Summary of Topics Covered:

Introduction
Guided Meditation
Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation
Diligent (Active and Fully Engaged)
Prompt and Mindful Can it Be Done
Mindfulness and Objectivity
Zealous Advocacy and Mindfulness
Beginning A Mindfulness Practice
Starting with Yoga
Finding a Meditative Practice
Tools that Help

Instructor Devon O’Connell, Esq. Bio

Member and Owner Pence and Macmillan
Judicial Nominating Commission
Certified and Trained Mediator
Certified Yoga Instructor (RYT 500)
Past President of the Wyoming State Bar
Past President of the Wyoming Trial Lawyer
Former member of the Board of Professional Responsibility
Former member of the Permanent Civil Rules Committee
Former Vice Chair of the Board of Continuing Legal Education
AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Service
University of Wyoming Art Museum Board
University of Wyoming Law School Advisory Board
2012 Graduate of Leadership Wyoming
J.D., University of Wyoming, 2000
B.A., University of Wyoming, 1992

Summary of Topics Covered:

• Introduction
• Mediator Duty of Competency
• Balancing Zealous Advocacy and Working Towards Resolution
• Do Mediators Give Legal Advice
• Does a Client Have the Right to Make a Stupid Decision
• Good Faith in Mediation
• Communications with Parties and Attorneys

Instructor Hon. Michael J. Sullivan, Esq. Bio

• Partner Brow, Drew, Massey & Sullivan
• Governor of Wyoming 1986 & 1990
• Instructor Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics
• US Ambassador to Ireland 1998-2001
• Mediator
• Service
• Chairman of the National County Hospital Board
• Chairman of the Wyoming Board of Bar Examiners
• Chairman of the Western Governors Association
• Chairman of the National Governors’ Association Executive Board

J.D., University of Wyoming, 1964
B.S., University of Wyoming, 1961

Summary of Topics Covered:

Lesson and stories from six decades practicing law

Prosecutorial discretion

Small town problem solving for lawyers

Learning from Mistakes

Seizing opportunities

Instructor Hon. Alan K. Simpson, Esq. Bio

Hon. Alan Simpson served in the U.S. Senate (R-Wyoming) from January 1979 to 1997, where he was the Assistant Republican Leader, 1984-1994; Chairman of the Subcommittee of Immigration and Refugee Policy of the Senate Judiciary Committee, 1980-1984; Nuclear Regulation Subcommittee of Environmental and Public Works, 1980-1984; Chairman of the Subcommittee on Social Security and member of the Committee on Aging; Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee, 1980-1984. From 1994-1996, he was a member of the Finance Committee; 1965-1977, Wyoming State Legislature, 1965-1978, Assistant Majority Leader, Majority Leader, and Speaker Pro Tem.

Mr. Simpson served as Assistant Attorney General, State of Wyoming in 1959, and was City Attorney of Cody, Wyoming, from 1959-1969. Partner: Simpson & Simpson (with father Milward L. Simpson who also served as Governor and U.S. Senator for Wyoming ); Simpson Kepler & Simpson, 1960-1978. Additionally, Mr. Simpson served in the U.S. Army, 1st Lieutenant, 2nd Armored Division “Hell on the Wheels” and the 5th Division, U.S. Armed Forces, Germany.

Alan Simpson is currently with the Washington Speakers Bureau in Washington, D.C. He is a very popular speaker and travels the country and abroad to speak to a wide variety of groups and associations regarding current affairs and politics in remarks entitled “Politics is a Contact Sport”.

Mr. Alan Simpson is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Trustees of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming.

Mr. Simpson was a member of the Board of Visitors for the Folger-Shakespeare Library and the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. 1994-1996. From 1998 to 2000 Mr. Simpson was the Director of the Institute of Politics at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University; and he was a Visiting Lecturer at the Shorenstein Center on Press, Politics and Public Policy, 1997-2000.

