Registration Information
| |
Member Pricing |
Non-Member Pricing |
| Regular Registration* |
$1,395 |
$1,695 |
| Group Registration (Non-Sponsored)** |
$995/person |
$995/person |
| Government
|
Government members will receive the applicable government rate for the seminar upon login. If the government rate does not appear after logging in, please call DRI directly at (312) 795-1101 to receive the discounted rate. Invoices can be sent after purchase upon request. |
*If your membership recently lapsed, please renew your membership prior to registering to ensure you receive your discounted member rate. If you would like to join DRI to receive the member pricing and see the benefits of becoming a member, click here to go to the Application page.
**Group registration is for registering 4 or more attendees, members and non-members. There is one free registration with every 10 registrations. You must lock in the rate three weeks prior to the seminar. If you want to register for the group pricing, please send an email to rstiner@dri.org (online registration is not available for this offering).
Premier Networking Reception | Bull & Bowl Austin
Sponsored by Campbell Conroy & O'Neil, Cassels Brock & Blackwell, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin, Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani
Date: Thursday, February 2 from 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Pricing: Free when you register for the seminar (guest tickets are $100 each, available at checkout. A limited number of guest tickets may be available on site for $125 each)
Location: Bull & Bowl, 501 W 6th St #200, Austin, TX 78701
Join the Product Liability Conference and Litigation Skills Seminar to reconnect with your DRI friends on Thursday evening for a networking event at Austin's Bull & Bowl sponsored by Campbell Conroy & O'Neil, Cassels Brock & Blackwell, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin, and Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani. Bull & Bowl is a short walk from the hotel and offers a unique experience in Austin featuring gaming experiences, including duckpin bowling (a variation of mini bowling), a mechanical bull, karaoke rooms, skee-ball, and more! Light appetizers and beverages will be served.
Agenda with Speakers
*Schedule and Speakers subject to change
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
| Time (Central) |
Program |
Room |
| 5:00 p.m. |
Registration |
Waterloo Pre-Func (Level 5) |
| 5:30 p.m. |
Jump Start Your Seminar Networking Experience
Whether you’re a new member, non-member, seasoned attendee or in-house counsel, join committee leaders and your fellow attendees to learn how to make the most of your networking opportunities this week. |
Waterloo Blrm 1-2 (Level 5) |
| 6:00 p.m. |
Networking/Cocktail Hour
|
Waterloo Pre-Func (Level 5) |
| 7:30 p.m. |
Dine-Arounds
Join colleagues and friends at selected restaurants for dinner (on your own).
|
|
| 7:30 p.m. |
Young Lawyers Networking Dinner |
|
| 9:00 p.m. |
After Hours with DRI Litigation Skills
More details to come.
|
|
Thursday, February 2, 2023
| Time (Central) |
Program |
Room |
| 8:00 a.m. |
Registration and Coffee Service |
Waterloo Pre-Func (Level 5) |
| 8:30 a.m. |
Coffee & Conversations
The early bird gets the most out of this networking session. Get to know the early risers in the group over a cup of coffee. Rise, shine, caffeinate and connect! |
Waterloo Pre-Func (Level 5) |
| 9:00 a.m. |
Welcome and Introduction
Todd Presnell, Bradley, Nashville, TN
Brandon W. Ehrie, Lewis Wagner, LLP, Indianapolis, IN |
Waterloo Blrm 1-2 (Level 5) |
| 9:15 a.m. |
The Importance of Diversity in Trial Teams
This presentation takes on the importance of diversity in trial teams from the perspective of juries and will discuss jurors’ changing expectations for trial council. We will cover survey results, and present candid takes on diversity, and attorney presentation style from jurors themselves. Finally, we will cover some best practices for trial teams considering the results presented.
Aref Jabbour, PhD, IMS Consulting & Expert Services, Nashville, TN |
Waterloo Blrm 1-2 (Level 5) |
| 10:15 a.m. |
Coffee Break |
Waterloo Pre-Func (Level 5) |
| 10:30 a.m. |
Communication is Key: Navigating/Managing Client Relationships from Suit Referral Through Trial
This panel of claims executives will discuss how to effectively manage your client relationship through trial. The panel will focus on best practices through trial, active communication, and the foundations of building a strong client relationship in practice.
