Sneak Peek of the 2025 Litigation and Appellate Summit Schedule
Earn up to 12.25 Hours of MCLE, which included 1.0 Hour in Elimination of Bias, 1.0 Hour Wellness Competence and 11.25 Hours Legal Specialization in Appellate Law.
Panel descriptions are constantly being updated. Please check back regularly for the most current information.
Thursday, April 24, 2025
8:00 am – 5:15 pm | Registration is Open
9:00 am – 9:15 am | Opening Remarks
Speakers:
- Adrieannette Ciccone
- Carl Chamberlin
- Jocelyn Serling
9:15 am – 10:45 am | Litigation, Appellate & ADR Update
1.5 Hours of MCLE; 1.5 Appellate Credit
James Wagstaffe and Jordanna Thigpen once again bring you up to date on the latest case law, legislation, and procedural developments.
Moderator: George Wailes
Speakers:
- James Wagstaffe
- Jordanna Thigpen
11:00 am – 12:00 pm | Access to Justice
1 Hour Elimination of Bias; 1 Hour Appellate Credit
A discussion on bias in legal writing, and a report from the Appellate Court Bias Committee on efforts to promote integrity and impartiality, with solicitation of feedback.
Speaker:
- Professor Lorraine Bannai
12:00 pm – 12:30 pm | Lunch Break
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm | Pro Bono: What You May Not Know
A look at rewarding pro bono opportunities and facets of pro bono representation.
1:45 pm – 2:45 pm | Interactive Evidence: How Do You Rule? (And Will You Be Reversed?)
1 Hour of MCLE; 1 Hour Appellate Credit
An interactive session that allows you to rule on objections — and then learn from experts about the trial court’s likely ruling and what you, as counsel, can do about it .
Speaker:
- Professor Tim Hallahan
3:00 pm – 4:15 pm | Master Advocates: What Appellate Lawyers and Trial Lawyers Can Learn from Each Other
1.25 Hours of MCLE; 1.25 Hour Appellate Credit
Members of the Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame and Appellate Lawyers Hall of Fame discuss tips and insights on brief-writing, the art of persuasion, and what appellate lawyers and trial lawyers can learn from each other.
Speaker:
- Richard Schoenberger
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm | Keynote: Jack Bair, Chief Legal Officer, SF Giants
1 Hour of MCLE
Hear from one of the leading lawyers in professional sports — Chief Legal Officer and President of Giants Development Services, Jack Bair
Speaker:
- Jack Bair
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm | Reception and Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame & Appellate Lawyer Hall of Fame Ceremony
Friday, April 25, 2025
8:00 am – 5:00 pm | Registration is Open
9:00 am – 10:30 am | SCOTUS Review
1.5 Hours of MCLE; 1.5 Hours of Appellate Credit
Not just one — but three — leading Supreme Court experts update us on recent decisions of the United States Supreme Court
Speakers:
- Prof. Easha Anand
- Prof. Pamela Karlan
- Anna-Rose Mathieson
10:45 am – 11:45 am | Judicial Roundtable
1 Hour of MCLE; 1 Hour of Appellate Credit
Listen to jurists discuss differences in federal and California prodedure, effective advocacy, their tips and expectations for counsel, and the state of the courts
Speakers:
- Hon. Teri Jackson
- Hon. Gabriel Sanchez
- Hon. Kandis Westmore
- Hon. Suzanne Bolanos
12:15 pm – 1:15 pm | Wellness: Finding Harmony Between Personal and Professional Performance
1 Hour Wellness Competence; 1 Hour of Appellate Credit
Hear from the State Bar on attorney well-being and the duty of competence, a case study, and recommendations and resources for increased wellness.
Speaker:
- Ken Nourse
1:00 pm – 2:15 pm | Strategic Tips for Success in Bench Trials
1 Hour of MCLE; 1 Hour of Appellate Credit
Key ingredients to successful bench trials, ramifications for appeal — and why you might want to forego a jury.
Speaker:
- Hon. Charles Smiley
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm | Attorney Fees
1 Hour of MCLE; 1 Hour of Appellate Credit
Best practices regarding attorney fee requests and awards in the trial court and appellate court.
Speaker:
- Richard Pearl
3:45 pm – 5:00 pm | Keynote: Justice Martin Jenkins
1 Hour of MCLE; 1 Hour of Appellate Credit
A featured presentation with the Hon. Martin Jenkins, Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court
Speaker:
- Hon. Martin Jenkins
If you have a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to fully participate in our programs, please email us at accessibility@calawyers.org or call us at 916-516-1760 to discuss your accessibility needs. We ask that you contact us as soon as possible. Last minute accommodations may not be able to be provided.