2025 Bernard Edelman DWI Law & Science Seminar--Virtual

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Session Descriptions

Exact times may change

Monday, August 25, 2025
Make the most out of scientific perspectives Monday
10-10:30 a.m. | Pleanry 1-1 | Issue spotting: Top ten things to know about DWI cases
The definition and purpose behind different sections of the DWI Investigation. This will include the 10 things to review in any report you receive and are commonly investigated incorrectly. 

Learning objectives:

• Use of the preliminary breath test as only determination and as part of the determination.
• Effectiveness of the eye observations on determining the arrest.
• The so-called driving cues of DWI investigation.

Speaker: Travis B. Jones, TBJ, LLC, St. Peters

10:30-11:20 a.m. | Plenary 1-2 | Alcohol and drug intoxication - Role in driving and impairment, Part 1 
Objectives: Following completion of this section, the learner will have a working knowledge base and understanding of how alcohol and drugs work in the biological system relative to driving and impairment. The learning approach for this session utilizes both experience-based case evaluation and critical forward review regarding the role of drugs and alcohol, both single or combined, relative to driving and impairment.

Learning objectives:

• Alcohol intoxication.
• Combination of alcohol and drug intoxication.
• Value of qualitative and quantitative analysis.
• Interpretation of numbers and graphs.
   

Speaker: Dr. Marcus Iszard, PhD, P.I., Iszard Investigational Pharmacology & Toxicology Services, LLC, Overland Park, KS

11:20 a.m.-12:10 p.m. | Plenary 1-3 | Alcohol and drug intoxication - Role in driving and impairment, Part 2 
This presentation is a continuation of the 10:30 session. 

 Learning objectives:

• Interpreting impairment: Subjective vs. objective.
• Drugs and driving.
• Case studies.

Speaker: Dr. Marcus Iszard, PhD, P.I., Iszard Investigational Pharmacology & Toxicology Services, LLC, Overland Park, KS

12:10-1:10 p.m. | Lunch 

1:10-2:00 p.m. | Plenary 1-4 | Attacking indicators of intoxication with innocent explanations
How common sense, aging and sleep deprivation play a role in a DWI arrest.

Learning objectives:

• Sleep deprivation/fatigue-how it affects the mind and body at play in a DWI.
• Aging issues: hearing, balance, brain deterioration and more-how it affects the mind and body at play in a DWI.
• Proof of the lack of science in SFSTs.

Speaker: Mimi Coffey, The Coffey Firm, Ft. Worth, Texas

2-2:50 p.m. | Plenary 1-5 | The Ethics and Malpractice Risks of Artificial Intelligence
The Missouri Rules of Professional Conduct require lawyers to “keep abreast of changes in the law and its practice, including the benefits and risks associated with relevant technology”. This program will look at the relevance of AI on the profession and the ethics and malpractice considerations when using it in your practice. 

Learning objectives:

• Understanding what AI is, and is not;
• AI's ethical and malpractice liability risks;
• Processes and procedures to mitigate AI's ethical and malpractice liability risks;
• How to make AI work in the everyday practice and its implications for the profession.

Speaker: Chris A. Stiegemeyer, The Bar Plan Mutual Insurance Company, St. Louis

2:50 p.m. | Adjourn 

Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Trial and procedure Tuesday
10-11 a.m. | Plenary 2-1 | How to streamline and excel at voir dire in a DUI

Speaker: Troy McKinney, Schneider & McKinney, PC, Houston, TX

11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Plenary 2-2 | How to use your team to win more cases during investigation and pre-trial preparation
This session will review what your staff can do to assist you prior to trial.

Learning objectives:

• Review of discovery and obtain anything that’s missing.
• Interviewing witnesses.
• Organize all discovery.
• Investigate areas of arrest/accident.

Speaker: Travis L. Noble, Travis Noble, PC, St. Louis

12-1 p.m. | Lunch 

1-1:45 p.m. | Plenary 2-3 |The good, bad and ugly of DWI defense
Learn the history of DWI offense in Missouri from several of the most seasoned and experienced DWI attorneys in Missouri. They will discuss their good, bad, and ugly cases and experiences throughout all of the courtrooms in Missouri. Please come prepared to ask questions.

Speakers: Mattthew D. Fry, Rosenblum Schwartz Fry & Johnson, St. Louis (Moderator); Jeffrey S. Eastman, Law Office of Keleher & Eastman, Gladstone; Carl M. Ward, The Law Office of Carl M. Ward, Washington; Timothy R. Cisar, The Cisar Law Firm, PC, Lake Ozark

1:45-2:15 p.m. | Plenary 2-4 | Unique issues for CDL drivers

Speaker: John M. Eccher, Eccher Law Group, St. Louis

2:15-3:05 p.m. | Plenary 2-5 | How to challenge priors in DWI cases

Speakers: Joseph S. Passanise, Wampler & Passanise, Springfield; Nickolas W. Allen, Douglas, Haun & Heidemann PC, Springfield

3:05 p.m. | Adjourn

Wednesday, August 27, 2025
On Wednesday, we learn case law
10-10:50 a.m. | Plenary 3-1 | Case law update
During this session you will learn the black letter rule on every relevant case handed down from July 2024 to July 2025 and how to apply those cases to your DWI practice.

Learning objectives:

• The law you need to know to defend your clients charged with DWI. 
• The legal principles you need to know to protect your client's driver's license. 
• How to use case law to shape winning arguments.