Mr. Simpson served on the Board of Trustees of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 1996 and he has been a member of the Screen Actor’s Guild since 1994. He served on the Board of Directors for the Biogen Corporation (now BiogenIDEC Corporation), Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1997-2004 and he was a member of the Board of Directors of American Express Funds, now RiverSource Funds, a subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, Minneapolis, Minnesota from 1997 through 2006.

In March 2010, Mr. Simpson was appointed by the President as the Co-Chairman of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform and he also served on the ten-member Iraq Study Group formed under the auspices of the congressionally chartered U.S. Institute of Peace in 2006.

J.D., University of Wyoming, 1958

B.S., University of Wyoming, 1954

Summary of Topics Covered:

Introduction of Instructor Elizabeth Lance

Laying the groundwork for starting your own firm

Setting a budget

Establishing an “income pipeline”

Generating work and cultivating referral sources

When to grow

How to get paid on time every time

Instructor Elizabeth Lance, Esq. Bio:

Managing Partner Lance and Hall LLP 2018-present

Owner/Attorney Lance Law Office, LLC 2015-2017

Associate Woodhouse, Roden, and Nethercott, LLC 2013-2015

Senior Assistant Public Defender 2010-2013

Senior Assistant Attorney General Human Services 2008-2010

Senior Assistant Attorney General Civil Division 2004-2008

Defendant Aid Program Student Director UW 2003-2004

Associations:

Wyoming Trial Lawyers (past president)

American Inns of Court

University of Wyoming College of Law

Wyoming Supreme Court—Children’s Justice  Project

Wyoming State Bar—Juvenile Pattern Jury Instruction Committee

National Juvenile Defender Center

Community Involvement:

Laramie County Juvenile Services Joint Powers Board

Unaccompanied Students Initiative

Wyoming Girls State

Wyoming Family Home Ownership Program akd My Front Door

Project Buena Vista

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

Liberty Day

Laramie County Democratic Party

Summary of Topics Covered:

Introduction of Instructor Mark GiffordWhat are common ethical mistakes lawyers make that they do not realize they are making? What does cooperation with bar counsel during the complaint process look like? 

What is the diversion program? 

What is the best part of the job of bar counsel? 

What is the procedural process and the burden of proof on bar counsel in the disciplinary hearing process? 

The “Wyoming System” allowing bar counsel to handle ethics hotline calls

Instructor Mark W. Gifford, Esq. Bio:

Mark W. Gifford is Bar Counsel for the Wyoming State Bar. He is a Wyoming native who received his Bachelor’s in accounting from the University of Wyoming in 1978 and his law degree from Stanford University in 1981. After 30 years of practice as a trial lawyer and mediator, Mark took the position of Bar Counsel on a part-time basis in 2011 and became full-time in October 2013. In addition to attorney discipline, Gifford’s responsibilities include Unauthorized Practice of Law, Fee Dispute Resolution and Client Protection Fund.

He also serves as general counsel to the Wyoming State Bar. Gifford was instrumental in getting Wyoming’s Lawyer Assistance Program launched in 2014. He is a member of the ABA Standing Committee on Professional Regulation. He has been recognized as an AV Preeminent-rated lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings, a distinction based upon peer reviews by members of the Bar and the Judiciary.

WyoLawPod is a podcast that is fully accredited for CLE credit by the Wyoming State Bar. This episode features Mark Gifford. Bar Counsel for the Wyoming State Bar.

Summary of Topics Covered:

Introduction of Instructor Robertson “Rob” Cohen
What are the biggest misconceptions about bankruptcy?
What kinds of debts can bankruptcy help with and what kind cannot be helped?
Can you make too much money to file bankruptcy?
What does a bankruptcy trustee do?
What are the biggest problems for debtors who hire attorneys who are not careful?
The importance of being honest in the bankruptcy process.
How does the bankruptcy process work?
When does the debtor’s life return to normal after filing?

