Joy Hamilton, HCBA Membership Director, was very pleased with the turnout and the results. “It’s a great way to help a great cause. These funds will go a long way to aid some well-deserving recipients, and have some fun along the way”.

Several prizes were handed out throughout the day with the big prize, a fifty-inch plasma television, donated by Depo International, awarded to Adam Haglin, who won the “Closest to the Pin” Contest. The Television was presented to Adam by Depo International President Pat Carl. “We are extremely proud of our association with the HCBF and the Hennepin County Bar Association, and are honored to be actively involved in their continued success”.

Pat, Managing Partner Angela Carl and Client Relations Director Molly Sandas, spent the day meeting the golfers, handing out fresh-baked cookies and other snacks, and handing out all kinds of prizes as only Depo International can.

Angela summed it up, this way: “It was a total blast! I can’t wait for the next one!”

Angela Carl, Adam Haglin, Pat Carl and Molly Sandas

MINNEAPOLIS–They may not have much to say during the deposition and sometimes seem to fade into the background but, the court reporter is often times considered the most important person in the room. Their job–to produce an accurate, official transcript of a legal proceeding—can be vital to the outcome of a case. It’s a responsibility that Brandi Bigalke of Depo International takes very seriously.

Bigalke recently joined Ernest Grumbles of Merchant & Gould and Joe Bennett-Paris of Duane Morris on BP/G Radio, a talk show dedicated to exploring up-to-date topics and information related to intellectual property law. The duo questioned Bigalke on everything from the training and education required to be a certified court reporter to the many varied experiences she’s had while working out in the field. Bigalke even shared some tips on what attorneys should consider prior to and during proceedings to make sure they get the clearest record possible. Bigalke’s expertise allowed listeners to explore the legal proceeding from a fresh, new perspective—the guardian of the record’s point of view.

Grumbles and Bennett-Paris broadcast BP/G Radio twice monthly from Minneapolis and Atlanta.

Brandi Bigalke, Court Reporter

Most recently, DI Minnesota sponsored the November dinner meeting of the Twin Cities Chapter of the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS), an organization committed to the advancement, training, and education of legal secretaries, paralegals, and legal support staff. Featured speaker Brian Gaviglio shared his expertise on police matters involving use of force, new police technologies, taser use and proper chain of evidence while the group enjoyed a delicious meal provided and served by Depo International.

The valuable information shared at the meeting will serve as a benefit for the legal professionals who attended the discussion and DI is very proud to have been involved in a continuing education opportunity that will allow its clients to better serve their clients.

The American Cancer Society says more than 192,000 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in the last 12 months. This year, more than 40,000 women are expected to die from the disease. Research and education have helped lower the death rate but the numbers are still too high.

With that in mind, Depo International held a month long fundraiser to show its support for continued education and research of the disease. The company pledged a portion of the proceeds of every deposition scheduled throughout October to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, an organization dedicated to finding a cure.

In all, DI had more than 730 depositions on calendar from coast to coast during the fundraiser. For the Susan G. Komen Foundation it meant a $4,000 gift to help continue in the battle to beat the disease. For Depo International, it was a chance to reach out to its worldwide client base to give something back by doing what it does best every day.

Las Vegas has hosted the two teams for the past five years and the event always draws a crowd. With no professional sports teams in Nevada, basketball fans have come to appreciate the Lakers/ Kings yearly visit to the valley—it’s a rare opportunity to catch intense pro hoop action without having to wander too far from home.

For two weeks leading up to the big game, DI Las Vegas’ loyal customers eagerly called in their depositions, scheduling as many as possible, hoping it would be just enough to win. But it wasn’t just regular customers who got involved. Several Southern Nevada law firms joined in to take advantage of DI Las Vegas’ many services—setting up depositions, video conferences and videotaped proceedings. With so much scheduling going on it was a close call. But, of course, there could only be one winner.

