Event Schedule

A Fireside Chat with Presidential Historian Bob Woodward

“Everyone has their own version of the truth, but there are facts,” says Bob Woodward, who first gained international attention when he and Carl Bernstein uncovered the Watergate scandal in 1973. Since then, Woodward has worked to shine a light on the inner-workings of government. His factual, non-partisan revelations to audiences provide an unflinching view of Washington leadership. Woodward has written about the last ten U.S. presidents and whether Democrat or Republican, he has always pursued the best version of the truth with equal vigor.

What can businesses, legal professionals, and decision-makers learn from Woodward’s decades of investigative journalism? How do we get behind the spin in an era of instant news and political chaos? No one else in political investigative journalism has the clout, respect, and reputation of Woodward. He has a way of getting insiders to open up in ways that reveal an intimate yet sweeping portrayal of Washington and the political infighting, how we fight wars, the price of politics, how presidents lead, homeland security efforts, and so much more. His work is meticulous and draws on internal memos, classified documents, meeting notes and hundreds of hours of recorded interviews with most of the key players. Woodward helps people get behind the spin to understand what’s really going on in the halls of power in an age of 24-hour news, social media, and snarky politics.

Join us as we get a behind the scenes tour of Washington’s past and maybe even a glimpse into its future.

Moderator
R. Jeffrey Lowe, Kightlinger & Gray LLP, New Albany, IN

Advanced Insights & Strategies to Address Third-Party Litigation Funding (CLE Session)

Has third-party litigation funding impacted one of your cases? If not yet, it will. Be ready. Learn how third-party funding affects litigation strategy and defense tactics, understand how funders’ financial incentives shape plaintiff behavior and case management and discuss how litigation funding can alter settlement negotiations and strategy from a defense perspective.

Moderator
Ricardo Woods, Burr & Forman LLP, Mobile, AL

Panelists
Phil Goldberg, Shook, Hardy & Bacon, LLP, Washington, D.C.
Michael Goodin, Zurich American Insurance Company, Memphis, TN
Zane Riester, Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ

Navigating the AG Landscape: Effective Strategies for Interacting with Attorneys General (CLE Session)

Clients may find themselves involved with State Attorneys General for many different reasons. Effectively navigating those various scenarios requires a firm understanding of how AGs operate. This session will focus on gaining insights into Attorneys General responsibilities, priorities and the impacts their office has on various types of cases. Learn how to approach everything from AG-led investigations to settlement negotiations as well as how to handle and address potential conflicts of interest that may arise.

Moderator
Danielle Waltz, West Virginia University Health System, Charleston, WV

Panelists
John B. McCuskey, West Virginia Attorney General
Steve Marshall, Alabama Attorney General

Connecting the Courtroom and the C-Suite: Strategic Insights on Collaborating Across Legal Roles

In today’s evolving legal landscape, successful outcomes rely on the collaboration of in-house counsel, national counsel, and local counsel—each bringing unique expertise and perspective. This panel will explore the distinct responsibilities of each role across a range of legal matters. Learn how legal teams can align strategy, improve communication, and build effective working relationships across jurisdictions and organizational structures.

Caroline Tinsley, Tucker Ellis, LLP, St. Louis, MO

Beyond the Gavel: Integrating Public and Private Resolution to Future-Proof the Rule of Law (CLE Session)

As a former Michigan Supreme Court Justice and the current President and CEO of the American Arbitration Association, Bridget McCormack knows a thing or two about dispute resolution. As mounting geopolitical tensions, rapid advances in generative AI, and profound shifts in the legal marketplace strain the foundations of the civil justice system, the rule of law is wobbly. Courts alone cannot meet society’s expanding demand for timely, trusted dispute resolution. This session surveys the most pressing threats to the rule of law—from chronic under-resourcing and access-to-justice gaps to AI-driven misinformation and emerging professional models to geopolitical tensions—and then explores how strategic integration of public courts with modern ADR and AI-enabled workflows can reinforce judicial integrity, expand capacity, and restore public confidence. Attendees will leave with a forward-looking framework for building confidence in institutions, evaluating hybrid dispute-resolution models, concrete examples of court-ADR-AI collaboration already underway.

