Below you will find the CLE schedule with materials for the 2026 Midyear Meeting.
Under each CLE program description, CLE materials are listed. Please click each hyperlink to access that specific CLE material. If you have any issues accessing these materials, please contact Jennifer Aron, Professional Development Manager, at [email protected] or Ashley Hatfield, Director of Communications, at [email protected].
| PowerPoint PDFs are for IADC members only and require a login. (We ask the speakers to ensure that photos are approved for use.) If you do not have website credentials but would like access to a presentation, please contact Jennifer Aron at [email protected]. |
Monday, February 9, 2026
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Best Practices for AI Review and Production of Voluminous ESI
SPONSORED BY RELATIVITY AND TROUTMAN PEPPER LOCKE
The program will take attendees from initial planning considerations through execution and solutioning when facing collection and production of voluminous ESI from varied data sources. The panel offers perspectives from in-house counsel, outside counsel, and database management vendors about their roles in this process. The program will cover substantive considerations for workflows streams such as custodian interviews and collections, microsoft capabilities and limitations, manual and technology assisted review, use of artificial intelligence, and anticipated areas of dispute between the respective sides of the bar. The program's objective is to bring awareness to in-house and outside counsel facing a significant internal investigation, regulator inquiry, or litigation-based eDiscovery project about the stakeholders, workflow, and technology required to conduct a defensible, efficient, and meaningful ESI based production.
Speakers: Alison A. Grounds, Troutman eMerge, Atlanta, Georgia USA; William J. Kelly, III, Kelly Law Partners, LLC, Denver, Colorado USA; Cristin Traylor, Relativity, Richmond, Virginia USA; Ronald J. White, Illinois Farm Bureau, Bloomington, Illinois USA
Materials:
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Changing of the Guard: How Amended Rule 702 Has Impacted Real-World Litigation
Committee Sponsor: Product Liability
In December of 2023, Federal Rule of Evidence 702 saw significant amendments. The revisions included clarifications that an expert’s proponent bears the burden of establishing admissibility, and that an expert’s opinion must stay within what can be concluded from a reliable application of the expert’s methodology. With the benefit of over two years’ experience, how have courts reacted to these changes in real-world litigation, and how has the revised rule intersected with other trends in Rule 702 jurisprudence?
The panel will explore these questions, focusing on the federal courts’ applications of the amended Rule and variations among the federal circuits’ legal analyses and outcomes. The panel will also cover state-law trends in applying comparable rules and offer a “scorecard” assessing state adoption of key federal changes. Finally, panelists will explore how best to maximize the persuasive value of the amended rule in litigation strategy, briefing, and elsewhere.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand how courts are adapting to and applying Rule 702 following the 2023
amendments.
- Learn approaches for properly framing the amended rule in briefs and oral advocacy, and
best practices in rebutting attacks from the plaintiffs’ bar.
- Learn state-court trends related to Rule 702 analogues at the state level.
Speakers: David S. Gray, Venable LLP, Baltimore, Maryland USA; Michael R. Klatt, Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP, Austin, Texas USA; Lee Mickus, Evans Fears Schuttert McNulty & Mickus, Denver, Colorado USA; Daniel K. Steen, Lawyers for Civil Justice, Arlington, Virginia USA
Materials:
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
The Pros of Pro Bono: How to Make Pro Bono Legal Services Work For Your Firm or Practice
Committee Co-Sponsors: In-House and Law Firm Management, Social Justice Pro Bono
Many of us entered the legal profession driven by a desire to help others. Pro bono legal work provides an accessible pathway for individual lawyers and firms to make an impact. Beyond the altruistic benefits, there is also a compelling business case for engaging in pro bono activities. Whether you are a lawyer interested in contributing to pro bono efforts or a law firm manager looking to foster a culture of pro bono within your firm, this program is for you.
Prepare to be inspired by our panel of lawyers who practice across various jurisdictions and types of organizations, and who share a deep commitment to pro bono work. They will offer practical advice on integrating pro bono work into your practice, explaining their motivations, and highlighting the benefits they and their firms have reaped. The panel will also discuss how law firm management can cultivate and sustain a successful pro bono program.
