Registration Information
Save up to $700 when you register on or before July 28, 2025!
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 July 28)
|
$1,395 |
$1,795 |
$1,715 |
Regular Registration*
(July 29–Sept. 9) |
$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.
Networking Events
Premier Networking Reception at the XXXXX
Sponsored by: ABC
Date: Wednesday, Month Day from 7:00–10:00 p.m.
Pricing: Free when you register for the seminar (guest tickets $100 each, available at check-out)
Location: XXXXX, Address, City, State
TBD.
Hotel Information
The seminar will take place at Austin Marriott Downtown, 304 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701.
To contact the hotel directly, call 512.457.1111.
A limited number of discounted hotel rooms have been made available at the Austin Marriott Downtown. Take advantage of the group rate of $329.00 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 August 12, 2025, to be eligible for the hotel's group rate. Requests for reservations made after August 12 are subject to room and rate availability.
Full Agenda
*Schedule and Speakers subject to change
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
| Time (Central) |
Session |
| 12:00 p.m. |
Registration |
| 3:00 p.m. |
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (Part 1): A Primer on Preparing and Defending Managerial Employees
Join us for an exclusive session on defending administrators, DONs and corporate representatives in depositions, a vital skill for young attorneys looking to expand their litigation expertise. This session will provide practical strategies and insights for navigating complex depositions, protecting your clients' interests, and managing high-stakes testimony. Learn directly from experienced practitioners who will share real-world examples and tips for handling sensitive issues with confidence. Don't miss this unique opportunity to enhance your skills and build your career in an increasingly important area of law.
Max Beach, Perry Johnson Anderson Miller & Moskowitz, Santa Rosa, CA
Sarah Jane Truong, Perry Johnson Anderson Miller & Moskowitz, Santa Rosa, CA |
| 4:00 p.m. |
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (Part 2): A Primer on Caregiver Depositions and the Hostile Former Employee
In Part 2 of this session, we’ll dive into the challenges of defending nurses, CNAs, and other frontline staff in depositions. You’ll learn how to handle difficult questioning and deal with hostile former employees who may have motives to exaggerate or fabricate claims. Our expert speakers will guide you through effective techniques for managing high-tension depositions while safeguarding your client’s interests. This is a must-attend session for young attorneys eager to sharpen their skills in defending healthcare workers in critical legal scenarios.
Paul McCartney, Bonezzi Switzer Polito & Perry, Cincinnati, OH |
| 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, September 11, 2025
| Time (Central) |
Session |
| 7:00 a.m. |
DRI for Life | Hike the Lady Bird Trail
Meet us at 7:00 a.m. in the hotel lobby to hike Austin's Lady Bird Trail — connect and explore before sessions begin!
|
| 8:30 a.m. |
Registration & Coffee Service
|
| 9:00 a.m. |
Welcome and Introductions
Ted J. McDonald III, McDonald Law Group, PA, Kansas City, MO
Whitney Horak, Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, PC, Memphis, TN |
| 9:15–10:15 a.m. |
Mastering the Defense of Wound Infection Claims: Medical Causation and Litigation Strategies
Wound infections are a frequent focus of claims in long-term care litigation. Successfully defending against these claims requires an in-depth understanding of medical causation, standards of care, and potential alternative explanations for the infection. This discussion will explore key strategies for defending against allegations that a wound infection resulted from negligence, improper medical treatment, or defective products. This in-depth discussion will provide defense attorneys with the tools to effectively challenge wound infection claims, leveraging medical expertise, legal precedent, and sound litigation strategies to achieve favorable outcomes.
Eric Walker, MD, VOHRA Wound Physicians, Temple, TX
Sammi Renken, Johnson and Bell, Chicago, IL |
| 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. |
DRI Cares | Blessings in a Backpack
Click here for details on DRI Cares.
|
| 10:15 a.m. |
Coffee Break |
| 10:30 a.m. |
Inside and Outside the Courtroom – How Business & Insurance Strategies in the Long-Term Care Industry Impact Litigation
Hear from a panel of distinguished in-house counsel and an insurance professional as they explore how business, insurance, and public relations concerns shape litigation strategy in long-term care cases. Gain valuable insights on balancing litigation tactics with business priorities, navigating regulatory concerns, and gain an understanding of how these non-litigation factors may impact existing litigation. Learn practical tools to support clients beyond the courtroom, from insurance coverage to strategic collaboration with brokers, outside counsel, and PR professionals.
Moderator
Kelly Jones Howell, Harris Beach Murtha, New York, NY
Peter Winterburn, CAC Specialty, Memphis, TN
Jack Oliver, Cantex, Dallas, TX
Chris Cullen, Atria, Louisville, KY
|
| 11:30 a.m. |
Who’s on First? Fielding the Changing Landscape of Agency and Ancillary Staff on Resident Care and Litigation
Join us for an insightful session where we will explore current trends and changes in the use of agency and ancillary staff over time and their potential impact on the future. Gain valuable knowledge on contractual obligations required with independent service providers, along with best practices for effective agreements. Engage in discussions on facility processes, including screening, training, and the quality of care provided by agency staff. Additionally, we will analyze the evolving landscape of litigation defense, examining the impact of shifting trends and evaluating effective strategies for defending claims involving agency or ancillary staff.
