Best Practices in the Court of Common Pleas and Justice of the Peace Court
May 19, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Purpose of the Program:  A distinguished panel of judges, court staff and experienced practitioners will discuss best practices, ethics and sage advice for practitioners appearing in the Court of Common Pleas and the Justice of the Peace Court.

Moderators:
Richard K. Herrmann, Esquire
Ian Connor Bifferato, Esquire

Panelists:

The Honorable Carl C. Danberg | Court of Common Pleas of the State of Delaware
The Honorable Alan Grant Davis | Justice of the Peace Court of the State of Delaware

9:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. – Presentation

A practical overview of best practices in the Court of Common Pleas, including filing and e-filing, motion practice, courtroom conduct, and trial preparation, along with common pitfalls and how cases progress through the court. It also incorporates practitioner insights on avoiding mistakes and effectively managing client expectations.

The program then covers the Justice of the Peace Court, highlighting jurisdiction, procedures, and its more informal nature, with guidance on landlord-tenant matters, summary actions, and working with self-represented litigants, as well as key strategies for appeals, default judgments, and enforcement.

10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Break

11:00 am – 11:45 a.m. – Ethics in the Courts (.8 ethics)

This ethics segment examines professional responsibility in the Court of Common Pleas and Justice of the Peace Court, focusing on candor to the court, duties to opposing counsel, and how to correct errors or misstatements. It also addresses ethical issues related to client communication, fees, limited-scope representation, and interactions with self-represented litigants, concluding with practical guidance and key takeaways from the panel.

11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – Sage Advice

This section invites panelists to share candid insights on effective and ineffective courtroom practices, including examples of what distinguishes exceptional advocacy, common pitfalls that derail proceedings, and key habits that set top practitioners apart, as well as practical tips for preparation before hearings. It also focuses on the broader perspective of practicing in these courts—lessons learned over time, advice for handling rulings professionally, reflections on how practice has evolved, and final takeaways for practitioners in the Delaware Bar.

This seminar offers 3.0 credits, including .8 ethics to Delaware Attorneys; 3.0 credits to Pennsylvania Attorneys; and 3.6 credits, including .9 ethics to New Jersey Attorneys.

Locations available are Wilmington, Live stream options in Georgetown, Dover, and Seaford.

To register by mail or email, please click the blue registration link below.

To register online, please click the green link below.

* Advertised price is for the standard member rate.

OUT OF STATE CLE CREDIT INFO

Those attendees who wish to receive CLE credit, other than from Delaware, New Jersey or Pennsylvania, should contact their individual State’s CLE Commission for credit. The Delaware State Bar Association can provide you with the agenda (included in the Materials sent with your registration confirmation) and a Certificate of Attendance (upon completion of the webinar), which should meet the requirements of compliance.

All rates include CLE Seminar and any materials. To register now or review DSBA CLE Policies, click HERE.

All materials provided by the deadline will be available by QR code on the day of the seminar.

Reporting of credits:

Please be advised that the DSBA has 30 days from the date of the seminar to report credits. Credits will be reported according to the date of the seminar not the date they are entered.