Instructor Robertson Cohen, Esq. Bio:

Founding member and managing partner of Cohen & Cohen
Chapter 7 Panel Trustee
Affiliate Professor (Business law) Metropolitan State College of Denver

Professional Memberships:

National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees, Christian Legal Society, Jefferson County Bar Association
National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, U.S. District Court Colorado, Colorado Bar Association, Colorado Supreme Court, The Federalist Society

Pro Bono/Volunteer:

Governing Board of Littleton Academy Charter School—Secretary 2014 – present
Faculty of Federal Advocates – Bankruptcy Pro Bono Defense Program, 2004 – present
Christian Legal Society, 2005 – present
Board Member 1st Judicial District Bar Association 2012-2014

Awards and Recognitions:

Certified Consumer Bankruptcy Specialist, American Board of Certification, 2014 (continuing)
Donald E Cordova Distinguished Service Award, Faculty of Federal Advocates, 2013
Nominated 2013 Torch Award Recipient Denver Better Business Bureau, 2013
Colorado Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2013 – 2017, Super Lawyer 2018
First Judicial District Bar Association George Holley Outstanding Young Lawyer Award, 2011
Nominated for Denver Business Journal 40 under 40, 2014 & 2016

M.B.A University of Denver Daniels College of Business 1004
J.D. University of Denver College of Law 2003
B.A. University of Wyoming Social Sciences 1999

Summary of Topics Covered:

Introduction of Instructor Josie Sanchez
How does one become a claims analyst
What you should and should not do in working with your claims analyst
Importance of an accurate report of injury
Communicating with your claims analyst
What is proper notice you should receive for a change in benefits
How are IMEs scheduled
How not to upset your claims analyst
Guidelines for claimant attorney communications with claims analyst
Long term injuries and the importance of following up with your doctor
Negotiating final determinations directly with the claims analyst
Red flags, investigations and social media…aka how not to lose your benefits
What to do when benefits are denied and you are waiting for hearing

Instructor Josie Sanchez Bio:

Josie Pacheco is retired from the State of Wyoming after 21 years of service. Josie started at the State of Wyoming with Workers’ Compensation as a reception clerk and started learning the details of the job she would soon do as a claims analyst. She was passionate about her job and was quickly promoted to be an analyst. After about two years as a claims analyst, Josie was managing a case load of between 450 and 500 claims at a time and continued to do so for the next 19 years. She retired in 2018 and is enjoying her retirement and her new hobby of bee keeping, but she still takes calls from her former claimants to help them and answer questions about their cases. Josie has a vast knowledge of the work comp claims process that will be beneficial to claimants and claimant’s attorneys alike.

Summary of Topics Covered: 

Introduction of Instructor Jack D. Edwards, Esq.
Interrogatories: Asking Good Questions
Document Request: Getting What You Need without Asking for Too Much
Patience: One Marshmallow versus Two
Dealing with Objections Round One: The Meet and Confer
Round Two: Written Notice of Inappropriate Objections
Round Three: The Motion to Compel

Instructor Jack D. Edwards, Esq. Bio:

Owner, Edwards Law Office, PC, 2010 to Present
Associate, Luthi & Voyles, 2005-2010
Lincoln County DA, 2006
Associate, Hirst Applegate, LLP 2004-2005
University of Wyoming, JD 2004
University of Nevada, Reno, BA Criminal Justice 2001
Co-Author “Wyoming Foreclosure Law: Conforming to the Broad Changes Made by HB 112” 2006

Wyo Law Review:

Commissioner, Wyoming State Bar, 2009-2012
Seminar Instructor Western Wyoming Community College, 2005-2011
President, Associated Students of the University of Wyoming 2003-2004
Member, University of Wyoming Board of Trustees, 2003-2004

Summary of Topics Covered

Introduction of Instructor Michael Duff

European System and the French Train Project of 1832

Swiss Early Structure

German System and Otto Von Bismarck

English Evolution:

• Factor Acts
• Inspectorates
• Fencing
• Liability Statutes
• WC Act of 1897

American Liability Acts/Federal Employee Liability Act of 1908
How These Issues Still Affect Work Comp in Wyoming Today

Instructor Michael Duff, Esq. Bio:

Professor of Law, University of Wyoming
Founder, Co-Editor and Author, Workers’ Compensation Law Professors’ Blog
National Labor Relations Board, Regional Office Attorney
McTeaque, Higbee & Mac Adam, Associate
Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents, Law

