2026 Medical Liability and Health Care Law Seminar

March 25–27, 2026
Renaissance Nashville Hotel | Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville skyline sunrise

Music City, Medical Liability Updates, and National Connections are Headed Your Way!

Save up to $500 when you register on or before March 24!

Save Your Spot Today

The premier DRI Medical Liability and Health Care Law Seminar is returning to Nashville, TN! Join us at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel, just a short walk from the heart of the city, for an event tailored by defense counsel, in-house counsel, and claims professionals. At this year’s event, you’ll gain access to unparalleled insights, unique networking opportunities, CLE credit, and so much more! The 2026 seminar is complete with exceptional faculty, including a urologist, ophthalmologist, jury consultant, and the attorney who defended the high-profile Kowalski v. Johns Hopkins case ("Take Care of Maya"). Plus, hear from experts on HIPAA, life care planning, damages, "wearable" tracking devices, and finally, an obstetrician/attorney birth trauma specialist. Join us to reconnect with clients and colleagues at on- and off-site networking events and explore all that Nashville has to offer. We look forward to seeing you in March!

What You Will Learn:

  • Learn about jury selection and conduct in a highly publicized case.
  • Tips and tricks to defend and combat ever-increasing life care plans.
  • Ethical consideration of HIPAA.
  • Latest updates in the birth injury/trauma space.
  • How to utilize wearable tracking devices when defending medical liability cases.
  • Insights into Urology/Ophthalmology/Trauma-related cases.

Expand Your Network By:

  • Joining your peers in attending on-and off-site networking events.
  • Dining with DRI members, friends, and speakers from around the country.
  • Engaging with fellow female professionals at the Women in the Law breakfast meetup.
  • Enjoying one of the country’s most famous cities with colleagues and friends, new and old.

Counsel Meetings with Major Companies
Take advantage of the opportunity to engage with key industry companies* including:

  • Allied World

*Subject to change

Representatives from These Companies* Will Be in Attendance
Engage with in-house counsel and claims executives:

  • AdventHealth System / Claims Risk Management
  • Allied World Assurance Company
  • Banner Health
  • Baptist Healthcare System
  • CAC Specialty
  • Care Option for Kids
  • MICA
  • Minnesota Joint Underwriting Association
  • Norton Healthcare
  • Peak Re
  • ProAssurance
  • Saint Luke's Health System
  • Sompo International
  • SVMIC
  • TransRe
  • WVU Health System

*Subject to change

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Thank You to DRI's Medical Liability and Health Care Law Committee Leadership

Justin A. Hardin
Justin A. Hardin
Program Chair
Kevin Budge
Kevin Budge
Program Vice Chair
Andrew DeSimone
Andrew DeSimone
Committee Chair
Whitney Horak
Whitney Horak
Committee Vice Chair
Jodi V. Terranova
Jodi Terranova
Law Institute

Discover the opportunities available through the Medical Liability and Health Care Law committee and and learn how you can get involved.
Join today and make a difference

Registration Information

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

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.

Save up to $500 when you register on or before March 24, 2026!

Register for the Seminar

 Member PricingNon-Member PricingNon-Member Bundle ^
Regular Registration *
(Now thru Mar. 24)		$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.
Corporate/GovernmentEffective November 1, 2025, DRI is expanding the Corporate Membership category to include attorneys working for a government entity. Corporate Membership includes complimentary registration for DRI seminars.
  • If you are not already a DRI member, join as a Corporate Member before registering to take advantage of this benefit.
  • If you are a current Government Member, please contact DRI Membership at membership@dri.org and the team can assist in converting your membership, which will allow you to take advantage of the complimentary registration.
Non-Member Bundle ^If you're new to DRI and not a DRI member, 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 checkout.
Discover the benefits of DRI membership.
Note: Trial membership processing can take up to 30 days from the date of purchase. Renewing members and members with recently lapsed memberships are not eligible for a Non-Member Bundle.

