CLEs You Actually Want to Hear

How does defendant sexual orientation affect juror decisions? Does heterosexism have significant impact on how jurors decide these cases? Does juror gender and attractiveness of defendant contribute to potential bias? This program will discuss research conducted by Forensic Psychologist and Professor of Psychology at Professor of Psychology at California State University, Fullerton, Russ Espinoza, Ph.D., on the implicit biasing effects of juror decisions. Dr. Espinoza will review a specific research study he conducted that varied defendant sexual orientation, defendant attractiveness, and juror gender for cases involving murder of partner. Attendees will walk away with an understanding of the theoretical explanation of this potential bias, as well as other perceived influencing variables that contribute to juror bias.

A practical, litigation-focused look at how trust administrations go wrong. This program examines the common mistakes—communication failures, poor recordkeeping, and fiduciary missteps—that lead to disputes and lawsuits, along with key strategies to prevent them.

Automated and semi-automated vehicle systems are now common across major manufacturers and they generate data that can be critical in accident investigations. In this CLE, Andrew McDevitt of Walkup Melodia Kelly & Schoenberger will examine how advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) function and the types of data they capture before, during, and after a crash. Through case examples, this program will explore systems such as combined cruise control and lane keeping, automatic emergency braking, and lane assistance, with a focus on how their data is recorded, preserved, and interpreted. Attendees will learn how to identify key evidence, understand the limitations of event data recorder (EDR) outputs, and spot potential red flags in vehicle-generated data. Participants will leave with a practical understanding of how ADAS technology impacts accident reconstruction and litigation strategy across a range of vehicle manufacturers.

Attorneys often face acute professional burnout and other mental competency risks that impact them personally and affect their ability to provide competent legal representation. In this presentation, using his personal experience and research, Jim Eischen of Eischen Law Office, APC will provide education about professional burnout and recommendations to improve mental health and well-being for legal professionals.

Reid Ehrlich and Jerry Flanagan of Shernoff Bidart Echeverria LLP will walk through how to approach appellate oral argument differently depending on the type of case you're arguing — whether it's a clear loser, a clear winner, or one that could go either way. Drawing on real examples from California Courts of Appeal, including cases like Musso & Frank Grill Co. v. Mitsui Sumitomo Ins. USA Inc. and Coast Restaurant Group v. Amguard Ins. Co., they will explain how tentative opinions signal which category your case falls into and how to calibrate your strategy accordingly. Attorneys will leave with a concrete framework for damage control in losing appeals, efficient presentation in winning ones, and how to stay nimble and persuasive when the outcome is genuinely uncertain.

Anthropic's Claude is now available as a native add-in for Microsoft Word, and it was built with legal document work squarely in mind. Join Steve Smith, CEO of Intelligence by Intent and AI strategy consultant who has spent more than two years testing AI tools in legal workflows, as he walks through what Claude for Word actually does, how it compares to tools attorneys are already using, and what firms need to know before rolling it out. From tracked redlines and comment-driven edits to cross-app context across Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Steve will break down what the tool can realistically do today and what to consider before putting it anywhere near a client matter.

Rose Leda Ehler (Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP), Robert M. ("Bobby") Schwartz (Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP), and Jacqueline Charlesworth (Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz) will break down Cox Communications, Inc. v. Sony Music Entertainment from the ground up: the background of the dispute, the billion-dollar jury verdict that started it all, and how the case traveled through the Fourth Circuit before landing at the Supreme Court. Panelists will walk through the Court's holding that an ISP is not contributorily liable for its users' infringement unless it induced that infringement or tailored its service for infringing activity, and examine the reasoning behind it, including the majority opinion and Justice Sotomayor's concurrence. The panel will also address what the decision does not resolve and what practitioners, rights holders, and platforms should be thinking about going forward.

