| 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: Who Captures the Savings? AI and the Economics of Litigation Defense AI is about to take real time out of defense work — document review, medical chronologies, early case assessment. The question is who benefits: the firm, the carrier, or the insured? This session looks at who benefits from the efficiency gains, how rate and staffing conversations are likely to change, and what defense counsel can do now to stay on the right side of that negotiation. |
| 10:45 a.m. | DRI Insights Quick Hits
Court Surety Bond Agency: Staying Enforcement of Judgments: Appeal Bond Basics Staying enforcement of a judgment that is going to be appealed is critical. However, many defense attorneys and insurer claim representatives encounter appeal bonds only a few times in their career, making the process unfamiliar and often confusing. This session explains the fundamentals of appeal bonds, common underwriting requirements, timing considerations, collateral options, and practical tips for avoiding last-minute surprises. Attendees will leave with a roadmap for navigating appeal bond requests with confidence. Dan Huckabay, Court Surety Bond Agency (CSBA), Orange, CA |
| 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
Gale Dwyer, Sompo International, Rocky Hill, CT |
| | 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. Oren Schemool, HDI Global Specialty SE - Canada, 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. Alexandra Santo, Golden Bear Insurance Company, Stockton, CA
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) |