Registration Information
Save up to $500 when you register on or before February 25, 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.
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Member Pricing |
Non-Member Pricing |
Non-Member Bundle ^ |
Regular Registration*
(Now thru Feb. 25) |
$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 Smoke Skybar
Sponsored by: ABC
Date: Thursday, February 27 from 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Pricing: Free when you register for the seminar
Location: Smoke Skybar, 1100 E Houston St, San Antonio, TX 78205
Howdy, y'all! Get ready to kick up your boots and head on down to DRI's Premier Networking Reception in the heart of the Lone Star State. This Texan-sized shindig is your chance to take a break from the hotel and mix and mingle with your fellow seminar attendees. Held at the Smoke Skybar, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the city skyline as you indulge in some finger-lickin' good BBQ bites and refresh yourself with tasty drinks from the open bar. So, y'all come on down and get ready to network the night away, Texas-style! This is your opportunity to swap stories, share insights, and build lasting connections with the movers and shakers of DRI. Yeehaw, partner – you won't want to miss out on this good ol' fashioned shindig!
Hotel Information
The seminar will take place at Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk, 600 E Market Street, San Antonio, TX 78205.
To contact the hotel directly, call 210.224.1234.
The DRI room block at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk is now sold out. Please use the link below to reserve a room at a nearby available hotel.
Alternative Hotels
If you are planning on attending the conference and have not secured a hotel reservation, search for hotel availability via our trusted partner aRes Travel**. Book online or call 800.559.3186 for assistance; for International callers 619.546.5773.
**aRes Travel is a third-party travel planner. Rates, deposits, and cancellation policies may vary and are the responsibility of the guest. Questions on hotel policies or payments made on aRes website should be directed to the aRes Reservation Center or to the hotel directly.
Full Agenda
*Schedule and Speakers subject to change
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Time (Central) |
Session |
12:00 p.m. |
Registration |
3:00 p.m. |
Women's Wellness Workshop
Lawyers live their lives by deadlines, by client expectations, and by the drive to develop sustainable business. Women in the law face additional stresses and health risks that impact their personal and professional wellness. Too often, we as women, make everything a priority but ourselves, including our own health. When that nagging headache won’t go away, or the butterflies in our stomach become constant, we tell ourselves that we will deal with it later or convince ourselves that it’s nothing to worry about. However, prioritizing health and self-care is part and parcel of maintaining our professional responsibilities to our clients and our partners: We can’t be at our best if we are not consciously listening to our bodies and minds. In this workshop, Niki Schaefer, Vice President and General Counsel at ReliabilityFirst, will share her compelling story about her own major health event and its impact on her both professionally and personally. We will then engage in a moderated discussion with experts, including a representative of the Texas Lawyers Assistance Program, about women lawyers' physical and mental health, including how common health issues present specifically (and differently) in women, when and how to seek treatment, and simple ways to incorporate healthier habits into our daily lives.
Niki D. Schaefer, ReliabilityFirst, Cleveland, OH
Kristen Davis, Neurophysique Online Nutrition and Fitness, Alabama
Panelist from Texas Lawyers' Assistance Program |
6:00 p.m. |
Networking / Cocktail Hour
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7:30 p.m. |
Dine-Arounds
Join colleagues and friends at selected restaurants for dinner (on your own). |
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Time (Central) |
Session |
8:30 a.m. |
Registration & Coffee Service
Get to know the early risers in our group over a cup of coffee. |
9:00 a.m. |
Welcome and Introductions
J. Richard Moore, Bleeke Dillon Crandall, Indianapolis, IN
Bethany N. White, Arnett Law Group LLC, Chicago, IL |
9:15 a.m. |
Keynote: A True Story of Bravery on Broadway
Join Michele Smith for a thought and emotion-provoking discussion with actress and author, Christine Barker, about her book Third Girl from the Left, her life on Broadway during the height of the AIDS epidemic, and how we find value and strength in living our most authentic life.
