WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2023

PRE-FORUM: DEI Facilitated Discussion 

8:30 A.M. – 8:45 A.M. | Welcome from the USLAW NETWORK Diversity Council

Sheryl J. Willert, Williams Kastner (Seattle, WA) and Steering Committee Leader of USLAW NETWORK Diversity Council

The Pre-Forum DEI is intended to be a roundtable discussion regarding all aspects of DEI and its impact on corporations. The discussion will be facilitated by two DEI trailblazers – Sheryl J. Willert from USLAW member firm Williams Kastner and Jennifer M. Martinez (CDEIO) from USLAW member firm Hanson Bridgett LLP – both labor and employment attorneys with extensive experience navigating change in culture and striving for the opportunity to bring diverse groups of people together to create stronger ideas and impact.

Session Facilitators:

• Sheryl J. Willert, Williams Kastner (Seattle, WA)
• Jennifer M. Martinez, Hanson Bridgett LLP (San Francisco, CA)

8:45 A.M. – 10:00 A.M. | How Companies Can Maintain DEI Momentum While Navigating and Avoiding Legal Risks
Diversity, equity, and inclusion awareness in the workplace has made great strides, at an accelerated pace over the past few years. Most businesses are becoming increasingly aware that there is value to be gained from a diverse workforce by implementing impactful initiatives and policies to promote diversity and inclusiveness. In some states, a few statutes affirmatively regulate how companies must conduct diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. However, most states prohibit certain practices by companies without articulating specific applications. This often causes conflicts that are not easily resolved, and in some instances may subject companies to legal risk. We look forward to sharing best practices among corporations in attendance.

10:15 A.M. – 11:00 A.M. | Ask the Attorneys and CDEIO
This session is an opportunity to ask the tough questions to Sheryl and Jennifer who are uniquely positioned to provide insight into trends and best practices in the rapidly-changing DEI and recruiting areas in the workplace.

11:15 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. | Demand for DEI Metric-Driven Results from Law Firms
Corporations are increasingly demanding metric-driven data and various other benchmarks that not only reflect the composition of law firms but also potential case assignments and other criteria. What can law firms, small to large, do to best position themselves from a business perspective to respond to the needs of clients?

General Counsel and In-House Counsel Forum (Day 1)

2:50 P.M. – 3:40 P.M. | Strategies to Work Effectively and Successfully with Outside Counsel
The most successful relationships between in-house and outside counsel are those that take the time to set expectations up front and approach overall solutions for the organization. In-house counsel are charged with improving the overall quality of legal services while decreasing costs. This session will highlight best practices and strategies for maximizing when and how to utilize outside counsel.

Session Facilitators:

• Jessica L. Fuller, Lewis Roca (Denver, CO)
• Joseph S. Goode, Laffey, Leitner & Goode LLC (Milwaukee, WI)
• J. Michael Kunsch, Sweeney & Sheehan, P.C. (Philadelphia, PA)

3:55 P.M. – 4:45 P.M. | Emerging Litigation Risks – Bet-the-Company Litigation and Risk of Nuclear Verdicts – Perspectives from Outside Counsel to Avoid the Worst-Case Scenarios
One of the most concerning litigation trends over the past several years is the rise in nuclear verdicts (defined as jury awards surpassing $10 million). Whether or not your company has been involved in one or more of these high-stakes cases, it is important to be aware of the tactics and strategies involved to be prepared. This session will provide an open discussion of recent cases and risk prevention best practices.

Session Facilitators:

• Lew R.C. Bricker, Amundsen Davis LLC (Chicago, IL)
• Thomas W. Fee, Fee, Sharp & Smith, L.L.P. (Dallas, TX)
• Ami C. Dwyer, General Counsel, S-E-A

THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 2023

General Counsel and In-House Counsel Forum (Day 2)

8:00 A.M. – 8:50 A.M. | Growing Demands on GCs – Burnout and How to Avoid It Both for Themselves and Their In-House Counsel
Unfortunately, the legal industry is known for long hours, exhausting caseloads and eroding personal boundaries; however, the rise in attention surrounding mental health has caused an unprecedented volume of attorneys to leave the profession. This interactive session will explore best practices on how general counsel are staying ahead of their team’s stress and pressure, and ultimately, avoiding burnout.

Session Facilitators:

• Douglas W. Clarke, Therrien Couture Joli-Coeur L.L.P. (Montreal, QC, Canada)
• Kenneth B. Wingate, Sweeny Wingate & Barrow, P.A. (Columbia, SC)
• Shea Sisk Wellford, Martin, Tate, Morrow & Marston, P.C. (Memphis, TN)

9:05 A.M. – 9:55 A.M. | Corporate Liability for Social Media Misconduct by Employees or Corporate Representatives
Social media and its ability to instantaneously share information poses many legal risks for corporations – both on internal communication platforms and on individual employee platforms outside of the workplace. This session will dive into the importance of data privacy risks, human resource issues, and significant reputational risks associated with social media misconduct.

Session Facilitators:

• Michael D. Plachy, Lewis Roca (Denver, CO)
• Albert B. Randall, Jr., Franklin & Prokopik, P.C. (Baltimore, MD)
• Sheryl J. Willert, Williams Kastner (Seattle, WA)

10:10 A.M. – 11:00 A.M. | The War Between Risk and Marketing – Sales Dept. vs. Legal Dept.
It’s rare for the legal and marketing teams within an organization to work in perfect harmony. This is usually due to their respective purposes being diametrically opposed; however, when they do, it benefits the entire company and their customers. This session will discuss best practices to bring these two areas closer together and manage expectations.

Session Facilitators:

• Oscar J. Cabanas, Wicker Smith (Miami, FL)
• Peter T. DeMasters, Flaherty Sensabaugh Bonasso PLLC (Morgantown, WV)
• Nicholas C. Grant, Ebeltoft . Sickler . Lawyers (Dickinson, ND)
• Mark E. Hardin, Pierce Couch Hendrickson Baysinger & Green, L.L.P. (Tulsa, OK)

11:00 A.M. – 11:30 A.M. | Rapid Fire Hot Topics

Session Facilitator:

• Molly Arranz, Amundsen Davis LLC (Chicago, IL)
• Peter S. Marlette, Barclay Damon LLP (Buffalo, NY)