*If your membership has recently lapsed, please renew it before registering to ensure you receive the discounted member rate. If you are interested in joining DRI to receive the member pricing, click here to visit the Application page.

Hotel Information

The seminar will be held at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel, 611 Commerce Street, Nashville, TN 37203. To speak with the hotel directly, please call 615.255.8400.

The DRI room block at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel 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.

Networking Events

Networking Reception at JBJ's Nashville
Sponsored by: Cox PLLC, Freeman Mathis & Gary, Kiernan Trebach

Date: Thursday, March 26 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Pricing: Free when you register for the seminar
Location: JBJ's Nashville, 405 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203

Step into an evening where business connections meet Nashville energy at the DRI Networking Reception. After a day of learning, join us at the one-of-a-kind JBJ’s Nashville for a truly rocking experience. Unwind with an open bar, live music, and the opportunity to forge lasting connections—this isn’t your average networking event; it’s a night you won’t want to miss. One of the largest bars on Lower Broadway, JBJ’s features the highest rooftop bar on Broadway and offers it all: a mechanical bull, with great food and drinks. Every floor is decked out in Bon Jovi memorabilia, making it the ultimate destination for music, history, and entertainment—just a five-minute walk from the hotel.

Small Group Networking: Bourbon Tasting

Date: Wednesday, March 25 from 5:00–6:00 p.m.
Pricing: $85 per person
Location: Onsite at Renaissance Nashville Hotel

Are you ready to discover the perfect way to cap off your seminar day? Join us for a cozy and intimate small group bourbon tasting featuring the exquisite Belle Meade Bourbon. Gather with fellow attendees and let our beverage navigator guide you through a delightful exploration of this local icon. Discover the nuances of this smooth and flavorful spirit through interactive tastings and engaging conversation. Don't miss out on this unique chance to indulge your senses and make meaningful connections.
*Space is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis (25 max). Tickets are non-refundable unless DRI cancels the event due to not meeting the minimum attendance requirement.

Small Group Networking: Broadway Bar Crawl

Date: Thursday, March 26 from 3:25–5:30 p.m.
Pricing: Bring your own money; drinks purchased indivudally or group at each bar
Location: Various stops along Broadway; Meet in Hotel Lobby

Join us for a high-energy Broadway Bar Crawl that hits some of Nashville’s most iconic honky-tonks, rooftop bars, and celebrity-owned hotspots — on Lower Broadway and bring-your-own-money (BYOM) style.
*If you're planning to attend, please RSVP by clicking the button below.

  • 3:25 p.m. - Meet in Hotel Lobby
  • 3:30-3:55 p.m. - Rippy's Honky Tonk
  • 4:00-4:25 p.m. - Tootsie's Orchid Lounge
  • 4:30-4:55 p.m. - Robert's Western World
  • 5:00-5:30 p.m.: Miranda Lambert's Casa Rosa
  • 5:35-7:30 p.m.: JBJ's Nashville

RSVP to Attend the Broadway Bar Crawl

Small Group Networking: The National Museum of African American Music Experience (NMAAM)

Date: Thursday, March 26 from 3:30–5:00 p.m.
Pricing: $33.33 per person (or $31.33 if 65 or older)
Location: National Museum of African American Music, 510 Broadway, Nashville TN 37203

The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) is the only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the legacies of many music genres created and inspired by African Americans, from spirituals and gospel to jazz, blues, hip-hop, and R&B. Located in the heart of downtown Nashville, NMAAM’s expertly curated collections invite visitors to discover the story of the American soundtrack by integrating history and interactive technology to educate and bring the musical heroes of the past into the present.
*If you're planning to attend, please RSVP and purchase tickets online in advance by clicking the button below so we can see who's attending.

Purchase NMAAM Tickets and RSVP

Small Group Networking: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Date: Thursday, March 26 from 3:30–5:00 p.m.
Pricing: $31.95 per person
Location: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S, Nashville, TN 37203

Join us for private tour at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Experience the Museum’s galleries, where instruments, stage wear, and more tell the story of country music from its nineteenth century roots to its vibrant life today. Tickets are timed entry and subject to sell out - booking ahead is recommended to ensure availability!