Bradley Wallace, Tyson Foods, Springdale, AR
Cathy Woodfield, Admiral Insurance, Mount Laurel, NJ
Tracee Allen, NAMIC Insurance Company, Inc., Indianapolis, IN |
Waterloo Blrm 1-2 (Level 5) |
| 11:30 a.m. |
Trying Cases in a Post COVID-19 World Part 1: Defending Damages Claims
Our presentation will analyze jury awards rendered pre-COVID and post-COVID along with strategies to combat techniques utilized by plaintiff counsels to inflate damages claims and jury awards in a post-COVID era. From a preliminary standpoint, potential strategies to be discussed are blocking juror sympathy, understanding “severity shift,” defense damage anchors, and making the law an important part of the case.
Jake Liro, Wicker Smith, Miami, FL
Nick Prudenzano, Wicker Smith, Miami, FL |
Waterloo Blrm 1-2 (Level 5) |
| 12:30 p.m. |
Networking Lunch (included in registration)
Join the Product Liability & Litigation Skills seminar attendees for lunch and networking opportunities that are second to none. |
Moontower Hall |
| 2:00 p.m. |
Handling Experts: Daubert Motion Practice and Cross Examination Techniques
This session will address tips for executing a successful Daubert challenge and provide an understanding of how, why and when to file a Daubert Motion. The session will also discuss suggestions and best practices for conducting an expert examination of an expert witness.
Moira Pietrowski, Roetzel, Akron, OH |
Waterloo Blrm 1-2 (Level 5) |
| 3:00 p.m. |
Committee Business Meeting |
Waterloo Blrm 1-2 (Level 5) |
| 3:30 p.m. |
Small Group Networking Opportunities
More details to come.
|
|
| 6:00 p.m. |
Premier Networking Reception | Bull & Bowl Austin
Sponsored by Campbell Conroy & O'Neil, Cassels Brock & Blackwell, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin, Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani
Click here for more details. |
|
Friday, February 3, 2023
| Time (Central) |
Program |
Room |
| 8:00 a.m. |
Registration and Coffee Service |
Waterloo Pre-Func (Level 5) |
| 9:00 a.m. |
Welcome and Announcements
Nick Rauch, Larson King, St. Paul, MN
|
Waterloo Blrm 1-2 (Level 5) |
| 9:10 a.m. |
Resolving and Mediating High Exposure Claims
We will cover a lot of ground in terms of preparing for and mediating high exposure claims in the wake of Covid-19 and the rise of nuclear verdicts. What are we doing differently? What are we doing the same? Join us as we set up the issues, discuss practical ideas and invite audience participation.
Moderator
Emily Motto, Baylor Evnen, Lincoln, NE
Chris Kastens, KCG, Inc., Sugar Land, TX
Amy Welborn, Gordon & Rees, Scully, Mansukhani, Austin, TX |
Waterloo Blrm 1-2 (Level 5) |
| 10:10 a.m. |
Coffee Break |
Waterloo Pre-Func (Level 5) |
| 10:30 a.m. |
Trying Cases in a Post COVID-19 World Part 2: Jury Selection/Voir Dire
The pandemic has changed the way jurors may view a case. There are several factors for the altering views, including demographics of post-pandemic jury pools, as well as the psychological strain that the pandemic has placed on individuals who may report for jury duty. This presentation will provide insights on the things that we should be aware of when selecting a jury in the new era, including the effect of “Terror Management Theory” on post-pandemic juries.
Juan Marquez, Rodey Law Firm, Albuquerque, NM |
Waterloo Blrm 1-2 (Level 5) |
| 11:30 a.m. |
The Stars of the Show: Eliciting Testimony on Direct and Cross Examination of Witnesses
In this presentation, Pamela Lee and Bill Casey will walk through the dos and don’ts of direct and cross examination, both in depositions and at trial. We will review tips and strategies for getting the information you need, while also not being surprised by testimony.
Pamela Lee, Swift Currie, Atlanta, GA
Bill Casey, Swift Currie, Atlanta, GA |
Waterloo Blrm 1-2 (Level 5) |
| 12:30 p.m. |
Adjourn |
|
Hotel Information
The DRI room block at the Austin Marriott is now sold out on select dates. Please use the link below to reserve a room outside of the DRI block at the Austin Marriott or an available nearby hotel.
Find a Nearby Hotel and Reserve Your Room
CLE Information
Earn up to 7.00 hours of continuing legal education hours, including up to one (1) hour of elimination of bias in the profession credit from this seminar.