Industry recognitions such as Chambers USA, Legal 500 Elite, Los Angeles Business Journal, Los Angeles Times, Law360, and Daily Journal can significantly elevate an attorney’s visibility, credibility and market positioning. When leveraged properly, these awards also provide some of the strongest third-party validation available — creating powerful positioning for client development, referral growth and competitive differentiation. Strong legal work alone, however, is rarely enough. Strategic positioning, thoughtful submissions and intentional reputation-building are essential. This program provides attendees with a practical roadmap for increasing their competitiveness in award and ranking processes. Attendees will learn: How leading legal directories and publications evaluate candidates What differentiates selected attorneys from equally capable peers

Christopher Frost and Chanell Botshekan of FROST LLP examine the habits and structural pressures that quietly undermine oral advocacy development. These habits include script dependence, risk-averse staffing decisions, and the shrinking frequency of low-stakes argument opportunities. From the associate's perspective, we examine the pitfalls developing attorneys commonly fall into. From the senior attorney’s perspective, we offer concrete strategies for building confidence at the podium and finding the right balance between preparation and spontaneity. Whether you are a developing attorney or a supervising attorney invested in training your developing associates, this program offers a practical roadmap for finding confidence in one’s oral advocacy skills.

Join legal scholar and law professor, Andrew Mamo for a program on how civility works within the legal profession. This program will give a brief overview of the history of civility as a contested idea in the law over the past fifty years before offering concrete advice on how civility principles apply to legal professionalism. Participants will learn how to distinguish the various purposes for which civility is invoked, when principles of civility can help us discuss our differences—and when they suppress the discussion of our differences.

Join us for a comprehensive session covering updates to the advertising law landscape in 2026. Join us for a comprehensive session covering updates to the advertising law landscape in 2026. Katelyn Patton, Zach Lewis, and Andrew Folks will take us through recent legal and regulatory changes, including new requirements for businesses relating to AI, subscriptions, email and text marketing, data privacy, and social media.

Hon. Ana Maria Luna (Ret.) of Signature Resolution, Wyatt Vespermann, and Nadine Ninva Khedry, attorneys at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP, offer an overview of navigating minor's compromises in California, covering court approval procedures, allocation of settlement proceeds, attorney's fees, and structured settlement options. The program also explores probate court oversight and special needs trust considerations, with practical strategies to safeguard public benefits.

From mobile apps to cryptocurrency, the ways clients want to pay for legal services are rapidly evolving. But not every new payment method fits neatly within the Rules of Professional Conduct. Join attorney Ryan Little, Little Legal, as he examines the ethical considerations lawyers face when accepting digital payments, peer-to-peer transfers, or cryptocurrency. This program will explore topics include safeguarding client funds, compliance with trust-accounting rules, avoiding impermissible fee-sharing, and navigating confidentiality, and security risks. Attendees will gain practical guidance on how to meet client expectations regarding modern payment options while staying squarely within the ethical rules.

Dr. Alexander Stein, a psychoanalyst and leadership advisor with expertise in the psycho-social dimensions of AI, and David Shraga, Esq., a professional mediator with deep experience advising artists, studios, and industry stakeholders, will explore how AI is reshaping Hollywood from both legal and psychodynamic perspectives. Together, they will examine why creativity and authorship matter so fundamentally to human beings, how AI is altering artists' emotional relationships with their work, and what these shifts mean for the lawyers navigating the resulting disputes, negotiations, and ethical dilemmas. Attorneys will leave with a richer framework for understanding the psychological undercurrents driving their clients' concerns — and how to apply that understanding to contract negotiations, rights protection, and the evolving tensions between human creativity and artificial intelligence.

John Medler, Founding Partner of Medler Law, will explain why, because of MICRA's caps on non-economic damages, it is essential for the plaintiff's lawyer to maximize the damages which have no caps in medical malpractice cases — namely, economic damages. Too many plaintiff's lawyers allow defense experts to reduce their client's economic damages to "present value." By adopting the strategies in this webinar, you can not only exclude the defendant's experts' opinions on "present value," but can also dramatically increase your own economic damages, leading to a dramatically higher medical malpractice jury verdict.

Drawing on his book JuryBall: The Big Data Revolution is Here, Claggett will walk attendees through how Jury Ball data can be applied at every stage of litigation, from case selection and discovery strategy to damages valuation, jury selection, and trial. The approach replaces litigation intuition with a data-driven, scientific methodology, and the results speak for themselves: Claggett's own verdicts predicted using this method include a $485,000,000 verdict in rural New Mexico, a $145,000,000 verdict in Denver, and an $81,000,000 verdict in Provo, Utah, each the largest verdict in the history of its respective state.

