CLE Program

Join us for a fun and compelling fireside chat on civility past and present, featuring esteemed Contra Costa County judges who will share their insight and experiences from the bench and beyond. This session will delve into the critical importance of professionalism and respect in legal practice, exploring how civility impacts courtroom dynamics, case outcomes to include mediation and arbitration, and the broader judicial process. Attendees will gain practical advice on fostering constructive communication and maintaining ethical standards in interactions with peers, clients, and the judiciary. Enhance your understanding of civility as a cornerstone of effective advocacy and leave inspired to elevate your practice.

Why do some mediations lead to resolution while others fall flat? The key often lies in preparation and managing expectations. This panel of experienced mediators and litigators will explore best practices for preparing your case, your client, and the opposing side for mediation success. From strategic information exchanges to timing considerations and the role of external factors like insurance and pending motions, this program will provide practical insights to maximize settlement opportunities both in employment disputes, and mediation in general. Whether you're a seasoned advocate or new to mediation, you'll leave with actionable strategies to enhance your effectiveness in the process.

Description:
This program presents proven strategies for prosecuting and defending contempt's from initial pleading through trial.  Drafting and evaluating the initial pleadings, pretrial motion, practice, trial presentations, and sentencing considerations will each be discussed 

Learning Objectives:   

• Gain a greater understanding of the mediation process from beginning to end
• Learn how best to prepare for the mediation hearing
• Know the pitfalls to avoid at the mediation hearing
• Receive helpful tips to increase their mediation advocacy skills
• Know what is necessary for an enforceable settlement agreement

Join Frost Brown Todd, ADR Services, Inc. and Murex Environmental, Inc. for a half-day technical and legal seminar as we present, “Brownfield Redevelopment in the Age of the California Housing Crisis” at the California Club. DTSC’s new director, Katherine Butler, and a panel of experts will discuss the challenges and possible solutions to redeveloping Brownfields in pursuit of addressing the shortage of housing in California.

"The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers"
Justice John Paul Stevens understood why Shakespeare put those oft-misquoted words into the mouth of the villainous Dick the Butcher. As Justice Stevens explained: "Shakespeare insightfully realized that disposing of lawyers is a step in the direction of a totalitarian form of government."

This timely panel will discuss the constitutionality of the Trump administration's series of unprecedented attacks on prominent law firms and sitting judges, the reaction from the courts, and how members of the legal profession can defend the Rule of Law.

To negotiate effectively and efficiently, it is important to identify and understand your own biases and the biases held by others. The purpose of this program is to learn just that and empower you to reach the best settlement outcomes for your clients. We will discuss, define, and explain types of biases that show up in negotiations such as the "fixed pie bias," susceptibility to framing, conflicting motivations, and egocentrism, as well as cultural biases that can affect negotiation outcomes. In this program you will gain tools and skills to recognize biases within yourself as an attorney, within your client, and in others—and learn to use that awareness strategically to overcome obstacles and achieve better settlement outcomes.

Program Overview

I. Federal Developments

• Executive Orders
• Federal Enforcement Agencies
• Federal Legislation and Regulations
• Federal Case Law

II. California Developments

• California Response to Federal Developments
• California Enforcement Agencies
• California Legislation and Regulations
• California Case Law

III. Impact of New Federalism on Resolving Employment Disputes

Designed for the solo and small firm practitioner who maybe experienced with partition actions or not. Learn from today’s panel about the statutes, remedies, and resolution of partition actions.

This session cuts through the noise and delivers what you actually need to know:
⚖️ Major cases that are redefining worker protections
🧭 Where federal and state enforcement are clashing—and what it means for you
💡 How today’s legal trends shape tomorrow’s mediation strategies
Phyllis is known for translating complex laws into real-world impact.
You’ll leave informed and ready to mediate smarter.

Presented by: Trust and Estates Law

Hon. Margaret L. Oldendorf (Ret.) offers a candid and practical look at how judges evaluate personal-injury damages in both trial and mediation. Drawing from her experience on the bench, she explores how attorneys can effectively handle damages—economic and noneconomic—while avoiding common missteps that may undermine credibility or risk reversible error. This program will cover key topics such as tailoring your approach to the judge’s style, using CACI jury instructions to frame damages, handling preexisting conditions, and presenting persuasive yet measured arguments that resonate with jurors and neutrals alike.

When negotiations stall and trial looms, experienced mediators know that breaking impasse requires more than persistence—it requires insight into what’s really holding the case back. In this practical, example-driven CLE, former settlement judges Hon. Suzanne Bolanos (Ret.) and Hon. Kathleen Kelly (Ret.) draw from courtroom and mediation experience to unpack some common barriers to resolution in high-stakes civil disputes—and how to overcome them.

Through a series of thematic segments, the judges will examine:

1. Client Control Issues
2. Entrenched Fees
3. The Uncertainty of Trial

Whether you’re deep in trial prep or navigating a delicate mediation, this program offers concrete strategies and judicial insights that can move even the most entrenched case toward resolution.