Litigation Skills CLE by State
DRI's Litigation Skills Seminar is proudly sponsored by:
Thank you to our Official Supporter: TBD
If you would like to contact DRI about seminar sponsorship opportunities, including pricing, or to reserve a spot, please go to Advertising and Sponsorship.
DRI Cares
Caritas of Austin
Join the Litigation Skills Committee (and the DRI Product Liability Committee) in our DRI Cares event. This year, members of our Committee with be assembling care kits to be delivered to Caritas of Austin, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending homelessness for people in the Greater Austin area. Thanks to the generosity of our members, our Committee will be purchasing items such as socks, hand sanitizer, bottled water, and toiletries, which we will be assembling on site for delivery. Please join us on Thursday, February 2 for this worthwhile event and meet some of our Committee members in the process!
We will need to raise funds for the DRI Cares Service Project by January 18, 2023 in order to purchase supplies for the care kits. Every dollar makes a difference! We will continue to raise funds for Caritas of Austin and donate any additional funds directly to the charity. We appreciate your support!
To donate online:
- Click the "Donate" button or scan the QR code below.
- If you have an account with DRI, log in. Use the same login that you registered for this seminar.
- If you do not have an account with DRI, create a guest account.
- Select from one of the gift amounts or set your own amount. The default value is $100.
- Select “Litigation Skills” from "My SLC/Region" dropdown box.
- Click “Submit Donation.”
- The page will refresh. Click “View Cart” to checkout.
- Enter your credit card information and click “Submit Order” once all required information is entered.
Donate
On-Demand
NEW in 2023 – Four Additional On-Demand Programs Included With Every Seminar!
CLE Credit will be sought from every state requiring CLE hours in elimination of bias/diversity and inclusion, ethics, substance abuse/mental health, and law practice management. The CLE grid will provide updated information concerning hours that have been approved by each jurisdiction and for which credits. For states not requiring these special credits, general education credits will be sought. Access to these on-demand programs will expire 30 days after the seminar ends.
View On-Demand Library
Diversity/Elimination of Bias in the Profession
Invisible or Mixed-Visible Diversity – Combatting Bias
Often diversity programs and initiatives are focused on visible traits such as gender or race, but bias exists related to sexual orientation, gender identity, and some disabilities that are not readily visible to the eye. This panel will discuss how to address these biases and to create an environment where those with invisible or mixed-visible diversity can operate at the highest level.
Stacy Douglas, Everett Dorey LLP, Irvine, CA
Gary Howard, Bradley, Birmingham, AL
Ronna Kinsella, Glassman Wyatt Tuttle & Cox PC, Memphis, TN
Law Practice Management Credit
Succession Planning: Failing to Plan Is a Plan to Fail
Succession planning is considered one of the most pressing issues facing not only law firms but also clients. Senior partners are working into their golden years and can sometimes be reluctant to engage in a succession plan, but clients want to know that there is a plan for the transition of their work without interruption. Join us to learn:
- the importance of succession planning for the benefit both the law firm and its clients;
- how succession planning impacts retention and continuity of the firm and client relationships;
- how to approach the subject with senior attorneys; and
- strategies for implementing a successful succession plan.
Marie E. Chafe, Conn Kavanaugh, Boston, MA
Matthew Cairns, Textron Inc., Providence, RI
Elizabeth M. Brotten, Foley & Mansfield PLLP, Minneapolis, MN
Meade Hartfield, Bradley Arant, Birmingham, AL
Ethics
Technology, Ethics & Remote Work: What You Need to Know Now
The Rules of Professional Conduct regarding competence and diligence require all lawyers to keep abreast of changes in technology. This webinar will provide you with tips and information on new issues related to technology and the practice of law, including the challenges of the remote work environment. You will learn the ethics and professionalism considerations when using technology in your practice and your ethical duties when it comes to “keeping abreast of changes” in technology.
Amber Garcia, Deutsch Kerrigan LLP, New Orleans, LA
Alyssa Johnson, Barron & Newberger PC, Milwaukee, WI
Clare Roubion, Louisiana Legal Ethics, LLC, Lafayette, LA
Mental Health & Attorney Wellness
Lessons for Lawyers from the Science of Well-Being
This presentation will focus on the practical steps that we can take as individuals to improve well-being, drawing on recent research from cognitive science and beginning with the preface that happiness can be learned and applied. Specifically, we will provide an evidence-based arsenal of practical tools that lawyers can apply in their own lives to improve their well-being.
Emma Ross, Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum, Chicago, IL
Shayna Cook, Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum, Chicago, IL