2026 Professional Liability Seminar

December 2–4, 2026
New York Marriott Marquis | New York, New York

Manhattan Bridge in New York City

New Threats. Smarter Defense.

Save up to $700 when you register on or before October 19!

Save Your Spot Today

Get practical strategies for navigating today's toughest professional liability challenges. This seminar brings together attorneys and claims professionals defending licensed professionals across multiple disciplines for timely insights on pro se plaintiffs, profession-specific liability trends, claims handling, mock voir dire, ethics in the digital age, and talent retention. Through interactive sessions, breakout tracks, and hands-on programming, you'll gain actionable takeaways you can put to work immediately while building valuable connections with leading defense counsel and claims professionals from across the country.

What You Will Learn:

  • How to defend professional liability claims brought by pro se plaintiffs.
  • Effective voir dire and jury selection techniques for professional liability cases.
  • Strategies for recruiting and retaining legal associates and staff.
  • How to safeguard client confidentiality in the digital age.
  • Navigating ethical landmines in professional liability cases.
  • Trending topics with defending architects and engineers, real estate professionals, and insurance professionals.

Expand Your Network By:

  • Unwinding and connecting with fellow attendees at the cocktail reception.
  • Joining dine-arounds at NY restaurants, for a more intimate setting to connect with peers over great food and conversation.
  • Engaging in collaborative discussions with defense counsel and claims handlers.
  • Getting involved year-round with DRI’s Professional Liability Committee of dedicated defense professionals, gaining access to ongoing resources, support, and networking opportunities beyond the seminar.

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

  • TBD

*Subject to change

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

  • TBD

*Subject to change

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Thank You to DRI's Professional Liability Committee Leadership

Katrina L. Smeltzer
Katrina L. Smeltzer
Program Chair
Hunter Williams
Hunter Williams
Program Vice Chair
Kathryn Whitlock
Kate S. Whitlock
Committee Chair
Zachary Pyers
Zachary Pyers
Committee Vice Chair
Sharon Stuart
Sharon Stuart
Law Institute

Discover the opportunities available through the Professional Liability 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 $700 when you register on or before October 19, 2026!

Register for the Seminar

 Member PricingNon-Member PricingNon-Member Bundle ^
Early Bird Registration *
(Now thru. Oct. 19)		$1,395$1,795$1,715
Regular Registration *
(Oct. 20–Dec. 1)		$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 New York Marriott Marquis, 1535 Broadway, New York, NY 10036.

Due to exceptionally high demand for hotel rooms in New York during the week of our seminar, hotel reservations will be available only to registered attendees upon registration in the confirmation email.

Hotel reservation information, including the group rate and booking link, will be provided in the registration confirmation email. Attendees are encouraged to book flights as early as possible. Hotel reservations that cannot be matched to a registered attendee may be subject to cancellation.

Room availability and rates are offered on a first-come, first-served basis by November 4, 2026.

Networking Events

Full Agenda

*Schedule and speakers are subject to change

Wednesday, December 2, 2026

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 3, 2026

Time (Eastern)Session
8:30 a.m.Registration and Coffee Service
9:00 a.m.

Welcome and Introductions

Sharon Stuart, Attorney Insurance Mutual, Birmingham, AL
Katrina Smeltzer, Sandberg Phoenix, Kansas City, MO

9:15 a.m.

Navigating the Unrepresented Opponent: Defending Professional Liability Claims Brought by Pro Se Plaintiffs

Pro se plaintiffs present unique challenges in professional liability litigation, including irregular pleadings, procedural misunderstandings, and unpredictable courtroom dynamics. This session will provide practical strategies for evaluating claims, managing discovery, addressing ethical considerations, and handling dispositive motions and trial issues. Attendees will learn how to efficiently defend these cases while protecting clients' interests and maintaining professional standards.

Justice Faith Ireland (Ret.), JAMS, Seattle, WA
Pam DeVet, Kennedys, Seattle, WA

10:15 a.m.Break
10:30 a.m.

DRI Insights Quick Hits (OraClaim)

10:45 a.m.DRI Insights Quick Hits (Court Surety Bond Agency)
11:00 a.m.

Profession Specific Breakout Sessions (Choose one to attend)

  • Architects & Engineers: Trending Topics and Issues
  • Real Estate Professionals: Currently Liability Issues, Including Trends, Traps, and Results
  • Insurance Professionals: Navigating Fraud Claims Against Insurance Professionals
 

Architects & Engineers
Trending Topics and Issues

This presentation explores the most pressing legal trends shaping the defense of architects and engineers in professional liability litigation. The session also addresses recent developments. Attendees will gain practical insights and actionable strategies for achieving favorable outcomes in an increasingly complex litigation landscape.