Tammy Banaseck, Hepler Broom, Chicago, IL
Robyn Rogers, NHC, Murfreesboro, TN
|
| 12:30–2:00 p.m. |
DRI Networking Lunch |
| 2:00 p.m. |
Pulling Back the Curtain: Demystifying the Legal Defense of Assisted Living Facilities v. Skilled Nursing Facilities
This session will explore the unique challenges and strategies involved in defending assisted living facilities compared to skilled nursing facilities from the perspective of defense counsel as well as an owner/operator of an assisted living facility. Attendees will gain insights into the legal, regulatory, and operational distinctions between the two types of care settings, and how these differences impact defense strategies in litigation. Learn practical approaches to navigate the complexities of each setting while ensuring effective risk management.
Moderator
Jodi Terranova, Wilson Elser, Washington D.C.
Frank Alvarez, Quintairos Prieto Wood & Boyer, PA, Dallas, TX
Marvette Lowrie-Morris, JD, RN, MSHCA, BSHCA, LNHA, Sweetwater Living, LLC, Lenoir City, TN
|
| 3:00 p.m. |
Ethical Advocacy in Litigation: A Judge’s Perspective
Drawing on years of experience from the bench, this talk offers a candid and insightful look at the ethical challenges litigators face in the courtroom. Former Judge Lee Yeakel will provide a judicial perspective on common ethical pitfalls, the fine line between zealous advocacy and misconduct, and the professional obligations that define the integrity of the legal profession. With a focus on real-world application, this session will provide experienced litigators with valuable insights into how ethical decision-making impacts case outcomes, judicial perceptions, and professional reputation.
Moderator
Michael Dial, Hall Booth Smith, Oklahoma City, OK
Judge Lee Yeakel, Former US District Court Judge for the Western District of Texas, Austin, TX
Melissa Brown, Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP, Marlton, NJ |
| 4:00 p.m. |
Medical Liability and Health Care Law Committee Business Meeting (open to all)
|
| 6:00 p.m. |
Networking Reception
Join fellow seminar attendees at our Premier 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, September 12, 2025
| Time (Central) |
Session |
| 7:30 a.m. |
Women in the Law Breakfast |
| 8:30 a.m. |
Registration and Coffee Service
|
| 9:00 a.m. |
Welcome and Announcements
Shana O’Grady, Cray Huber, Chicago, IL |
| 9:10 a.m. |
How Much?! – Latest Verdicts and Legal Updates in Senior Living and A Discussion of Current “Understaffing” Strategies and Evidence Used Against Providers with John Bowblis, PhD
Learn the latest in the year’s jury verdicts and decisions, including the big hits and big wins for the defense, in addition to the new CMS regulations and other regulatory changes and the impact those changes have had on the industry. Also, you’ll learn about the new strategies and methods employed by plaintiffs to argue a senior living community is “understaffed”. Topics covered will include auditing of staffing data, class actions targeting staffing, and the Plaintiffs’ use of staffing benchmarks, including the reinvention of the “expected” staffing levels argument.
John R. Bowblis, PhD, Bowblis Economic Consulting, LLC
Shaquan Lewis, Fudge Broadwater, Tampa, FL
|
| 10:10 a.m. |
Break
|
| 10:25 a.m. |
Leveraging AI in Litigation: Enhancing Long Term Care Defense Through Technology
This session explores the role of artificial intelligence in long-term care litigation, demonstrating how AI can enhance case preparation, evidence analysis, and litigation strategy. Through real-world examples, the session illustrates both the potential and limitations of AI in legal practice, while acknowledging the need for human oversight. During this session, you will learn practical insights on leveraging AI tools to improve efficiency and outcomes in nursing home and assisted living facility cases.
Joseph Bambara, CIPP/US, Withers Bergman LLP, New York, NY |
| 11:25 a.m. |
Beyond the Billable Hour: Addressing Lawyer Mental Health
Join us for an insightful seminar on lawyer wellness, where we will explore the unique challenges that legal professionals face in maintaining mental health. This session covers the causes of burnout, stress, and anxiety, and provides practical, evidence-based strategies to build resilience and well-being. Learn how to manage stress effectively, prevent compassion fatigue, and rekindle your passion for the law. Through expert guidance, you'll gain valuable tools to sustain both your mental health and your enthusiasm for the legal profession.
Michelle Fontenot, JD, Texas Lawyers Assistance Program, Austin, TX |
| 12:25 p.m. |
Adjourn
|
CLE Information
Earn up to 10.00 hours of continuing legal education hours (CLE), including 2.00 hours of Ethics 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.
DRI's Senior Living and Long-Term Care Litigation Seminar is proudly supported by:
If you would like to contact DRI about seminar sponsorship opportunities (including pricing) or to reserve a spot, please visit the sponsorship page.
DRI Cares
Blessings in a Backpack
Please join us in supporting Blessings in a Backpack, an organization that mobilizes communities, individuals, and resources to provide food on the weekends for school-aged children across America who might otherwise go hungry. Seminar attendees will have the opportunity to fill bags of food on the way to the joint networking lunch on Thursday, September 11. Feeding a child before you feed yourself is a wonderful way to support children and families in the Austin community.
Donate to Blessings in a Backpack
Additional Resources
If you have any questions or concerns regarding DRI programs, please contact DRI Customer Service at 312.795.1101 or custservice@dri.org.