2025 Professional Liability Seminar

Name: 2025 | Professional Liability Seminar | DRI
Start: 2025-12-03T12:00
End: 2025-12-05T12:25
Location: Sheraton New York Times Square

December 3–5, 2025
Sheraton New York Times Square | New York City, New York

Downtown New York City and Brooklyn Bridge sunset

Professional Liability in Motion: Adapting to Risk, Technology, and the Modern Legal Landscape

Save up to $700 when you register on or before October 20!
View registration information.

In an era defined by rapid technological advancement and evolving workplace dynamics, the professional liability landscape is transforming dramatically. This seminar explores how legal professionals, insurers, and brokers must adapt to emerging risks—from artificial intelligence-driven decision-making and remote work challenges to generational workforce changes and expanding Errors and Omissions (E&O) exposures. Through expert-led sessions and interactive discussions, attendees will gain the tools to stay agile, informed, and ethically grounded in a profession that’s constantly in motion.

What You Will Learn:

The ethical challenges of AI and how it’s reshaping legal and insurance practices.
Practical strategies for preparing expert witnesses for deposition and trial.
The evolving risks for brokers and panel counsel in a post-pandemic, tech-driven world.
How generational dynamics and remote work are influencing talent retention and firm culture.
The legal and ethical implications of attorney mobility and multistate remote work.

Expand Your Network By:

Connecting with peers, speakers, and potential clients during structured breaks and receptions.
Joining dine-arounds to build relationships with colleagues and clients from across the country.
Participating in interactive sessions like the Professional Liability Game Show.
Engaging in professional liability committee meetings and business discussions open to all attendees.
Enjoying the festive atmosphere of New York City during the holiday season.
Meeting claims professionals, defense counsel, and industry leaders in a collaborative setting.

To save this page as a PDF, click on the "Print Brochure" button and under printer destination select "Save as PDF" or "Print to PDF."
For Android users, some browsers do not support printing.

Print Brochure

Thank You to DRI's Professional Liability Committee Leadership

Zandra Foley — **Zandra E. Foley**
Committee Chair

Kathryn Whitlock — **Kathryn S. Whitlock**
Committee Vice Chair

Sharon Stuart — **Sharon D. Stuart**
Law Institute

Join the Professional Liability Committee

Registration Information

Save up to $700 when you register on or before October 20!

Worry-free registration: Cancellations received thirty (30) days or more before an in-person seminar are entitled to a full refund.

Save Your Spot Today

In registering for this seminar, I attest that I devote a substantial portion of my professional time to defending the interests of individuals, business, associations, or governmental entities in civil litigation. I understand that DRI reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to cancel my registration, without a refund, if I do not meet the criteria described above.

	Member Pricing	Non-Member Pricing	Non-Member Bundle ^
Early Bird Registration* (Now thru Oct. 20)	$1,395	$1,795	$1,715
Regular Registration* (Oct. 21–Dec. 2)	$1,595	$1,995	$1,915
Onsite Registration*	$1,695	$2,095	$2,015
Group Registration (Non-Sponsored)	Group registration is for registering four or more attendees. Members and non-members receive a 15% discount off the member and non-member rates respective to the time the group registration is initiated (i.e. Early Bird, Regular or On-Site registration periods). There is one free registration with every 10 paid registrations. If you want to register for the group pricing, fill out the form here. Please note that online registration is not available for this offer.
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.

Not a DRI Member? Select the Non-Member Bundle and Save!

^ Not a DRI Member and new to DRI? Take advantage of the Non-Member / Trial Membership Bundle and receive up to 9 months of membership when you register for the seminar. You’ll be able to add this special offer to your cart at check out. Note: Trial membership processing can take up to 30 days from the date of purchase, please contact DRI Customer Service with any questions. Please note renewing members and members with recently lapsed memberships are not eligible for a Non-Member Bundle.

Learn more about membership at DRI and get started on your DRI journey today!

