and purpose.

Meet the Speakers:
Judge Gerald Parker, Montgomery County Common Pleas Court
Judge Elizabeth Ellis, Montgomery County Common Pleas Court
Anne Keeton, Bruns Connell Vollmar & Armstrong
Justin Elkin, Thompson Hine
Daniel Rafferty, Reminger Co.
Susan Wawrose, University of Dayton School of Law
Deztany Johnson, Pickrel Schaeffer & Ebeling
John Jarecki, Taft Stettinius & Hollister