Honors and Awards

2017 University of Wyoming College of Law Extraordinary Merit Award
Fellow, American Bar Foundation
Member, National Academy of Social Insurance
Fellow, College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
Pound Academic Fellow, Pound Civil Justice Institute
Recognition Award, Workers’ Injury Law and Advocacy Group
Centennial Distinguished Professor of Law, University of Wyoming College of Law 2014-2017

Books

Workers’ Compensation Law
Teachers Manual for Workers’ Compensation Law
Wyoming Workers Compensation Law (forthcoming)
Secunda, Hirsch & Duff, Labor Law: A Problem Based Approach
Labor, Civil Resistance, and the Rule of Law

Summary of Topics Covered:

Introduction of Instructor Grant Lawson

What are the key advantages of taking video depositions

The use of props in video depositions

Getting the deponent “in the moment” to recreate an event

How to use a video deposition in trial, for settlement purposes and during focus groups

Using a video deposition to limit frivolous objections

Determining when to take a video deposition

Instructor Grant Lawson, Esq. Bio:

Partner at Metier Law Firm

Graduate and Instructor at Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College

Board Member Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association

Executive Member American Association for Justice

National Trial Lawyers, Top 40 Under 40 in Wyoming

Wildland Firefighter

J.D., University of Wyoming, 2006

B.S., Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management, University of Wyoming, 2000

Summary of Topics Covered:

Introduction of Instructor Mathew Kaufman
Deciding if an LLM is a good fit with your legal career
Deciding what LLM is right for you
What is an LLM in Entrepreneurial Law
Working with your firm and law partners to plan for time away from work
Planning for the time away from family and how to stay healthy while commuting to school
Determining if there is a market for your new skills
The advantage of having an LLM in marketing your skills to clients

Instructor Mathew Kaufman, Esq. Bio:

Partner at Hathaway and Kunz

Law Clerk, First Judicial District, State of Wyoming, 2005-2007

Member of the Governor’s ENDOW Counsel

Co-founder and Chairman of Array School of Technology and Design

Leadership Wyoming, Class of 2015

Past President, Wyoming Federalist Society

Wyoming State Bar, Young Lawyers, Executive Committee (past member)

Guest Lecturer, University of Wyoming College of Business

National Trial Lawyers, Top 40 Under 40 in Wyoming

American Society of Legal Advocates, Top 40 Under 40 in Wyoming

Mountain States Super Lawyers, Rising Star 2012-2015

National Trial Lawyers, National Top 100 Civil Trial Lawyers of 2015

L.L.M., Entrepreneurial Law, University of Colorado, 2012

J.D., University of Wyoming, 2005, Order of Barristers

B.A., Political Science, Sociology, Criminal Justice, University of Wyoming, 2002

Summary of Topics Covered

• Introduction of instructor Dennis Ellis
• Beginning a career in public relations after law school
• Transitioning from employee to public relations firm owner
• How to build up a client base
• The advantage of having a law degree while working in public relations
• Overcoming obstacles and bouncing back from disappointments
• Establishing trust and building relationships
• Charging for your work

Instructor Dennis Ellis, Esq. Bio

Microsoft TechSpark Manager, Wyoming 2017 - Present

Ellis Public Affairs, LLC Owner 2016 - 2017

Anadarko Petroleum, Director of External Affairs, Wyoming 2010 – 2016

Wyoming Medical Society, Executive Director 2007 – 2010

Colorado AG Office, Deputy Attorney General 2008-2008

Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, Executive Director 2005-2006

Senior Policy Advisor Governor Owens 2005

Mediator Facilitator 2004-2005

Legislative Director Rep. Barbara Cubin WY 2000-2004

UW College of Law JD 2000

UW College of Arts and Sciences BA English 1996

Past President Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom

Past President Wyoming Petroleum Association

Advisory Board Member to the Wyoming College of Agriculture

Commissioner on the Wyoming Mixed Martial Arts Commission