Suing the Sovereign & Succeeding

Friday, October 3, 2008

Deconstructing the Governmental Immunity Defense
Angelo A. Ziotas, Esq., Silver Golub & Teitell LLP, Stamford
A complete primer on the defense of governmental immunity, including: defining ministerial v. discretionary duties; establishing the exception for identifiable persons (or class of persons) and "imminent harm"; defining proprietary v. governmental functions; and the other exceptions, including specific statutory bases, and acts of malice, wantonness and intent to injure; how to address and defeat the immunity defense in pleadings, discovery and at trial.

Hitting the Streets -- Highway, Street and Sidewalk Claims
Robert Sheldon, Esq., Tremont & Sheldon PC, Bridgeport
A comprehensive analysis of defective highway claims, including: investigating the defect; important tips for drafting and serving the notice of claim, and calculating the ninety day notice provided; defeating sole proximate cause; effectively emphasizing the state's/city's duty to keep the highway safe from defects; proving at trial the defect and notice of defect; defining the roadway - "in, upon or near the traveled path"; and sidewalk claims involving snow and ice, and shifting liability pursuant to § 7163a.

Municipal Liability Based on Employee Negligence
Identifying and proving a § 7-465 case based on a municipal employee's negligence; distinguishing between § 7-465 claims and highway defect claims; identifying the negligent employees; alleging § 52-557n as a separate cause of action; and tips on handling immunity defenses to § 7-465 claims.

Recent Development in Immunity Case Law -- An Overview of Recent Supreme and Appellate Court Cases
Cindy Robinson, Esq., Tremont & Sheldon PC, Bridgeport
Michael J. Walsh, Esq., Moukawsher & Walsh LLC, Hartford
A review of recent appellate case law involving issues related to governmental immunity, including: falls inside public schools; injury at public school recreational events; injuries at municipal golf courses; highway defects; falling tree cases; proprietary conduct cases; and recreational use immunity.

Obtaining Permission to Sue the State
Stephanie Roberge, Esq., Kennedy, Johnson, D'Elia & Gillooly LLC, New Haven
A primer on filing a notice of claim with the Claims Commissioner; a complete review of practices and procedures, and strategies for handling claims against the state.

This program is appropriate for both newly admitted and experienced attorneys.

Speakers

Cindy L. Robinson, Esq. (chair) Robinson Mahoney PLLC
Michael J. Walsh, Esq. (chair) Walsh Woodard LLC
Stephanie Z. Roberge, Esq. Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, P.C.
Robert R. Sheldon, Esq. Tremont Sheldon PC
Angelo A. Ziotas, Esq. Silver Golub & Teitell LLP

CLE Credits

This Continuing Legal Education program is appropriate for both newly-admitted and experienced attorneys, and has been approved for the following credits in accordance with the rule requirements of these states:

Skills
Connecticut 4.50 cr

Venue

441 Clark Ln., Orange CT 06477