2023 DRI Young Lawyers Seminar

June 14–16, 2023 | Charlotte, North Carolina

Expand your legal knowledge and your network!

Come visit the Queen City for DRI’s Young Lawyers Seminar! If you are an attorney within your tenth year of practice, this seminar is for you. Join us as we explore how the practice of law is, first and foremost, a business. To grow your law practice, you not only need to hone and perfect your legal skills, but you also need to learn what it takes to run a successful business - from building and maintaining client relationships, to staying on top of current trends and developments and using technology to your advantage. In addition to exciting programming, there will be ample networking opportunities with attorneys and in-house counsel from across the country.

View registration information here.

What You Will Learn:

How to become a trusted and reliable business partner to your corporate clients.
Tips for developing your legal practice in the post-pandemic world.
Best practices to mitigate the risks associated with 30(b)(6) depositions.
Strategies to recognize and confront implicit biases in the workplace.
Effective communication methods to best advocate your client.
Recent developments in the area of legal ethics applicable to law firm management.

Expand Your Network By:

Participating in a speed-networking workshop to jumpstart your networking experience.
Forging connections with DRI members and in-house attorneys at the Premier Networking Reception.
Building relationships with fellow Young Lawyers during small-group networking events.
Developing connections with outside and in-house counsel during dine-arounds at local restaurants.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Thank You to DRI's Committee Leadership
Registration Information
Agenda with Speakers
Headquarters Hotel Information
CLE Information
Sponsors
DRI Cares
On-Demand Programs Included
Other Information

Thank You to DRI's Young Lawyers Committee Leadership

Melissa H. Rose-DeMartini — **Melissa Rose**
Program Chair

**Tom Wyatt**
Committee Second Vice Chair

Join the Young Lawyers Committee

Registration Information

	Member Pricing	Non-Member Pricing
Regular Registration*	$1,095	$1,395
Group Registration (Non-Sponsored)**	$695/person	$695/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 four 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, fill out the form here (online registration is not available for this offering).

Networking Events

Women of Color Roundtable | Foundation for the Carolinas (Optional Programming)

Date: Tuesday, June 13 from 1:00–6:00 p.m.

Registration for the roundtable is no longer available to attendees of this seminar as capacity has been reached.

Premier Networking Reception | Charlotte Beer Garden
Sponsored by Clark Hill PLC, Cox PLLC, Proskauer Rose LLP

Date: Wednesday, June 14 from 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Pricing: Free when you register for the seminar; all attendees must be 21+ (Guest tickets $100 each, available at check-out. A limited number of guest tickets may be available on site for $125 each.)
Location: Charlotte Beer Garden, 1300 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28203

Join the Trucking Litigation Essentials, Diversity for Success, Insurance Bad Faith, and Young Lawyers committees for a networking event at USA Today’s Best Beer Garden of 2022! You’re guaranteed to find something to your taste from the almost 400 draft options (one of the world’s largest selection of draft beers available in one restaurant), wine, spirits, seltzers, and light appetizers. Join us for a fun evening on the spacious and partly covered rooftop, mixing a cozy greenhouse feel with some cool city views.

Agenda with Speakers

*Schedule and Speakers subject to change

View Agenda and Room Location

Tuesday, June 13, 2023 (Optional)

Time (Eastern)	Program	Location
1:00 p.m.	Women of Color Roundtable \| Foundation for the Carolinas (Optional Programming) Registration for the roundtable is no longer available to attendees of this seminar as capacity has been reached.

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Time (Eastern)	Program	Location
12:00 p.m.	Registration
3:15 p.m.	First Time Attendee Meet-and-Greet First time attending the DRI Young Lawyers Seminar? Join fellow first-time attendees to learn more about the DRI Young Lawyers Committee and how this committee can help build your network and grow your personal practice!
4:00 p.m.	Demystifying What It Means to “Network” – Speed Networking Workshop Whether you’re a new member, non-member, seasoned attendee, or in-house counsel, join your fellow attendees to learn how to make the most of your networking opportunities this week, and participate in a speed networking workshop to jumpstart your networking experience at the seminar. Corey A. Bauer, Houston Harbaugh, Pittsburgh, PA Kelly Calder Mowen, Orndorff Mowen PLLC, Scott Depot, WV
6:00 p.m.	Premier Networking Reception \| Charlotte Beer Garden Sponsored by Clark Hill PLC, Cox PLLC, Proskauer Rose LLP Click here for details.
8:00 p.m.	Dine-Arounds Join colleagues and friends at selected restaurants for dinner (on your own).