Michele Y. Smith, MehaffyWeber PC, Houston, TX
Christine Barker (Author), Greenwich, CT |
9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. |
DRI Cares - Blessings in a Backpack
Click here for details on this DRI Cares session.
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10:15 a.m. |
Coffee Break |
10:30 a.m. |
Empathy Against the Egregious: Navigating Sex Abuse and Other Psychologically Traumatic Injuries Using a Trauma-Informed and Empathetic Approach in Litigation
Cases involving sexual trauma can be particularly challenging to defend given the nature of the injury and the juxtaposition of our human nature to be sympathetic and the need to be an advocate for defendants accused of allowing these types of injuries to occur. Using their experience defending sex trafficking lawsuits, the speakers will discuss the importance of understanding the impact of trauma and how empathy toward litigants can not only be used as an effective strategy in litigation but can also showcase our humanity when defending these types of difficult cases.
Chelsea Mikula, Tucker Ellis, Cleveland, OH
Marcella C. Ducca, Greenberg Traurig LLP, Atlanta, GA
Aleksandra Zivanovic, SGI Canada, Toronto, ON
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11:30 a.m. |
The Litigation of Bravo: What the Real Housewives Teach Us About the Law
For most of us, Bravo’s reality television lineup is a guilty pleasure after slogging through the minutiae of our daily professional lives. However, as entertaining as the Real Housewives' antics are on screen, their off-the-screen legal antics are not only interesting but educational. Join Angela Angotti, the host of the smash hit podcast, The Bravo Docket, and Rachel Frost as they discuss some of the fascinating litigation involving Bravo’s most famous ladies. Our speakers will share their insights on the overlap between the on-screen drama we see on TV and what we just might see in our cases, and how to use humor and grace to address and diffuse any off-screen drama.
Angela L. Angotti, Bowman & Brooke, Austin, TX
Rachel Frost, Bowman & Brooke, New Brunswick, NJ
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12:30 p.m. |
Women in the Law Awards Luncheon
Join the Women in the law seminar attendees for celebratory lunch as we spotlight the annual recipient of the Mary Massaron award. |
2:00 p.m. |
Breakouts
Join a smaller group of attendees for interactive discussion about topical issues that matter to you in our break-out sessions. |
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Breakout 1
Defying Expectations: Navigating the Professional and Personal as the Primary Breadwinner
Over the last century, women have gone from primarily staying in the home to comprising an equal part of the workforce, which means more and more women have become the primary source of income for their households. Given long-held institutional views of women’s roles in and outside the home, the shift in the power dynamic resulting from this fact can create a variety of issues impacting women personally and professionally. Hear from our panel of women three intergenerational attorneys in different stages of life on the myriad issues they have faced as the primary breadwinner, how they have navigated those issues, and what advice they would give to other women lawyers in the same position.
Ashley Brathwaite, Ellis & Winters, Raleigh, NC
Stephanie Holcombe, Porter Hedges, LLP, Houston, TX
Ericka Esposito, Littleton, Joyce Ughetta & Kelly, LLP, Radnor, PA
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Breakout 2
Artificial Intelligence: Best Practices for Counsel in a Brave New World
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way our clients do business, and its use can reduce costs and improve efficiencies for those who are able to adapt. Outside counsel need to be ready to advise clients on emerging trends and provide best practices to properly and ethically leverage this technology. This breakout session will provide an overview of the benefits, risks and mitigation strategies related to AI use; explain the importance of implementing a corporate AI use policy; discuss tools and best practices for AI use; and provide an update on current regulations relating to AI across the globe.
Jennifer L. Steinmetz, Tucker Ellis, Cleveland, OH
Michael Weil, Deloitte Risk & Financial Advisory, Las Vegas, NV
Michelle Bogosh, Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) Company, Chicago, IL
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3:00 p.m. |
Women in the Law Committee Meeting (open to all)
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3:30 p.m. |
Adjourn |
3:30 p.m. |
Small Group Networking Opportunities
Sign up for one of these options and start building your connections and developing relationships! Details circulated after registration.