Learn about:
- The case for pro bono work
- Strategies for enabling and supporting pro bono participation within firms and organizations
- Techniques for identifying and securing pro bono opportunities
- Using pro bono opportunities to engage and retain junior lawyers
Speakers: Sarah J. Armstrong, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Toronto, Ontario Canada; Brian Cuevas, U-Haul International, Phoenix, Arizona USA; Tiffany Graves, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, Jackson, Mississippi USA; Katherine Lawler, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, Baltimore, Maryland USA
Materials:
9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Foundation Forum: Law, Ethics, and the Courtroom Battle Against Misinformation: A Cinematic CLE Experience Featuring Neil deGrasse Tyson & Scott Hamilton Kennedy
In an era where misinformation spreads faster than truth, the courtroom has become one of the last lines of defense for facts, ethics, and justice. But how can the Defense Bar rise to meet this challenge—ethically, effectively, and persuasively?
Join Academy Award–nominated filmmaker Scott Hamilton Kennedy and renowned astrophysicist and science educator Neil deGrasse Tyson for a cinematic exploration of how misinformation takes hold, why people believe it, and what it takes to counter it with integrity and clarity.
The IADC Foundation Board President and trial attorney, Michael A. Airdo, will highlight how misinformation erodes the rule of law, undermines public trust, and threatens the integrity of legal proceedings. Through compelling film excerpts and real-world examples, this presentation invites
legal advocates to discover for themselves how masterful storytelling in the courtroom can pierce through distortion, re-center the truth, and reshape the narrative while there is still time to do so. Whether you're a trial lawyer, in-house counsel, insurance representative, or policy advocate, this
unique CLE experience will leave you informed, inspired, and equipped to meet one of the defining
challenges of our time—with clarity, integrity, and purpose.
The Foundation Forum is courtesy of The Foundation of the IADC (www.iadcfoundation.org) and presented by Black Valley Films (www.blackvalleyfilms.com).
Speakers: Michael A. Airdo, Airdo Werwas, LLC, Chicago, Illinois USA; Scott Hamilton Kennedy; Neil deGrasse Tyson
Materials:
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
AI at the Edge: The Rise of Autonomous Agents, Copyright Challenges, and Global Regulation
Committee Co-Sponsors: Business Litigation, Intellectual Property
As generative AI systems become increasingly powerful, questions around the legal and ethical use of data for training these systems have reached a boiling point. This session will explore the intersections of copyright, fair use, data scraping, and AI development. Key stakeholders will debate: Who owns the data AI is trained on? Can public data be scraped and reused for commercial AI purposes? Where do copyright and licensing frameworks fit in a machine learning world?
Speakers: Eric Brotten, AccentCare, South Edina, Minnesota USA; Joséane Chrétien, McMillan LLP, Montreal, Quebec Canada; Megan Ma, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California USA; George R. Wray, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Toronto, Ontario Canada
Materials:
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Living and Thriving in Law
Committee Sponsor: Alternative Dispute Resolution
The crushing demands of the legal profession often result in significant mental health and substance abuse problems for many lawyers. In an effort to combat this disturbing trend and destigmatize mental health and substance abuse issues, the American Bar Association launched the Well-Being Pledge Campaign in 2017. The Pledge is revolutionary in its disregard of the old stereotypical concept of measuring success solely by the number of billable hours, clients and legal victories. The focus instead is on developing and implementing necessary programs to prioritize the mental health and well-being of employees in law firms and legal organizations. While over 200 law firms and legal organizations are signatories to the Pledge, and report improvements in lawyer satisfaction and productivity, there is still much more work to be done. A 2023 ALM and Law.com Compass Mental Health Survey of the legal profession found increasing numbers of lawyers dealing with stress, anxiety and depression. This program will address evidence-based strategies individuals and employers can utilize to avoid burn-out, reduce stress, improve productivity, and ultimately result in improved mental and physical health.
Speakers: Sherylle Francis, Universal Property and Casualty Ins. Co., Fort Lauderdale, Florida USA; Mark Goldstein, Reed Smith LLP, New York, New York USA; Marcia Narine Weldon, University of Miami and Illuminating Wisdom, Miami, Florida USA
Materials:
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Class Action Rebuttal Across Borders: A Multidisciplinary Defense Perspective
Committee Co-Sponsors: Class Actions and Multi-Party Litigation, Product Liability
This interdisciplinary panel brings together a seasoned class action attorney, an economic consultant, and a leading academic to explore rebuttal analysis in class certification and damages phases. Drawing on experience from U.S. and international class action cases, the discussion will examine how defense teams can effectively challenge class certification and damages methodologies through rigorous legal argument, economic analysis, and empirical critique. Panelists will share insights from recent case law, cross-border real-world litigation experience, and scholarly research to illuminate how rebuttal strategies shape outcomes in complex class actions.
