This program will help you understand and analyze potential conflicts of interest, including in the context of current and former clients, joint representations, subpoenas, and business dealings with clients, among others. This session will also explore the ethical complexities associated with conflict waivers and ethical screens, and will offer best practices for drafting, implementing, and managing these devices while ensuring compliance with applicable ethics rules and guidelines.

In whatever jurisdiction they may practice, lawyers are subject to ethical

rules and guidelines fashioned, at least in part, on the ABA Model Rules of Professional Responsibility (Model Rules). Consultants and other non-legal professionals are not subject to the Model Rules or their jurisdictional equivalent. Nonetheless, where these individuals work for or in conjunction with lawyers on legal matters, the affiliated lawyers may (and often are) responsible for ensuring that these nonlawyers comply with the lawyer’s own ethical obligations. This program will discuss the applicable legal standards that apply in these relationships, as well as strategies and ethical considerations of working with consultants and other non-legal professionals.

Flattering though it may be to be tapped as lead counsel in a high-profile matter, understanding the ethics and competency involved in such matters is essential. This program focuses on practical tips and the law pertaining to maintaining the necessary and high standards of professionalism during high-profile litigation. Topics include,

Publicity and its ramifications
Conflicts of interest
Publicity and other rights
Confidentiality issues
Client consent to public statements and what is best for the client
Added scrutiny

Whether you're AI-curious or already implementing these tools, this course provides the ethical framework and practical skills needed to maintain competence in an evolving legal landscape. Transform Your Practice with Confidence & Compliance.

Join Steno expert, Joe Stephens, for a comprehensive exploration of AI in litigation that bridges ethical obligations with practical implementation. This hands-on session delivers both the ethical framework and tactical skills, like security evaluation and prompt writing, you need to leverage AI tools safely and effectively in your practice. As AI reshapes legal practice, understanding both the ethical implications and practical applications isn't just beneficial—it's becoming essential to maintaining competence. This course directly addresses your professional obligations while providing immediately applicable skills.

In this presentation, attorneys will learn:

Ethical AI Implementation: Navigate client confidentiality, data security, and professional responsibility in the AI era
Security-First Approach: Master protocols for protecting client information when using AI tools
Practical Prompt Writing: Learn hands-on techniques for crafting effective AI prompts for legal tasks
Real-World Applications: See live demonstrations of AI tools in litigation contexts
Risk Management: Identify and avoid common pitfalls in AI implementation.

Joe Stephens, Steno

What is implicit bias and how can it manifest in almost undetectable ways in all aspects of the legal profession? Our distinguished panelists have been on every side of the legal profession: attorney, mediator, and judicial officer. They will discuss two prevalent, yet covert ways implicit bias affects every sphere of the legal profession: microaggressions and gaslighting. They will provide real life examples from the legal profession and what we as attorneys can do better to move the legal profession forward.

You have heard all about the theoretical use of AI in litigation practice, but you are still unsure how to practically incorporate it into your daily workflow. This program is a must for you! The founder of AI-powered litigation tool Aurelogy will demonstrate the practical use cases for AI in your litigation practice. From assisting with written discovery and depositions, to amassing large amounts of information in complex litigation and digesting it into something useable that can be used to bolster your case. The potential is limitless with the right tools and knowhow. Learn how AI can help streamline your litigation practice so you can focus on the critical legal work. The program will also briefly examine the advancements in AI and how they pertain to the field.

Life as an attorney can be exhausting, overwhelming, and all-consuming. The constant stress and demands on your time can put any attorney in a never-ending cycle that can lead to burnout or otherwise harm the career you have worked so hard to build. In this program, family law attorney turned life coach and author Wendy Meadows will discuss what “burnout” really means, what it looks like in the legal profession, identify the signs to look for that might signal that burnout is on the horizon, and give you the tools you need to overcome burnout starting NOW! To delve even deeper into the discussion, special education lawyer and trained moderator Jackie Deam will be helping to facilitate the presentation to ensure Wendy answers the questions on everyone’s mind.

Lawyers face unique challenges that often hinder their well-being, from high-pressure environments to reluctance toward seeking help. This webinar explores the barriers to wellness in the legal profession, why attorneys often hesitate to address mental health concerns, and the widespread issue of professional burnout.

Dr. Nick Holton and Dr. Adam Wright—experts in antifragility and high-performance coaching—will provide insight into identifying burnout, its impact on lawyers in and out of the office, and practical strategies for overcoming these challenges. Attendees will gain valuable tools to enhance resilience, maintain peak performance, and foster sustainable success in their legal careers.

