CLASSROOM SESSIONS
The below are not full stage shows but traditional classroom teaching sessions.
Supreme Court Disparate Impact Ruling
The U.S. Supreme Court decided a landmark Fair Housing case that will have significant consequences. The theory that you can commit an unintentional Fair Housing violation from the disparate impact of your conduct or policy is now officially the law of the land—but not necessarily in the same way that H.U.D’s current rule suggests. This session breaks down the decision, discusses possible real-world consequences and offers suggestions on how to minimize risks based on the language of the case.
Marijuana
Both medical and recreational marijuana legalization issues are covered, and both by applicants and residents. Attendees are taught relevant specific lease language including smoking language. Attendees learn how legalization by a state interrelates with federal Fair Housing law. The experienced fair housing presenter guides the audience through the fair housing reasonable accommodation analysis including interactive dialog.
Risk Management
This session will help reduce claims and cause better results when there is a claim. Attendees learn how to help prevent risks both common such as habitability or tenant suits and even claims most people don’t think about like defamation and misrepresentation. Surprising risks are taught such as gratuitously assuming duties. This session includes a helpful Risk Audit checklist.
Maintenance Risk Management
This session exposes risks unique to maintenance staff. Attendees are taught how to reduce premises liability risks. Executing work orders with standard operating procedures is reviewed. Vendor risks are explored including risks in selection, risks from vendor behavior and accidental vendor oral contracts. Maintenance staff are taught the importance of referring questions to the office. This session includes a valuable physical property Risk Audit tool.
Evictions
Attendees learn that they can’t evict just because they want to. Universal conceptual bases for an eviction and general proof standards are explained. Finding additional breaches like lying on applications are explored. Distinct types of appropriate breach notices are emphasized. Attendees learn how they can accidentally lose an eviction by waiver through their conduct. Adequately preparing for and documenting evictions is emphasized. The session discloses the hazards of self-help.
Litigation
Once served with legal process (after then yelling or hitting something) then what do you do? The legal system does not technically determine the “truth” but instead the side with the best proof wins. Attendees are taught to set emotions aside and instead how to invest substantial time in developing legal proof. Attendees learn what to do in the immediate first few hours, including who not to speak with. Preserving thoughts and memories in persuasive but yet confidential methods is explained. How to get not only statements but sworn affidavits is disclosed. Techniques to research to destroy the credibility of the opponent are revealed. Word choice techniques are taught to avoid apparent admissions.
Testifying
This session teaches testifying tips and cautions for all forums, whether a HUD interview, unemployment hearing, state court suit, deposition or a jury trial. Our trial lawyer presenter discloses tricks of the trade on how he controls his witnesses on cross examination. The session includes a valuable testimony preparation tool that includes strategic direction, private trial lawyer attack outlines, and testifying tips. Learning testimony tricks of the trade is helpful if attendees ever end up testifying. Even if they don’t, the session might at least motivate (scare) them to be careful to try and avoid situations which would require testimony.
Bed Bugs
The industry experienced lawyer shares real world bed bug legal strategies. Attendees learn the relationship between bed bugs and proof of habitability. The science concerning bedbugs is explored. Bed bug lawsuits are discussed. The session includes what to do when a bed bug infestation arises including investigation and resolution. Significant bed bug defenses are suggested.
Contracts
Our experienced contract trial litigator actually makes the law of contracts interesting. There are all sorts of potential contractual relationships and risks, whether with vendors, residents or anyone. Attendees learn what technically does or does not make a contract. The question “does a contract have to be in writing” is answered. Hazards of signing “just a form” are revealed. The session exposes both how to enforce and get out of a contract. Clauses to generally avoid and also look for are disclosed.