That winner, Kevin Sutehall of Hutchison & Steffen, wasted no time in letting DI Las Vegas know how much he appreciated the game. “Thank you so much for the tickets to last night’s Lakers game. My wife and I really enjoyed it!!” Sutehall wrote in an email shortly after the Lakers victory over the Kings.

For DI Las Vegas, the chance to say thank you to its many loyal customers is always an on-going process. With that in mind, DI reminds Southern Nevada law firms to keep their eyes open for more upcoming events and their calls always coming in.

Wayzata High School student Erin Antrim obtained hands-on experience working side-by-side with Depo International’s team of professionals and developed skills in business management, customer service and the marketing process. The internship allowed Antrim to gain confidence in her ability to work in a positive team environment, effectively follow direction, and see firsthand the amount of work that actually goes into the promotional aspects of a busy, client-centered firm.

Managing Partner Angela Carl, who supervised and evaluated Antrim’s performance, says she was pleased with the level of Antrim’s work product. “There is a lot of ‘labor’ that goes into preparing our marketing materials and Erin was willing to do whatever we asked of her,” says Carl, “and I think our team provided her with some solid experience.”

It is solid work experience that will prove beneficial for Antrim as she begins making decisions regarding her future career path and Depo International is very proud to have played such a significant role in that decision-making process.

Participating in programs like Wayzata High School’s Business and Marketing Internship Program is yet another way that DI is continually setting the standard for professionalism, quality service and community involvement.

“This company believes strongly in supporting and advancing the legal communities that it serves and so being a part of events like the Young Lawyers Mixer is essential to that belief,” says Rose Fleming of Depo International. “And that’s why we’re always looking for ways that we can get involved,” she adds.

Depo International’s team of Founder Patricia Carl, Managing Partner Angela Carl, Client Relations Director Perri Campion, and court reporter Brandi Bigalke, had a wonderful time mingling with the many invited young lawyers and guests, and sent each of them home with a takeout box of their famous cookies.

Patricia Carl credits the evening’s success to the hard work and obvious dedication of The HCBA Young Lawyers Leadership Members, particularly Social Director Anne Lindberg who led the organizing and planning efforts.

“I also want to thank Anne for her creative selection of appetizers,” says Carl. “I’ve never seen such a fabulous display of comfort food – mini sliders, dogs, brats, mac and cheese, onion rings and fries, and mini shot glasses of tomato soup with grilled cheese! Way to go, Anne! And since we had an abundance of drink tickets – the martinis were flowing. Great venue and event!”

    

The prize was huge—a pair of tickets to watch the Minnesota Vikings take on the Green Bay Packers.

And the competition was tough as hundreds of lawyers throughout the Twin Cities fought to score the big win.

But it was Jonathan Miller, Esq. of Meagher & Geer who made the right call that landed him amidst all the game day action at the Metrodome for the October 5th game.

Miller doesn’t hide the fact that he’d been hoping to snag this coveted prize. “Thank you for the Vikings tickets! I’m actually looking forward to a Monday now,” Miller joked shortly after winning.

Depo International also presented runner up Christopher Yetka of Lindquist & Vennum with a beer basket filled with all the refreshing fixings for an at-home football party.

And Monday night’s game ended with even more winners after Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings handed a huge, frustrating loss to the Green Bay Packers. It was a fantastic football giveaway event that couldn’t have turned out any better if Depo International had planned the whole thing!

As always, Depo International went all out to show appreciation to its many clients. Client Relations Director Perri Campion worked hard preparing each scrumptious dish herself and, of course, no Depo International celebration is complete without fun prizes. Lucky winner Jeff Haff took home a set of Twins tickets and Brenda Darkow of Bernick & Lifson snagged a trendy Burberry scarf.

Company Founder Patricia Carl extends a special thanks to all the court reporters, staff, and guests who helped make the evening so memorable. “These events are always so much fun for us to become better acquainted with our clients and show them how much we appreciate them,” she says.

Carl and her staff are already working on plans for next year’s client appreciation party and, if it’s anything like this year’s, Depo International clients won’t want to miss it!