South Bend, Indiana – Legal defense professionals from across the state are set to converge at the University of Notre Dame for the 31st annual Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana conference. Scheduled from November 20-22 at the Morris Inn, this gathering offers defense attorneys a platform for both networking and skill enhancement pertinent to their practice areas.
This year’s agenda boasts a variety of breakout sessions covering an array of relevant topics including healthcare and employment, construction, business litigation, as well as insurance and product liability. A key discussion anticipated this year will focus on the current attorney shortage in Indiana, further supported by insights from a member of the Commission on Indiana’s Legal Future.
In response to this pressing shortage, the Indiana Supreme Court recently sanctioned several initiatives, such as a grant program aimed at bolstering legal service availability in underserved areas and a pilot for a regulatory sandbox that facilitates legal services provided by non-attorneys.
During the event, attorneys can accrue up to 12 hours of continuing legal education credits, which are crucial for maintaining licensure and staying current with industry standards and changes.
Additionally, as part of the Appeals on Wheels program, the Indiana Court of Appeals judges—Nancy Vaidik, Melissa May, and Mary DeBoer—will preside over the case “The City of South Bend, Indiana v. Victor C. Cao, et al.” This real-time court session provides attorneys the unique opportunity to observe appellate law in action on November 22.
This case stems from an August 2020 lawsuit wherein Victor C. Cao and his company accused the City of South Bend of negligence relating to a failure to maintain the water service to a fire suppression system, which allegedly led to the destruction of property due to a fire in July 2019.
A special highlight of the conference is the leadership program inspired by the TV show “Ted Lasso.” Created by Elizabeth Sorenson Brotten of Foley Mansfield and Laura Emmett of Strigberger Brown Armstrong, the program aims to tackle contemporary leadership challenges using themes and scenarios from the show for a more engaging presentation.
The leadership points reflect on character Ted Lasso’s unique approach to managing and teaching, offering a fresh perspective on leadership, with concepts easily applicable in the legal field and beyond. This includes interactive sessions with themed activities such as “Cookies with Counsel,” which replaces the show’s “Biscuits with the Boss” scenario, enhancing participant engagement.
This innovative approach to leadership amidst generational shifts in the workplace has already been presented to legal professionals in various regions including Arizona, Texas, North Dakota, and Canada, garnering positive feedback for its practical insights and creative delivery.
Ultimately, conference chair Jim Strenski expresses hope that attendees will depart with enhanced understanding of both specific legal issues and broader professional skills that will bolster their practices in Indiana and across the country.
The three-day event promises to be a comprehensive educational and networking opportunity, fully detailed on the Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana’s official website.
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