CLE Program

Please join us for the Fourth Annual CLA Litigation Section Judicial Advisors Roundtable. This program will offer attendees a chance to hear directly from judicial officers to learn substantive practice pointers and more. This program will feature the following high-profile judicial officers who serve as judicial advisors to the CLA Litigation Section.

Valuing a business in divorce is rarely straightforward—and the stakes are high. This program brings together the perspectives of a seasoned valuation expert and two retired judges—now respected mediators and private judges—to unpack the legal, practical, and strategic complexities of business valuation in family law.

Valuation expert Jennifer Magnes will provide an overview of the 3 valuation approaches, the cost / asset-based approach, market approach, and the income approach, and explain how to select the best method within the approaches based on the nature of the business. Judges Pulido and Landau will offer practical insights drawn from the bench and the settlement table, exploring how courts assess goodwill, determine valuation dates, and guard against double-counting in property division and support.

Maximize your chances of resolution by understanding how to effectively engage with the court’s settlement program and mediation.
In this dynamic CLE program, Hon. Vedica Puri (Ret.), a former settlement judge, joins renowned plaintiff’s attorney Doris Cheng and seasoned defense counsel Chris Scheley to provide a 360-degree view of court-connected MSCs and private mediation. Attendees will gain practical strategies from both sides of the bar, as well as a rare look at how settlement judges evaluate cases behind the scenes. Whether you’re seeking settlement in a complex matter or simply looking to improve your mediation skills, this program offers actionable insight from the bench and bar alike.

Experts can make or break a mediation—but only if used strategically. John D. Hanover and Robert S. Mann explore how to engage, prepare, and deploy experts to clarify technical issues, build risk models, and support realistic negotiations without overpowering the process. This program covers selective disclosure, joint expert sessions, and the potential role of neutral experts, offering practical strategies to ensure experts enhance—rather than hinder—the path to resolution.

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To support attorneys in meeting the California State Bar’s MCLE Competence requirement, this one-hour program explores the intersection of mental well-being, professional resilience, and personal authenticity. Through practical strategies and candid conversation, participants will gain tools to navigate stress, prevent burnout, and foster a more sustainable and fulfilling legal practice. Whether you’re new to the profession or a seasoned practitioner, this session offers space to reflect, recharge, and reconnect—with yourself and your purpose.

Join #1 New York Times bestseller Ezra Klein and a panel of sensational experts for a special discussion about the abundance agenda for California’s economy, policy reform and dispute resolution. Are you interested in building what California needs, political governance and current affairs? This lunchtime webcast is for you.
This complimentary CLE program is presented by ADR Services, Inc., and co-sponsored by CA FWD, Kearns & West, and Hanson Bridgett.

Mediating construction disputes often turns on two critical drivers: the role of experts and the impact of insurance. This program will explore how timing, preparation, and credibility of experts can make or break settlement discussions, including recent case law developments requiring experts to have personal knowledge of the facts underlying their opinions. Panelists will share practical strategies for leveraging expert reports, coordinating expert-to-expert meetings, and even using real-world repair cost commitments to build credibility.

On the insurance side, the discussion will highlight coverage considerations, risk transfer mechanisms, and how insurance dynamics influence both negotiation posture and ultimate resolution. Topics include key contract terms, anti-indemnity statutes, and current “hot issues” driving outcomes in construction claims.

Weaving these themes into an “anatomy of a construction mediation,” the panel will examine critical tipping points—from the exchange of expert opinions to insurer participation—that can dramatically shape the trajectory of a case. Through real life examples, attendees will gain insight into how to use experts and insurance most effectively to achieve resolution in complex construction disputes.

The Pinto decision upended long-standing assumptions in California insurance litigation, directly challenging the validity of CACI 2334 and setting off a wave of change across bad faith failure-to-settle claims. In response, courts and legislators acted—producing two significant published opinions and ushering in Code of Civil Procedure § 999, which now governs pre-litigation settlement demands.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how legal professionals draft, research, and strategize. But how can attorneys use these tools effectively—and ethically?

In this engaging and practical CLE program, Dan Garrison, CEO of OpenWallet and adjunct professor at the University of Utah College of Law, and Judge Victoria Wood (Ret.), a seasoned neutral and retired judge, explore how generative AI tools like ChatGPT can be used to enhance legal work product without compromising professional obligations.

The program will demonstrate a hands-on exercise for using AI to optimize (not replace!) human work product —showing how attorneys can train AI to improve outputs through structured prompting, context building, and iterative feedback. Through real examples and interactive discussion, the speakers will highlight best practices for leveraging AI tools in tasks like legal drafting, oral argument preparation, and brief analysis.

Interwoven throughout the presentation will be key ethical considerations under the California Rules of Professional Conduct, including duties of competence, confidentiality, candor to the tribunal, and oversight of non-lawyer (and now, non-human) assistance.

Attendees will leave with practical takeaways, sample prompts, and an adaptable framework for integrating AI tools into their legal practice—safely, ethically, and effectively.

This program will examine the legal frameworks and practical challenges of subrogation litigation in auto, workers’ compensation, and property disputes, emphasizing strategies to maximize the effectiveness of mediation in reaching durable, cost effective outcomes.

Thinking of expanding your practice into Los Angeles? Before you step into a new courtroom, join Hon. David Sotelo (Ret.)—a seasoned former Los Angeles Superior Court judge—for a practical insider’s guide to navigating the unique structure, culture, and expectations of the LA court system.

This program is designed for attorneys interested in litigating in Los Angeles. Judge Sotelo will walk you through how the LA courts are organized, including the independent calendar system. He’ll also share practical tips on working with court staff, understanding special motion procedures, and managing cases efficiently from afar.

Plus, get key insights into the LA legal community—from the quirks of local opposing counsel to trends in jury verdicts in personal injury and employment cases. Judge Sotelo will also offer candid observations on the LA jury pool and what that means for your trial strategy.

Whether you're handling a single matter or building a presence in Southern California, this is your chance to get oriented with first-hand knowledge from the bench.