Wednesday, November 13
Control: Establishing Respect and Authority in the Federal Trial Courts
5:00 PM – 6:15 PM
General CLE
Five female federal judges with extensive trial experience will discuss effective strategies to establish authority and respect before the judge and the jury. Through their own stories and what they now see as effective practices, they will offer concrete examples of ways female litigators can excel in federal court.
Moderator: Hon. Virginia M. Kendall, U.S. District Court for the Northern District
of Illinois, Chicago, IL
Speakers: Hon. Sharon J. Coleman, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Chicago, IL; Hon. Rebecca R. Pallmeyer, Chief Judge, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Chicago, IL; Hon. Mary F. Rowland, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Chicago, IL; Hon. Amy J. St. Eve, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, Chicago, IL
Written Materials:
- Number of Women Lawyers at Record High but Men Still Highest Earners
- What It Takes to Be a Trial Lawyer If You’re Not a Man
- “What It Takes” Article Gives False Picture of Female Trial Lawyers
- What It Takes to Be a Trial Lawyer, If You Are a Woman
- Time’s Up on the Lack of Female Trial Attorneys
- Where Are All of the Women in the Courtroom?
- Gender Bias in the Courtroom: Combatting Implicit Bias Against Women Trial Attorneys and Litigators
- Showing Anger Can Backfire for Female Lawyers, Studies Say: Law Professor Suggests “Gender Judo” Response
- Law Firms’ Problem with Women
- You Can’t Change What You Can’t See
- Female Lawyers Can Talk, Too
- Vying for the Lead in the Boys’ Club: Understanding the Gender Gap in Multidistrict Leadership Appointments
- Female Supreme Court Justices Are Interrupted More by Male Justices and Advocates
- Where Are the Women Litigators?
- What 3-Plus Decades of Being a Trial Attorney Has Taught Me
- A Judge Wants a Bigger Role for Female Lawyers. So He Made a Rule
Thursday, November 14
We May Have Come a Long Way Baby… But Miles to Go Before We Sleep
9:15 AM – 10:30 AM
Elimination of Bias CLE
In the 100 years since the 19th Amendment was circulated to the states for ratification, women have made tremendous strides. But to quote Robert Frost, the numbers show we have “promises to keep, and miles to go before [we] sleep.” This panel consisting of founding partners, managing partners, and nationally known litigators will address the numbers, efforts to ensure gender equality, and what women are doing and can do to close the gap.
Moderator: Mary Craig Calkins, Blank Rome LLP, Los Angeles, CA
Speakers: Eileen M. Letts, Zuber Lawler & Del Duca LLP, Chicago, IL; Stephanie Scharf, Scharf Banks Marmor LLC, Chicago, IL; Tina Tchen, President and Chief Executive Officer, Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund, Washington, D.C.
Written Materials:
- Identifying & Interrupting Bias in Performance Evaluations
- You Can’t Change What You Can’t See: Interrupting Racial & Gender Bias in the Legal Profession
- First Chairs at Trial
Women Litigators in the Age of Implicit Bias
10:45 AM – 11:45 AM
Elimination of Bias CLE
Women are talking more frankly than ever about implicit bias in the legal profession. Our panelists will discuss how gender bias impacts women litigators and will provide practical advice on how women can navigate these challenges to succeed in their careers.
Moderator: Chaney Hall, Fox Rothschild LLP, Wilmington, DE
Speakers: Naomi M. Berry, Carlton Fields PA, Miami, FL; Tasheena Byrd, Stewart Law Group PLLC, Dallas, TX; Dawn Mertineit, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Boston, MA; Elizabeth T. Timkovich, Wells Fargo & Company, Charlotte, NC
Written Materials:
- Women Litigators in the Age of Implicit Bias
- It Takes Us All to Tango: Seeking Gender Parity in a Law Firm Environment
New Girls on the Block
10:45 AM – 11:45 AM
General CLE
This panel will feature women who touch blockchain technology in a variety of sectors, and will include an overview of regulatory developments in the blockchain and digital currency space, as well as real-life applications for how distributed ledger technology can help our clients tackle business challenges and improve efficiencies.
