Welcome Reception

Welcome Reception - Sponsored by Kennedy & Graven

Registration & Breakfast

Sponsored by Meagher Geer

Welcome & Announcements - Cally Kjellberg-Nelson

Surviving the Practice: Resilience, Loss, and the Reality of Trial Law - Mike LaFountaine

The practice of law demands resilience, yet trial attorneys are often expected to shoulder extraordinary professional pressures while navigating life's most difficult personal challenges. This presentation explores the realities of maintaining a successful legal career in the midst of profound personal loss. Trial lawyers are trained to solve problems for others, but too often hesitate to seek help for themselves. The resulting stress can lead to unhealthy coping strategies that affect professional performance, personal well-being, and relationships. Through an honest examination of difficult experiences and the lessons learned along the way, this session encourages attorneys to recognize the value of vulnerability, resilience, and supporting one another. Attendees will leave with practical insights on recognizing the signs of burnout, fostering healthier coping strategies, and understanding that asking for help—and offering it to others—can make the difference between merely enduring the profession and sustaining a successful, fulfilling career.

I Survived Discovery: Recent Trends, Recurring Problems, and Practical Solutions - Melaina Mrozek

This presentation will address some common discovery tactics from plaintiffs and provide some tips to come out of them on the other side.

Break / Visit Exhibits

Sponsored by Iverson Reuvers

How to Survive and Prosper with an AI Daily Routine: Platform Demonstrations, AI Workflow Integration and Bayesian Analysis for the MDLA - Henry Sneath

In this practicum, see leading AI platforms in action, showing actual daily AI litigation workflows and the construction of a Bayesian approach to use of AI in the practice of law. This interactive session showcases the coordinated use of multiple AI tools in the tech stack including Westlaw Advantage AI Co-Counsel Premier for AI-assisted legal research and litigation analytics; Google Gemini 3.1 Pro for research verification and content/image generation; Claude Opus 4.8 and Fable 5.0 by Anthropic for database projects and writing assistance; NetDocs with Legal AI Assistance for daily document workflow and analysis; and Relativity AI for large-scale document review and production. We will demonstrate real defense use cases. Learn integration strategies across systems to create seamless information flow, cost-benefit analysis frameworks, and how to build your "AI Daily Routine" for defense trial lawyers in Defending the Algorithm™.

Lunch & Awards

How to Survive in Defending the Algorithm™: Insurers’ Use of Algorithmic Decision-Making Claims Handling Systems; Bad Faith Implications; and Current Bellwether AI Discovery Cases - Henry Sneath

We look at several major AI cases brewing right now. We will analyze insurance coverage and potential bad faith issues for AI-related claims in pending groundbreaking cases using our "Defending the Algorithm™" framework. Examine the Estate of Lokken v. UnitedHealth Group case and its implications for coverage interpretation involving algorithmic decision-making systems in healthcare claims. We’ll also talk about Kisting-Leung v. Cigna and Barrows v. Humana to study how AI enterprise software creates potential bad faith exposure when insurers deploy algorithms to make coverage determinations. Who or what is making the claims decision? Learn expert witness strategies for AI related coverage litigation. Understand the algorithmic “black box” transparency challenges in discovery when insurance AI systems are challenged by Plaintiffs. We’ll also look at other litigation discovery and protective order issues in these cases and in the current bellwether employment case of Mobley v. Workday, and its implications relating to alleged employment discrimination by AI Bot.

I Survived Practicing Employment Law: What all lawyers can learn from workplace conflict and litigation - Jana Sullivan

This interactive session will explore what attorneys can learn from employment law including litigation and handling workplace conflict and how they can incorporate these lessons into their practice. This session will explore topics such as professionalism, respect, emotional intelligence, resilience, and wellness.

Group Event - Spirit Mountain & Dinner

Registration includes one ticket to Spirit Mountain & Dinner for the attendee. Guest tickets must be purchased. Sponsored by Resolute Law

Fitness Class - Anna - AP Training

Join in for a fun 30 minute fitness class to get your day off to a great start! Sponsored by ESi

Registration & Breakfast

Sponsored by Blethen Berens

Surviving Expert Cross Examination – When to Push and When to Pull Back - Tony Novak

This presentation will focus on the strategy and process for executing an effective expert cross examination. From overall case theme development to the minutiae of technical issues, attendees will learn techniques for identifying vulnerabilities in expert opinions and key tools for challenging an expert’s credibility. The session will also address when to battle and when to concede a point in service of a larger case objective.

In the Trenches: How to Survive What Opposing Counsel Throws at You During Trial - Michelle Draewell, Chad Staul, and Christine Chambers

Practical tools and tips on preparing for current challenges, tactics and tricks defense lawyers are facing in the courtroom today. With over 25 trials between them in the past 5 years, Chad, Christine, and Michelle will tell you what is happening in the courtrooms now and how you can be ready for your next big trial.

Break / Visit Exhibits

Sponsored by Tomsche Sonnesyn & Tomsche

Surviving Discovery Objections: Knowing When to Fight—and When to Let It Go - Nate Dahl & Ashwin Madia

Not every objection serves your client's interests. Presented from the perspective of two experienced plaintiffs' attorneys, this practical session examines the strategic use of written discovery and deposition objections, focusing on when objections effectively protect privileges, preserve the record, and narrow disputes—and when they merely increase costs, delay discovery, or diminish credibility. Through real-world examples and practical guidance, attendees will gain insight into how to evaluate objections and learn practical strategies for making thoughtful, effective objections that protect their clients while promoting efficient and proportional discovery.

Closing Remarks - Cally Kjellberg-Nelson