James Phillips, McGinnis Lochridge, Dallas, TX

 

Real Estate Professionals
Currently Liability Issues, Including Trends, Traps, and Results

This program explores the evolving landscape of real estate professional claims, with a focus on liability trends, coverage flashpoints, and practical claims-handling strategies to maximize outcomes. Through discussions with claims professionals and defense counsel, attendees will gain actionable insights on early claim triage, effective defense themes, risk transfer tools, and emerging issues shaping Real Estate Professional litigation in 2026.

 

Insurance Professionals
Navigating Fraud Claims Against Insurance Professionals

Fraud allegations against insurance professionals often involve complex legal, regulatory, and insurance issues. This session will provide lawyers and insurance professionals with practical insights into defending fraud claims, including early case assessment, coverage disputes, forensic investigations, litigation strategy, and effective risk mitigation techniques. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of current trends and emerging challenges in professional liability defense.

Jason Greenwood, HDI Global Specialty, Toronto, ON, Canada
Kim T. Duong, FCL LLP, Toronto, ON, Canada

12:00 p.m.

DRI Networking Lunch (on your own)

2:00 p.m.

Ask the Carriers: Claims Handler Password Gameshow

Engage directly with experienced claims handlers in an interactive Q&A covering claims investigation, coverage analysis, reserving, settlement strategies, and emerging industry trends. Gain practical insights and real-world perspectives on today's most pressing claims challenges.

Kim Moody, Golden Bear Insurance, Brooklyn, NY
Kim Noble, Vivere Partners, Chicago, IL
Laura Zaroski, Gallagher, Chicago, IL

3:15 p.m.Break
3:30 p.m.

Voir Dire in Focus: Mock Jury Selection for Professional Liability Claims

This interactive program walks attendees through a mock voir dire in a professional liability case, covering juror questionnaires, bias identification, voir dire strategy, and jury selection decisions. Participants will gain practical techniques for evaluating jurors, addressing case-specific challenges, and developing effective trial themes.

Jill Huntley Taylor, Taylor Trial Consulting, Philadelphia, PA

5:00 p.m.Adjourn
5:00-5:30 p.m.Committee Business Meeting (open to all)
5:30-7:30 p.m.

Networking Reception
Sponsored by: Freeman Mathis & Gary

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 4, 2026

Time (Eastern)Session
8:30 a.m.Registration & Coffee Service
9:00 a.m.

Welcome and Announcements

Katrina Smeltzer, Sandberg Phoenix, Kansas City, MO
Hunter Williams, Gallivan White Boyd, Greenville, SC

9:10 a.m.

Winning the Talent War: Strategies for Recruiting and Retaining Legal Associates and Staff

In today's competitive legal market, attracting and retaining top talent requires more than compensation alone. This program explores practical strategies for recruiting, developing, and retaining high-performing teams, with a focus on workplace culture, professional development, flexibility, and employee well-being. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas to strengthen hiring and reduce attrition.

Meredith Hatic, Sompo, Purchase, NY

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

Safeguarding Secrets: Client Confidentiality in the Digital Age

As technology reshapes legal practice, attorneys must navigate new risks to client confidentiality. This program examines ethical obligations related to cloud storage, AI tools, electronic communications, remote work, and cybersecurity, providing practical guidance for protecting client information while meeting evolving standards of technology competence.

Paula J Frederick, General Counsel, State Bar of Georgia (ret.), Atlanta, GA
Kellyn McGee, Widener University Commonwealth Law School, Harrisburg, PA
Lauran Stimac, Evans Petree PC, Memphis, TN
11:25 a.m.

Navigating Ethical Landmines

This program explores key ethical risks facing attorneys today, including digital marketing and social media, non-attorney ownership and fee-sharing, and withdrawal from representation. Attendees will gain practical guidance on current rules, emerging developments, and strategies for avoiding common professional responsibility pitfalls.

Laura K. Beasley, Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice LLC, Belleville, IL
Patrick Eckler, Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP, Chicago, IL
Matt Breetz, Stites and Harbison PLLC, Louisville KY

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.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

DRI's Insurance Coverage and Practice Symposium is proudly supported by:

Premier Sponsors

LawyerGuard A Ryan Financial Lines Product OraClaim logo

Signature Sponsors

FMG Law Freeman Mathis & Gary LLP

Seminar Sponsors

CMW Cobb Martinez WoodwardConn Kavanaugh Rosenthal Peisch & Ford LLP Hill Ward Henderson Attorneys at Law MGC Insurance Defense

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

Blessings in a Backpack

Blessings in a Backpack Who Will Feed the Kids this Weekend?

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 XXXXX. Feeding a child before you feed yourself is a wonderful way to support children and families in the XXXXX community.

Donate to Blessings in a Backpack

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.