PREVIOUS SEMINARS IN MEXICO & COSTA RICA
The 1994 Seminar included presentations by Hon. Kenneth Spanagel, judge of the Parma Municipal Court and a member of the traffic law advisory committee to the Ohio Legislature, speaking on "developments in traffic law"; Hon. Joel Sacco, magistrate, Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Division, speaking on "property division methods"; James A. Draper, Esq., Cuyahoga County Public Defender, speaking on "criminal defense techniques"; Fred Weisman, Esq., speaking on "representation of the plaintiff in a medical malpractice claim"; Robert Steely, Esq., a member of the Grievance Committee of the Cuyahoga County Bar Association, speaking on the topics of "ethics" and "substance abuse"; and Leo C. DiEgidio, Esq., speaking on "client relations." It is believed by some that Mr. DiEgidio's 1994 presentation was one of the factors contributing to the Ohio Supreme Court's decision in 1997 to mandate "professionalism" instruction as part of each lawyer's Continuing Legal Education obligation. The 1994 Seminar was presented in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico, November 12–19, including the Veterans Day holiday.
The 1995 Seminar included presentations by Hon. Peggy Foley Jones, judge, Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, speaking on "civil trial practice"; Judge Kenneth Spanagel, presenting a traffic law update focusing on the constitutional challenge to the then-current Ohio DUI law; Magistrate Joel Sacco, speaking on "amendments to the child support law"; Mary Kaye Bozza, Esq., speaking on "workers compensation procedures"; and Mr. Robert Steely on "ethics" and "substance abuse." The 1995 Seminar was presented in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, November 3–13, again including the Veterans Day holiday.
The 1996 Seminar included presentations by Hon. Stuart Saferin, judge, Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, speaking on the topic of "criminal sentencing"; Judge Peggy Jones, speaking on "jury selection"; Judge Kenneth Spanagel, who moderated a criminal trial practice presentation; Joseph Gambino, Esq., prosecuting attorney for the City of Strongsville, speaking on practice before municipal courts and city boards and commissions; and Mr. Steely, speaking on "ethics" and "substance abuse." The 1996 Seminar was presented in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, November 15–25. The photograph shows Academy members Mark Stefan and Chris Mallin (partially obscured by specimen of local fauna).
The 1997 Seminar included presentations by Ann Weatherhead, magistrate,Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Division, speaking on "Amendments to Ohio Revised Code 3113.215, Child Support Guidelines"; David Cullis, Esq., speaking on "1996-97 Amendments to Federal Income Taxation of Small Business and Self-Employed"; Gerald Patronite, Esq., speaking on "Ohio Real Estate Contracts"; Christopher Mallin, Esq., speaking on "Defense of Charges of DUI and DUS"; and Mr. Steely, on "ethics" and "substance abuse." The 1997 Seminar was presented at the Qualton resort in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, November 9–19, again including the Veterans Day holiday.
Academy member Gerald Patronite ascending Nohoch Mul and several Academy members observing from the shade. Inset photo: Academy members Boris Rakowsky and Christopher Mallin at the top of Nohoch Mul at Coba.
The 1998 Seminar included presentations by Hon. Burt W. Griffin, judge of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas, member of the advisory committee on criminal sentencing to the Ohio Legislature, and co-author of West Group's Ohio Felony Sentencing Law, speaking on "criminal sentencing procedures"; Michael Lepp, former Administrative Law Judge, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and author of sections of Baldwin's Ohio Administrative Practice, speaking on "administrative agency practice"; George Wertz, former referee, Summit County Probate Court, speaking on "problems in small estates"; and Mr. Steely, speaking on the newly-required topic of "professionalism" in addtion to "ethics" and "substance abuse."

The 1998 Seminar was presented November 7 to 14 at the Iberostar Tucan resort in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Some members of the Academy took the opportunity to become acquainted with aspects of Maya culture, through the good offices of Sr. Hilario Hiler to whom we were introduced by Akumal On Line.


Speakers Magistrate Conti. Trustee Eisen (front),
Mr. Steely, Magistrate Frost, and Mr. Lehman (back).

The 1999 Seminar included presentations by Corey Frost, magistrate of the Domestic Relations Division of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas speaking on "Domestic Relations — Post-decree Enforcement of Property Division and Hold-Harmless Orders"; Patricia Conti, magistrate of the Foreclosure Department of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas presenting "Foreclosure and Quiet Title Proceedings"; Saul Eisen, senior trustee of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Ohio;, speaking on "Bankruptcy Procedures Affecting Foreclosure and Divorce Obligations"; Mr. Robert Steely on "ethics"; and Mr. David Lehman of OLAP on "substance abuse." The 1999 Seminar was presented in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico, November 6–13, again including the Veterans Day holiday.

The 2000 Seminar included presentations by Hon. James L. Kimbler, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Medina County, speaking on "Felony DUI Procedures"; Magistrate Jeff Williams of the Knox County Juvenile Court on "Juvenile DUI Procedures and Disposition Alternatives"; Judge Mary Kaye Bozza of the Lyndhurst Municipal Court on "Municipal Court Adjudication of Bureau of Motor Vehicles Administrative Proceedings, and Disposition Alternatives"; a panel discussion of "Constitutional Issues in Traffic Stops — Self-Incrimination and Search Issues"; and Mr. Robert Steely on "ethics," "professionalism," and "substance abuse." The 2000 Seminar was presented in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, November 11–18.
The 2001 Seminar included presentations by Hon. James L. Kimbler, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Medina County, and Joyce Kimbler, counsel for Nationwide Insurance, speaking on "Ohio Uninsured Motorist Litigation"; Judge Lori Pittman of the Portage County Municipal Court on "Ohio Traffic Law Update"; and Mr. Robert Steely on "ethics,""professionalism," and "substance abuse." The 2000 Seminar was presented in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico, November 10–17.

