Each year, the Scool of Law hosts a Homecoming CLE and Reunion which includes a free full-day CLE program at the law school campus, a lunch celebrating the 50-year class and the Dean's Reception. The 2012 Law Homecoming CLE and Reunion was held March 23, 2012, and presenation materials from that program are available below.

2012 Homecoming CLE and Reunion Agenda

8:10 a.m. – 9 a.m.
Experts—Who Needs 'Em?
Sandee Bryan Marion, Justice, Fourth Court of Appeals, and Polly Jackson Spencer, Judge, Probate Court No.1
This presentation will be a brief overview of the who, when, how, and why of expert witnesses in fiduciary litigation.

Cost Effective Legal Research: 2012 Update
Mike Martinez, Associate Professor, St. Mary’s University School of Law and Katy Stein, Assistant Professor
The Law Library Faculty will discuss legal research on the Internet. Topics include free websites as well as low cost options

The Ever Expanding World of ADR: Evolution and Acceleration of ADR
Dan Naranjo, Attorney/Arbitrator/Mediator, The Law Offices of Dan A. Naranjo, P.C., and Adjunct Professor, St. Mary’s University School of Law, and Don Philbin Jr. , Attorney/Arbitrator/Mediator, ADR toolbox
This presentation invites key figures that have emerged in the field since its rise in popularity. We will be discussing: the role of the mediator and the main mediation styles; the methods used to encourage participation; the role of a mediator in different types of disputes; and the importance of inserting mediation clauses into contracts. Our aim is to explain the benefits and to simplify the selection process for those considering mediation as a resolution to commercial or contract disputes.
Philbin's powerpoint

9:10 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Dodd Frank and Shareholder Proposals: The Illusion of Corporate Governance
Reynaldo A. Valencia, Associate Dean for Administration and Finance and Professor of Law, St. Mary’s University School of Law
Shareholder proposals have long been represented as a mechanism by which shareholders have an opportunity – no matter how nominal – to participate in corporate governance of publicly traded corporations. The passage of Dodd-Frank, and in particular the provisions related to disclosure and shareholder voting on executive compensation, yet again demonstrate the illusory nature of shareholder participation in corporate governance of a publicly traded corporation.

Immigration Law Overview for the Non-Immigration Lawyer
Robert A. Shivers, Partner, Shivers and Shivers, and Adjunct Professor, St. Mary’s University School of Law A discussion of current problems for attorneys and practical solutions for the future in the field of immigration.

Beyond the Advertisement: Marketing and Business Development for Lawyers
Samira M. Lineberger, Attorney, Lineberger Law Firm PLLC, and Adjunct Professor, St. Mary’s University School of Law
The purpose of this course is to provide some basic, practical knowledge and skills for developing and implementing business marketing plans for both firms and individual attorneys. The skills acquired are transferable to a variety of practice venues, such as solo, small, medium or large firms, and a variety of legal practices, regardless of the field of law at interest.

10:10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Is it time already for new ediscovery rules? But wait, I don’t understand the existing rules.
Xavier Rodriguez, United States District Judge for the Western District of Texas, and Adjunct Professor, St. Mary’s University School of Law
A discussion on the major ediscovery issues facing litigants and lawyers, whether the extra effort and costs have furthered the goals of securing the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every action and proceeding, and what rule changes are being discussed.

The Mediator’s CREED: Ethical Considerations for Selecting a Mediator and Participating in a Mediation
Rob Eichelbaum, Attorney, Davis Law Firm, and Adjunct Professor, St. Mary’s University School of Law
Mediation has become the primary form of Alternative Dispute Resolution used in today’s legal system. This presentation will concentrate on how party advocates should prepare their clients for mediation, and the steps one should consider in selecting a mediator that will maximize your opportunity for a favorable settlement. Discussion will focus on the ethical considerations an attorney should employ in making this decision.

America at War: The Confluence of International Ethics, International Law, and International Relations
Robert Lee Summers, Jr. , Professor of Law, Director, LL.M. Programs, Co-Director, International Legal Studies and Co-Founder, Center for Terrorism Law, St. Mary’s University School of Law
This presentation will address America's use of force regarding Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya as well as the threat of force in the persistent conflicts with Iran and North Korea. These events illustrate the inextricable linkage between international ethics, international law and international relations/foreign policy. Just War will be featured as the international ethics construct while the United Nations Charter and related treaties will form the basis for the discussion about the role of international law. The inevitable and dominant role of U.S. foreign policy goals will provide insight into critical contextual motivations.

11:10 a.m. – 12p.m.
State of the Law School: A Conversation with Dean Charles E. Cantú

12:15 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Luncheon honoring members of the Class of 1962

2:10 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Civil Restitution in Texas
David A. Dittfurth, Professor of Law, St. Mary’s University School of Law
The substance of the presentation will consist of a discussion of issues, arising under Texas law, concerning the existence of an independent cause of action for unjust enrichment. In addition, the Texas rules concerning the various remedies of restitution accepted by the Supreme Court of Texas will be discussed.

Tech-Inspired Tips for an Agile Law Practice
Nathan Roach, Attorney, Prins Law Firm
In the fast-moving world of software development and startup companies, Agile methodologies are used to keep companies competitive. This discussion introduces Agile concepts to the legal field and discusses how you can apply some of these concepts to your practice. Emerging tools for research and collaboration are also surveyed

3:10 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Practice Tips: A View from the Bench and 24 Years in the Trenches
Larry Noll, Judge 408th District Court and Adjunct Professor, St. Mary’s University School of Law
Pointers and suggestions for trials, management of practice, and dealing with clients from a practioner’s standpoint and from a judge’s perspective.

On the Frontier of Texas Tort Law: The Economic Loss Rule
Vincent R. Johnson, Professor of Law
The great current debate in American tort law is whether the so-called "economic loss rule" bars claims for negligence that causes purely economic losses unaccompanied by personal injuries or property damages. This session will discuss the Texas Supreme Court's recent landmark decision on this subject.

Come out, Come Out Wherever You Are – Constructive Notice of Unrecorded Agreements in Texas Land Titles
Peter E. Hosey, Partner, Jackson Walker LLP, and Adjunct Professor, St. Mary’s University School of Law, and Aloysius Leopold, Professor of Law
A discussion covering conveyances of real property interests, the Texas recording statutes, notice of unrecorded instruments, due diligence in oil and gas transaction, and drafting considerations for purchase and sale agreements.

4:10 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Important Cases Before the United States Supreme Court
Albert Kauffman, Associate Professor of Law, St. Mary’s University School of Law
This presentation will focus on the arguments and upcoming decision on appeals of the Affordable Health Care Act, the Arizona immigration enforcement statute, and the Texas Redistricting Decision.
Kauffman's Voting Rights paper
Kauffman's Immigration paper

Legal Issues in the “War on Terror”
Jeffrey F. Addicott, Professor of Law, St. Mary’s University School of Law, and Director, Center for Terrorism Law
This lecture will discuss current and emerging legal and policy issues in the “War on Terror” to include Rules of Engagement, Military Commissions, Enemy Combatant designations, and other issues that the Center for Terrorism Law is currently engaging on.

5:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
Dean’s Homecoming Reception and Portrait Unveiling: Justice Sandee Bryan Marion and Judge Polly Jackson Spencer