Bridget M. McCormack (President & CEO of the American Arbitration Association), International Centre for Dispute Resolution, Detroit, MI

The State of the Administrative State after Loper Bright and How to Navigate It as a Practitioner (CLE Session)

No less than ten recent Supreme Court rulings are upending administrative law with more working their way through the courts as the new administration in Washington seeks to revisit many aspects of agency action. Chief among the Court’s recent rulings, West Virginia v. EPA (2022) (litigated by panelist, Elbert Lin) set out the so-called “major questions” doctrine that precludes agencies from promulgating regulations of “vast economic and political significance” without clear congressional authority. And last year, Loper Bright v. Raimondo (litigated by panelist, Erin Murphy) abolished so-called “Chevron deference,” which had long required judicial deference to agency interpretations of their governing statutes. The Loper Bright decision offered reassurances that overturning Chevron would not dramatically change administrative law, but the Court may not have contemplated the aggressiveness of the new administration or the many private challengers of agency action. Join this all-star panel as we discuss several questions presented by the current landscape:

Elbert Lin, Hunton, Richmond, VA
Erin Murphy, Clement & Murphy, PLLC, Washington, D.C.

Making Well-Being Work for You and Your Firm: Practical Strategies and Resources (CLE Session)

Join IWIL Executive Director, Denise Gaskin and Director of Programming, Tara Antonipillai as they explore how civil litigation firms can implement well-being strategies that are both evidence-based and effective. This session will delve into the science of well-being and leadership, offering practical takeaways and resources that firms can use to enhance their work culture. Attendees will gain actionable insights into how well-being practices can boost firm performance, improve retention, and foster a more resilient, engaged workforce. Wellness CLE credit is being sought for this session.

Denise Gaskin, Ph.D., PCC, Institute for Well-Being in Law, Lake Oswego, OR
Tara Antonipllai, Institute for Well-Being in Law, Lake Oswego, OR

Insurance Law Committee
Privilege Under Pressure - Shielding The Claims Files

In almost any form of litigation involving an insurance company—including first-party disputes, third-party liability cases, and even bad faith—the insurer’s claim file contains relevant evidence. But the nationwide caselaw is inconsistent and sometimes even contradictory on the extent to which claim file materials are shielded from production by attorney-client or work-product privileges. This presentation will cover state-by-state distinctions and will provide real-world, practical examples to guide defense counsel engaged in claim file discovery disputes.

Samuel Wardle, Frost Brown Todd LLP, Louisville, KY
Joanna M. Roberto, Gerber Ciano Kelly Brady LLP, Garden City, NY

ADR/Construction/Retail & Hospitality
Back to the Future – Key Components for Preparing for a Successful Mediation

Mediation is a part of almost every dispute but are defense attorneys employing best practices to ensure the case is ready for mediation and ultimately resolution? Mediation is a process—not an event—and many practitioners have not changed their mediation approach to take advantage of new considerations and techniques. The panel will provide strategies for updating your mediation skills to allow for the best possible chance of success, including insight into the best ways to prepare cases for mediation (liability, damages, expert considerations) and how to present your case to the mediator to reach a resolution.

Moderator
Denise Motta, Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani LLP, Louisville, KY

Speakers
Brooks Saible, Saible Law, St. Petersburg, FL
Joseph Megariotis, Connell Foley LLP, Newark, NJ
Jennifer Engle, JS Held, Alpharetta, GA

Trucking Law Committee (Ethics CLE)
Voir Dire for Your Trucking (or any) Case: Better, Faster, More Effective & 100% Ethical

Join us for this powerful session where we will discuss investigating jurors while keeping your ethics in tact. This session will also address overall ethical considerations during voir dire. If you plan to try a case in the next year, you won’t want to miss this session.

Young Lawyers Committee
Bridging the Generational Gap in Legal Practice: Communication, Mentorship, and Reducing Age Bias - From Zoomers to Boomers

Young lawyers are challenging conventions about the way the business of practicing law is conducted. Yet, young lawyers cannot succeed without the mentorship and training from attorneys with experience. This program examines how generational differences in the legal workplace impact communication, mentorship, and the delivery of legal services. Communication breakdowns and bias between lawyers of different generations can have a severe and negative impact on a firm’s ability to train and retain young attorneys. As younger attorneys challenge traditional law firm norms, and more senior attorneys carry forward institutional knowledge and experience, communication breakdowns and implicit age bias can hinder mentorship, training, and collaboration, ultimately affecting client service and attorney retention. Attendees will come away with a better understanding of how age bias can impact the way they communicate with lawyers from different generations and how this bias can be overcome through better understanding and communication.

This session will focus on:

• How different generations of attorneys prefer to communicate, work, and receive feedback
• Common sources of generational friction in law firm settings
• The impact of age bias on legal teams and how it can compromise professionalism, morale, and effectiveness
• Strategies to promote inclusive, respectful, and productive communication across age groups
• How intergenerational mentorship directly supports competence, ethical obligations under the Rules of Professional Conduct (e.g., duties of supervision and training), and the professional development of attorneys

Speakers
John Parker Sweeney, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, Washington, D.C.
Atasia Richardson, Abrams, Gorelick, Friedman & Jacobson, LLP, New York, NY