*If you're planning to attend, please RSVP first, then purchase tickets online in advance. Select the "Museum Admission: Self-Guided Tour" for March 26.

Dine-Arounds

Date: Wednesday, March 25 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, March 26 8:00 p.m.

Join colleagues and friends at selected restaurants for dinner (on your own) on Wednesday and Thursday. Click the button below to view the restaurants and RSVP. Space is limited; early reservation is recommended.

Sign up for Dine-Arounds

Small Group Networking: Women in the Law (WITL) Breakfast

Date: Friday, March 27 from 7:30–8:30 a.m.
Pricing: Pay Your Own Way
Location: Little Fib, onsite at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel

Join fellow women lawyers at Little Fib Restaurant in the hotel for an engaging morning of discussion and networking. Space is limited; early reservations are highly recommended.

Sign up for WITL Breakfast

Full Agenda

*Schedule and speakers are subject to change

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Time (Central)Session
12:00 p.m.Registration
3:00 p.m.

Defense Analysis of Inflated Life Care Plans

The costs of proposed life care plans continue to grow without any end in sight. In this presentation, you will learn the “down and dirty” of life care plans, and the strategies and ways to combat them from a seasoned life care planner, Dr. John Gormley, and one of the country’s leading damages experts, Attorney Thomas Geroulo.

Thomas Geroulo, BBC Law, LLP, Scranton, PA
Dr. John Gormley, MD, FAAPMR, CLCP, PMR Life Care Plans, LLC, Louisville, KY

4:30 p.m.Adjourn
5:00 p.m.

Small Group Networking: Bourbon Tasting

Click here for details

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).

Click here for details on the Dine-Arounds

Thursday, March 26, 2026

Time (Central)Session
8:00 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

Jodi Terranova, Wilson Elser, Washington, DC
Justin Hardin, Brown & James, St. Louis, MO

9:15 a.m.

Taking Care of Voir Dire: An In-Depth Look at Jury selection, Jury Research and Jury Misconduct

The presentation will take an in-depth look at the challenges defense lawyers face in Jury selection told through the experience of Attorney Ethen Shapiro’s defense of one of the country’s most highly publicized cases Kowalski v. Johns Hopkins, know to the public as the “Take Care of Maya” case. Attorney Shapiro will present alongside Jury Consultant expert, Claire Luna, on the challenges, pitfalls, and strategies of selecting a jury and dealing with jury misconduct through the real-life experiences encounters and hurdles experienced in a highly publicized case.

Ethen Shapiro, Hill, Ward, Henderson, Tampa, FL
Claire Luna, Jury Impact, Irvine, CA

10:15 a.m.Coffee Break
10:30 a.m.DRI Insights Quick Hits
10:45 a.m.

What the HIPAA is Going On? An Ethical Look and Update on HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) presents many challenges and ethical concerns for lawyers. This presentation will start with addressing some publicity concerns identified in medical malpractice cases and include an ethical analysis and application of HIPAA including in Medical Liability cases.

Jody Erdfarb, Wiggin and Dana, LLP, Stamford, CT

11:45 a.m.

An Overview of Current “Hot Topics” in Urology – The Clinical Standard of Care

Not all things in urology are black and white, which leads in many circumstances to a clinically driven standard of care. Dr. Bullock will discuss several of urology’s hottest topics that spawn litigation, including working up blood in urine, issues with treating erectile dysfunction, and diagnosing prostate cancer (Prostate-Specific Antigen issues).

Arnold Bullock, M.D., WashU Medicine, St. Louis, MO

12:45 p.m.DRI Networking Lunch
2:00 p.m.

Cataract Issues: Can You See Them?

During this ophthalmology presentation, you will learn the fundamentals of the most common surgery performed in the country, cataract surgery, from a leading local expert, Dr. James Loden. The presentation will also focus on common complications and whether those are the result of negligence.

