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.

This interactive CLE program is tailored specifically for ACC members and in-house legal professionals, addressing the distinct stressors facing the legal community while providing practical, research-based tools that participants can immediately integrate into their professional practice. We encourage you to bring your own insights and experiences to share to help make this a practical, lively session.

Curious about public appointments, mediation, or building a bold environmental law career? Join us for Chairs’ Corner on July 23 at noon as ELS Chair Peter Ton welcomes 2012 ELS Chair Gideon Kracov.  Gideon is a former Deputy Los Angeles City Attorney, private practitioner (both plaintiff-side and defense), current Loyola Law School adjunct professor, full-time mediator at ADR Services, Inc. in Los Angeles, and was a gubernatorial appointee to the California Air Resources Board and South Coast Air Quality Management District from 2020-2025.  Through the lens of his deep and colorful 30+ year career, Gideon will share insights on seizing the moment to pursue new opportunities for your practice.

Discovery disputes are inevitable in employment litigation, but how you handle them can determine whether you win credibility or lose it with the court. This panel brings together plaintiff, defense, and neutral perspectives to explore how lawyers can advocate forcefully while maintaining civility. Panelists will discuss what actually moves the needle with judges and discovery referees, strategic choices that help rather than hinder your position, and when escalating a dispute advances your client’s interests—or backfires. Attendees will leave with practical guidance for resolving discovery battles effectively, professionally, and persuasively.

Retirement can be one of the most significant transitions in a lawyer’s or judge’s professional life. While financial planning often receives considerable attention, the personal, psychological, and professional dimensions of retirement can be equally important and far more complex.

Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking webinar featuring selected clips from the documentary Retirement on Trial, followed by a dynamic panel discussion exploring professional identity, purpose, aging, wellness, and the transition from full-time legal practice. The program will examine questions many attorneys and judges face but rarely discuss openly: How much of our identity is tied to our role as lawyers or judges? How do we recognize when it is time to change course? What does a meaningful “glide path” toward retirement look like? And how can we create a fulfilling vision for life beyond a demanding legal career?

Drawing on themes highlighted in the documentary and informed by the experiences of jurists and attorneys, the panel will explore the challenges and opportunities that accompany later-career transitions. Topics will include the evolving meaning of work, the impact of aging on professional life, maintaining wellness and purpose, navigating changing capacity and workload, alternative practice arrangements, and practical approaches to designing a rewarding next chapter.

Presented by the Health & Wellness Committee in collaboration with the California Judges Association.

Description: Governmental immunities are jury questions spelled out in the CACI but can be an equally powerful defense before trial on summary judgement or adjudication. This program examines the seven key governmental immunities reflected in California Civil Jury Instructions (CACI’s 1110–1124), including natural conditions, reasonable acts or omissions, traffic control and warning devices, weather-related conditions, and design immunity. The session also explores the evolving doctrine of loss of design immunity, tracing the law from Cornette v. Department of Transportation through Tansavatdi v. City of Rancho Palos Verdes and discussing what the future may hold for this critical defense. Speakers: Michael...