Thursday, June 15, 2023

Time (Eastern)	Program	Location
8:00 a.m.	Registration
8:30 a.m.	Coffee & Conversations The early bird gets the most out of this networking session. Get to know the early risers in our group over a cup of coffee. Rise, shine, caffeinate and connect!
9:00 a.m.	Welcome and Introductions Richard Moore, Bleeke Dillon Crandall, Indianapolis, IN Melissa Rose, Perkins Coie LLP, San Diego, CA
9:15 a.m.	How to Make Clients (And Judges) Love You Through Effective Legal Writing The most important skills a Young Lawyer can develop are the ability to communicate advice and advocate their position effectively. Clients retain— and trust—lawyers who make them feel understood and who provide clear advice. Recognizing your audience, tailoring content and delivering information in a compelling manner will improve your odds of gaining a client’s trust, or convincing a jury or judge f your position. Join Devan Marr, a Research Lawyer at LawPro, Ontario’s primary professional liability insurer for lawyers, and Sara Warf, Clinical Associate Professor of Law at the University of North Carolina for practical advice and examples of the good, the bad, and the ugly of effective communication. Devan Marr, LawPro, Ontario, Canada Sara Warf, University of North Carolina School of Law, Chapel Hill, NC
10:15 a.m.	Coffee Break
10:30 a.m.	Anticipating and Minimizing Risks Associated with the 30(b)(6) Deposition This interactive presentation led by an experienced litigator will discuss best practices for defending your corporate client during deposition, from responding to the deposition notice, identifying and preparing your witness, to strategically objecting during the deposition. This presentation will invite audience members to assist in triaging issues that may arise during a 30(b)(6) deposition, taken from real-life examples. Ray Hartman, Perkins Coie LLP, San Diego, CA
11:30 a.m.	Becoming A Trusted Business Partner to Your Corporate Clients Hear from our accomplished panel of in-house counsel about what it takes to become a trusted resource to your corporate clients by understanding the needs and values of your corporate client. For Young Lawyers considering a move in-house, the panel will also address the skills needed to transition from private practice to working directly for a company. Moderator Catherine Leatherwood, Rogers Townsend, LLC, Columbia, SC Gail Sharps Myers, Denny’s, Charlotte, NC Asal Alipanah, H.G. Fenton Company, San Diego, CA Demtira Sourlis Farha, Duke Energy Corporation, Charlotte, NC
12:30 p.m.	Diversity and WITL Networking Luncheon at Sheraton Charlotte Hotel Join the Insurance Bad Faith and Extra-Contractual Liability committee for a networking luncheon hosted by the Young Lawyer’s Diversity Equity & Inclusion and Women in the Law subcommittees to discuss effective integration methods for adding new attorneys to office culture. The luncheon is included in your registration cost. Featured Speaker Akya S. Rice, Trane Technologies, Charlotte, NC
1:30 p.m.	DRI Cares Click here for details on Thompson.
1:30 p.m.	Fast Pitch Breakout Limited enrollment - to sign up, please contact Meredith Hamilton. Ready to wow in-house counsel? Come practice a client pitch with some of the biggest names in the business. Attendees will get the opportunity to work one-on-one with in-house counsel on their pitch and receive feedback in real time! In-House Counsel Companies Participating: Arrival, Britax, Carrier, Duke Energy Corporation, Nordstrom, Parsons Corporation, SERC Reliability Corporation, Wastequip, LLC, Wells Fargo
2:00 p.m.	Understanding How Implicit Bias Affects Concepts of Professionalism: A Critical Look at Inclusivity in the Workplace “Professionalism” is typically defined as a standard set of beliefs about the appropriate way to act in the workplace. It is important to acknowledge, however, that our notions of what is “professional” are shaped by dominant majority culture—and there are a growing number of “outsider” lawyers for whom compliance with some professionalism norms challenges their fundamental identities. Please join us as we discuss the role professionalism plays in our day-to-day practices, with a focus on how to keep implicit bias in check and promote professional workplaces that do not exclude or marginalize others. Moderator Christian Castile, Reed Smith LLP, Philadelphia, PA Darleene Peters, Irwin Fritchie Urquhart & Moore LLC, New Orleans, LA Andrea Okoro, Soda Health, Boston, MA
3:00 p.m.	Committee Business Meeting (open to all)
3:45 p.m.	Small Group Networking Opportunities Sign up for one of these options and start building your connections and developing relationships! The Mint Museum, The Hotel Pool, The NASCAR Hall of Fame, 7th Street Public Market, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture For more details, click on the "Networking Opportunities" tab below.
4:00 p.m.	DRI for Life - Hustle House HIIT Class and Smoothies For more details, click on the "Networking Opportunities" tab below.
5:00 p.m.	Women in the Law Meet Up More details to come.
6:00 p.m.	Networking/Cocktail Hour
7:30 p.m.	Dine-Arounds Join colleagues and friends at selected restaurants for dinner (on your own).