This program covers federal tax foundations for like-kind exchanges and focuses on critical distinctions and rules specific for California review. Join attorneys Howard Fisher of Fisher & Fisher and LaVonne D. Lawson of Leech Tishman as they review real property like-kind tax exchange concepts and the pre- and post- TCJA (Tax Cuts & Jobs Act) landscapes. While explaining federal requirements and highlighting differences for California property transactions, they will traverse specific requirements and exceptions, navigate procedural issues and enforcement tools, and consider instructive case law. Attendees will gain additional insight into the benefits and exposure with respect to these transactions and better appreciate considerations relevant to their practical use.

Workers’ compensation subpoenas come with their own set of rules, deadlines, and fee requirements that can catch even seasoned attorneys off guard. Kimberly Wagner, Law Offices of Bradford & Barthel, breaks down the full process, covering everything from fee structures to obtaining records. This program zeroes in on the procedural details, payment obligations, and records retrieval process through EAMS and the DWC. Attendees will leave with a working understanding of what is required at every stage of the workers’ compensation subpoena process. Whether you are new to workers’ compensation or have been practicing for years, this is a practical guide to mastering the details that can make or break a workers’ comp case.

When announced in December 2025, Disney and OpenAI's first-of-its-kind intellectual property licensing agreement sent shockwaves through Hollywood. A mere four months later, in an equally shocking development, OpenAI abandoned the deal and Disney withdrew in tandem. Join Julia Cherlow of Bird Marella LLP and David Shraga, the Media Mediator, as they explore the market driven reasons behind this pivot, how the deal nonetheless has permanently shifted the AI litigation and licensing markets, and insights the precedent-setting framework provides to stakeholders in this ecosystem.

A child's statement of sexual assault made to a third party is now admissible hearsay in Family Law DVPA proceedings. Hon. Geanene Yriarte, LASC, and Hon. Hank Goldberg (Ret.) of Signature Resolution will examine the new challenges for family law attorneys with the Dependency Hearsay Exception application in some of the most sensitive and highly contested restraining order hearings involving children.The Family Law Section is chaired by Jack McMorrow and Ryan Wedeking.

Sid Kanazawa — mediator, arbitrator, and trial lawyer with over 40 years of experience resolving disputes locally, nationally, and internationally — will reframe how attorneys think about apologies in the context of conflict resolution. Drawing on his teaching at Pepperdine and his widely republished 2004 article "Apologies and Lunch," Kanazawa will explore why a genuine apology functions as a gift rather than a transactional tool, and why that distinction matters in mediation and negotiation. He will examine the different forms an apology can take, why not all apologies constitute admissions of fault, and how authentic expressions of empathy can restore dignity and social harmony between parties.The Alternative Dispute Resolution Section is chaired by Robert Cohen and Jeffrey Kravitz.

With commercial and consumer bankruptcy filings rising and the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA) reshaping the fiscal landscape, 2026 demands a new strategic playbook. This session explores the sustained increase in insolvencies, driven by "slow-burn" financial strain, depleted savings, and pandemic-era debt. We will dive into the key tax implications of the OBBBA, along with top legal trends and emerging risks to watch in 2026.The Taxation Law Section is chaired by Philipp Behrendt.The Bankruptcy Law Section is chaired by Cole Nicholas.

California continues to lead the nation in the legal landscape of animal rights and owner liability standards. Join us for a discussion with animal law attorney Ryan Gordon, of Advancing Law for Animals, who will discuss the newest animal-related laws signed into California legislation.This 30-minute CLE session covers the most recent developments in this ever-expanding area of law including the Cat Declaw Ban and Veterinary Access. Participants will learn more about numerous legislative measures recently signed into place in California: from determining who can sell companion animals to stronger safeguards for furry friends during natural disasters.

