The Voice^TM

Don’t see the report? Click here.

The virtual hearing lasted more than 2.5 hours, with each witness allotted approximately ten minutes for testimony.  Witnesses were encouraged to leave time for questions, and the panel was highly engaged, frequently interjecting with thoughtful and challenging inquiries.

My testimony focused on encouraging the Committee to approach this issue holistically, as Rule 707 will inevitably impact other evidence rules. I emphasized that the Rule will also indirectly expand discovery obligations, and that waiting until the Chapter 700 stage is too late in the litigation to manage this category of evidence effectively.

Additionally, I noted that the term “machine-generated evidence” is undefined. Without a definition, who’s to say that an MRI or an EKG would not fall under this Rule? Finally, I raised concerns about whether the Daubert standard is appropriate for AI-generated outputs. Daubert was designed for human experts explaining scientific methodologies – not opaque, rapidly evolving, and adversarially exploitable systems like modern AI. The Daubert framework depends on transparency, scientific methodology, and testable standards. Yet no universally accepted standards exist for evaluating the reliability of machine-generated evidence, and there is often no clear causal account for how outputs are produced.

So how did I end up involved in all of this anyway? Great question. Securing a spot in the lineup to testify was remarkably easy—the hearings are public, and any member of the public may sign up to participate. However, it was the collaborative, behind-the-scenes preparation offered by DRI and LCJ that gave me the confidence and context needed for a successful appearance. While it was initially intimidating, it proved to be one of the most professionally fulfilling opportunities I have had. I also learned a tremendous amount about the rulemaking process itself and benefited from hearing such a wide range of perspectives from witnesses with diverse professional backgrounds. I plan to do it again, and I encourage any DRI member to consider participating. The link to the testimony can be found here for anyone interested.

Cristina P. Cambo is a Partner and Founding Member at Cambo Ferry PLLC. She has focused her career in the areas of first party property coverage and defense for residential and commercial carriers. In addition to her litigation practice, Ms. Cambo acts as a general advisor on a wide range of strategic business and legal issues for her clients. Ms. Cambo has been called upon several times to offer testimony and draft model bill language to the Florida Legislature during Florida’s Special Sessions on property insurance reform. She is also regularly asked to be a guest speaker for various podcasts, webinars, and conferences. Ms. Cambo is a member of both the Federal Rules Task Force and the State Legislation and Rules Task Force within the DRI Center for Law and Public Policy.

702 Support in the States

The DRI Center for Law and Public Policy continues efforts to stand with its state and local defense organizations (SLDOs) as they advocacy arguments in favor of amending and clarifying their states’ rules to align with amended FRE 702 and prevent unsupported “expert” testimony from reaching jurors. Recently, the DRI Center for Law and Public Policy supported the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers and the Kansas Association of Defense Counsel with letters of support to both the Missouri and Kansas legislatures. The goals are to improve the clarity of the rule by explicitly requiring that the party proposing to use an expert has the burden to demonstrate to the judge that it is more likely than not that the expert meets the requirements of the rule, and to establish that the expert’s opinions reflect a reliable application of the principles and methods upon which the testimony is based.

We were pleased to learn that, after approval by the Kansas Senate (on a 40–0 vote), the Kansas expert evidence legislation, SB 398, has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee, and a hearing has been set for Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Request Assistance!

The DRI Center for Law and Public Policy’s State Legislation and Rules Task Force (SLRTF) assists—always and only upon request—SLDOs concerned about a legislative or rule issue in their states. The task force assists in a variety of ways, such as sharing information about the issue from other jurisdictions or, through the Legislation and Rules Committee, recommending action to the Center Management Council (e.g., by providing comments supporting the SLDO positions to legislative committees or rule-making bodies). The task force may also alert other SLDOs of issues arising in one jurisdiction which may spread to others, a sort of early warning system for members and SLDOs.

Bollaert Appointed to SLRTF

DRI Center for Law and Public Policy is pleased to welcome the latest appointee to its State Legislation and Rules Task Force. Adam Bollaert is an attorney with Steen Dalehite & Pace in Jackson, Mississippi. The firm practices in all state and federal courts with emphasis on defense litigation as well as medical malpractice, premises liability, products liability, corporate litigation, insurance coverage disputes and mass tort litigation.

Recent AI Webinars Now Available On-Demand

DRI and its DRI Center for Law and Public Policy have been active in producing webinar content, offering several webinars on AI for the benefit of members. Find them On-Demand!

• Defending the Algorithm™: Practical AI Strategies for Defense Attorneys
  This webinar from the DRI Center for Law and Public Policy covers maximizing AI for legal professionals, assessing tools, creating defensible workflows, and building strong information architecture—plus actionable strategies you can use immediately.
• How to Be an AI-Enhanced Defense Lawyer, Not Just a Prompt-and-Verifier
  Also from the DRI Center for Law and Public Policy: Boost your speed, accuracy, and strategy with practical AI tools for defense lawyers. Learn smart use cases, avoid common pitfalls, and start thinking like an AI‑enhanced advocate—not just a prompt user.
• AI-Powered Defense: A Blueprint for Driving Wins and Profitability
  Learn how to harness artificial intelligence to deliver exceptional client service through rapid case assessment, intelligent document review, and data-driven strategy selection that consistently delivers better outcomes.
• AI-Powered Defense (Part 2): Better Outcomes, Less Effort, More Profit
  This two-part series delivers a complete roadmap for integrating AI into your insurance defense practice safely and profitably. We'll demonstrate hands-on techniques for using AI to analyze documents and create executive summaries.

Additionally, a guest speaker from St. Jude shared the hospital’s storied history, present-day impact, and the dream of founder Danny Thomas that “No child should die in the dawn of life.”  As the story goes, after finding success in the entertainment industry in the 1960’s, Danny gathered his friends and started raising funds to build a hospital that would provide customized care for the world's sickest children regardless of their race, ethnicity, beliefs or ability to pay. Memphis, Tennessee, was chosen as the location of the hospital based on its central proximity within the country, allowing cross-country access, and its nearness to so many children in immediate need, including its first patient, a young African American child from Mississippi who had been denied local treatment.

The hospital’s name comes from Saint Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of hopeless causes and Danny’s personal favorite. Danny sought to give hope among the hopeless, and, truly, hope lives at St. Jude. The atmosphere feels different inside those walls. In the face of hard days and trying times, you’ll see children playing, doctors smiling, and families filled with hope. Hope is oxygen on the campus of St. Jude.

But how can a hospital tasked with treating some of the sickest children in the world be filled with such perceptible joy?  Perhaps that answer lies in the fundamental values espoused by St. Jude since its founding. St. Jude is not just an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center. St. Jude is one of the world’s leading research and treatment facilities for childhood cancer and other rare childhood diseases, and it freely shares its treatment protocols and scientific discoveries. That includes hospitals in every part of the country, and around the globe. While headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, St. Jude treats patients from all over the United States and the world. St. Jude has 37 offices across the United States, maximizing its local presence and global influence.

Importantly, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food. Read that again and realize what a safe harbor St. Jude becomes when families show up on that first day of the unknown journey ahead. No wonder St. Jude routinely is named one of the nation’s most trusted nonprofit organizations and favorite charities in America.

What a statement for the DRI Foundation to offer opportunities to support such a laudable organization. Alongside the committees’ DRI Cares Chairs (thank you, Carolyn Husmann, Karen Stillwell, and Megan Silver), St. Jude made it easy for our committees to host this seminar give-back project. For those that could not attend the seminars’ DRI Cares event, tables were placed in each seminar room where attendees could write a note or pick up some free St. Jude swag to incorporate into their work routine. Additionally, in the span of a few days, these two committees raised over $3,000 for St. Jude. When learning about the transformative work of St. Jude, attendees wanted to offer both small and large donations to further St. Jude’s mission of “Finding Cures. Saving Children.”

On a personal note, let me underscore the importance of supporting St. Jude from decades of first-hand experience. Before law school, I worked for the fundraising arm of St. Jude. In that capacity, I helped start the first “Dream Home” fundraisers outside the state of Tennessee, in my home state of Mississippi, where we raised $2 million in the Jackson and Biloxi markets. Those events continue successfully to this day. My love for St. Jude started in the late 1990’s, when I served as Philanthropy Chair of the Beta Mu Chapter at Mississippi State University in 1998, where our chapter became a collegiate model for success, both in mission and in execution. From the fruits of that campaign, which raised $40,000 in its first year (and continues to this day, along with other chapter-specific initiatives that have steadily kept our chapter in the sorority’s top fundraising tier, raising above seven-figures since that time), I served as liaison to help create the formal national partnership between St. Jude and Tri Delta in 1999. To date, this partnership has raised well over $100 million. St. Jude then awarded me the 2000 Jerry Nichelson (Young Volunteer of the Year) Award, presented by the children of Danny Thomas. Additionally, my sister and I were awarded the Tri Delta-St. Jude Co-Alumnae of the Year at the 2023 ceremony.

Over those years, I had the opportunity to visit the hospital’s campus at St. Jude, which changed my life forever. Seeing those children, from toddlers to teens, and their families facing the toughest battle of their lives; experiencing the joyful atmosphere of the hospital and housing facilities under the most trying of circumstances; meeting the doctors, nurses and staff who provide personalized care with both kindness and determination; watching the campus grow further into its world-class status for premier care; and being a small part of support for the hospital’s storied history – that will change you at your core. If you ever get the chance to tour the campus, go. See for yourself. Be changed forever.

As time passed, I never dreamed that one of my sorority pledge sisters (marriage aside, she forever remains “March Gates” to me) would need St. Jude to help her own family. After attending the 2023 Tri Delta-St. Jude conference with us, March learned that her son Gates was diagnosed with an extremely rare bone cancer – Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic – never before seen in anyone as young as her son. A lifelong supporter of St. Jude, she knew the hope that treatment at St. Jude would bring to their family. After multiple procedures, rounds of chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, and related follow up over the course of the last few years, I am so happy to shout from the rooftops that my beloved friend’s son made it, thanks to St. Jude!  He is alive. Gates is a young man who will walk forward with gratitude and strength from his journey as a patient at St. Jude.

Watching the care journey up close over all these years has affirmed my commitment to fundraising and awareness efforts along the way, and the reason I encourage others to do the same. How delighted I was to see my worlds merge, when the DRI Foundation via the DRI Cares initiative allowed the Women in the Law and Civil Rights co-located seminars to be the first opportunity for our well-established legal defense organization to work with St. Jude.

Many of you may already personally support St. Jude. Many of you know the power for good that this unique hospital provides to the world. Many of you may know someone treated there, and I pray you have the same survival story to share. After all, St. Jude has helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate in the U.S. from 20% in 1962, to more than 80% today. Did you know that St. Jude treats over 90 diseases, not just cancer, but also blood disorders and other life-threatening diseases?

St. Jude has touched the lives of so many. And for all those sweet souls lost, trust that Danny Thomas’ legacy lives and St. Jude will not rest until “No child dies in the dawn of life.”

St. Jude needs help to further its broad and worthy mission. We have a unique opportunity within the DRI Foundation and through DRI’s committees to offer our support this year. We can advocate through our volunteerism, our words, and/or our dollars. I encourage you to consider choosing St. Jude as your DRI Cares activity. And if for some reason you are unable to attend a seminar to see, hear, and do for yourself in organized DRI networking fashion, consider supporting St. Jude from afar in a way that recognizes DRI’s commitment to such an important cause.

Scan the QR code below to donate to St. Jude, or click here if viewing on a mobile device.

To learn more about the impact of DRI’s support of St. Jude, check out this video about St. Jude Patient Rylee.

Hopeless causes need strong advocates. After all, hope is mighty. In life, it only takes a few people who hold hope to make a big difference in the lives of others. Danny knew it. March knows it. I know it. You know it, too, don’t you?

C. Meade Hartfield is an at-large board member of the DRI Foundation. Licensed in Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee, Meade practices with Bradley Arant, serving her clients across the country in various capacities, including products liability, commercial litigation, and financial services. Meade is Chair Emerita of DRI’s Women in the Law Committee. Alongside her sister, Meade recently co-founded the Flamingo Day Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on research, treatment, and awareness of inflammatory breast cancer and other rare metastatic cancers. Additionally, Meade has produced a documentary called “Inflammingo,” honoring her late mother Sherry Pierce Hartfield, educating the public about inflammatory breast cancer, and encouraging everyone to follow Sherry’s example of how to “Have a Flamingo Day!”

Toxic Torts and Environmental Law Seminar

By Andrew Kornblau

I'm attending because the agenda speaks directly to the challenges we face every day as defense counsel. Look to the session on expert methodologies in asbestos and talc litigation, which is unpacking what's working and what's not. Additionally, I’m looking forward to the 30(b)(6) session covering a forensic historian’s perspective on serving as a corporate representative in complex exposure cases.

Beyond the core asbestos content, the quartz countertop litigation session provides early insight into the next generation of exposure claims. Understanding these emerging theories now allows us to stay ahead of both the science and arguments.

The networking alone justifies the trip—you'll have direct access to in-house counsel, claims professionals, insurance decision-makers, and three days with the best defense minds in toxic torts. Don't miss your chance to catch up with colleagues and friends at the event's Premier Networking Reception at American Social!

Register today and save up to $500 on the kind of networking that generates referrals and builds practices.

I'll see you in Miami!

Andrew Kornblau of Landman Corsi Ballaine & Ford works aggressively and efficiently to achieve the best result for his clients in state and federal courts, as well at arbitrations, mediations and administrative hearings. He has a varied litigation background, primarily specializing in the defense of claims brought under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act and asbestos-related toxic torts. He also defends clients in claims brought for personal injury, general premises liability and employment discrimination. You can reach him at akornblau@lcbf.com.

Business and Intellectual Property Litigation Super Conference

By Steven Kennedy

I'll be there, and here's why: the sessions on Schedule A litigation, fashion dupe enforcement, and the new IP landscape in college and high school sports speak directly to the kind of trademark and IP litigation work I do every day. Whether you're advising clients on brand protection, defending against counterfeiting claims, or navigating IP licensing pitfalls, this program is built for practitioners who want practical, actionable takeaways.

Beyond the IP track, the joint sessions on AI governance and legal ethics are essential. These aren't abstract conversations. They are the issues our clients are asking about, all packed into a program with an excellent faculty lineup.

This year we have a Premier Networking Reception to look forward to at American Social, and you can save up to $500 to attend when you register today.

I hope to see some new and familiar faces in Miami!

Steven Kennedy is a partner in the Intellectual Property Group and a Law Society of Ontario Certified Specialist in Intellectual Property (Trademarks), ranked by World Trademark Review's WTR1000 in both Enforcement and Prosecution. He works with rights holders and brand owners to secure, manage, and enforce their IP in Canada and abroad, prosecuting domestic and international trademark and industrial design portfolios while acting as advocate before federal and Ontario courts, administrative tribunals, and arbitration panels. He practices at Cassels Brock & Blackwell and you can reach him at skennedy@cassels.com.

Asbestos Litigation

The Asbestos Litigation Committee brings together attorneys and professionals who focus on defending asbestos claims, offering a forum to learn, share insights, and connect with leaders in the field.

What This Committee Focuses On:

The goal of this committee membership includes fostering the special camaraderie of professionals dedicated to providing the best legal and scientific defense for individual clients and to the industry in general.

Members of this committee enjoy access to timely legal updates, collaboration opportunities, publications, seminars, and other activities designed to strengthen community and support professional growth.

Join the Asbestos Litigation Committee Today

Aviation Law

DRI’s substantive law committees are an excellent way to grow your network, exchange ideas, and stay ahead of emerging issues.

The Aviation Law Committee is no exception, bringing together practitioners with shared interests in aviation law and offering meaningful ways to contribute. Whether through thought leadership, program planning, publications, or peer collaboration, committee members play an active role in shaping DRI’s work in this area.

Join the Aviation Law Committee Today

Commercial Litigation

The Commercial Litigation Committee brings together attorneys and professionals who focus on everything from business torts to antitrust to class actions and more, offering a forum to learn, share insights, and connect with leaders in the field.

From the Committee: "The Commercial Litigation Committee is a collegial, hard-working, and innovative group. Anyone who wants to get involved can become involved. We have many opportunities, whether you wish to write, speak, network, market, or simply learn."

Join the Commercial Litigation Committee Today

Webinars

Succession Planning: Preparing and Empowering the Next Generation
March 26, 2026 | 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Central

Join our group of seasoned women lawyers to talk about how law firms and their clients are best served by being transparent about their succession plans. Learn why early (and frequent) discussions of how and when transitions should happen are not just best practice but a client requirement. The registration is free for DRI members and $50 for non-members. Earn up to 1.20 General Education credit!

Seminars

2026 Advanced Litigation and Trial Strategies in Retail and Hospitality Seminar
March 25–27, 2026 | Nashville, Tennessee

In a groundbreaking experiment, the DRI Litigation Skills and Retail & Hospitality committees are thrilled to present the “Man vs. Machine Mock Trial,” a look into the future of defense litigation and jury evaluations. First, we be presenting a mock trial before a live jury, where their deliberations can be analyzed by seasoned litigators throughout the country. What makes jurors in 2026 tick? What information can be learned from the feedback of actual human jurors? Next, we will then present the same mock trial in a cutting-edge AI Jury Simulation program, which will create artificial “juror personas” to provide us with their own verdict. What information can be learned from the feedback of AI jurors? How do the results of the live and AI juries compare and contrast? How can these tools better prepare defense litigators, our clients, and adjusters to evaluate the value of our cases? We will explore these questions—and more—at our 2026 seminar in Nashville. Save up to $500 when you register by March 24!

2026 Construction Law Seminar
March 25–27, 2026 | Nashville, Tennessee

As any experienced construction lawyer will attest, there is no such thing as a flawless construction project. Every phase—whether it’s drafting and negotiating the contract, mobilizing crews, and breaking ground, addressing unforeseen site conditions, identifying, and remediating defects, or navigating costly project delays—presents its own set of risks, complexities, and opportunities for dispute. These challenges are further compounded by the increasing threat of natural disasters and extreme weather events, which have become more frequent and disruptive in recent years. Such events can halt work, damage partially completed structures, and trigger cascading claims involving multiple parties. In this environment, construction professionals face not only traditional contractual and operational issues but also new and unprecedented hurdles that test the limits of risk allocation and project planning. When conflicts do occur, effective litigation and dispute resolution become essential tools. How do attorneys, clients, and insurers work together proactively to identify vulnerabilities before ground is broken, manage claims as they arise, and effectively manage relationships throughout litigation? In today’s construction landscape, risk management is no longer a single step in the process—it is a continuous, strategic effort from start to finish. Join the DRI Construction Law Committee as we share practical strategies for practicing in this challenging and ever-evolving landscape. Save up to $500 when you register by March 24!

2026 Medical Liability and Health Care Law Seminar
March 25–27, 2026 | Nashville, Tennessee

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! Save up to $500 when you register by March 24!

2026 Business and Intellectual Property Litigation Super Conference
April 15–17, 2026 | Miami, Florida

Today's business and intellectual property (IP) litigators must understand emerging technologies and their implications for clients while maintaining strong professional relationships and core litigation skills. Join us in Miami to explore innovations shaping the future of law and gain practical strategies to enhance your practice. DRI’s 2026 Business and IP Litigation Super Conference features cutting-edge sessions on AI governance, privacy, advertising technology (AdTech) compliance, and key IP and business litigation issues. You'll tackle real-world ethics challenges, explore trends in art law and greenwashing, and develop strategies for Schedule A litigation and anticounterfeiting cases. Through interactive panels and dynamic networking with leading practitioners, you'll gain actionable insights, professional development, and valuable connections. Save up to $500 when you register by April 14!

2026 Toxic Torts and Environmental Law Seminar
April 15–17, 2026 | Miami, Florida

The practice areas of toxic torts and environmental law are continuously evolving with new defense strategies, changing case law, and soaring jury verdicts. This year’s conference will be held in sunny Miami. Join us at the nation’s premier conference for toxic tort and environmental law practitioners to reconnect with colleagues and discover the latest strategies in the field. Register today for three days of education, business development opportunities, and more! Save up to $500 when you register by April 14!

2026 Life, Health, Disability and ERISA Seminar
April 29–May 1, 2026 | Atlanta, Georgia

Meet and learn from the leaders in the Life, Health, Disability, and ERISA defense community in Atlanta, Georgia, at this preeminent conference from April 29 through May 1, 2026. You will have multiple opportunities each day to engage and network with this welcoming group of practitioners, while hearing about recent developments in this specialized area of law. Plus, obtain strategies for handling your life, health, disability, and ERISA matters. Whether this will be your first or twentieth time attending this annual conference, you will enjoy a fantastic couple of days earning CLE, sharpening your skills, reconnecting with, and expanding your network. Save up to $700 when you register by March 16!

2026 Trucking Law Seminar
April 29–May 1, 2026 | Atlanta, Georgia

The trucking industry is a vital partner in the American economy, providing the framework for sustaining commerce and infrastructure required for national and global trade. The realities of today’s litigation climate require the trucking industry and those defending it to improve effective strategies and techniques to fight back against a rise of inflated demands and excessive verdicts with innovative solutions. Harness the tools necessary for a strong defense in the face of a cottage industry of predatory litigation lenders and plaintiff-oriented experts and doctors, geared towards manufacturing skyrocketing damage models. Save up to $700 when you register by March 16!

2026 Cross-Border Disputes and Compliance Seminar
6–8 May, 2026 | London, England

Join us in London for the annual Cross-Border Disputes and Compliance (formerly DRI International) Seminar, where leading lawyers, in-house counsel, and industry experts will explore the most significant trends shaping international disputes and share strategies for navigating today's increasingly complex global litigation and compliance landscape. This year's program will provide essential insights into the forces redefining risk and strategy for multinational businesses. Sessions will examine product liability in the technology sector amid rapid innovation, approaches to mitigating supply chain risks in a volatile global market, and the growing impact of environmental litigation. The seminar will also address the rise of collective actions worldwide and evaluate the resilience of arbitration in Europe following recent European Court of Justice (ECJ) rulings. A young lawyers panel will discuss cross-border communications and the challenges of representing corporations in cross-border matters. Alongside these forward-looking discussions, the event offers outstanding opportunities to connect with peers from around the globe—all in the dynamic setting of London. Don't miss this chance to gain practical insights, exchange experiences, and prepare for the future of international litigation. Save up to $700 USD when you register by 23 March!

2026 Drug and Medical Device Seminar
May 20–22, 2026 | Boston, Massachusetts

Welcome to Boston—home to heavy hitters—for the 2026 Drug and Medical Device Seminar. Join in-house counsel, colleagues from across the country, and industry leaders to explore the latest developments in drug and medical device litigation. Discover strategies to leverage Federal Rule of Evidence 702 to effectively challenge expert opinions. Gain insights into how drug and medical device litigation is evolving—globally and substantively. Engage directly with in-house counsel on issues that shape their work and relationships with outside counsel. Strengthen your trial advocacy skills with best practices from leading trial lawyers. Examine the ethical use of AI to ensure compliance with Rule 11, client obligations, and fast-evolving court guidelines. Finally, hear Former Senator Richard Burr discuss the current regulatory landscape and policies shaping litigation, including the “Make America Healthy Again” movement. Come to Boston for a timely, practice-focused program that will equip you with actionable insights—register today. Save up to $700 when you register by April 6!

2026 Employment and Labor Law Seminar
May 20–22, 2026 | Boston, Massachusetts

This comprehensive seminar provides practitioners and HR professionals with a sharp, practical update on the legal and compliance issues shaping today’s workplace. Designed to be both timely and actionable, the program begins with a Year in Review that highlights key employment law cases from jurisdictions around the country, offering insight into emerging litigation trends and how courts are addressing common workplace disputes. Attendees will gain in-depth perspective on current Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) developments, including enforcement priorities, evolving exemption standards, and new litigation patterns that can significantly impact employer compliance strategies. The seminar also features focused sessions on ethics and professionalism, reinforcing best practices for maintaining credibility, managing conflicts, and navigating the increasingly complex lawyer–client relationship in employment matters, while emphasizing the importance of mental health awareness for attorneys and their colleagues. Save up to $700 when you register by April 6!

2026 Diversity for Success Seminar
June 3–5, 2026 | Louisville, Kentucky

DRI invites you to the 20th annual Diversity for Success Seminar and Corporate Expo in Louisville, Kentucky. Attendees will gain insights from and network with in-house counsel and potential referral sources. This seminar is designed to address the recent legal decisions and lawsuits designed to stunt recent efforts to increase diversity in our educational and occupational settings. Attendees will leave with resources and tools to incorporate into their career and organization to improve Diversity and Inclusion (D&I). Save up to $500 when you register by April 20!

2026 Insurance Bad Faith and Extra-Contractual Liability Seminar
June 3–5, 2026 | Louisville, Kentucky

DRI's Insurance Bad Faith and Extra-Contractual Liability Seminar is the preeminent program for insurance executives, claims professionals, legal professionals, and outside counsel who defend bad faith claims and litigation in their practice. The seminar will showcase top-flight faculty, including policyholder counsel, members of the judiciary, and industry leaders, including DRI's Insurance Law Committee. Save up to $700 when you register by April 20!

2026 Young Lawyers Seminar
June 3–5, 2026 | Louisville, Kentucky

The 2026 Young Lawyers Seminar equips early career litigators with practical skills and strategic insights for navigating modern litigation practices. Through interactive sessions led by experienced practitioners, in-house counsel, mediators, and experts, attendees will learn how to build cohesive litigation strategies that apply to all stages of litigation. Attendees will hear from experts on how to maximize their professional potential. Join our session with a local Louisville panel to discuss how to negotiate and mediate cases with professionalism and credibility. In addition to substantive training, the seminar emphasizes professional development and relationship-building through structured networking opportunities designed to foster meaningful connections within DRI. Participants will leave with actionable strategies, expanded professional networks, and increased confidence in delivering value to clients and advancing their careers. Save up to $700 when you register by April 20!

2026 Boot Camp for New Life, Health, and Disability Lawyers
July 15–16, 2026 | Chicago, Illinois

The DRI Life, Health, and Disability Committee is once again sponsoring a program for lawyers who are new to the practice. The program will be led by highly experienced attorneys and will be aimed at providing a basic understanding of the concepts applicable to life, health, and disability litigation. This program receives rave reviews each year it is held. Lawyers who are new to the practice or who wish to brush up on their skills are encouraged to attend! Save up to $400 when you register by July 14!