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4:45 p.m.
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Margarita Making Class (4:45–5:45 p.m.)
Unable to make the earlier slot? You’re in luck! Sign up to join fellow Women in the Law attendees for a fun and interactive event where you’ll connect with others while making your own margaritas!
This event will take place onsite at the hotel. Please note this event is an additional cost and can be added when you register for the seminar. This event will cost $85; max is 25 people.
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6:00–8:00 p.m. |
Premier Networking Reception | Smoke Skybar
Click here for details on the reception.
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7:00 p.m. |
Evening Networking
Join fellow seminar attendees at one of our famous evening networking events. Details circulated after registration.
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Friday, February 28, 2025
Time (Central) |
Session |
8:30 a.m. |
Registration & Coffee Service
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8:30 a.m. |
Celebrating Each Other’s Victories
Have a personal or professional victory, large or small, that we should celebrate? We invite anyone to share and celebrate their overlooked successes with the group and receive the accolades you deserve. |
9:00 a.m. |
Welcome and Announcements
Bethany N. White, Arnett Law Group LLC, Chicago, IL
Kristen E. Dennison, Littleton Joyce Ughetta & Kelly LLP, Merritt Island, FL |
9:10 a.m. |
Elevate Your Practice by Elevating Your Communication
As lawyers, we are trained to effectively communicate with other lawyers and in a courtroom. However, what may not come as naturally is effective communication with a non-lawyer, particularly when it comes to educating a person in a position of authority about complex legal issues. Join us for an enthralling fireside chat with two women who know how it’s done. They will share their tried-and-true tips on how to tailor our communication styles to most effectively deliver our message to the C-suite decision makers and non-lawyers found in the board rooms.
Amy Mass, Hanover Insurance Company, Worcester, MA
Elizabeth Freedman, E•Suite Leader, Boston, MA |
10:10 a.m. |
Coffee Break
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10:25 a.m. |
Building Resiliency and Becoming a Better Lawyer Through Passion Projects
One way to build resiliency and combat the stress of the legal profession is to devote time to a cause that brings you joy. A passion project can refill the gas tank and make us better and more focused lawyers. Join us for a discussion with three Women in the Law committee members about their personal passion projects, how they were able to balance their professional lives while making time to fulfill their passion, and how investing in that passion improved not only their personal but their professional lives.
C. Meade Hartfield, Bradley, Birmingham, AL
Quyen Le, Gordon Rees, San Francisco, CA
Jessica Saunders Eichel, Combe Incorporated, White Plains, NY |
11:25 a.m. |
Making the Hard (but Ethical) Decisions
The practice of law is never more difficult than when the right and most legally sound and ethical decision may also result in a negative impact to your client or organization. Four in-house attorneys will discuss their experience making the hard decisions, including managing ethical quagmires, addressing internal struggles with those decisions, and dealing with the impact those decisions may have on business operations.
Kathleen O’Toole, McDonald’s, Chicago, IL
Sarah Fulkerson, BJC, Kansas City, MO
Erin Villasenor, Energy Transfer, Houston, TX
Patricia Conti, Dollar Tree/Family Dollar, Chesapeake, VA |
12:25 p.m. |
Adjourn
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CLE Information
Earn up to 6.00 hours of continuing legal education hours (CLE), including 1.00 hour 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 Women in the Law 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 Thursday morning. Feeding a child before you feed yourself is a wonderful way to support children and families in the San Antonio community.
Donate to Blessings in a Backpack
Interested in Helping with DRI Cares?
We need volunteers to help with set-up and to assist packing during the Thursday morning break at 8:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. It is a great way to meet people and support Blessings in a Backpack. Please note - you do not have to sign up to fill bags of food. Everyone is encouraged to pack a bag of food!
Sign up to Volunteer
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.