Join attorneys Adam Carlson, Managing Partner, and Andrew Schwartz, Of Counsel, of Casper, Meadows, Schwartz & Cook, as they cover the evolving role of Zoom depositions in modern litigation. This program examine both the efficiencies they offer and the challenges they present.Remote depositions have become a permanent feature of civil practice, allowing attorneys to save time and cost by eliminating travel, making it easier to depose out-of-state witnesses, and streamlining the management of exhibits and scheduling. When used effectively, virtual platforms can increase efficiency and accessibility while allowing cases to move forward more quickly. At the same time, Zoom depositions raise important questions about fairness, credibility, and the integrity of the record. Concerns include the difficulty of assessing witness demeanor through a screen, the potential for off-camera coaching or use of notes, technological disruptions, and unresolved procedural and evidentiary issues that courts and practitioners are still working through. This program will bring together experienced litigators to discuss the practical benefits, ethical considerations, and emerging best practices for conducting and defending depositions in the virtual era.This program is moderated byKhando Deckyi KhangsarThe Litigation Section is chaired by Rachael

Cynthia R. Cox of Cox Law Group will walk through how the conservatorship system works for older adults and individuals with special needs, covering the legal safeguards designed to protect vulnerable people alongside the practical challenges families face when capacity declines. Drawing on real-world scenarios, Cox will explore alternatives to conservatorship and the unique issues that arise in elder law and special needs planning. Attorneys will leave with a clearer understanding of how to guide families through this process and what options are available before, during, and after a conservatorship is established.

This program explores the legal complexities of denaturalization. Join attorneys Nancy Canter and Lindsay Vick of Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, as they examine the grounds for revoking U.S. citizenship, the procedural steps involved, and the latest case law. Attendees will gain critical insights into defending against denaturalization actions and understanding the evolving legal landscape in immigration law.The Immigration Law Section is chaired by Ali Brodie.

Women attorneys navigate a professional landscape where power, status, and influence operate by both spoken and unspoken rules. Mindy Gulati of Fundamental Advisory and Lindsay Goldford Gray of Catalyst Advisory explore how to navigate these realities and provides actionable strategies for thriving within them. Participants will explore the foundations of power and status in the legal profession, examine the “double bind” that often penalizes women for asserting authority, and learn practical tools for elevating their status among colleagues, clients, and the community.Through research-based insights, real-world examples, and interactive discussion, the session will identify status-enhancing behaviors, communication techniques, and strategic choices that strengthen credibility. We will also spotlight common traps that diminish professional power and provide tools for avoiding or correcting them.Lawyers will leave better equipped to lead effectively, advocate persuasively, and advance their careers with clarity and intention.No CLE credit will be provided for this program.

Kenny Ramirez of the Kenny Ramirez Law Firm will walk through how trial attorneys can adopt AI deliberately and responsibly, covering the key distinctions between public AI models like ChatGPT and Claude, closed-universe legal platforms like CoCounsel and Lexis AI, and all-in-one tools like Harvey and Eve. Drawing on his own firm's experience, Ramirez will break down a three-phase framework for AI adoption — from compliance and ethical guardrails (attorney-client privilege, data security, HIPAA considerations) to building on a strong case management foundation and finally deploying AI where it generates the most value. Attorneys will leave with a practical toolkit for evaluating AI platforms, understanding where public models are appropriate versus where legal-specific tools are essential, and how to use AI to increase efficiency without compromising professional judgment or client confidentiality.The AI and the Law Section is chaired by Marc Hoag.

Judges Martin R. Barash (U.S. Bankruptcy Court, C.D. Cal.) and Lee R. Bagdanoff (Ret., JAMS), alongside Uzzi O. Raanan of Greenberg Glusker LLP and Jay Spillane of Spillane Trial Group PLC, will examine the intersection of state court litigation and bankruptcy proceedings, with a focus on enforcing judgments and debts in light of a bankruptcy filing. The panel will address the scope and operation of the automatic stay, key exceptions (including state court contempt proceedings and actions that merely maintain the status quo, such as status hearings), and strategies for seeking or opposing relief from the stay to commence or continue state court actions or obtain judgments. The program will also explore how bankruptcy courts apply claim and issue preclusion doctrines to state court judgments (particularly in the context of nondischargeable debts), strategic considerations surrounding particular findings and special verdicts that may support nondischargeability claims, and defenses available to parties opposing the preclusive use of those findings in subsequent adversary proceedings.The panel will be moderated by John Livingston, law clerk to Judge Barash.The Bankruptcy Law Section is chaired by Cole Nicholas.