Friday, June 16, 2023

Time (Eastern)	Program	Location
8:00 a.m.	Registration and Coffee
9:00 a.m.	Welcome and Announcements Valerie Phan, Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., San Diego, CA
9:10 a.m.	The Ethics of Running Your Law Practice as a Business Join Clare Roubion of Louisiana Legal Ethics, LLC for a discussion about recent developments in the area of legal ethics for law firm operations, including best practices for records retention, billing, legal advertising, and managing client relationships. Clare S. Roubion, Louisiana Legal Ethics, LLC, Lafayette, LA
10:10 a.m.	Coffee Break
10:25 a.m.	Breakout Sessions
	The Young Lawyer’s Toolkit: Litigation Strategies for Creatively and Effectively Working Up Cases through Discovery This presentation will address tools Young Lawyers can utilize in discovery that will allow them to distinguish themselves in their practice, including the mechanics of serving subpoenas, submitting Freedom of Information Act requests, and obtaining and using training manuals and professional journals. It will also explore online tools that can assist attorneys in thinking outside the box and obtaining documents or information that might not be produced in standard discovery, with an emphasis on developing important themes for defending the case as it proceeds towards trial. Pamela Kaplan, Tanenbaum Keale LLP, Newark, NJ
	Cryptocurrency: When and How It May Affect Your Practice Wondering how cryptocurrency works and how it might affect your practice? Then this presentation is for you! The aim of the presentation is to remove some of the mystery surrounding it by educating you on the basics of cryptocurrency, exploring the current regulatory status, and show how cryptocurrency has started to appear in numerous aspects of the legal world. Jason Avelar, Wilson Turner Kosmo LLP, San Diego, CA
11:30 a.m.	Successful Strategies to Develop Your Legal Practice in the Post-Pandemic Era The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the legal field in many ways, most notably by forcing law firms and courts to modernize in order to meet the needs of remote litigation. This moderated discussion between a litigator-turned-CEO and a marketing executive will explore how your law firm can differentiate itself from the competition by embracing the changes ushered in by the pandemic. This discussion will also examine how your firm can better position itself in the future by staying on top of new technologies, and how Young Lawyers are uniquely suited to leading that charge. Moderator Parada Ornelas, Wilson Turner Kosmo LLP, San Diego, CA Megan Henry, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, Charlotte, NC Phil Crumm, 10up, Las Vegas, NV
12:30 p.m.	Adjourn

Small Networking Opportunities

For all networking activities, on-site meet up will be at the hotel lobby at the start time. For more information or questions, please contact Michele Hayes.