The 2002 Seminar included presentations by Hon. Laurie J. Pittman, judge of the Portage County Municipal Court, Magistrate Diane M. Palos of the Division of Domestic Relations of Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, and Susan M. Weaver, Esq, who presented aspects of domestic violence litigation from the criminal, domestic relations, and alternative resolution perspectives. Mr. Robert Steely presented "ethics," "professionalism," and "substance abuse." The 2002 Seminar was presented in Quintana Roo, Mexico, November 11–18.

Academy Registrar Jean Brandt and friends
in cultural research at Chichen Itza.


Academic co-ordinator Christopher Mallin
with specimen of local fauna.
The 2003 Seminar included "Traffic Felonies and Administrative Appeals in the Court of Common Pleas," presented by Hon. James L. Kimbler, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Medina County,"SB 123 and HB 490- Ohio's 2004 Traffic and Misdemeanor Sentencing Law, with Case Law Update," presented by Hon. Kenneth R. Spanagel, Judge of the Parma Municipal Court; "Pretrial Procedures, Alternative Sentencing, and Special Circumstances Concerning Non-Resident Defendants," presented by Hon Frederick C. Hany II, Judge of the Ottawa County Municipal Court; and Mr. Robert Steely on "ethics" and "professionalism" and Mr. David Lehman of OLAP on "substance abuse." The 2003 Seminar was presented in Guanajuato, Costa Rica, November 8–15.

Academic co-ordinator Christopher Mallin,
Judge Carla Moore, Magistrate Kelli Perk, John Martin, Esq.
The 2004 Seminar included "Pretrial Sanctions in the Municipal Court," presented by Hon. Carla Moore, judge of the Akron Municipal Court; "Pretrial Sanctions in the Court of Common Pleas," presented by Magistrate Kelli Perk of the Portage County Court of Common Pleas; and "Blakely's Consequences for Ohio Sentencing Law," presented by John Martin, chief appellate counsel of the Cuyahoga County Public Defender. Mr. Robert Steely presented "ethics," "professionalism," and "substance abuse." The 2004 Seminar was presented at Ixtapa, Guerrero, Mexico, November 6–13.
The 2005 Seminar was disrupted by Hurricane Wilma, which closed the proposed seminar site in Playa del Carmen the week before classes were to be presented. The seminar was held in Richfield, Ohio, on the topic "Estate Planning for the Working Class," with presentations by Richard Gedeon, magistrate of the Probate Court of Cuyahoga County, Gerald Patronite, Esq., and Certified Long-Term Care Counselor Karen Rosenthal.

The 2006 Seminar topic was "Immigration and Foreign Language Issues in State Courts" including "Municipal Court Update," presented by Hon. Kenneth R. Spanagel, judge of the Parma Municipal Court; "Non-English Language Issues," presented by Hon. Diane Vettori of the Mahoning County Court; and "Bail Bond Procedures and Immigration Bond Requirements," presented by Mary Smith, vice-president of the Ohio Bail Bond Association. Judge Spanagel also presented "Ohio Rules of Profesional Conduct," "Professionalism in Client Communication under the Rules of Professional Conduct" was presented by academic co-ordinator Christopher Mallin, Esq. The 2006 Seminar was presented at Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, November 11–18.

Academic co-ordinator Christopher Mallin and member Kevin Rumes in cultural research at the Malecon, Puerto Vallarta. (photo by Lisa Rumes)

The 2007 Seminar topic was "Domestic Relations Litigation and Mediation," including "Contested Parental Rights and Responsibilities Litigation" by Judge Christopher J. Geer of the Franklin County Domestic Relations Division; "Domestic Relations Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution" by Joel Sacco, Esq., former magistrate, Cuyahoga County Division of Domestic Relations; "Property Division Issues in the Domestic Relations Court" by John A. Demer, Esq., Adjunct Professor of Law, Case Western Reserve University School of Law: a trial practice demonstration, a mediation demonstration, "Ethical Considerations at the Interface of Criminal Domestic Violence and Domestic Relations litigation" by Judge Geer; and "Attorney Professional Responsibilities and Conduct in the Mediation Context": by Mr. Sacco. The 2007 seminar was presented November 12 and 13, at Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
The 2008 Seminar topic was "Domestic Relations for Litigants Off the Chart," including "The Perfect Domestic Relations Trial" by Judge Christopher J. Geer of the Franklin County Domestic Relations Division; "Support Issues for High-Income Litigants" and "Alternative Dispute Resolution," both by Magistrate Diane M. Palos, now Judge Palos, of the Cuyahoga County Division of Domestic Relations; and Ethics, Professionalism, and Substance Abuse presentations by Judge Kenneth Spanagel of the Parma Municipal Court. The 2008 seminar was presented November 10 and 11, at Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico.


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