The future, Yoda of Star Wars fame once said, is “difficult to see. Always in motion is the future.”
But that doesn’t stop anyone from trying to predict or analyze it. That includes us.
Welcome to the Law Tribune’s annual Forecast issue, one of the best-read editions of our newspaper each year. Why? Probably because it’s so different. For 51 weeks, we largely report on what’s already happened. Here, we ask more than a dozen experts to look ahead, and offer insight into legal issues, cases and trends that are likely to find their way into our reporting over the next 12 months.
On these pages, the state’s chief justice discusses future ideas for boosting pro bono efforts. A top employment lawyer predicts passage of workplace safety litigation. A scholar and longtime judge looks at how neuroscience is playing a growing role in legal thinking.
Below is the full list of predictions.
ATTORNEY GENERAL: Newly formed team to focus on all types of fraud
By GEORGE C. JEPSEN
As the chief civil legal officer of the state, my job is to represent the people of the state of Connecticut to protect the public interest. The Office of Attorney General also serves as legal counsel to all state agencies. My staff has done outstanding work in 2012 and those efforts will continue in 2013 as we focus on our critical missions: representing and vigorously advocating for the interests of the state and its citizens; ensuring that state government acts within the letter and spirit of the law; protecting public resources for present and future generations; preserving and enhancing the quality of life of all our citizens and safeguarding the rights of our most vulnerable citizens.
JUDICIAL BRANCH: Pro bono initiatives critical to addressing court crisis
By CHASE T. ROGERS and WILLIAM BRIGHT
We first want to take this opportunity to thank the bar for its commitment to helping those individuals who need an attorney but who are unable to afford one. Perhaps you reduced your fees for a parent who needed assistance in a custody dispute. Or, perhaps you put in extra hours without charge to help a returning veteran. Or maybe you have taken on cases completely pro bono. Whichever way, you have made a difference and your contributions are deeply appreciated.
SOLO ATTORNEYS: Solos should seek ways to stand out in cluttered legal marketplace
By RENEE C. BAUER
"Branding? As in a hot iron and livestock? What does that have to do with my law practice?" While not the actual response I receive when I use the wording "branding" and law practice in the same sentence, it might as well be. As solo and small firm practitioners carve out a marketing and promotion budget for 2013, putting a little thought into re-defining and re-designing your brand may imprint your legal presence in a saturated industry.
ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION: Stronger neutrals bringing muscle to arbitration proceedings
By ELAINE GORDON
As we all know, the two major components of Alternative Dispute Resolution are arbitration and mediation. Each is being affected by a major trend which could change how we approach our practice in these fields.
SCIENCE AND THE LAW: Brain research could soon reshape some legal concepts
By BARRY SCHALLER
We are in the second decade following the "Decade of the Brain," which Congress designated to describe the national research focus for the 1990s. President George H.W. Bush proclaimed at the time: "A new era of discovery is dawning in brain research."
FEDERALIST SOCIETY: Municipal elections will reveal ideological diversity in state
By PETER BOWMAN
The chorus is loud and getting louder. Citizens throughout this country and our state claim that Connecticut will no longer support those policies associated with "conservatism."
LEGAL TECHNOLOGY: BYOD trend raises security, discovery concerns
By MONIQUE FERRARO
The upcoming year will present lawyers with familiar but more pressing issues — and bring faster, shinier, more convenient technology. Not all of the technology developments for next year will be bright for lawyers. There are some great gizmos and technology to make us more effective. But, there are challenges for us to meet.
Subscribe to The Connecticut Law Tribune