*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.

Hotel Information

The seminar will take place at Sheraton New York Times Square, 811 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019.
To contact the hotel directly, call 212.581.1000.

A limited number of discounted hotel rooms have been made available at the Sheraton New York Times Square. Take advantage of the group rate of $429.00 Single/Double.

Reserve your Room Online

The hotel block is limited, and rooms and rates are available on a first-come, first-served basis. You must make reservations by November 3, 2025, to be eligible for the hotel's group rate. Requests for reservations made after November 3 are subject to room and rate availability.

Full Agenda

*Schedule and Speakers subject to change

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Time (Eastern)	Session
12:00 p.m.	Registration
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).

Thursday, December 4, 2025

Time (Eastern)	Session
8:30 a.m.	Registration & Coffee Service
9:00 a.m.	Welcome and Introductions Sharon D. Stuart, Attorneys Insurance Mutual of the South, Hoover, AL Susan E. Cohen, Peabody & Arnold, Boston, MA
9:15 a.m.	Effective Jury Trial Techniques and Trends Learn from a sitting trial judge what techniques, strategies, presentations, or methods work or may backfire with a jury. The discussion will focus on jury trial trends involving high or inflationary verdicts, jury selection and juror attitudes toward their duty and the process, use and impact of court room technologies, effective expert examination to maximize jury understanding, practical methods to educate your trial judge, and settlement negotiation strategies when your trial judge serves as the neutral. Experienced and new attorneys will benefit from an active trial judge about what is needed, expected, and preferred to ensure a smooth jury trial and to enhance your case and the ability to prevail. Newt Marshall, Karbal, Cohen, Economou, Silk & Dunne, LLC, Chicago, IL Honorable Brendan A. O’Brien, Circuit Judge, Illinois Circuit Court of Cook County, IL
10:15 a.m.	Coffee Break
10:30 a.m.	The Algorithm Made Me Do It: AI and Legal Profession Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s reshaping the legal landscape today. From predictive analytics and contract review to generative AI tools that draft legal documents, the integration of AI into legal practice is accelerating. But with innovation comes complexity. This presentation explores the transformative impact of AI on the legal profession, examining both the opportunities and the ethical, regulatory, and practical challenges it presents. Mackenzie Smith Compton, Reminger Co., L.P.A., Columbus, OH
11:30 a.m.	Navigating the New Liability Landscape for Panel Firms In the past, panel firms operated under an unwritten pact where minor errors were tolerated (provided hourly rates stayed low) and only egregious malpractice resulted in claims. That implied agreement is now gone—panel firms face scrutiny for every error. Insurance carriers and institutional clients are aggressively pursuing claims to transfer risk to defense firms in both lawsuits and arbitrations. These claims target not just mistakes but also failures to prevent bad outcomes, even when the underlying facts were a doomed case. In this fast-paced session, we will unpack how this emerging exposure landed on panel counsel, why mandatory arbitration is gaining favor, the implications of panel counsel agreements and litigation guidelines, and what firms can do to protect themselves. Moderator Joe Garin, Garin Law Group, Las Vegas, NV Stacey Smith, ALPS, Missoula, MT Mike Brennan, Palms, Palm Beach, FL
12:30–2:00 p.m.	Lunch (On your own)
2:00 p.m.	Claim Showdown: The Professional Liability Game Show Get ready to test your knowledge, challenge your instincts, and have some fun! In this interactive game show-style CLE session, insurance professionals’ step into the spotlight as contestants, competing in a fast-paced quiz focused on professional liability claims. Through a series of real-world scenarios, legal trivia, and strategic decision-making challenges, participants will: - Sharpen their understanding of professional liability exposures and defenses - Explore best practices in claims handling and risk mitigation - Navigate ethical dilemmas and procedural pitfalls - Compete for bragging rights—and maybe even prizes! Moderator Claudia Costa, Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, New York, NY Bella Kang, Skyward Specialty Insurance, New York, NY Lori Watson, ProAssurance, Okemos, MI Ellen McCarthy, Attorney Protective (AttPro), Severna Park, MD
3:00 p.m.	From Zoomers to Boomers: Bridging the Gap to Retain Top Talent In today’s multigenerational workplace, law firms and legal departments face a unique challenge—and opportunity: how to attract, engage, and retain top talent across generations. From Baby Boomers to Gen Z, each cohort brings distinct values, communication styles, and expectations to the table. This dynamic session explores how legal organizations can bridge generational divides to build stronger, more inclusive, and future-ready teams. Hunter Williams (Generation Y / Millennials), Gallivan White & Boyd P.A., Greenville, SC Paige E. Riley (Generation X), Stites Harbison, Louisville, KY Jay Courie (Generation Boomer), McAngus Goudelock & Courie, Columbia, SC
4:00 p.m.	Adjourn
4:00 p.m.	Professional Liability Committee Business Meeting (Open to all)
5:30–6:30 p.m.	Networking Reception Join fellow seminar attendees at our Networking Reception. More details to come.
8:00 p.m.	Dine-Arounds Join colleagues and friends at selected restaurants for dinner (on your own).

