Howard Bashman, creator of the popular blawg, How Appealing, will be the guest speaker for the appellate process segment of the Cybercourts and Online Dispute Resolution seminar that will run next in the Network-Lawyers discussion group. Howard’s portion of the seminar, the appellate process, Cybercourts of Appeal, will be begin on Wednesday, Dec. 3, and run through Friday, Dec. 5. The idea of courts going online, Cybercourts is no longer fanciful. With the advent of electronic filing and the trend to limit, and in many cases eliminate oral argument, the courts of appeal are becoming Cybercourts of Appeal. This evolution of the appeals courts and the affect of technology and the internet on the appellate process will be addressed during Howard’s segment of the program.

The seminar organizers are seeking judges, court administrators and other lawyers experienced in appellate practice to join the panel to assist in the presentation of Howard’s segment of the program. Please let John DeBruyn at jdebruyn@debruyn.com know if you would be available to join the panel and take an active part in the appellate process discussion that will run Wednesday through Friday.

The trial court segment will begin on Monday, Dec. 1, with Judge Gafni, joined by Judge Shelton on Tuesday for a discussion of the impact of the Internet and other technology on the trial process including preparation, filing, discovery and case management, trial testimony, documentary evidence and argument.

The speakers will be joined by two dozen other experts on various aspects of online, electronic, technology-enhanced resolution of disputes. There are also tracks on negotiation and mediation as well as public and stakeholder dialogue and policy negotiation with the courts, administrative agencies and legislative bodies. Here is an executive summary about all four segments of the Cybercourts and Online Dispute Resolution Seminar Program:

  • Negotiation and mediation track. Chaired by Professor Ethan Katsh, University of Massachusetts Department of Legal Studies, moderator of the dispute res discussion list for mediators, arbitrators, lawyers and other professionals interested in alternative dispute resolution.
  • Trial process track. Chaired by Judge Abraham Gafni, retired Pennsylvania state trial court judge and professor at Villanova Law School teaching alternative dispute resolution procedures, and Judge Donald Shelton, Michigan trial court judge who is involved with that state’s Cybercourt program.
  • Appellate process track. Chaired by Howard Bashman, Buchanan Ingersoll, Philadelphia, shareholder and chair of their appellate group.
  • Collective negotiation and dialogue track. Chaired by John Helie, mediator and principal, Mediate.Com.

    To register for this free conference and for more information, go here.

  • Photo of Bob Ambrogi Bob Ambrogi

    Bob is a lawyer, veteran legal journalist, and award-winning blogger and podcaster. In 2011, he was named to the inaugural Fastcase 50, honoring “the law’s smartest, most courageous innovators, techies, visionaries and leaders.” Earlier in his career, he was editor-in-chief of several legal publications, including The National Law Journal, and editorial director of ALM’s Litigation Services Division.