Agenda

Webinar instructions will be emailed 24-48 business hours before the date of the webinar.
Please log into the webinar 15 – 30 minutes before start time.


Friday, October 10, 2025

9:00 am – 4:00 pm EDT


Agenda:

Overview of a Civil Trial
Presented by Heather Atnip

  • Pre-trial procedure and scheduling orders
  • Discovery control plan and discovery overview
  • Pre-trial motion practice
  • Anatomy of a trial

Assisting with Investigations
Presented by Tammy L. Kenward

  • Summarizing depositions
  • Skip tracing
  • Coordinating witnesses
  • Reviewing pleadings and discovery

Managing Evidence
Presented by Joseph A. Krajewski and Trevor Atnip

  • Types of evidence
  • Rules for admissibility of evidence
  • Preserving evidence

Effectively Working with Opposing Counsel and Staff
Presented by Heather Atnip

  • Analyzing methods of communication
  • Standards for responding to emails
  • Working with the courts
  • Maintaining professionalism

Assembling and Using Trial Notebooks
Presented by Tonya Johnston

  • Essentials of a trial notebook
  • Organization of a trial notebook
  • Uses for a trial notebook before trial
  • Uses of a trial notebook during trial

Litigation Ethics for Assistants and Paralegals
Presented by Anna E. Wright

  • Attorney and paralegal ethical rules
  • Specific areas of concern for legal support staff
    • Conflicts of interest
    • Confidentiality
    • Ex-parte communications
  • Avoiding the unauthorized practice of law
  • Working with clients, courts and opposing counsel

 

Webinar Instructions 
 
All attendees must log-on through their own email – attendees may not watch together if they wish to earn continuing education credit. HalfMoon Education Inc. must be able to prove attendance if either the attendee or HalfMoon Education Inc. is audited. 

Certificates of completion can be downloaded in PDF form upon passing a short quiz. A link to the quiz will be sent to each qualifying attendee immediately after the webinar. The certificate can be downloaded from the Results page of the quiz upon scoring 80% or higher. 

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GoToWebinar App requirements:  
Windows 10 or higher, macOS 11 or higher, Linux, Google Chrome OS 

Web Browser:  
Google Chrome (most recent 3 versions) 
Microsoft Edge (most recent 3 versions) 

Internet connection: 1 Mbps or better 

Hardware:  2GB of RAM (minimum), 4GB or more of RAM (recommended) 

For more information, visit the Support section at www.gotowebinar.com 

Credits

Paralegals
6.0 CLE Hours (Including 1.0 Ethics Hour)

NFPA - National Federation of Paralegal Associations
6.0 CLE Credits (Including 1.0 Ethics Credit)

 

Continuing Education Information

This webinar is open to the public and is designed to qualify for 6.0 CLE hours, including 1.0 ethics hour, for paralegals in Michigan. Paralegal certification is not required to participate in this course.

This course has been approved by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) for 6.0 total CLE credits, which includes 5.0 general CLE credits and 1.0 ethics CLE credit.

Attendance will be monitored, and attendance certificates will be available after the webinar for those who attend the entire course and score a minimum 80% on the quiz that follows the course (multiple attempts allowed).

*On-Demand Credits*

The preceding credit information only applies to the live presentation. This course in an on-demand format is not pre-approved by any licensing boards and may not qualify for the same credits; please consult your licensing board(s) to ensure that a structured, asynchronous learning format is appropriate.

Speakers

Heather J. Atnip

Attorney with Atnip & Associates, PLLC, in Rochester, MI

Atnip & Associates is a premier Michigan law firm specializing in complex litigation, including catastrophic injury, wrongful death, and mass torts. Known for her fierce advocacy and client-centered approach, Ms. Atnip has earned a reputation as one of Michigan’s top trial attorneys and a leader in the legal community. She was recognized as one of Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s 2023 Influential Women of Law and featured in Hour Detroit’s 2025 “Faces of Law”, as well as Dbusiness Magazine’s 2024 and 2025 Top Corporate Culture Awards, receiving both the Customer-Focused Culture Award and the Workspace Décor & Amenities Award in 2025 and the Compensation & Benefits Award in 2024. Ms. Atnip currently serves on the executive board of the Michigan Association for Justice (MAJ), she is a Trustee of the Macomb County Bar Association, and she is a Past President of the Rochester Bar Association. She is also a Master Litigator in the American Inns of Court (2023–present), and an active member of the State Bar of Michigan, Women’s Bar Association, and the Brain Injury Association of Michigan. A sought-after speaker, Ms. Atnip has presented at ICLE’s Annual No-Fault Seminar and the No-Fault Summit, covering complex topics like litigating federal no-fault cases and adjuster depositions. Through her innovative firm and commitment to justice, she continues to shape the future of personal injury law in Michigan.

Trevor Atnip

Intake Specialist with Atnip & Associates, PLLC

Mr. Atnip has an extensive background in sales and customer service to apply to the legal profession. He left his last position as a regional sales manager to join the pre-suit department at Atnip and Associates. Mr. Atnip enjoys interacting with clients during the intake process and is responsible for the initial contact with potential clients. He graduated on the Dean’s List with a Bachelor of Business Administration (Marketing) from Liberty University in 2013 and is a Liberty University graduate with a B.S. in Business Administration. Mr. Atnip spent all four years of college as a student-athlete playing hockey while pursuing his degree. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and 5 kids, as well as the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and camping with his family. He is a die-hard sports fan that roots for all Detroit teams!

Tonya Johnston

Litigation Paralegal with Atnip & Associates, PLLC

Ms. Johnston has worked as a litigation paralegal for 20 years, working with both plaintiffs and defendants, and has experience in various areas of law, including Personal Injury, Employment, and Family Law. She graduated cum laude from Purdue University with her Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies degree and obtained her associate degree in applied science ABA accredited Paralegal Degree from Oakland Community College. In 2017, Ms. Johnston began attending Concord Law School to further her knowledge of law. In her free time, she spends most of her time with her grandchildren but still finds time to research her family genealogy and help others with their family lineage, index legal documents for Ancestry.com, and is a semi-professional photographer.

Tammy L. Kenward

Attorney with Atnip & Associates, PLLC

Ms. Kenward is a personal injury trial lawyer with over 30 years of experience. She has represented individuals as well as corporate clients on both the plaintiff and defense sides, which gives her a unique perspective on your case. If you have concerns about your case, she will take the time to talk to you and give you an honest assessment of where things stand. Ms. Kenward is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Detroit College of Law. She’s a wife, mom, world traveler, mentor and friend.

Joseph A. Krajewski

Attorney with Atnip & Associates, PLLC

Mr. Krajewski graduated with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Michigan State University in 2003. Thereafter, he attended Wayne State Law School and earned his Juris Doctorate in 2006. After successfully passing the Michigan Bar on his first attempt, he began working for a plaintiff firm located in Waterford, Michigan. In 2013, he was offered a position working as an insurance defense attorney for Hanover Insurance; however, within a year it became clear that he preferred advocating for the seriously injured. Mr. Krajewski joined Atnip & Associates, PLLC in 2014 and focuses his litigation practice on assisting the catastrophically injured and fighting on their behalf. He is a member of the Michigan Association for Justice and has also been admitted to the United States District Court Eastern Division.

Anna E. Wright

Attorney with Atnip & Associates, PLLC

Ms. Wright graduated with honors from James Madison College within Michigan State University, with a bachelor’s degree in political theory, Constitutional Democracy and Social Relations in 2004. Additionally, she studied at the University of Cambridge (UK) as part of her Political Theory degree. In 2009, she graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where she served as editor of the law school’s Law Review. While in Law School, Ms. Wright focused on Trial Advocacy/Litigation practice as part of her specialty. She is admitted to the practice of law in the State of Michigan, and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Ms. Wright was previously employed as a claim litigation counsel for State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, and Citizens Insurance Company. Her insurance defense practice also included representing American Automobile Association (AAA) and Titan Insurance Company and their insureds. In 2017, Ms. Wright joined Atnip & Associates, PLLC. She spent her childhood in Europe where she traveled with her family and is fluent in Polish. Ms. Wright enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and relaxing by the water.