Trial Ready: How the Best Paralegals Stay Three Steps Ahead
You already know the basics. You've survived the all-nighters, the last-minute exhibit chaos, and the attorney who changes strategy at 9pm the night before trial. This session isn't about starting from scratch, it's about sharpening everything you already do and showing you where technology can quietly do the heavy lifting.
Join Joe Stephens, J.D., for a practical, skills-forward session built specifically for legal support professionals who want to level up their trial prep game. You'll walk away with proven techniques for anticipating attorney needs, organizing critical documents, and transforming complex case materials into compelling, court-ready presentations faster than ever before.
You’ll explore:
Walk away with strategies you can use immediately and a fresh perspective on what great trial prep actually looks like. Your next case will thank you.
Presented by: Joe Stephens, JD Director, Legal Solutions at Steno
Tuesday, June 9, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Online via Zoom
Joe Stephens, J.D. is the Director of Legal Solutions at Steno, and is the architect of one of Texas' largest rural public defender offices where he mastered the art of managing complex cases across twelve counties with limited resources. His diverse professional experience ranges from direct client representation to working three legislative sessions under two different Committee Chairmen in the Texas Legislature. A graduate of the University of Texas School of Law, Joe combines his passion for legal technology with practical experience to help teams work more efficiently, and is now teaching the next generation of legal professionals at Texas Tech University School of Law.
Presented by:
Michael Alder
Founder and Trial Attorney, Alderlaw
Monday, June 15, 2026 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Online via Zoom
What separates high-value cases from those that settle for less than they should? In this practical and engaging session, veteran trial attorney Michael Alder shares the proven strategies he has used for over 30 years of plaintiff practice to maximize case value long before trial.
Attendees will learn how effective investigation, evidence development, negotiation tactics, reserve-setting strategies, and case management can significantly influence outcomes. The program also explores five common mistakes that can quietly undermine even the strongest cases. Whether you're a legal professional, case manager, or support staff member, you'll leave with actionable insights to help strengthen case preparation, increase settlement leverage, and avoid costly missteps.
Michael Alder is owner and Senior Trial Attorney at AlderLaw, a leading Los Angeles firm that represents plaintiffs in personal injury, business torts and employment litigation cases. As one of the top trial attorneys in California, Mr. Alder vigorously pursues all cases on behalf of his clients who have suffered injustices.
As an underdog advocate, Mr. Alder takes pride in being personally involved in every case his firm takes on. Along with his team of lawyers, paralegals, law clerks and litigation assistants, he is consistently breaking records and earning the praise of the press with significant settlements and impressive verdicts.
The former CAALA president, well renowned speaker, and published author on trial strategy has a long history of supporting other trial attorneys. Mr. Alder maintains a 9,000-deposition database and an expert witness directory and provides information, at no charge, to up and coming lawyers upon request.
AHEAD WITH HORSES
Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026
Time: Morning Shift 8:45AM - 11:45AM
Where: AHEAD With Horses
10157 Johanna Avenue, Shadow Hills, CA, 91040
Sign up link: https://dash.pointapp.org/events/673940
About the event
Volunteers are vital to the success of our program and we truly appreciate your willingness to help us work toward our mission of helping our students achieve success through our equine vaulting program. What will volunteers do?
There's a variety of tasks that volunteers may be asked to do:
Parking is up the driveway, turn left past the arena and park in one of the non-disabled "spaces". If they are all full, you can park across the street in the church parking lot. (Please park in the large lot and not in the perpendicular spaces along the street.)
MOTIONS
- The different types - Why they are important - How to calendar - How to see if courts have special requirements (like if they need a separate statement) - Drafting proposed orders - How to put them together
Presented by: Mikaela Dixon, Esq. and Allison M. Melendez, Esq. Co-Hosts of Ladies in Law Podcast
Tuesday, July 15, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Online via Zoom
Early Bird Pricing - May 1st to June 13th! LAPA Member: $125.00
LAPA Student Member: $100.00 Non-Member: $150.00
Regular Registration - June 14 to October 9th
LAPA Member: $145.00 (10/10-10/17 $155)
LAPA Student Member: $125.00 (10/10-10/17 $135) Non-Member: $175.00 (10/10-10/17 $200)
Not a Member? Join Now and Enjoy Member Rates
Group Rate (students or paralegals): Purchase 5 or more Registrations and get $10 OFF each Registration. Discounts and/or Group Rates cannot be combined and payments must be made with a single company or school check or credit card.
AGENDA
Continental Breakfast / Exhibitor Meet & Greet
8:30 – 8:45 Good morning and welcome guests!
Charity of Choice: CASA Los Angeles
8:45 – 9:45 General Session (Ethics)
10:00 – 11:00 Morning Break-out Sessions
11:00 -- 11:40 Visit with Exhibitors / Sponsors
11:40 – 1:00 Lunch & Keynote Speaker
1:10 – 2:10 Afternoon Break-out Sessions
2:20 – 3:20 General Session (Ethics)
3:20 Awards
Scholarship, Lifetime Achievement, Maria Teresa Bravo, Volunteer
Closing Remarks
Saturday, October 17, 2026
8:00am – 3:30pm
Benefactor Members: $900 $1000 (after September 18, 2026)
Non-Members: $1050 $1150 (after September 18, 2026)
Schools and Non-Profits: $450 $500 (after September 18, 2026)(Only accredited schools and government recognized non-profit organizations are eligible for this discounted rate)
Registration includes 6' table and two chairs, conference syllabus listing, pre-conference marketing, and access to hundreds of decision making paralegals! Additional items that may be purchased: lunch, syllabus advertising, electrical.
Can't attend the conference? You can still get your company in front of hundreds of paralegals! Ask about our BAGSTUFFER opportunity.
Order Electrical Directly from the Pacific Palms
Package Handling Policy
No refunds per LAPA policy.
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