James Loden, M.D., Loden Vision Centers, Nashville, TN

3:00 p.m.Adjourn
3:00 p.m.Medical Liability and Health Care Law Committee Business Meeting (open to all)
3:25–5:30 p.m.

Small Group Networking

  • Broadway Bar Crawl
  • The National Museum of African American Music Experience (NMAAM)
  • Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

View full details on group networking

5:30–7:30 p.m.

Networking Reception | JBJ's Nashville
Sponsored by: Cox PLLC, Freeman Mathis & Gary, Kiernan Trebach

Join fellow seminar attendees at JBJ's Nashville.
Click here for full details.

8:00 p.m.

Dine-Arounds

Join colleagues and friends at selected restaurants for dinner (on your own).

Click here for details on the Dine-Arounds

Friday, March 27, 2026

Time (Central)Session
7:30 a.m.

Small Group Networking: Women in the Law Breakfast

View details of the breakfast

8:30 a.m.Registration and Coffee Service
9:00 a.m.

Welcome and Announcements

Kevin Budge, Wiggin and Dana, LLP, New Haven, CT

9:10 a.m.

“Wearable Trackers”: A Virtual Treasure Trove

Wearable tracking devices such as Apple Watches, etc., are ubiquitous today, including in medicine. In this discussion, learn how you can leverage data from wearable tracking devices, including various ways to track, types of tracking devices, ways to request the data in written discovery and depositions and ultimately at trial.

Katelyn Ashton, Kirkland & Ellis, Nashville, TN
Travis Swearingen, Kirkland & Ellis, Nashville, TN

10:10 a.m.Coffee Break
10:25 a.m.

Modern Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: Cleft lip, Craniofacial, Breast Reconstruction, and Microsurgical Care—Standards of Care, Risks, and Real-World Outcomes

This session will review standards of care, surgical decision-making, risks, and outcomes in cleft, craniofacial, reconstruction, and microsurgical practice. It will provide legal professionals a clear clinical framework for evaluating care, complications, and outcomes in both pediatric and adult cases.

Kongkrit Chaiyasate, M.D., Corewell Health, Royal Oak, MI

11:25 a.m.

An Update on Birth Injury/Trauma Cases

This presentation will present a unique update of current issues in birth injury and birth trauma from an attorney who is also a board-certified Obstetrician/Gynecologist.

Ryan Bakelaar, M.D., J.D., Ellis Winters, Raleigh, NC

12:25 p.m.Adjourn

CLE Information

Earn up to 8.50 hours of continuing legal education hours (CLE), including 1.00 hour of Ethics credit 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.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

DRI's Medical Liability and Health Care Law Seminar is proudly supported by:

Premier Sponsors

LawyerGuard A Ryan Financial Lines Product PMR Life Care Plans LLC Physicians Planning for Life

Signature Sponsors

FMG Law Freeman Mathis & Gary LLP

Seminar Sponsors

Brown & James Law Firm H|B|S Hall Booth Smith, P.C. Attorneys at Law Harman Claytor Corrigan Wellman S&A Medical Graphics logo Sturgill Turner Wiggin and Dana YA Group logo

If you would like to learn about seminar sponsorship opportunities, including pricing, or to reserve your spot, please fill out the form to get started.

DRI Cares

Nashville Book Connection

Nashville Book Connection logo

Please join DRI Cares in supporting the Nashville Book Connection (NBC), a local organization that connects kids with books they love to nurture their reader identities - at home and in the classroom. NBC develops reader identities as students uncover a sense of pride, passion, and excitement around reading, book ownership, and shared book experiences. Please stop by the NBC table on Thursday, March 26th to learn more about the organization, look at sample books, and place a book order. You can also place an order through the NBC Wishlist below.

Buy a Book on NBC’s Wishlist

Additional Resources

If you have any questions that are not addressed on our website, please contact DRI Customer Service at 312.795.1101 or custservice@dri.org.