Before purchasing tickets, please RSVP to let us know you'll be attending. Click here to RSVP.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame
Date/Time: Thursday, June 15, 2023 3:30–5:00 p.m.
Pricing: $27/person
Location: 400 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28202

The NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR.
Click here to purchase tickets to NASCAR Hall of Fame.

The Mint Museum
Date/Time: Thursday, June 15, 2023 3:45–5:30 p.m.
Pricing: $15/person
Location: 500 S. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202

Located about 5 minutes from the hotel via Uber/Lyft or a 17 minute walk. Established in 1936 as North Carolina’s first art museum, The Mint Museum is a leading, innovative cultural institution and museum of international art and design. Mint Museum Uptown houses the internationally renowned Craft + Design collection, as well as outstanding collections of American, contemporary, and European art. The five-story facility combines inspiring architecture with cutting-edge exhibitions to provide visitors with unparalleled educational and cultural experiences.
Click here to purchase tickets to Mint Museum.

The Hotel Pool
Date/Time: Thursday, June 15, 2023 3:45–5:30 p.m.
Pricing: Free
Location: Uptown Hotel at Sheraton Charlotte

Enjoy an afternoon relaxing by the pool with your fellow Young Lawyers.

7th Street Public Market
Date/Time: Thursday, June 15, 2023 3:45–5:30 p.m.
Pricing: Free
Location: 224 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Located a mile from the hotel, in the center of Charlotte at the 7th Street Station, visit the 7th Street Public Market and enjoy the tastes and smells of Charlotte. Here the local farmers, entrepreneurs, and artisans showcase fresh and affordable food every day of the week. You will find vendors with fresh produce, bakery treats, and fragrant flowers at the indoor marketplace.

Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture
Date/Time: Thursday, June 15, 2023 3:45–5:30 p.m.
Pricing: $9/person
Location: 551 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202

The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture celebrates the contributions of Africans and African-Americans to American culture and serves as a community epicenter for music, dance, theater, visual art, film, arts education programs, literature and community outreach.
Click here to purchase tickets to Harvey B. Gantt Center.

DRI for Life - Hustle House HIIT Class and Smoothies
Date/Time: Thursday, June 15, 2023 4:00–4:50 p.m.
Pricing: $25/person (spots are limited)
Location: 550 East Brooklyn Village Avenue, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202

Located an eight-minute walk from the hotel, come join fellow DRI Young Lawyer attendees for a lively 50-minute workout class! Smoothies and banter will follow, which are included in the price. The style will incorporate one of Hustle House’s “Team Days” to facilitate teambuilding and fun for all. On-site meet up at the Hustle House. Class will start promptly at 4:00 p.m., so please arrive at least five to ten minutes early.
Click here to register for the Hustle House. Payment will be handled after registration. For more information or questions, please contact John Floyd or Taryn Harper.

Headquarters Hotel Information

The DRI room block at the Sheraton Charlotte Hotel/Le Méridien Hotel Complex is now sold out on select dates. Please use the link below to reserve a room outside of the DRI block at the Sheraton Charlotte Hotel/Le Méridien Hotel Complex or an available hotel nearby.

Find a Hotel to Book

CLE Information

Earn up to 8.50 hours of continuing legal education hours (CLE), including one (1) hour of Ethics from this seminar.

Young Lawyers CLE by State

DRI Cares

Thompson

Join the Young Lawyers Committee (and the DRI Insurance Law Committee) for our DRI Cares Service Project. The two committees will raise funds and assemble backpacks and hygiene kits for Thompson, a leading provider of clinical and prevention services for children and families across the Carolinas. Thompson empowers children and families through therapy, education and prevention-based care. The project will take place at the seminar hotel on Thursday, June 15.

We need to raise funds for the project by May 31, 2023, in order to purchase supplies for the backpacks and hygiene kits. We will continue to raise funds for Thompson after the deadline and donate any additional funds directly to the organization. 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 your DRI Committee 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.

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Substantive Law Committee QR Code Foundation Contributions

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

Other Information

If you have any questions or concerns regarding DRI programs, please contact DRI Customer Service at 312.795.1101 or custservice@dri.org.