In this presentation Mark Kramer will cover various aspects of civility, the new California State Bar MCLE requirement, the Code of Judicial Ethics, and changes to the oath for attorneys regarding civility.  Mr. Kramer will also discuss the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) principles of civility, reported case law and other examples of the benefits of practicing civility and the many downsides of incivility with practical tips to enhance your practice. Mark will also discuss how practicing civility enhances your credibility with counsel, judges and jurors.

Description: Franky Carrillo was exonerated after serving 20 years in prison for murder. During this panel, Mr. Carrillo will share the impact of his wrongful conviction. Deputy DA Juan Mejia, the prosecutor in Mr. Carrillo's case, and Deputy DA Amy Wilton, both former leaders of the Habeas Corpus Team, will discuss the DA's approach to habeas corpus matters. Joseph Trigilio, ED of Loyola Law School's Project for the Innocent (LPI), will discuss how the LPI deals with wrongful conviction claims. Judge Kelvin Filer, the Supervising Judge of the Compton Courthouse where Mr. Carrillo's conviction and exoneration occurred, will provide the...

Description: Appellate strategy doesn’t begin after trial—it begins the moment a case is filed. In high-profile disputes, where the stakes are amplified by media coverage, public perception, and evolving areas of law, careful planning is critical at every stage. This program will highlight how trial lawyers can collaborate effectively with appellate specialists to shape litigation strategy, preserve issues for review, and prepare for appellate challenges long before the record is finalized. Through discussion of nationally recognized cases—the panel will explore how appellate courts engage with emotionally charged issues, what happens behind the scenes at the Court of Appeal, and how...

Insurance issues frequently determine whether a case can settle—or whether it stalls indefinitely. From wasting policies to excess carriers holding out, attorneys and mediators alike encounter insurance complexities that directly shape outcomes. 

In this dynamic program, a distinguished panel of mediators, coverage counsel, and trial lawyers will unpack how insurance works in practice and offer strategies for navigating disputes that arise in mediation and settlement negotiations. The program begins with an accessible “Insurance 101” primer on policy types and key terms, followed by real-world hypotheticals drawn from employment, personal injury, and construction/professional liability cases. Panelists will share practical insights on:

• Determining the real amount of insurance available for settlement
• Managing wasting policies and balancing defense vs. indemnity obligations
• The role of declaratory relief actions and punitive damage exclusions
• Strategies for policy limit demands (PLDs) and insurer valuation of claims
• How mediators can frame insurance issues to keep negotiations moving

Attendees will leave with a stronger understanding of how to identify coverage pitfalls, educate clients, and leverage insurance knowledge to resolve disputes more effectively.

This program explores the most pressing ethical issues lawyers face in mediation and arbitration — from confidentiality and client decision-making to disclosure obligations and arbitrator impartiality. Designed to be practical and engaging, the session blends short presentations with group discussions and interactive exercises that help participants apply ethical principles to realistic scenarios.

Description: This engaging MCLE presentation by Hon. David Rosen (Ret.) explores the evolving landscape of legal ethics in California, with a focus on new professional obligations and risks at the intersection of technology, civility, and professional conduct. Attendees will gain practical insights into the ethical implications of generative AI in legal practice, the impact of California's still recent "snitch rule" (CRPC 8.3), the ongoing movement toward mandatory civility standards, and heightened client trust account compliance requirements under CTAPP.  The program also examines conflicts of interest for attorneys, judges, and neutrals, providing real-world analysis drawn from recent case law and State...

The South Bay Bar Association and Women Lawyers of Long Beach are excited to announce the relaunch of their acclaimed “Her Honor Series.” Throughout the series we will be interviewing judicial officers about their path to the bench and lessons they learned along the way. Each episode will focus on one judicial officer. Throughout the interview we will discuss her path to the bench, words of advice for those seeking to join the bench, insights into how the landscape has evolved for women in the profession, and what she would like to see more of from the bar to push the profession forward.

Participatory credit is taken at its word in this interactive program. Using audience volunteers and a fact pattern, the panelists will perform a mock voir dire, demonstrating plaintiff’s and defense perspectives, presided over by retired Judge Steve Austin. Following the mock voir dire, the speakers will dissect where they went right and where they went wrong in the search for a jury.

Description: Navigating government tort claims in California requires precision, strategy, and a deep understanding of the Government Claims Act. From strict claim-presentation deadlines to nuanced distinctions between negligence and dangerous dangerous cases and the applicable law, even experienced litigators can find themselves tripped up by the statutory requirements and appropriate CACI's to pubic entity defendants.   This comprehensive CLE program demystifies the process of bringing a government tort action and provides a practical roadmap for attorneys handling claims against cities, counties, and other public entities. Participants will learn when a government tort claim is required, how to properly present it, and...

Description: This CLE presentation breaks down the art and science of winning—and defeating—motions for summary judgment. We’ll cover the strategic timing of evidence development, how to frame undisputed material facts, the most persuasive ways to weaponize the Separate Statement, and the traps that routinely sink MSJs and MSJ oppositions. Attendees will learn how to build a record that survives scrutiny, how to plan for preventing and/or attacking the challenges to evidentiary foundations, and how to give the court all it needs to grant or deny the summary judgment. Speakers: Michael R. Nebenzahl, Esq. - ADR Services, Inc. Robert S. Glassman,...

Description: This one-hour webinar introduces mindfulness and breathwork concepts along with practical tools for legal professionals. The program will explore simple techniques to support focus and manage stress in a demanding legal environment. Participants will engage in guided exercises and they can later apply in their individual daily practice. 1 Hour of Competence MCLE credit will be provided. Speakers: Hon. Paul Bacigalupo (Ret.) - ADR Services, Inc. Anthony S. Khoury, Esq., LLM - ARC Afnan Shukry, Esq.

Come hear Dolores Dalton and Gideon Kracov discuss advanced tips and techniques for the mediation of difficult land use, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and housing law disputes. These cases often involve multiple interests with vastly different agendas—and charged emotions. Dolores Dalton is current TMS President and has extensive experience litigating and mediating land use, housing, and public entity cases at Goldfarb & Lipman LLP.  Gideon Kracov is a full-time mediator with ADR Services, Inc., specializing in real estate and environmental matters, and teaches land use law and dispute resolution at Loyola Law School.