Using real-world mediation insights, MyKhanh Shelton and Stacie Hausner of ADR Services, Inc. explore how opening moves, anchoring psychology, and end-of-day strategy shape settlement outcomes in employment cases. Designed for employment litigators, the program will cover how to:

• Make strategic opening offers that invite productive negotiation
• Recognize and respond to anchoring attempts in employment mediations
• Manage client expectations and psychological dynamics in the room

Through examples drawn from employment discrimination, termination, and workplace dispute mediations, attendees will walk away with tools they can apply in their next negotiation.

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.

In this program, mediator and retired Judge Vedica Puri will unpack:

• What Pinto really changed about bad faith litigation;
• How recent decisions like Hedayati and Planet Bingo extend or limit that reasoning;
• Why CACI 2334 had to be revised—and what the new instruction means for trials;
• How CCP § 999 is reshaping settlement strategies and potential liability.
• Whether you represent plaintiffs, defend insurers, or mediate coverage disputes, this program will help you understand and adapt to the new legal landscape

The 5th Annual Women in Trial Travel Summit® (WITTS) will take place at the stunning Conrad resort in Punta Mita, Mexico. Hosted by Lauren Wood—trial attorney with L Wood Law and the owner of Travel is the Cure—this unique attorney conference blends legal education with luxury travel. WITTS offers women lawyers the chance to connect with peers, earn MCLE* credits, network with vendors, and enjoy some well-deserved fun in the sun.

The 2026 event will feature MCLE classes in the mornings and hosted networking events in the afternoons and evenings. Past WITTS events, also held at the Conrad Punta de Mita, have included welcome receptions, poolside cocktails with live mariachi, a keynote lunch and a hosted dinner with a lively Cuban-band.

Speakers: Hon. Jacqueline Connor (Ret.) - ADR Services, Inc. Daniel DeSantis Ninos Saroukhanioff Steve Fleischman Alexis Morgenstern Location: JW Marriott Los Angeles

This dynamic one-hour panel offers a comprehensive, practice-oriented look at employment arbitration, guiding attendees through each stage of the process—from selecting an arbitrator to navigating discovery, hearings, and post-award challenges. The discussion will highlight real-world considerations, strategic decisions, and potential pitfalls that arise when resolving employment disputes outside the courtroom.

California's strong mediation confidentiality protections have long shaped how construction disputes are resolved through ADR. With the enactment of SB 440 and new Evidence Code §1129, attorneys and mediators must now navigate a narrow but significant exception allowing certain mediation communications to be introduced in legal malpractice actions.

This program will provide construction lawyers, litigators, insurers, and neutrals with a practical overview of what SB 440 changed, when mediation confidentiality may be pierced, and how these developments impact multi-party construction mediations involving owners, contractors, carriers, and public entities. The panel will also address required attorney disclosures, client acknowledgments, risk management considerations, and best practices for preserving trust and clarity in the mediation process.

Join us in San Francisco as we celebrate two decades of Vietnamese American legal leadership with the theme "Anchored in Heritage, Rising Toward Justice." Connect with attorneys, judges, and legal professionals from across the country for four days of inspiring programming, including MCLE panels at UC Law SF, a special conversation with Dean Chemerinsky, networking with Bay Area General Counsel and political leaders, a celebration of Vietnamese American jurists, an optional Wine Country excursion, our 20th Anniversary Gala, and more. Whether you're seeking professional development, meaningful connections, or a chance to celebrate our community's achievements, this milestone conference promises to be unforgettable. 

Registration includes: Welcome Reception, CLE Programming, Networking Events, Leadership Breakfast, and Anniversary Gala. Optional add-ons available for Wine Country Excursion and Community Service Event.

Description: Hon. Victoria Gerrard Chaney (Ret.) will be sharing her deep expertise at West Coast Casualty’s Construction Defect Seminar, serving as a panelist on two dynamic programs focused on complex case management and innovative dispute resolution strategies. She will appear on the 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM panel, “Can You Handle the Truth? We Can Help!”, where leading neutrals and practitioners discuss expert approaches to managing and resolving high-stakes, complex cases. Later in the day, Judge Chaney will also speak on the 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM panel, “Dual-Use Same Neutral; An Effective Two-Fer”, exploring the strategic use of a...

The employment mediation landscape has changed, and knowing how to navigate it makes all the difference. Christine Kurek of Kurek Dispute Resolution, Cynthia Sandoval of Sandoval Mediation, and Julie Arias Young of Julie Arias Young Mediation examine the trends reshaping how employment cases settle, including the rise of emotional distress verdicts, the growing use of anchoring, how to navigate financial difficulty disclosures during the process, and more. Attendees will leave with practical strategies they can apply in their next employment mediation. This program will be moderated by MyKhanh Shelton.

This presentation will cover current and emerging developments in California employment law, including case law, statutes and regulations, appeals pending before the California Supreme Court, the new federalism impacting federal and state enforcement agencies, and how these trends impact mediations.

There is a growing sophistication of scams targeting professionals including fiduciaries.  Participants will learn how fraudsters exploit fiduciary authority, financial access, and court processes, and how to recognize red flags before losses occur.  Practical strategies for prevention, documentation, and response to mitigate from fraud and professional liability.

Join ADR Services, Inc. for the complimentary Construction Powerhouse Seminar, a full-day complimentary program featuring some of California’s leading construction neutrals. This practical, fast-paced seminar will cover the issues driving today’s construction disputes, including effective mediation of complex multi-party disputes, mandatory mediation under SB 440, insurance and coverage dynamics in construction defect cases, the growing crossover between real property and construction issues, and a live “Ask Me Anything” panel with seasoned construction dispute resolution professionals. Designed for construction litigators, insurers, developers, contractors, and industry professionals, this program will provide actionable insight into the strategies, trends, and challenges shaping modern construction dispute resolution.