CLE Program

California courts publish around 500 new civil decisions every year, and many of them make significant changes to existing law. In this one-hour seminar Monty McIntyre and Mike Roberts will discuss many important case civil case decisions published in 2024 by the California Supreme Court and the Courts of Appeal.

The Honorable Judge Marshall Whitley and Bette Epstein Esq., with ADR Services will present key strategies they utilize when mediating trust and estate cases that are inherently complex and involve not only accounting/tax issues but also highly charged emotional dynamics between the interested parties.

This program addresses the critical importance of wellness in the legal profession, exploring data on attorney burnout, the toll of incivility, and the ethical and professional risks tied to neglecting health and well-being. Beginning with a guided breathing exercise, participants will learn about resilience through the lens of five key pillars—physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and mental health—while gaining practical tools to manage stress and maintain balance. The session aims to equip attorneys with simple yet effective techniques for enhancing focus and reducing stress.

Ethical pitfalls in mediation and settlement negotiations can have lasting consequences for attorneys and their clients. This MCLE webinar brings together retired Judge and mediator Steve Austin, mediator and UC Law adjunct professor Debra Bogaards, and UC Law adjunct professor of negotiation John Dean to explore critical issues in legal ethics. Topics include confidentiality in mediation, ethical drafting of binding settlement agreements (including mediator’s proposals and global settlements), and the risks of coercive tactics. The discussion will also cover the evolving challenges of client confidentiality in the digital age, including cloud storage, AI, and the ethical responsibilities of supervising staff and vendors. Attendees will gain essential insights into navigating ethical obligations while ensuring compliance with professional standards.

Actuarial case valuation integrates probability theory and actuarial principles to create a settlement range based on each party’s own valuation. This approach shifts mediation from positional bargaining to data-driven analysis, fostering collaboration, breaking deadlocks, and guiding realistic settlement discussions. Participants will learn how this method promotes trust, adjusts for litigation costs, and enhances resolution in complex disputes.

Popular Annual Review of The United States Supreme Court, Federal Ninth Circuit, and California cases and legislation involving ADR

Civility in the legal profession is more than just good manners—it’s a fundamental pillar of ethical advocacy. With new California State Bar rules emphasizing civility and an added MCLE requirement, attorneys must navigate the balance between zealous representation and professional decorum. This program will explore what constitutes incivility, its impact on litigation and legal fees, and the potential disciplinary consequences for attorneys who cross the line. Learn from seasoned practitioners how professionalism can enhance advocacy, improve case outcomes, and maintain the integrity of the legal system.

Join us for an Earth Day-themed webinar to learn from expert lawyers and consultants on how to facilitate and negotiate resolution of property contamination disputes.  The panelists will present a mixed-use housing hypothetical and then discuss best practices to handle public participation, neighbors and communication of environmental risk, assembling a team to deal with regulatory and property development issues, and strategies for resolving multi-party environmental litigation with a special focus on insurance coverage.

ABOUT THIS EVENT
Don’t miss the premier event for dispute resolution professionals – this year with both in-person and online attendance options! Choose from a variety of live and on-demand programs to meet your professional development needs. Socialize with fellow attendees and build your network. Whether you are new to the field or have been practicing for decades, the conference has something for you!

MORE INFORMATION
Reaching New Heights: The Rising Tide of Dispute Resolution
The 2025 conference will actualize the future of dispute resolution with in-person, livestreamed, and on-demand programs. Collaborate in-person in Chicago or connect virtually from anywhere in the world. Professionals from across the field of dispute resolution will present programs on the newest developments in our field. 

Who should attend? Mediators, arbitrators, ombuds, judges, dispute resolution leaders, attorney advocates, young professionals, court administrators, neutral providers, ADR consumers, legal educators, or anyone who wants to learn more about ADR - all are welcome!

What kind of practical skills will I learn?  Advocacy Skills | Neutral Skills | Negotiation Skills | ADR Strategies | Cutting-Edge Research | Creative Uses of ADR | Domestic and International Topics | Legal Updates | Technological Advances in ADR | Ethics | Practice Development | Marketing

What kind of topics will be covered? Access to Justice | Advocacy | Arbitration | Court ADR | Diversity | Ethics | International | Legal Education | Mediation | Negotiation | Neuroscience/Psychology | Ombuds | Practice Development and Management | Public Policy | Research | Technology

Construction mediation is never just about blueprints and budgets—it’s about navigating risk, wrangling personalities, and bridging gaps in credibility and understanding. In this program, experienced construction mediators pull back the curtain on what really happens inside the mediation room. From pre-mediation preparation and insurance dynamics to the recurring tropes that can derail resolution, this session explores both the substance and the psychology of construction dispute resolution. Attendees will gain practical insights into what works, what doesn’t, and how to approach mediation with strategy and realism. This program is designed for attorneys who handle construction litigation, insurance-related disputes, or simply want a deeper understanding of how to make mediation more effective.

Life is hard enough these days, even for intact families. Add in the challenges of a contentious divorce and custody battle, with attendant mental health and behavioral challenges, and it can become complete turmoil, not only for all members of the families, but also for the attorneys who represent them. Hear viewpoints from a retired Family Law Judge, a child custody evaluator and a litigator on ideas to help bring more peace to family law conflict.

Description: This year, at the 47th Annual Dinner and Installation of Officers, former Chief Justice of California, Tani Cantil-Sakauye, will attend as the Keynote Speaker. As the first Asian-Filipina and only the second woman to serve as Chief Justice of California, we know that she has had an incredible impact on our courts and community. You will not want to miss this special evening where we hear about her work to increase access to justice and increase civic awareness and engagement. PALSD will aslo award the Honorable John A. Houston with the PALSD Legacy Award at this year’s Annual Dinner....