Moderator: Meghan Spillane, Goodwin Procter LLP, New York, NY
Speakers: Jessica Adams, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, San Francisco, CA; Marjorie J. Peerce, Ballard Spahr LLP, New York, NY;
Written Materials:
- New Girls On the Block PowerPoint
- Report of Investigation Pursuant to Section 21(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934: The DAO
- Securities Act of 1933: In the Matter of Munchee, Inc.
- Pocketful of Quarters, Inc.
- SEC Framework for “Investment Contract” Analysis of Digital Assets
- TurnKey Jet, Inc.
How to Balance a Successful (and Stressful) Career with Greater Personal Well-Being
12:15 PM – 1:15 PM
Wellness CLE
Success does not have to equal stress. Mindfulness is not only possible, but imperative for gratification and for meeting our ethical responsibilities. Learn about the latest in the profession regarding wellness and tools to help you manage stress, including how to meditate and how to diffuse stress in seconds.
Moderator: Pilar G. Kraman, Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor LLP, Wilmington, DE
Speakers: Jeffery H. Bunn, The Mindful Law Coaching & Consulting Group LLC, Chicago, IL; Kara P. Dodson, Volta Talent Strategies LLC, Philadelphia, PA; Amanda R. Lawrence, Buckley LLP, Washington, D.C.
Written Materials:
- How to Incorporate Mindfulness Into Your Workday and Diffuse Stress in Seconds
- Ideas for Firm Wellness Activities and Initiatives
- Is There Anybody in There? Lawyers Can Learn Something About Mindfulness from Pink Floyd
- The Individual Case for Mindfulness and Mediation in Law Firms
- Wellness Wheel Tool
- Well-Being Toolkit for Lawyers and Legal Employers
- Well-Being Toolkit for Lawyers and Legal Employers – Nutshell
Hindsight is 2020: How Lessons from the Past Will Inform Coverage Litigation in 2020
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
General CLE
With 2020 right around the corner, this program will explore hot topics in coverage litigation—such as coverage for cannabis operations, autonomous vehicles, cyber crimes, and #MeToo claims—in the context of analogous coverage litigation from the past in an effort to glean lessons and make predictions for the future.
Moderator: Lindsay L. Rollins, Hancock Daniel & Johnson PC, Richmond, VA
Speakers: Theresa A. Guertin, Saxe Doernberger & Vita PC, Trumbull, CT; Heather Habes, Covington & Burling LLP, Los Angeles, CA; Sara Schroeder, Allied Professionals' Insurance Services, Orange, CA
Written Materials:
Defending and Managing Cybersecurity Threats: Lessons Learned from the Year's Biggest Breaches
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
General CLE
Our panel will discuss strategies and tips for managing cybersecurity threats, identifying and guarding vulnerabilities, and responding to breaches, using lessons learned from the biggest cybersecurity breaches of the past year.
Moderator: Julie H. Firestone, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP, Minnneapolis, MN
Speakers: Kathleen Koelling, Thrivent Financial, Appleton, WI; Kari Kouatli, Allianz Life Insurance of North America, Minneapolis, MN; Marcia Morgan, Royal Bank of Canada Global Asset Management, Minnneapolis, MN
Written Materials:
What Keeps Your CCO Up at Night? Managing Compliance Risk in an Age of Regulatory Change
2:45 PM – 3:45 PM
General CLE
Previously, there was intense focus on General Counsels and their view of risk facing a company, but increasingly it is the Chief Compliance Officers who are the front lines on preventing, detecting, and responding to risks as they arise and anticipating new risks on the horizon. This panel of Chief Compliance Officers will discuss the challenges to managing and addressing risk in an era when the risks faced by companies are ever-evolving, including recently emerged risks such as #MeToo claims, privacy/GDPR compliance, etc.