Speaker: Matthew D. Fry, Rosenblum Schwartz Fry & Johnson, St. Louis

10:50 a.m.-12:00 p.m. | Plenary 3-2 | Attacking blood alcohol concentration (BAC) measurements in DWI cases under a statutory predicate, court rules (Daubert), due process, and confrontation
Mr. Vang will explain how to use implied consent statutes that have been incorporated into DUI statutes to demand chemical testing discovery and to suppress chemical testing evidence under a statutory predicate. Mr. Vang will explain how to use statutes and court rules to suppress chemical testing measurements in DUI cases. 

Speaker: R. Michael Vang, R. Michael Vang PC, Laramie, WY

12-12:30 p.m. | Plenary 3-3 | How to effectively use State v. Hatfield to win a DWI case

Speaker: Kim Benjamin, Benjamin Law Firm, LLC, Belton

12:30-1:30 p.m. | Lunch 

1:30-2:20 p.m. | Plenary 3-4 | DWI by THC: Has the case law caught up? 
With the legalization of marijuana in Missouri, prosecutions for DWI by THC have increased substantially. However, the caselaw regarding DWI by THC has not. Matt Fry will discuss the law on DWI by THC and the issues the State may have with proving causation. 

Learning objectives:

• The difference between ethanol and THC in chemical composition and in the law. 
• The steps required for the State to prove a driver is impaired by THC. 
• The legal issues the State may face in proving DWI by THC. 
• The studies involving DWI by THC.
• What the future holds for the legal landscape involving DWI by THC.

Speaker: Matthew D. Fry, Rosenblum Schwartz Fry & Johnson, St. Louis

2:20-3:10 p.m. | Pushed to the limit: Exploring the biology of chronic stress and strategies to mitigate its impact
The legal field is often fast-paced, deadline-driven, and high-pressure, leading many in the profession to experience chronic stress which, if not tamed, can contribute and/or lead to serious health issues. In this session we will review important statistics about the well-being of legal professionals, explore the biology of chronic stress (including why our bodies are not built to withstand it), and learn a three-part recipe for managing stress and mitigating its impact.

Learning objectives:

• An understanding of the status of well-being in the law, including the rates at which lawyers suffer in silence with varying types and levels of decreased well-being.
• The biological impact of chronic stress on our bodies and minds and on our performance (including, for lawyers/judges, heightened chances for a breach of ethical duties).
• A three-part recipe to mitigate the impacts of chronic stress.

Speaker: Erin McClernon, Ogletree Deakins, Kansas City

3:10 p.m. | Adjourn

Thursday, August 28, 2025
Thursday is for paralegals
9-9:50 a.m. | Basics/Bootcamp: Criminal and civil consequences for DWIs

Speakers: Jeannean Fenske, Travis Noble, PC, St. Louis, Megan G. Oliver, Benjamin Law Firm, LLC, Belton

9:50-10:40 a.m.  | Basics/Bootcamp
AH + TDN + Refusals

Speakers: Jeannean Fenske, Travis Noble, PC, St. Louis; Megan G. Oliver, Benjamin Law Firm, LLC, Belton

10:40-11:30 a.m. | Basics/Bootcamp: Demonstration of a DOR hearing for legal assistants and paralegals

Speakers: Jeannean Fenske, Travis Noble, PC, St. Louis; Megan G. Oliver, Benjamin Law Firm, LLC, Belton

11:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m. | Pushed to the limit: Exploring the biology of chronic stress and strategies to mitigate its impact  
The legal field is often fast-paced, deadline-driven, and high-pressure, leading many in the profession to experience chronic stress which, if not tamed, can contribute and/or lead to serious health issues. In this session we will review important statistics about the well-being of legal professionals, explore the biology of chronic stress (including why our bodies are not built to withstand it), and learn a three-part recipe for managing stress and mitigating its impact.

Learning objectives:

• An understanding of the status of well-being in the law, including the rates at which lawyers suffer in silence with varying types and levels of decreased well-being.
• The biological impact of chronic stress on our bodies and minds and on our performance (including, for lawyers/judges, heightened chances for a breach of ethical duties).
• A three part-recipe to mitigate the impacts of chronic stress.

Speaker: Erin McClernon, Ogletree Deakins, Kansas City

12:20-1:20 p.m. | Lunch 

1:20-1:50 p.m. | Basics/Bootcamp: Issue spotting in DWIs
Learn to identify key legal issues in DWI cases for effective case management and client advocacy.

Learning objectives:

• Spot important facts and evidence that affect the case.
• Know the key deadlines and paperwork needed.
• Recognize common defenses and when to alert the attorney.

Speaker: Megan G. Oliver, Benjamin Law Firm, LLC, Belton

1:50-2:40 p.m. | Basics/Bootcamp

Speaker: Jessie Greathouse, Missouri DWI & Criminal Law Center at Benjamin Law Firm, LLC, Belton

2:40-3:40 p.m. | Basics/Bootcamp

Speaker: TBD

3:40-4:40 p.m. | Plenary 4-8 
How to use your team to win more cases during investigation and pre-trial preparation 
This session will review what your staff can do to assist you prior to trial.

Learning objectives:

• Review of discovery and obtain anything that’s missing.
• Interviewing witnesses.
• Organize all discovery.
• Investigate areas of arrest/accident.

Speaker: Travis L. Noble, Travis Noble, PC, St. Louis

4:40 p.m. | Adjourn 

Schedule as of 7/11/25

Opinions and positions stated by presenters of MoBarCLE programs are those of the presenters and not necessarily those of The Missouri Bar. This program is intended as information for lawyers in Missouri, in conjunction with other research they deem necessary, in the exercise of their independent judgment.

 

Cancellation Policy

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