To object, or not to object? Join Tony Ross of Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker for a comprehensive overview of the use of objections in the courtroom. The program will review best practices on the various reasons attorneys can instruct their witness not to answer, examine ways to protect privilege, and provide practical instruction on techniques to strategically utilize objections. This program also addresses how to navigate difficult scenarios when opposing counsel won’t back down. Participants will walk away with an understanding of how judges handle disputes and ready-to-use language that protects the record.The Litigation Section is chaired by Rachael Kogen.

Valerie T. McGinty of the Law Office of Valerie T. McGinty breaks down six key approaches attorneys can use to challenge motions to compel arbitration, from jurisdictional issues and mutual assent to unconscionability and scope. Drawing on a wide range of recent California and federal case law, McGinty will illustrate how courts have denied these motions across consumer, employment, elder abuse, and sexual harassment cases. Attorneys will leave with practical strategies for defeating arbitration agreements, including how to argue waiver, leverage failure to pay arbitration fees, and determine when a writ may be the best path forward.The Employment Law Section is chaired by Andie Field

Lawyers pride themselves on outworking everyone, but skimping on sleep may be quietly tanking your performance, mental health, and malpractice risk. The science is clear: sleep is as essential as diet and exercise, yet high achievers are often the worst at getting it.Join sleep doctor, Dr. Audrey Wells and attorney well-being expert Kendra Brodin to learn why lawyers struggle with sleep. Sharpen your edge, protect your clients, and feel good doing it.You'll leave knowing how to:Understand what sleep does for your brain, body, and bottom lineRecognize the patterns that keep high-achievers awakeUse practical, proven strategies to sleep better starting tonightKnow when it's time to call in professional backupYour clients deserve a well-rested lawyer. So do you

The program features Hon. Clifford L. Klein (Ret.) and Justice Judith Ashmann-Gerst (Ret.), both of Signature Resolution, in a discussion of the surprising and interesting legal issues that can arise from an otherwise simple social game of golf. Drawing from actual cases, the program explores golfer liability for wild shots or negligent course design, private club and event discrimination, disability accommodations, trans athletes, property tax for country clubs and intellectual property disputes involving golf equipment. The speakers will discuss how courts analyze these issues and offer practitioners insight into how a pleasant walk in a park can devolve into litigation and resolution in California and federal courts.The Litigation Section is chaired by Rachael Kogen.

This program focuses on the core drafting strategies behind effective creator partnership and licensing agreements in today’s creator economy. April Paredes, founder of Ascent Legal, will break down the key provisions attorneys must get right, including ownership and IP rights, scope of licenses, compensation structures, brand approvals, termination provisions, and common negotiation pitfalls. Designed for attorneys advising creators, brands, and agencies, this program delivers concrete guidance for drafting clear, enforceable agreements that align expectations, reduce risk, and scale with creator-driven businesses.The Entertainment Law Section is chaired by Keith Kelly.

This introductory webinar provides a practical overview of foundational health care law topics, including HIPAA compliance, medical staffing regulations, reimbursement processes, and related regulatory considerations. Designed for attorneys new to the field or those seeking a refresher, the program highlights key legal risks and compliance principles impacting today’s health care industry. Attendees will obtain a clearer understanding of how these laws apply in practice and the key compliance risks facing health care providers and organizations.The Healthcare Law Section is chaired by Ruhee Singh

Matthew S. Kenefick of Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP breaks down the evolving legal landscape of accessibility compliance, with a focus on both physical spaces and websites. This program will cover key provisions of the ADA and related California laws, including the Unruh Civil Rights Act and the Disabled Persons Act, and explain how these laws apply to businesses open to the public. It will also highlight how legal obligations intersect with practical considerations in real estate, web development, and customer-facing operations—offering insight into litigation trends, compliance strategies, and risk management techniques to help businesses avoid costly lawsuits.The Litigation Section is chaired by Rachael Kogen.

