Civil Law Fall Symposium

Attorney-led Voir Dire
(1:00 p.m.–2:15 p.m.)

• Khaldoun Baghdadi (Partner, Walkup Melodia Kelly + Schoenberger)
• Laurel Beeler (Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court)
• Asim Bhansali (Partner, Kwun Bhansali Lazarus)

The goal of voir dire is to eliminate jurors with biases that stand in the way of their fair evaluation of a case. This practicum for attorney-led voir dire will provide basic principles, practical tips, and a demonstration.

The Supreme Court’s October 2022 and 2023 Terms: Free Speech and Social Media, Race and Politics, and Chevron Deference
(2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.)

• Erwin Chemerinsky (Dean, Berkeley Law)

Dean Chemerinsky delivers his review of consequential civil cases decided by the United States Supreme Court in the October 2022 term and to be heard in the October 2023 term.

Has the Ship Sailed on Litigation of Employment Rights?
(3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.)

• Brian Ashe (Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP)
• Michael Rubin (Partner, Altshuler Berzon LLP)

Last year brought the Supreme Court’s opinion in Viking River Cruises, Inc. v. Moriana, which held that the Federal Arbitration Act preempted employees’ rights to bring class claims in court under California’s Private Attorney General Act. In July, the California Supreme Court decided Adolph v. Uber Technologies, Inc., and rejected in part Viking River Cruises, holding that California employees may continue to pursue their class claims in court even if their individual claims are ordered into arbitration. The panel will discuss where litigation and arbitration of employment rights are headed.

Strategies for Settling Your Case: Settlement as a Process, Not an Event
(4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.)

• Laurel Beeler (Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court)
• Bambo Obaro (Partner, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP)
• Mary McNamara (Partner, Swanson & McNamara LLP)
• Cliff Palefsky (Partner, McGuinn, Hillsman & Palefksy)
• Julia Sherwin (Partner, Haddad & Sherwin LLP)
• Steve Taylor (Founder, Taylor & Co. Law Offices)

All cases resolve, by motion, trial, or settlement, but not always at the right moment for the client. This panel features strategic, client-centric lawyers who will discuss their approach to resolving cases (or trying them, if necessary), starting at a case’s inception, long before formal mediation. Settlement is a process, not an event.

Reception will take place from 5:15 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

CLE Materials will be available on this website day prior to the Symposium.
MCLE: 4 hours

Registration:

Registration for the Fall Civil Law Symposium is now closed. Please email [email protected] if you have questions.