Speakers: Ceren Canal Aruoba, BRG, Washington, District of Columbia USA; James A. King, Porter Wright Morris &r LLP, Columbus, Ohio USA; Peter J. Pliszka, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Toronto, Ontario Canada; Kristina Shampanier, BRG, Los Angeles, California USA
Materials:
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Emerging Risks and the Pollution Exclusion: An Insider's Practical Guide
Committee Co-Sponsors: Environmental and Energy Law, Insurance and Reinsurance, Insurance Executives, Toxic and Hazardous Substances Litigation
Insurers are facing an explosion of new and emerging environmental risks, including climate change, PFAS, AFFF, greenhouse gases, toxic emissions, and many others. How CGL and other policies may be required to respond to these risks is of critical concern to insurance professionals. While a myriad of forms of "pollution exclusions" have been a standard feature of CGL policies for decades, both policyholders and insurers are grappling with how these exclusions apply to emerging risks that were never envisioned when many of these policies were issued. This evolving landscape has resulted in a recent wave of coverage litigation, including high-profile cases that are currently before the courts in many states. This panel will explore recent developments and offer a practical guide, strategies, and best practices for defense counsel and insurers to navigate the coverage wars that are raging.
Speakers: John T. Harding, Clyde & Co US LLP, Boston, Massachusetts USA; Mackie LeFevre-Snee, RiverStone International Insurance, Inc., Chicago, Illinois USA; Frederick C. Schaefer, Nationwide Indemnity, Wausau, Wisconsin USA
Materials:
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
The Evolving Landscape of Standing Before the U.S. Supreme Court
Committee Co-Sponsors: Appellate Practice, Business Litigation
Understanding who gets to bring a case before the nation’s highest court—and who doesn’t—has never been more critical for litigators, corporate counsel, and trade associations. This dynamic program unpacks the Supreme Court’s modern approach to standing, from Spokeo and TransUnion to Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine and Murthy v. Missouri. Leading practitioners will explore how these rulings reshape individuals’, trade associations’, and states’ ability to press claims in federal court. Attendees will gain practical insights for crafting stronger pleadings, defending against speculative claims, and anticipating how the Court’s tightening view of “injury” will impact future litigation, regulatory actions, and policy disputes across industries.
Speakers: Sylvie Gallage-Alwis, Signature Litigation AARPI, Paris, France; Jeffrey A. Holmstrand, Grove, Holmstrand & Delk, PLLC, Wheeling, West Virginia USA; Laura J. O'Rourke, Toyota Motor North America, Inc. Plano, Texas USA; Richik Sarkar, Dinsmore & Shohl, Cleveland, Ohio USA
Materials:
8:15 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Wait, Wait . . . Don’t Tell Me About IP!
Committee Co-Sponsors: Business Litigation, Intellectual Property
Borrowing its energy and style of questions from the hit radio show Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me!, this interactive CLE program puts a Mardi Gras spin on intellectual property law. Using multiple question styles, similar to those heard on the radio show, our panel of three adventurous attorneys — guided by a lively host — will tackle challenges that touch on music, art, branding, and daily life. Audience members won’t just watch — they’ll join in, answer questions, and even win Mardi Gras– themed prizes (no parade throws required). Behind the fun, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how copyright, licensing, trademarks, and other IP issues shape both the legal world and the culture around us. Whether you’re an IP novice or a seasoned litigator, this program promises laughter, learning, and maybe even a little lagniappe.
Speakers: Maureen Mahoney, Hackensack Meridian Health, Edison, New Jersey USA; Jay Mattappally, Irwin Fritchie Urquhart Moore & Daniels, LLC, New Orleans, Louisiana USA; Mark Melasky, Intellectual Property Consulting, LLC, New Orleans, Louisiana USA; Stephen J. Zralek, Spencer Fane LLP, Nashville, Tennessee USA
Materials:
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
International Sanctions, Export Controls, Tariffs: The Risks of Running Business on a Global Scale
Committee Sponsor: International
Sanctions take various forms: list-based sanctions (physical and legal persons expressly targeted), trade sanctions (embargos), and financial sanctions (asset freezes, exclusion from the SWIFT banking system). The United States and the European Union also differ in their use of sanctions. In addition to exploring these nuances, this panel will explore how companies, banks and financial institutions deal with sanctions, and will show how international sanctions can become the subject of the arbitrations and explain how advocates can get paid by their clients, obtain evidence, bring in witnesses from countries subject to sanctions, and enforce arbitral awards.
Speakers: Damien Devot, Meyer Fabre Avocats, Paris, France; Jennifer Gellie, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, Washington, District of Columbia USA; Gabriel Sidere, Florida Wellness Company, Bucharest, Romania; Samantha Welch, BRG, New York, New York USA
Materials:
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Understanding the End Game – A Guide to Understanding the Bad Faith Set Up and Its Impact
on Social Inflation
Committee Co-Sponsors: Insurance and Reinsurance, Trial Techniques and Tactics
The recent $50 million verdict against Starbucks has brought back the thoughts and discussions of the McDonalds coffee case. Nuclear or aberrational verdicts make headlines, but we as defense counsel know that they are not the norm. But these are the results that plaintiff's counsel is looking for and they are training their colleagues how to get these results across the country. They have books, podcasts, and seminars dedicated to specific techniques for voir dire, the presentation or evidence and argument that is meant to inflame juries, but many times not by the old Reptile tactics, but instead focusing on the human emotions and damages their client is claiming. The defense bar needs to catch up. This panel will explore the tactics of some of the best of the plaintiff's bar and provide concrete strategies on how we can present a better case for our clients at trial.
Speakers: David A. Billions, Federal Express Corporation, Memphis, Tennessee USA; William A. Bulfer, Teague Campbell Dennis & Gorham, LLP, Asheville, North Carolina USA; W.M. Bains Fleming, III, MMPO Defense, Birmingham, Alabama USA; Angela R. Guitar, AXA XL, New York, New York USA
Materials:
10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Rethinking Arbitration: Are You Better Off in Court?
Committee Co-Sponsors: Alternative Dispute Resolution, International, International Arbitration, Trial Techniques and Tactics
Arbitration provides the ability to preserve confidentiality of the proceedings, reduced discovery requirements, no or limited depositions, written testimony, and sophisticated finders of fact. Courts work under well-established rules of procedure, have known judges, the possibility of dispositive motions, and provide appellate remedies. Arbitrations, however, often are not faster or less expensive than litigation; arbitrators may be less inclined to grant dispositive motions, may have financial incentives to placate both sides, and there is generally no appeal. In the context of international disputes, the considerations become more complicated. In cross-border matters, differing Civil Law and Common Law traditions shape how evidence is presented, the balance between written and oral advocacy, and what ultimately persuades the tribunal. Bridging these styles can be as critical as the choice between arbitration and litigation. This panel includes an inhouse counsel steeped in healthcare industry arbitrations, a Singaporean arbitrator, and a top litigator in Brazil, with a moderator who serves as general counsel for a partnership between an American automotive manufacturer and a South Korean EV technology firm. These speakers will provide a global perspective about the pros and cons of arbitration versus litigation.
Speakers: Antonio Barbuto Neto, Advocacia Adriano Dib, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Kristen Harris, BlueOval SK, LLC, Stanton, Tennessee USA; Leanne Matchen, UnitedHealthcare, Minnetonka, Minnesota USA; J. Mitchell Smith, Germer PLLC, Houston, Texas USA
Materials:
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Defending Non-Profit and Religious Institutions Against Childhood Sexual Abuse Claims: When Bad Things Happen at Good Places
Committee Sponsor: Class Actions and Multi-Party Litigation
Program attendees will hear first-hand accounts of the peculiar challenges presented in defending non-profit organizations, schools, and religious institutions in searing claims of childhood sexual abuse and molestation.
This presentation involves discussion about defense strategies, relevant areas for expert witness consultation, discovery tactics in cold cases, and claim evaluation and valuation.
Speakers: Michael O'Brien, Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott LLC, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA; Timothy Pinos, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, Toronto, Ontario Canada; Mark L. Reardon, Eckert Seamans, LLC, Wilmington, Delaware USA; Sara M. Turner, Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC, Birmingham, Alabama USA
Materials:
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Preparing for Environmental Damage Claims After a Disaster
Committee Co-Sponsors: Construction Law and Litigation, Environmental and Energy Law, Insurance and Reinsurance
While events like fires, floods, and landslides are natural phenomena, past land management
practices have resulted in excess fuel loading, loss and fragmentation of aquatic habitats, and the introduction of invasive species, all of which can influence the risk and severity of these phenomena. Because of this, the assessment of environmental damages following events like these is complex and site-specific, yet frequently conflated with damages to human infrastructure (including buildings, roads, bridges, and dams). In some cases, government agencies tasked with assessing environmental damages on state and federal lands have implemented simplified assessment methods to fast-track and streamline analyses. Understanding and responding to these damage claims requires knowledge of these methods together with the site- and resource-specific characteristics that may alter applicability of the streamlined approach. Moreover, understanding the environmental characteristics that can influence the severity of damages can allow for proactive consideration of environmental risk, an important consideration for insurers and risk managers.
Speakers: Catherine Leatherwood, Rogers Townsend, LLC, Columbia, South Carolina USA; Katherine Palmquist, Exponent, Bellevue, Washington USA; Roy Prather, Beveridge & Diamond PC, Baltimore, Maryland USA
Materials:
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Voir Dire to Verdict: The DEI Edge in Trial Practice
Committee Co-Sponsors: Business Litigation, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, Trial Techniques and Tactics
This program will explore how DEI awareness enhances trial advocacy, from jury selection to client engagement, and from team dynamics to courtroom communication. Through real-world examples, ethical analysis, and curated film/TV clips, attendees will learn how to integrate DEI principles into their litigation practice to improve outcomes and uphold the highest standards of professionalism.
Speakers: Yasir Billoo, International Law Partners LLP, Hollywood, Florida USA; Stacy L. Douglas, Everett Dorey LLP, Los Angeles, California USA; Zandra E. Foley, Thompson, Coe, Cousins & Irons, LLP, Houston, Texas USA; Johner T. Wilson, III, Epstein Becker & Green, P.C., Chicago, Illinois USA
Materials:
8:15 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Courting Climate Change: The Race to Sue Everyone, Everywhere All at Once
Committee Co-Sponsors: Appellate Practice, International
Litigation attempting to assign rights and responsibilities for climate change has increasingly generated high-profile, high-stakes litigation around the world. Climate change is a by-product of modern life and has been caused by enumerable sources globally for nearly 200 years, meaning that the potential for litigation is endless. Already, activists are suing governments; governments and activists are suing companies in various industries; and some governments are suing other governments—both within the U.S. and internationally. Further, some of these lawsuits seek to directly regulate climate-related activities, whereas others seek money for climate adaption to increase the cost of using carbon and to penalize discourse over climate change. The judicial reception has been mixed, with some courts allowing climate suits to proceed and others saying that these cases raise public policy, not liability, matters.
This session will take stock of where the various permutations of climate litigation stand, analyze the trends for success and failure, and discuss what it means for you and your clients in the energy, transportation, agriculture, and other targeted industries.
Speakers: Patrice Balhoff Childress, ExxonMobil, Houston, Texas USA; Phil Goldberg, Shook, Hardy & Bacon, LLP, Washington, District of Columbia USA; Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam R.F. Gustafson, Environment and Natural Resources Division, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, District of Columbia USA; Linda Kelly, National Association of Manufacturers, Washington, District of Columbia USA; Michael R. Williams, West Virginia Solicitor General, Charleston, West Virginia USA
Materials:
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Pursuit of Inclusivity and Belonging in an Evolving DEI Landscape
Committee Sponsor: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
In today’s courtroom, understanding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is not just a moral imperative—it’s a strategic advantage. This session will explore how DEI awareness enhances trial advocacy, from jury selection to client engagement and from team dynamics to courtroom communication. Through real-world examples, ethical analysis, and curated film/TV clips, attendees will learn how to integrate DEI principles into their litigation practice to improve outcomes and uphold the highest standards of professionalism.
Speakers: Atoyia Harris, Proskauer Rose, New Orleans, Louisiana USA; Kenneth Sharperson, Armstrong Teasdale, Morris Township, New Jersey USA; Yuri Sugano, Nishimura & Asahi, Tokyo, Japan
Materials:
10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Making Things Happen: How Executive Orders Impact the Practice of Law and the Representation of Clients at Home and Abroad
Committee Co-Sponsors: Amicus Curiae, Appellate Practice
US administrations have relied upon Executive Orders (EOs) to articulate its enforcement priorities and implement specific policies. This program will cover the use of EOs throughout US history; the strategies available to companies, law firms, and institutions in responding to EOs that affect their business and very viability; ethical and other issues arising from settlements to avoid or respond to EOs; the impact of EOs on business and perceptions abroad; and the challenges associated with counselling clients in the current environment.
Learning Objectives:
- Gain familiarity with EOs in US history and as used by recent and current administrations
- Understand why EOs are chosen in lieu of enacting legislation or administrative rulemaking
- Appreciate vulnerabilities created by EOs as reflected in current litigation challenging EOs
- Become informed about ethical (legal and personal) issues inherent in the above
Speakers: Farnaz F. Thompson, McGuireWoods LLP, Washington, District of Columbia USA; Tara Ward, McDermott Will & Schulte, Washington, District of Columbia USA; Jack L. White, McGuireWoods LLP, Tysons Corner, Virginia USA
Materials: