Roundtable discussions bring business-minded members together.

Two AAJ sections and a litigation group joined forces at the association's Winter Convention in Miami in February to help members hone their skills in litigating whistleblower claims, handling claims alleging defective financial advice to retirees, and conducting cross-examination in commercial cases. The Business Torts Section, the Employment Rights Section, and the Financial Securities and Analysts Litigation Group held an afternoon of lively roundtable discussions--open to all convention attendees--that centered on these topics.

The first discussion addressed various types of whistleblower claims, including those involving the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Florida state law, qui tam actions, and the Whistle-blower Protection Act. Panelists talked about administrative procedures, litigation strategies, recent developments in case law and regulations, and tips for maximizing damages.

"The presentation was intended to have a broad appeal to AAJ members and to be significant to attorneys practicing in areas other than employment law and business torts," said Kirk Reasonover, chair of the Business Torts Section. "For example, whistleblowers have been very significant in areas like products liability, where concerned workers have been subjected to retaliation when they reported misconduct."

The next session focused on the legal issues associated with claims against financial advisers alleging that they provided improper retirement advice or mishandled retirement assets. The roundtable participants discussed factors to consider in assessing whether financial advice and services provided to retired clients are adequate and appropriate.

The afternoon wound up with a session on cross-examination that focused on advocacy in arbitration. The presentation included practice tips for handling experts and adverse witnesses and videotapes of cross-examination techniques.

"We were fortunate to have a veteran of almost 20 years of commercial litigation experience, who provided insight into how to use videotapes in the examination of witnesses and in presenting a case during closing argument," said Reasonover.

While imparting valuable legal information to listeners, the roundtables also allowed participants to share personal experiences that brought a unique communal value to the discussions.

"The programs highlighted several areas that should interest any attorney who has an active trial practice," said Reasonover. The groups are considering similar topics for future programs.