Moderator: Patricia O'Prey, O'Prey Wen LLP, New York, NY
Speakers: Jeffrey Eglash, Nokia Corporation, Weston, CT; Katherine Kelton, StayWell, Philadelphia, PA; Lisa Stewart Hughes, Endeavor, New York, NY
Written Materials:
- Five Steps to Prepare for California’s Consumer Privacy Act
- Expanding Theories of Liability in the #MeToo Era
- Comparing Privacy Laws: GDPR v. CCPA
- Internal Investigations Need Rethinking in the #MeToo Era
- Meeting GDPR Standards Doesn’t Guarantee California Privacy Law Compliance, Experts Warn
- Global Cybersecurity Compliance Integrity: A Daunting but Manageable Challenge
Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives: How Are They Changing the Mindset and Actions of Women in Products Liability?
2:45 PM – 3:45 PM
Elimination of Bias CLE
This program will feature members of various corporate and law firm diversity and inclusion initiatives that have been around for varied periods of time. Topics will include how the initiatives have evolved and what concrete changes are evident in both the legal work environment and client engagement activities due to the increased awareness of these initiatives.
Moderator: Kathleen M. Guilfoyle, Campbell Conroy & O'Neil PC, Boston, MA
Speakers: Sheila S. Boston, Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP, New York, NY; Tyree P. Jones, Reed Smith LLP, Washington, D.C.; Allison Ng, Greenberg Traurig LLP, Atlanta, GA; Marta L. Villarraga, Exponent, Philadelphia, PA
Written Materials:
- There’s a Diversity Problem at Law Firms – What Can Be Done?
- Diversity Initiatives Shouldn't End with Recruiting - Consider Firm Spokespeople
- Diversity and Inclusion in the Law: Challenges and Initiatives
- Overcome Your Fraudulent Feelings and Kick Out the Imposter Syndrome
- Tips for Creating Diverse and Inclusive Law Firms
Getting into the Mind of Jurors: What They Think May Surprise You
4:00 PM – 5:15 PM
General CLE
Participants will watch mock jurors deliberate in response to sample opening statements. The program will use an empaneled mock jury to receive real-life feedback regarding strategies of persuasion and storytelling.
Moderator: Heather White, TIAA, Charlotte, NC
Speakers: Ann T. Greeley, Ph.D., DecisionQuest, State College, PA; Beatrice O'Donnell, Duane Morris LLP, Philadelphia, PA; Amy M. Stewart, Stewart Law Group PLLC, Dallas, TX
Written Materials:
- Newest Ways to Jury-Proof Your Case
- If Not Now, When? Achieving Equality for Women Attorneys in the Courtroom and in ADR
- How Do I Trust Thee? Let Me Count the Ways: Attorney Credibility in the Courtroom
- Opening Minds: Keys to Effective Defense Openings in Civil Cases
Friday, November 15
At the Top of Their Game: Women at the Podium
8:00 AM – 9:15 AM
General CLE
The number of women arguing to the U.S. Supreme Court has reached a decade low. During the 2017-2018 term, only 16 of 113 advocates were women. Come hear from women who made it to the top and learn how more women can follow in their footsteps. Panelists will discuss what you can do to maximize your chances of landing a big argument, give you tips on how to prepare for oral argument once you have secured the case, and share stories from their own experiences before the high court.
Moderator: Mary-Christine "M.C." Sungaila, Haynes and Boone LLP, Costa Mesa, CA
Speakers: Ginger D. Anders, Munger Tolles & Olson LLP, Washington, D.C.; Deanne E. Maynard, Morrison Foerster LLP, Washington, D.C.; Hon. Patricia Millett, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C.; Danielle Spinelli, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, Washington, D.C.
Written Materials:
Men in the Mix: How a Few Good Men Can Help Advance Women Lawyers
9:30 AM – 10:45 AM
General CLE
Men in key roles—as judges in the courtroom, as sponsors and allies in a law firm, and as clients—are important to the advancement of women lawyers in the profession. Our panel discusses what men in key roles in your professional life can do to help you advance and how to enlist their support.