Mediator Peter Thompson of Judicate West, plaintiff's attorney Joshua Furman of Joshua R. Furman Law Corp, and David Samani of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP will address mediation preparation and the issues that arise in mediation — including consent clauses, conflicts among clients, properly preparing claims personnel and insureds, properly preparing plaintiffs, mediator's expectations and tools, and mediator's proposals. Drawing on their combined experience on both sides of the table and in the neutral seat, the panelists will address common sticking points that derail mediations — and how to avoid them. This program is moderated by Mike Douglass of Parker Shaffie LLP.The Ethics and Malpractice Law Section is chaired by Michael Douglass.

Get an inside look at the State Bar Court from someone who knows it best. Judge Dennis Saab has presided over State Bar Court cases since 2019, handling everything from professional misconduct and criminal convictions to reinstatement proceedings and the court's Alternative Discipline Program for attorneys navigating substance abuse or mental health challenges. As the current supervising judge of the trial department, he brings a frontline perspective on how these cases unfold and what attorneys need to know to stay out of trouble. This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from a sitting judge about the ethics pitfalls that come across his desk most often.The Litigation Section is chaired by Rachael Kogen.

Thanos Leontaris of Ratio Legal Services, Sarah Cundall of Lee & Thompson LLP, and Michael Peters of Ramo Law will examine how generative AI is reshaping intellectual property law across the film and television industries, covering questions of ownership in AI-generated scripts, images, and music, as well as how training data, moral rights, and copyright exceptions apply throughout production and distribution. Drawing on perspectives from Greece, the UK, and the US, the panel will explore how these legal frameworks intersect — and where they diverge — across jurisdictions that entertainment practitioners increasingly navigate together. Attorneys and industry professionals will leave with practical guidance on contract and licensing strategies for AI training and outputs, along with risk management approaches for producers, creators, and counsel working in an AI-driven production landscape.The Entertainment Law Section is chaired by Keith Kelly.

Ready to go beyond the basics? In this follow-up to Persuasive Legal Writing, Daniel U. Smith--Certified Appellate Specialist, former Federal District Court law clerk, and member of the California Academy of Appellate Lawyers--explains the advanced strategies that separate good briefs from great briefs. Drawing on 35 years of exclusively appellate practice, including 19 California Supreme Court appearances, Mr. Smith explains the subtle choices in language, structure, sequence, and tone that lead judges to respect your character and your arguments. This seminar answers Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg's call for " [l]ucid, well-ordered writing [that] can contribute immeasurably to a lawyer's success as an advocate and counselor."The Appellate Law Section is chaired by Conor Tucker.

Ann Brigid Clark of Greenberg Traurig, Jonathan Handel of Feig Finkel, David Shraga of Shraga Resolution Services, and Emma Smizer of Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz will join moderator Keith Cooper of Cooper & Iravani LLP for a panel review of the developments from 2025 that are reshaping transactional entertainment law. The panel will cover key shifts across digital contract formation, AI training and digital replica rights, interactive and transmedia licensing, and California privacy enforcement — exploring how courts, unions, and regulators have raised the bar for what deal terms need to say and how they need to say it.The Entertainment Law Section is chaired by Keith Kelly.

Join attorney Azim Chowdhury of Keller and Heckman for a comprehensive overview of federal and state vaping laws. Drawing on his first-hand experience as an advisor to the FDA, Azim brings his insights to this program on legal issues relevant to e-vapor, e-liquid, and tobacco product manufacturers, distributors, and retailers.This program covers essential compliance strategies for retail and online sales, licensing requirements, and provides safeguarding steps for clients that mitigate risk. From the regulatory requirements to the variations between federal and state different regulations, participants will gain a practical understanding on FDA rule making and enforcement and the Tobacco Control Act.

Editors of the Elgar Concise Encyclopedia of Artificial Intelligence and the Law, Elizabeth Rothman and Ryan Abbott, examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping legal practice across a broad range of areas of law. Dr. Abbott is a mediator and arbitrator with JAMS, Inc., in Century City and Los Angeles and a prominent figure in law and AI including as the co-author of the JAMS AI Rules. He will cover the evolving integration of AI into mediation and arbitration, including by parties, counsel, and neutrals. Ms. Rothman, bringing her experience as an attorney and educator on AI and the law, will map the expanding areas where AI intersects with legal practice. She will also discuss the risks of uploading client data to AI tools, why lawyers should be skeptical of technology companies' promises about privacy and security, and what firms should be considering when developing and implementing AI use policies. The discussion highlights why these considerations matter for all attorneys, not just those who focus on dispute resolution or even just those that utilize AI tools.The Alternative Dispute Resolution Section is chaired by Robert Cohen and Jeffrey Kravitz

In this program, Jana Gardner, Senior Counsel with the California Association of REALTORS®, will discuss the most recent updates to C.A.R.'s Standard Forms, including the purchase agreement, disclosures, and property management forms. She will also discuss the most significant new 2026 laws affecting residential sales and leasing.This program will be moderated by Howard Gould.The Real Estate Law Section is chaired by Howard Gould and Elizabeth Dryden.

The decision on the Top Gun case reaffirms what is already known: copyright does not protect abstract ideas. Looking at Yonay v. Paramount Pictures Corp and Sedlik v. Von Drachenberg, et al, this program explores existing doctrine and analyzes the future of copyright cases. Attorney Scott Hervey provides an in-depth review of both cases, from the application of the intrinsic test in the Kat Von D case to the failure of the estoppel argument in the Yonay case.The Intellectual Property Law Section is chaired by Adrian Cyhan.

This program, led by Law Professor Chris Chambers Goodman, will be conducted in three parts. The first part will provide some historical background and statistics on gender representation in the legal profession and particular manifestations of gender bias. The second part will address sources of biased data in machine learning systems and some illustrations of how biases can and do impact recruiting and employment opportunities for women and other marginalized groups. The final segment will highlight some specific manifestations of gender bias against attorneys IRL (in real life). Participants will walk away with identifiable strategies for interrupting bias in the legal profession.The AI and the Law Section is chaired by Marc Hoag.

This program explores how common entertainment transactions can unravel into high-stakes litigation, drawing on real-world cases involving contracts, copyright ownership, influencer marketing, and implied agreements. Through an entertainment litigator’s lens, Ashlee Difuntorum, Kinsella Holley Iser Kump Steinsapir LLP, highlights nuanced, hard-to-spot risk areas and explains how courts analyze disputes when deals are incomplete, ambiguous, or never papered at all. Attendees gain practical guidance on drafting and deal practices that can help entertainment transactional attorneys minimize exposure before conflicts arise.

While probate legal guardianship matters are private custody disputes—typically involving a relative or family friend—they differ significantly from family law actions, and in practice often resemble quasi-dependency proceedings. Parents can face serious consequences, including suspension of their parental rights and the termination of all contact with their children.Because of these high stakes, it is essential that parents have access to skilled and informed legal representation. This training will equip attorneys with the knowledge and tools needed to advocate effectively for parents, including how to assist with objections, petitions to terminate a guardianship, and petitions for visitation. Participants will also receive access to Public Counsel's new practice manual for parents' attorneys, with sample pleadings, templates, and forms to support their practice.The Trust and Estates Law Section is chaired by Jennifer McNeil-Lozano and Teal Schoonover.

Tyler Paetkau and Kathy Huynh of Paetkau Law Group will walk through the most common drafting mistakes that render employment arbitration agreements unenforceable — and how to avoid them. Drawing on California and federal case law including Armendariz v. Foundation Health Psychcare Services, Mendoza v. Trans Valley Transport, and Epic Systems Corp. v. Lewis, they will cover critical issues such as delegation clauses, signature requirements, unconscionability, class action waivers, and the interplay between the FAA and California Arbitration Act. Attorneys will leave with a practical checklist for drafting agreements that are clear, fair, and built to hold up in court.The Employment Law Section is chaired by Andie Fields.

Jennifer Kennedy Park and Matthew M. Yelovich, partners at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, will walk through how AI-related white collar enforcement has evolved across administrations, covering both AI-enabled fraud schemes and "AI-washing" cases where companies misrepresent AI capabilities to investors. Drawing on DOJ and SEC actions including the first criminal AI-washing indictment under the Trump administration and DOJ's AI-powered healthcare fraud takedown, they will explain how enforcement is increasingly being shaped by executive policy rather than clear statutory frameworks. Attorneys will leave with a practical understanding of current criminal exposure risks and what strong AI compliance and governance programs should address.The Criminal Law Section is chaired by Michael Freedman and Yan Goldshteyn.