Do you ever freeze when a judge asks an unexpected question? Have you watched a witness's credibility crumble or felt like you've lost the jury? In high-stakes litigation or negotiations, these make-or-break moments can determine case outcomes.Join two legal improvisation experts for a fun and interactive workshop where you'll master "yes, and..." frameworks for compelling jury addresses and dynamic witness examinations, practice techniques to read and influence courtroom dynamics, and develop the mental agility to stay present and adapt when your case evolves or takes unexpected turns.
Ken Ziffren will present his annual review and assessment of developments affecting the practice of media and entertainment law. Mr. Ziffren will address recent changes and trends and their impact on the rights of various entertainment industry parties.No credit will be provided for this program.
In personal injury cases, clients often face trauma, loss, and uncertainty, making civility a cornerstone of effective advocacy. Eric V. Traut, founding partner of Traut Injury Law, will focus on how attorneys can guide clients to present themselves with composure during depositions, interactions with medical experts, and courtroom proceedings. Drawing from practical strategies, the Eric will highlight how respectful behavior builds credibility with judges and jurors while protecting the integrity of a case.
In this program, Ligaya Lange, Director of Corporate Outreach for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Greater Los Angeles County (NAMI GLAC), will share tools to help you prepare before difficult conversations, stay grounded during them, and recover after. From setting healthy boundaries and using neutral language to reframing negative interactions and building long-term resilience, this program offers actionable approaches for managing communication challenges with greater calm and confidence. Attorneys will walk away with techniques to reduce reactivity, preserve professionalism, and prevent others’ stress from becoming their own. Whether you’re facing difficult clients, colleagues, or high-pressure situations, this presentation provides both immediate strategies and long-term practices—helping you protect your mental health while strengthening your effectiveness as an attorney.
Michael Colantuono of Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley, PC demonstrates how generative AI can enhance the precision and persuasiveness of your written advocacy. This program explores how to use tools like ClearBrief, Drafting Assistant, and CoCounsel to dissect trial and appellate briefs, flag weak arguments, and spot concessions or omissions. Attendees will gain practical methods for building opposition strategies, drafting stronger responses, and integrating AI without compromising professional judgment or confidentiality.
This program serves as a guide to the California State Bar’s newly implemented CTAPP compliance audits, and the obligations attorneys must fulfill to comply with CTAPP rules. Attorneys will learn how the audit process works under Rules 1.15(d), 2.6, and 9.8.5, mandatory requirements related to record production and independent accounting review, and how to navigate their ethical duties relating to client trust accounts and client communications. The program will also address privilege concerns, CPA audit requirements, and the risks attorneys face under this new enforcement framework.
Civility isn’t just good manners—it can be your Superpower as an attorney. This program will explore how civility strengthens your advocacy, builds trust with clients, colleagues, and the courts, and helps you uphold the highest standards of the profession. Through practical tools for respectful communication and mindful lawyering, you’ll learn how to reduce conflict, ease stress, and practice at your very best. Step into the role of a civility Superhero and see how using your power can transform both your practice and the legal community.
This program explores practical strategies to keep arbitration costs down while ensuring a fair and efficient process. Aaron Gothelf and Stephanie Cubacha cover how thoughtful arbitration clauses, streamlined procedures, and limited discovery can significantly reduce expenses. Attendees will learn how selecting the right arbitrator, using written witness statements, minimizing expert involvement, and leveraging virtual hearings can control costs. This program will also discuss how early case management and mediation opportunities can help resolve disputes faster and more affordably.The Alternative Dispute Resolution section is chaired by Robert Cohen and Jeffrey Kravitz
In this presentation, join speakers Fabiana Zangara, Uduak Oduok, and Victoria Burke, for an essential overview of key areas in fashion law, with insights across the industry.Topics Covered in this Program:Immigration and the Fashion IndustryVisa Options for Fashion ProfessionalsModel Rights, Publicity, and Legal RelationshipsLabor and Employment Law in ModelingKey Fashion and Apparel Legislation in the U.S. and InternationallyThe Fashion Law section is chaired by Alessandra Tarissi De Jacobis.
Entertainment law demands sharp focus, creativity, and precision under constant pressure. But chronic stress doesn’t sharpen performance—it sabotages it. In this session, TEDx speaker and master executive coach/wellness expert of 17 years, Beth Bishop shares a science-backed blueprint to help entertainment lawyers regulate their nervous systems, improve decision-making, and sustain peak performance without burnout.You’ll learn:The Hidden Costs of Stress in Law – Why chronic stress reduces productivity by up to 30%, increases errors by 25%, and impairs creativity and decision-making.Nervous System Mastery for Lawyers – Understand the three key states of the nervous system and how they impact your performance, judgment, and presence in high-stakes situations.Cut Stress in 5 Minutes a Day – Learn science-backed tools to regulate your nervous system quickly (even between client calls or contract reviews).The Cognitive Edge – How movement and somatic resets unlock focus, sharpen memory, and boost creativity on demand.Sustainable Success – Build micro-habits that protect your energy, confidence, and career longevity in the demanding world of entertainment law.