Friday, December 5, 2025

Time (Eastern)	Session
8:30 a.m.	Registration and Coffee Service
9:00 a.m.	Welcome and Announcements Zachary Pyers, Reminger Co., L.P.A., Columbus, OH
9:10 a.m.	Switching Sides and Working Remote: Navigating Mobility Conflicts and Risk in a Post-Pandemic Legal World (Ethics) As attorneys increasingly change firms and work remotely across state lines, law firms face new and complex challenges in managing conflicts of interest, compliance with executive orders, and evolving labor and employment obligations. This CLE program explores the intersection of attorney mobility, remote work, and professional responsibility in today’s decentralized legal environment. Moderator Joseph Oliva, Goldberg Segalla, Philadelphia, PA Shauna Reeder, QBE, New York, NY Garima Vir, Markel, New York, NY
10:10 a.m.	Break
10:25 a.m.	Errors, Omissions, and Algorithms: Evolving E&O Risks in the Age of AI and Remote Work As the insurance industry embraces new technologies and adapts to post-pandemic work environments, brokers face a shifting landscape of professional liability risks. This CLE program explores two of the most pressing trends impacting E&O exposure today: the integration of artificial intelligence in brokerage operations and the lingering effects of remote work on professional standards and communication. This session is essential for legal professionals, claims handlers, and brokers navigating the evolving intersection of technology, liability, and workplace transformation. Moderator Sharon Stuart, Attorneys Insurance Mutual of the South, Birmingham, AL Melissa Sinor (VP Claims), Manager McGriff, Birmingham, AL Chris Turner (Executive VP), Gallagher Re, Greensboro, NC
11:25 a.m.	From Expert to Effective: Preparing Witnesses for Deposition and Trial Testimony Expert witnesses can make or break a case—but only if they’re properly prepared. This program provides attorneys with practical strategies and legal insights for preparing expert witnesses to deliver clear, credible, and compelling testimony during depositions and at trial. Our presenters will discuss: selecting and vetting expert witnesses for credibility and courtroom effectiveness; preparing experts for deposition questioning, including handling cross-examination traps; and translating complex technical or scientific findings into persuasive, jury-friendly language. Wilhelm Dingler, Bullivant Houser, Seattle, WA Bill Holmes, CPA, Holmes Company, Portland, OR Jane Bietz, Allied World, Farmington, CT
12:25 p.m.	Adjourn

CLE Information

Earn up to TBD hours of continuing legal education hours (CLE) from this seminar.

View CLE Credit by State

In some states that charge late CLE submission fees, there will be a $100 late fee to report CLE credits submitted more than 30 days after a seminar/virtual event. Click here for details on CLE late fees.