Since 1993, the West Coast Casualty Construction Defect Seminar has become an institution, a staple and must go to event for all the members of the construction defect community. In no other single place can one learn so much about the prosecution, defense, insurance coverage, science and technology regarding this specialized subject of claims and litigation . . .  and . . .  in no other place will you be able to meet your colleagues where great long lasting relationships can be established which assist you in your claims and litigation handling throughout the business year. It has been long said about our event that it helps bridge the gap between parties by giving them an opportunity, in a neutral forum, to resolve many disputes that they couldn’t do otherwise.

The West Coast Casualty Construction Defect Seminar series is the largest event of its kind worldwide and continues into its 30th year of bringing the national and international construction defect community its most informative event regarding this specialized subject.

Our attendees, from the legal, insurance, builder, contractor, subcontractor and numerous other communities averaging in number approximately 1200-1400 per year, come from all across the United States and several foreign countries to hear our speakers views on this continuing and emerging area of claims and law.

Generally, 67 different organizations grant West Coast Casualty the ability to provide some level of continuing education accreditation to their licensee/members.

The only reason we have achieved this status is because we concentrate our efforts on the most important people in this community, the attendees of our yearly events. Over the past years, we dedicated a lot of time to listening to those we serve at our seminars and we prepared our events with the ideas, suggestions and goals of our attendees in mind.

. . . we suggest you keep coming back to this website for future updates because May 2024 will be an event like one YOU will have never experienced before.

As lawyers, litigators, appellate practitioners and beyond, we use writing skills every day to craft compelling arguments. In this program you will learn how to elevate your legal writing skills.

Three speakers give varied perspectives: Hon. Leslie Landau (Ret.) formerly of the Contra Costa Superior Court and appellate practice, is now a mediator and arbitrator; Claudia Hagadus Long is a mediator and successful novelist; and Patrick Burns is an appellate practitioner.

The program will help you build on your existing writing foundation and “up your game.” The speakers will address how to understand and balance the competing interests of diverse audiences (court, counsel, client, mediator), and tailor your writing to meet the needs of your case. They will also examine what works (and what doesn't) in legal briefs.

Finally, they will provide concrete suggestions to help you take your writing to the next level.

Join us for an insightful webinar delving into the complex interplay between cannabis law and various realms of civil litigation. As the cannabis industry continues to evolve, its intersection with other areas of law presents unique challenges and opportunities. Led by former Napa Superior Court Judge Victoria Wood and seasoned cannabis law practitioner Lauren Mendelsohn, this program will provide an overview of the current legal landscape, and examine considerations when cannabis-related issues crop up in civil litigation.

The SMBA’s Trusts & Estates section welcomes back Santa Monica Courthouse Probate Division celebrities, Hon. Craig D. Karlan (Ret.) and former Probate Attorney Carmen Alberio, Esq. – now Mediators with ADR Services, Inc. – for a thoughtful program about hot to set up your Trust & Estate clients for better outcomes in mediations.

The purpose of the seminar is to discuss the practical tips and latest updates on employment arbitration and mediation. Participants will learn about recent trends, case law, and statutes on the FEHA and the Labor Code, as well as an upcoming ballot initiative pertaining to PAGA. Participants will engage with the speakers on hypotheticals and polls.

SFTLA’s Women’s Caucus invites you to a special evening with California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye (Ret.), Hon. Angela Bradstreet (Ret.), and Hon. Anne Costin as they share stories of bias, inequality and other barriers that stood in the way of their path to becoming women judges and how they overcame them.

Description: Please join us for a live and in person SoCal NAELA Quarterly Chapter Meeting with great food and a gorgeous view of the shoreline! The program will begin at 12:30 p.m. but we are meeting at 11:45 a.m. to socialize and catch up before the program begins. The presentation will feature mediator Carmen Alberio and Berkshire Hathaway Sanborn Team members Nancy Sanborn and Brian Joy discussing the when, why and how of selling real property in estates, trusts and conservatorships. Speakers: Carmen Alberio, Esq., Mediator, ADR Services, Inc. Nancy Sanborn, Executive Director, The Sanborn Team, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services,...

Join us for a dynamic one-hour ethics webinar exploring the intricate landscape of collaborative practice. Delve into the ethical considerations that arise when professionals from diverse disciplines collaborate, navigating through real-world scenarios and best practices. From communication challenges to confidentiality dilemmas, this webinar offers valuable insights and strategies for fostering ethical collaboration in today's complex professional environments.

Join us for an engaging and informative MCLE Program on Settlement Strategies, led by two of Alameda County’s esteemed former settlement judges, Hon. Paul Herbert (ret.) and Hon. Evelio Grillo (ret.) This program is designed to equip attorneys with advanced skills and knowledge to enhance their settlement techniques and successfully navigate the complexities of mediation.

Join this legendary panel of practitioners and moderator and mediator Stacie Hausner as they discuss what to do when things go wrong!

A conversation on whether, when, and why gender matters in getting cases resolved.

Tired of the same old mediation dance?  The Employment Mediation Institute 2024 will challenge you to step outside of the lines and explore unconventional alternatives. This half-day virtual program features a number of experts and trendsetters in our field.  We'll start the day by challenging the notion of traditional methods of distributive bargaining that most of us learned in mediation training as the only way to mediate successfully.  Then, we'll hear from a panel of experts on fresh ways to address some of employment mediation's most complex problems, and we will close the day with the latest California employment law updates, featuring perspectives from both sides of the bar.