Adam Wright, The Antifragile Academy
Nick Holton, The Antifragile Academy

Civility isn’t just good manners—it can be your Superpower as an attorney. This program will explore how civility strengthens your advocacy, builds trust with clients, colleagues, and the courts, and helps you uphold the highest standards of the profession. Through practical tools for respectful communication and mindful lawyering, you’ll learn how to reduce conflict, ease stress, and practice at your very best. Step into the role of a civility Superhero and see how using your power can transform both your practice and the legal community.

Joann Rezzo, Signature Resolution
Hon. Kenneth Medel (Ret.), Signature Resolution

Join Partners Keith G. Bremer and Vik Nagpal of Bremer Whyte Brown & O’Meara, LLP as they break down the voir dire strategies behind containment of risk and/or defense verdicts.

In this program, attendees will learn how to:

Build a cohesive "tribe" in the jury box
Identify juror biases and prejudices
Effectively positioning yourself for "for-cause" challenges
Establish the trial with your rhythm and theme that carries you through closing

Gain a candid look at evaluating jurors, guide the selection process, and set the tone for a successful trial.

Keith Bremer, Bremer Whyte Brown & O’Meara, LLP
Vik Nagpal, Bremer Whyte Brown & O’Meara, LLP

Success on appeal begins before you draft an appellate brief or present oral argument. Join Laura Lim and Kent Toland of Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland LLP to learn critical pre-appeal steps for trial lawyers and their clients in the California Court of Appeal.

Laura Lim, Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland, LLP
Kent Toland, Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland, LLP

This program is designed to sharpen attorneys' legal writing skills, with a focus on crafting clear and persuasive work product across all types of written formats. From emails to appellate briefs, participants will learn strategies to enhance clarity, precision, and impact. Special emphasis will be placed on appellate writing, offering practical techniques for structuring arguments, refining tone, and effectively engaging the audience. Veteran appellate specialist and legal writing instructor Blithe Bock will impart her decades-worth of experience and insights. A program not to be missed for attorneys across all skill levels and points in their careers.

Blithe S. Bock, Partner, Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP

This webinar will focus on how California's new civility rules impact the way litigation is conducted and how it spills over in the context of alternative dispute resolution (ADR).

In the fast-paced, fact-intensive realm of litigation, depositions often become the decisive stage where outcomes are shaped and where evidence later used at trial (or in mediation) develops. Given the stakes, preparing clients thoroughly is critical. This program brings together seasoned litigators who will share practical strategies and real-world insights to ensure clients are ready when it matters most.

Our panel will offer perspectives from both the plaintiff and defense sides, highlighting best practices for preparing a wide range of clients—from individuals facing a deposition for the first time, often in deeply sensitive matters, to corporate representatives whose testimony carries significant implications. Topics will include managing client concerns, explaining the intricacies of the deposition process, handling difficult subject matters, and the unique considerations involved in preparing a corporate designee or sophisticated executive.

No matter your practice area, this program will provide concrete, actionable takeaways to strengthen your deposition preparation process and enhance your clients’ readiness.

Alexis R. Gamliel, Esq., Gamliel Law
Susan Gutierrez, Proskauer Rose LLP
Mythily Sivarajah, Peck-Law, Employment & Civil Rights

In today’s complex legal landscape, visualization tools such as 3D animation are no longer just for the courtroom—these visual aids are a strategic asset that can help parties reach a timely resolution and avoid trial altogether. By leveraging tools like Virtual Reality (VR) early and effectively, attorneys can distill multifaceted scientific and technical information into clear, persuasive narratives. This approach not only aids in case value assessment, pre-trial negotiations, and mediations, but also increases the likelihood of satisfactory settlements by fostering understanding among all parties. This program will showcase how strategic use of visualizations can bridge the gap between technical complexity and human comprehension, transforming potential obstacles into opportunities for resolution. Attorneys will walk away understanding:

1. The types of visualizations that can be produced.

2. The information and data they and their experts need to gather to create visualizations.

3. The multitude of ways visualizations can be utilized in every pre-trial phase of litigation.

Charles Fox, Engineering Systems Inc.

This program will go through the nuts and bolts of preparing your client for and effectively defending a deposition. However, it will go beyond the nuts and bolts - we will do a deep dive into how to use your party's deposition to posture the case with the other side, opposing counsel, and other decision makers. This program is appropriate for both newer and seasoned litigators.

Marina Kats Fraigun, Esq., Managing Partner, Fraigun Law Group

Renowned trial attorney Sach D. Oliver shares a structured, results-driven approach to turning depositions into powerful trial tools. This program will walk you through planning with purpose, crafting a compelling case narrative, and using strategic word choice and visuals to motivate truthful testimony. Attendees will learn how to set clear goals, execute a focused deposition strategy, and lay the groundwork for stronger settlements and verdicts.

