Events
CLA In-House Counsel Conference
October 10 @ 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Where: 400 Capitol Mall, Ste. 650, Sacramento, CA 95814
When: October 10, 2025
Earn 4.0 Hours of MCLE. Includes 2.0 Hours Technology in the Practice of Law
Please check back regularly for the most current information.
Connecting In-House Counsel, Cultivating and Providing Practical Solutions
Join us for the highly anticipated California Lawyers Association (CLA) In-House Counsel Conference, an exceptional gathering tailored specifically for in-house legal professionals. This half-day conference is designed to maximize your time, providing focused and impactful sessions that deliver valuable insights efficiently. This premier event brings together attorneys from diverse industries across California to explore cutting-edge legal trends, discuss innovative strategies, and share practical solutions designed to empower your role as a trusted advisor within your organization.
Engage with fellow in-house counsel, industry experts, and leading practitioners through interactive panels, breakout sessions, and thought-provoking keynote addresses. Topics will cover an extensive range of subjects critical to in-house practice, including risk management, regulatory developments, litigation strategies, and evolving best practices in corporate governance.
Enhance your professional network and build meaningful connections at our exclusive evening reception, a relaxed yet sophisticated event offering a perfect opportunity to unwind, exchange insights, and foster collaborative relationships with your peers.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to elevate your expertise, expand your professional horizons, and contribute to the dynamic community of California’s in-house legal professionals. We look forward to welcoming you!
Agenda | Sponsorship | Pricing
Agenda
Note: The time may be adjusted as speakers and topics are confirmed.
11:00 AM – 12:20 PM | Lunch & Check In
Please check-in, grab your lunch and make your way into the conference room.
12:20 PM – 12:30 PM | Introduction/Opening Remarks
The CLA CEO, President and Committee Chair will provide opening remarks.
Speakers:
- Chris Nguyen, CLA CEO
- Betty Williams, CLA President
- Mark Leonard, Committee Chair
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM | California Employment Law Essentials: Navigating High-Risk Compliance Areas
1.0 Hour MCLE
California employment law presents significant compliance challenges due to the state’s complex and employee-protective legal framework. In-house counsel must master critical areas including strict wage and hour requirements covering meal breaks, rest periods, overtime calculations, and worker classification rules that differ from federal standards. Whether you are solely responsible for your company’s compliance with employment law or work with outside employment law counsel this panel will help you identify the most common compliance missteps and how to avoid them.
1:40 pm – 2:40 pm | Legal Department of One-Essential Skills and Strategies for the Solo In-House Attorney
1.0 Hour MCLE
The rise of companies hiring their first in-house lawyer has created a growing population of “legal departments of one” who must navigate significant professional isolation, lacking colleagues to consult on complex legal matters or provide moral support during challenging periods. This panel will provide practical advice on how to achieve success in this role by developing strong external networks, effectively communicating with and management of a wide variety of outside counsel, and frameworks for prioritizing and managing diverse responsibilities while maintaining professional competence across multiple legal disciplines.
Speaker:
- Gabe Ballard
2:50 pm – 3:50 pm | Proactive Approaches for Cybersecurity Challenges
1.0 Hour Technology in the Practice of Law
How can General Counsel proactively adapt to the shifting cybersecurity landscape and stay ahead of emerging cyber threats? How should you manage partnerships with IT vendors to reduce cybersecurity risks and ensure comprehensive data protection? What best practices in cyber hygiene should you follow to minimize vulnerabilities and strengthen your cybersecurity defenses? How can you equip legal teams to make critical decisions during cybersecurity incidents, such as deciding whether to pay a ransom in a ransomware attack? Using real world examples, this panel will provide practical answers to the above questions.
Speakers:
- Mark Leonard
- Heather A. Antoine
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | What is Agentic AI? A Primer for In-House Counsel
1.0 Hour Technology in the Practice of Law
As companies begin to move beyond generative AI applications into autonomous AI agents—AI systems that can plan, take actions, and adapt without human-in-the-loop—in-house legal teams must be ready to address the legal issues associated with these systems . Join us for an introductory discussion of agentic AI, model use cases, and the risks that come with the use of this technology.
Speakers:
- Kyle Fath
- Andy Stroud
- Ted Dayno
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Reception/Happy Hour
Social networking event, where drinks and light appetizers will be served.
Thank You To Our Generous Sponsors
Interested in Sponsoring?
The California Lawyers Association (CLA) is pleased to announce exclusive sponsor opportunities for the CLA In-House Counsel Conference. Highlight your organization by supporting the conference through sponsorship! Learn more and sponsor today.
Registration Information
| Type | Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| CLA Member | $50 |
| Non-CLA Member | $75 |
The deadline to register is October 3, 2025.
Cancellations and refunds must be received in writing no later than October 3, 2025 and are subject to a 10% service fee. Refunds will not be provided after October 3, 2025.
For program and registration information, please email ProgramRegistrations@calawyers.org or call 916-516-1757.
This event may be recorded. By attending this event, you consent to be photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded, and to any use, by the CLA, of your likeness, voice, and name in any and all media including social media. If you do not want your name or photo to be used, please let us know in advance. We cannot, however, honor requests to opt out of the use of your image or voice if you choose to ask a question during one of the event sessions.
The California Lawyers Association is an approved State Bar of California MCLE provider.
We are committed to accessibility! Virtual events are equipped with closed captioning. To request an in-person accommodation, send us a note at accessibility@calawyers.org or contact us at 916-516-1760 for assistance.