Moderator: Beth L. Kaufman, Schoeman Updike Kaufman & Gerber LLP, New York, NY
Speakers: Ryan Harding, Exelon Coporation, Chicago, IL; Ari Kahan, Intel Corporation, Santa Clara, CA; Brad Lerman, Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN; Hon. Rebecca R. Pallmeyer, Chief Judge, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Chicago, IL
Written Materials:
- Appointing Special Masters and Other Judicial Adjuncts: A Benchmark for Judges and Lawyers
- First Chairs at Trial: More Women Need Seats at the Table
- General Counsels Diversity Statement
You're Not in Kansas Anymore: What Litigators Need to Do Differently When Acting as Advocates in Arbitration
11:00 AM – 12:15 PM
General CLE
Arbitration and litigation are both vehicles for dispute resolution. Unlike litigation, arbitration’s stated objective is to resolve disputes not only in a manner that is just and fair but also efficient and economic. This changes things. These four active and former litigators will discuss how litigators should adapt for arbitration.
Moderator: Kathryn D. Perreault, Bressler Amery Ross PC, Birmingham, AL
Speakers: Hon. Geraldine Soat Brown (Ret.), JAMS, Chicago, IL; Sandra D. Grannum, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, Florham Park, NJ; Paula E. Litt, Honigman LLP, Chicago, IL; Beverly Jo Slaughter, Wells Fargo & Company, St.Louis, MO
Written Materials:
- A Litigator’s Reflections from The Arbitrator’s Chair
- Arbitrator Subpoenas and Evidence from Non-Parties
For Whom the Statutes Toll: Developments in Liabilities and Potential Insurance for
Sexual Abuse Claims
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
General CLE
Many states, including New York, have recently extended the time for abusers to file suit against perpetrators. This panel will address recent developments regarding the statute of limitations and the insurance coverage potentially applicable to these sexual abuse claims, including policies with molestation and sexual assault coverage and policies specifically affording a defense for alleged sexual abusers and indemnity for those liable for the conduct of alleged, active abusers.
Moderator: Sherilyn Pastor, McCarter & English LLP, Newark, NJ
Speakers: John C. Bonnie, Weinberg Wheeler Hudgins Gunn & Dial LLC, Atlanta, GA; Robin Bramwell-Stewart, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, New York, NY; Laura J. Hanson, Meagher & Geer PLLP, Minneapolis, MN; Jodi Spencer Johnson, Brouse McDowell LPA, Cleveland, OH
Written Materials:
Sending the Elevator Back Down
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Elimination of Bias CLE
This program will include a panel discussion with women, at various stages of their careers, focused on the importance of women supporting women. Topics to be covered include (1) stories of successful collaborative efforts among women in working up tough products liability cases and making pitches for new work; (2) staffing products liability cases to ensure women are getting opportunities they deserve; (3) how to ensure we are developing first-chair women trial lawyers; and (4) the importance and benefits of supporting women throughout our careers, especially in products liability work, which has—like our entire profession—historically been a male-dominated industry.
Moderator: Jennifer L. Bullard, Bowman and Brooke LLP, Minnneapolis, MN
Speakers: Lisa McCraw, Deere & Company, Moline, IL; Lenor Marquis Segal, ABB, Raleigh, NC; Collette Woghiren, Neal Gerber & Eisenberg LLP, Chicago, IL
Written Materials:
Taking the High Road: How Women Advocates Can Ethically Deal with Bullies Who Don't Play by the Rules
3:15 PM – 4:30 PM
Ethics CLE
As women and minorities increase their numbers within the profession, they experience more aggressive bullying tactics. This ethics course will address concrete strategies for dealing with bias and discrimination in the practice of law, best practices for supporting a diverse and inclusive work environment, and pointers for countering bullying.
Moderator: Francine Friedman Griesing, Griesing Law LLC, Philadelphia, PA
Speakers: Chandra C. Davis, The Employment Law Solution, Atlanta, GA; Shauna L. Fulbright-Paxton, Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, IL; Lee A. Storey, TSL Law Group PLC, Scottsdale, AZ
Written Materials: