The world of AI litigation recently entered a whole new phase when for the first time two major Hollywood studios -- Disney and NBCUniversal -- jumped into the fray and filed their game-changing and conceptually novel lawsuit against Midjourney. This program is hosted by David Shraga, a Hollywood insider with 20+ years of experience as an entertainment litigator and Business & Legal Affairs studio executive, who will offer insights from the Studio's perspective on the complex legal, business and existential dynamics that are woven through this case. It's about much more than copyright issues for Studios that are simultaneously racing to protect their valuable IP libraries and support new creative programming on multiple plarforms as they navigate through the world of rapidly evolving AI technology.

The AI landscape has evolved—and so have the ways these tools can transform your legal practice. In this fast-paced follow-up to last year’s hit program, Stephen M. Smith takes a sharper, deeper look at ChatGPT 5, Claude 4.1, and the latest Gemini model, revealing advanced capabilities, fresh legal applications, and the latest updates you need to know. You’ll see how these platforms can draft more persuasive briefs, uncover insights faster, strengthen client communication, and streamline complex workflows—all while navigating critical privacy and security concerns. Packed with real-world examples and practical takeaways, this session will help you choose and deploy the right AI tools to gain an undeniable edge in your legal practice.

The California Self-Determination Program has been a game-changer for people with developmental disabilities and their families. For regional center clients, it can be an alternative to the traditional way of providing regional center services. The program allows participants to use their specific budgets to purchase services and supports they need to make their person-center plans work better for them. Participants may choose what services they want, which providers to provide those services and the amount they pay those providers with some limitations. Participants are not restricted only to what the regional center typically pays for and service providers specifically vendored with a regional center. Notwithstanding the world of possibilities opened with the program, it still can be challenging to navigate, and many regional center clients are unaware of its potential even though enrollment has been allowed since July of 2021. The newly approved California state budget also will have an uncertain impact on the program.

Our speaker, Melissa Amster, Esq., is an attorney focusing on special education and regional center benefits for people with disabilities and their families. She is also an Independent Facilitator in the Self-Determination Program. This program is an absolute must for attorneys who advise fiduciaries, financial advisors, or other professionals who currently, or may in the future, provide services relating to persons with developmental disabilities.

Renowned trial attorney Sach D. Oliver shares a structured, results-driven approach to turning depositions into powerful trial tools. This program will walk you through planning with purpose, crafting a compelling case narrative, and using strategic word choice and visuals to motivate truthful testimony. Attendees will learn how to set clear goals, execute a focused deposition strategy, and lay the groundwork for stronger settlements and verdicts.

Join us for a timely and lively conversation with Maryann P. Gallagher of the Law Offices of Maryann P. Gallagher, offering the plaintiff’s perspective, and Ellen E. Cohen of Jackson Lewis P.C., offering the employer’s perspective, as they explore the significant legal risks that can arise from workplace relationships. Using the recent Coldplay–CEO/HR controversy as a starting point, the discussion will examine potential claims, employer liability, and the kinds of litigation that could follow.

In today’s complex legal landscape, visualization tools such as 3D animation are no longer just for the courtroom—these visual aids are a strategic asset that can help parties reach a timely resolution and avoid trial altogether. By leveraging tools like Virtual Reality (VR) early and effectively, attorneys can distill multifaceted scientific and technical information into clear, persuasive narratives. This approach not only aids in case value assessment, pre-trial negotiations, and mediations, but also increases the likelihood of satisfactory settlements by fostering understanding among all parties. This program will showcase how strategic use of visualizations can bridge the gap between technical complexity and human comprehension, transforming potential obstacles into opportunities for resolution. Attorneys will walk away understanding:

1. The types of visualizations that can be produced.

2. The information and data they and their experts need to gather to create visualizations.

3. The multitude of ways visualizations can be utilized in every pre-trial phase of litigation.

In this presentation, speakers Travis Thompson and Brian Oliner will provide a brief background on general policies regarding the use of generative AI in government with a discussion on how these policies may be implemented more specifically in state tax administration.

Benjamin Ikuta and Michelle Hemesath examine how an opposing expert’s personal practices can become a critical tool for challenging credibility and reinforcing liability in medical malpractice litigation. This program will focus on strategies to oppose motions in limine that seek to exclude personal practice testimony, drawing on persuasive authority from across jurisdictions. Attendees will learn how to use an expert’s own admissions about their day-to-day medical choices to highlight discrepancies in standard of care opinions.