When legal matters involve the potential for intense public and judicial scrutiny, an attorney’s ability to prepare for the possibility of media and other attention while remaining civil can determine both the case’s trajectory and their professional reputation. Terry Fahn of Sitrick and Company brings decades of experience in strategic communications, litigation support, and crisis management, guiding high-profile individuals, entertainers, professional athletes, institutions and corporate clients through disputes where measured words and professional decorum are critical. Anthony D. Storm, founding partner at Storm Palyan LLP, has built a reputation for handling sensitive, high-stakes family law matters with discretion, protecting privacy while navigating contentious proceedings. Hon. Craig D. Karlan (Ret.) of ADR Services, Inc. served 20 years as a judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court, presiding over thousands of civil matters and earning recognition for his expertise in complex litigation and settlement. Together, they will share real-world strategies for maintaining civility toward opposing counsel, parties, and the judiciary while controlling the narrative—ensuring advocacy remains persuasive without crossing the line.
Join trial attorneys Bobby Reagan and Dustin Thordarson of Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP for a hands-on seminar focused on strategic discovery in trucking cases. Drawing on real-world experience, this session will guide attendees through targeted methodologies for obtaining critical records, leveraging regulatory frameworks, and uncovering broker and carrier liability. Learn how tailored discovery, preservation tactics, and effective depositions can shape the narrative and drive results in catastrophic injury and wrongful death trucking litigation. Whether you’re new to trucking cases or looking to elevate your approach, this is an essential guide for winning where it matters most—before trial even begins.
This program focuses on the importance of drafting class/PAGA releases with precision to avoid unintended pitfalls. It also covers key considerations for negotiating class/PAGA settlements in mediation, including factors that help determine the appropriate time to mediate, the scope of legal claims to be mediated, the importance of pre-mediation disclosures and the exchange of necessary data and documents, mediator selection, and other practical considerations.
What happens when a bankruptcy petition interrupts a pending divorce? In this program, attorney James (Jim) Menton explores how a bankruptcy filing can upend the divorce process—and what attorneys need to know to move forward. He’ll address how the automatic stay can bring proceedings to a halt, the limited exceptions that allow divorce-related matters to proceed despite the stay, and the procedures for seeking relief or determining when the stay doesn’t apply. Mr. Menton will also examine what constitutes property of the bankruptcy estate and how to handle disputes over those assets in the context of family law.
This presentation demystifies the essential concepts and methodologies behind business valuation, with a special focus on issues relevant to family law attorneys. Attendees will learn about the primary approaches to valuation and will explore how valuation standards, assumptions, and adjustments impact results. You will gain practical insights on working with, and against, valuation experts.
This program offers a practical overview of the EU Data Act and what it means for companies handling digital data across sectors.
The new administration has made immigration crimes a major focus of law enforcement resources, and the IRS recently announced that it would prioritize tax cases with an immigration crime aspect. Professor Jean Reisz, co-director of USC’s Immigration Clinic, and Evan J. Davis, a former federal prosecutor and principal at Hochman Salkin Toscher Perez P.C., will discuss what civil and criminal immigration and tax attorneys should expect from the IRS Criminal Investigation–Homeland Security Investigations collaboration.
With more than 9.5 million Californians receiving care through Kaiser Permanente, understanding its unique arbitration system is essential for any practitioner handling claims with the healthcare giant. Join Hon. Mark H. Pierce (Ret.) for an insider’s look at Kaiser’s arbitration process—from arbitrator selection and cost management to the role of the Office of Independent Administrator. This program will explore how to use mediation effectively, minimize expert and hearing costs, and improve outcomes in both medical malpractice and premises liability claims.
Many attorneys associate anti-SLAPP statutes with defamation cases, but these laws reach far beyond, impacting a wide range of civil litigation matters—including business disputes, employment claims, and real estate conflicts. This program will help you identify and effectively respond to SLAPP tactics used against your clients in civil litigation, while also offering practical guidance on avoiding claims that may trigger an anti-SLAPP motion. Because these motions can result in early dismissal and substantial attorney fee awards, understanding how anti-SLAPP law applies in civil court is essential—don’t wait until one lands on your desk.
The legal landscape is transforming faster than ever, and firms that don't adapt risk losing clients to tech-savvy competitors. This session cuts through the hype to deliver actionable intelligence on AI and emerging technologies that are already reshaping how successful firms operate. Learn to identify game-changing tools, avoid costly implementation mistakes, and position your firm to better serve your clients.