Sach Oliver, Oliver Law Firm

Defendants often claim an inability to pay, while plaintiffs frequently dismiss those claims as yet another “cry wolf”—especially when those same companies are publicly promoting their success.

Mediator Eric Wannon combines his experience as both an attorney and business leader to deliver practical, real-world strategies for assessing a defendant’s true financial capacity in mediation.

In this program, Eric will show attendees how to evaluate a party’s financial health—beginning with insights from publicly available information before mediation—and which specific documents to request and analyze to perform a clear, live financial review during the session. Understanding a company’s genuine financial position enables both sides to negotiate with clarity.

Drawing from mediations where he has assisted in six- and seven-figure settlements that would not have been possible without this mutual understanding, Eric reveals how uncovering the money—or the lack thereof—can drive even the most difficult cases to resolution.

Eric Wannon, ResolveWannon

This program offers a detailed comparison of jury trials and arbitration, providing valuable insights for attorneys and clients alike. The presenters, drawing from their years of litigation experience, will explore the differences between the decision-makers, confidentiality, speed, and cost of these two forums. Attendees will gain practical tips on tailored case presentation strategies and learn how to effectively educate clients on their options. They will also address the crucial factors to consider when drafting dispute resolution clauses in commercial contracts.

Evangeline A.Z. Burbridge, Partner, Lewis & Llewellyn LLP
Nitesh Daryanani, Attorney, Lewis & Llewellyn LLP

This program will walk you through the legal standards governing expert testimony in the U.S., California-specific requirements—particularly after People v. Sanchez—challenges and strategies for admissibility, illustrative case studies, and ethical considerations.

By the end of the program, participants will be able to:

• Understand basic standards for expert testimony
• Apply California’s unique hearsay rule changes post-Sanchez
• Anticipate challenges and raise or defend objections
• Collaborate effectively with expert witnesses
• Navigate ethical obligations when working with experts

Eve A. Brackmann, Munck Wilson Mandala, LLP

This interactive program explores the use of mediation and arbitration to resolve disputes in the social media industry. Led by Ellie Hourizadeh, a neutral with directexperience in representing social media platform and influencers, as well as working with technology companies, the session focuses on incorporation of mediation and arbitration into social media practices and contracts, discusses unique concerns in the social media environment, and evidence considerations in the event of a conflict. Participants will gain practical skills for addressing high-stake conflicts in an online environment.

Ellie Hourizadeh, JAMS

Counsel who have been through mediations have no doubt seen a variety of mediator "moves" that have made them scratch their head. This can range from, "How did they know that?!" to "What in the world are they thinking?!" In the timing of that moment, it's often a distraction to stop and ask the mediator. And, if your negotiation is ongoing, you may not want to. Additionally, at best, counsel only see one side of the mediator's strategy and discussion. Counsel say they often wonder what the mediator is doing and saying in the other room.

This workshop will be one full hour of your questions, as you want to pose them to Master Mediator Lee Jay Berman. You can ask anything you want to about the mediation process, and he will give you his answers. While Lee Jay can't speak for all mediators, he can likely tell you what that mediator may have been trying to do, or what other mediators might have done in the same situation. You have one hour of complete transparency - a peek behind the curtain and into the mind of the mediator. We hope you'll make good use of it!

This will be an interactive presentation. Attendees are encouraged to engage with the speaker, ask questions, and participate via video.

About the Presenter
Lee Jay Berman began his full-time mediation practice over 30 years ago, and has been ranked in Chambers USA's Band 1 (top 16 commercial mediators in the US), Who's Who Legal's Global Thought Leaders in Mediation (1 of 10 in North America), ADR Times' inaugural Who's Who in ADR. The Association of Media & Entertainment Counsel awarded him 2024 Counsel of the Year for Excellence in ADR, the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals named him their inaugural Distinguished Neutral of the Year in 2017, California's Daily Journal twice named him Top Neutral, and the Southern California Mediation Association bestowed their 2021 Cloke-Millen Peacemaker of the Year Award and 2012 Randolph Lowry Award for being a thought leader in southern California mediation. He was Director of Pepperdine's "Mediating the Litigated Case" program for 7 years before leaving to launch the American Institute of Mediation in 2009. He has mediated and trained mediators all over the world, and he has the answers to your toughest "stump the mediator" questions. Look for him on the American Arbitration Association panels, and a variety of other panels.

Ask the speaker a question. Email and be sure to include the program name in the subject line.

Experienced employment law practitioner Beth W. Mora will discuss the new Bias Incivility MCLE, what it is and why it matters to the legal community. Beth will share suggestions on how the legal community can promote civility, eliminate bias-driven incivility in the profession, including incivility and bias by and between at parties, counsel, and the judiciary.

Beth W. Mora, Owner/Managing Partner, Mora Employment Law