Includes continental breakfast.

Explore recent opinions issued by the Court in the current term.

Hon. Jeffrey S. Boyd, The Supreme Court of Texas - Austin, TX
Kurt Kuhn, Kuhn Hobbs PLLC - Austin, TX

Discuss trends in summary judgment practice with an emphasis on the challenges during appellate review. Analyze pleadings, scope of review, summary judgment evidence, conclusory or defective evidence, and harmless error.  

Sharon McCally, McCally Law, P.C. - Houston, TX

Charge practice started down a new road almost two decades ago in Crown Life Ins. v. Casteel (Tex. 2000). Take a close look at the post-Casteel developments.

David M. Gunn, Beck Redden LLP - Houston, TX

Explore what to look for and learn what to do when your client asks you to overturn a default judgment.

Alex Wilson Albright, Alexander Dubose Jefferson & Townsend LLP - Austin, TX

In an age when plain-text interpretation dominates cases of contract construction, it is surprising how many contracts do not mean what they plainly say—especially in certain widely used form contracts. When is a nonstandard meaning of a standard contract term an exception to “plain meaning?”

Hon. Scott A. Brister, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP - Austin, TX

Hear an analysis of interesting, unexpected, and perhaps unintended ways in which the TCPA has been used by litigants and interpreted by Texas courts in the last five years. Discuss the consequences this has had on parties, counsel, and the courts.

Amanda G. Taylor, Beck Redden LLP - Austin, TX

Survey the precedent and get tips for trial-court and appellate practice.

Anne M. Johnson, Haynes and Boone, LLP - Dallas, TX
Kennon L. Wooten, Scott Douglass & McConnico LLP - Austin, TX

Included in registration.

From real estate scams and stolen Supreme Court records to the battle of San Jacinto, the first judges of Texas were interesting people. Learn about two of them in this presentation from the host of the Texas history podcast, "Wise About Texas."

Hon. Ken Wise, Fourteenth Court of Appeals - Houston, TX

Hear a candid conversation among the Justices about what is new at the Court, the state of the docket, and ways practitioners can improve their chances of obtaining favorable relief for their clients.

Moderator:
Jane M. N. Webre, Scott Douglass & McConnico LLP - Austin, TX
Panelists:
Hon. Paul W. Green, The Supreme Court of Texas - Austin, TX
Hon. Eva M. Guzman, The Supreme Court of Texas - Austin, TX
Hon. James "Jimmy" Blacklock, The Supreme Court of Texas - Austin, TX

Review recent developments affecting whether your error is deemed judgment-critical or swept "under the rug."

Philip Durst, Deats, Durst & Owen, P.L.L.C. - Austin, TX

Appellate courts sometimes make findings of trial court preservation waiver and appellate court briefing waiver in the absence of any assertion of waiver by either party. Explore the ethical implications of sua sponte waiver findings for appellate courts and appellate practitioners.   

Scott Rothenberg, Law Offices of Scott Rothenberg - Houston, TX

Equitable relief can be a powerful and dangerous remedy. Understanding when it is available and what is required to procure it will aid lawyers in trying to protect it or defeat it on appeal.

Lara H. Hollingsworth, Rusty Hardin & Associates LLP - Houston, TX
Jeffrey S. Levinger, Levinger PC - Dallas, TX

A panel of “experts” provide real and fake answers to ethics questions, while the audience tries to guess who’s telling the truth. #FakeEthicsNews

Moderator:
Raffi O. Melkonian, Wright Close & Barger, LLP - Houston, TX
Panelists:
Hon. Tracy Christopher, Fourteenth Court of Appeals - Houston, TX
David Keltner, Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP - Fort Worth, TX
Hon. Daryl L. Moore, 333rd District Court - Houston, TX

Join us for drinks and hors d'oeuvres with program faculty and attendees.

Includes continental breakfast.

The work tools in the modern law office now consist of a networked ecosystem of distractions, and our default method of use may be harmful to us and degrade the value we can bring to clients. Change the way you use these tools to preserve wellness and protect your ability to engage in deep, linear, creative thinking.

Kendall M. Gray, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP - Houston, TX

Explore what practitioners and their clients should know about how the Court’s internal procedures have been changing, and how they haven’t.

Don Cruse, Law Office of Don Cruse - Austin, TX
Blake A. Hawthorne, The Supreme Court of Texas - Austin, TX

A new appointee to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit discusses his experience so far, and reflects on the differences between state and federal appellate practice.

Dana Livingston, Alexander Dubose Jefferson & Townsend LLP - Austin, TX
Hon. Don R. Willett, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit - New Orleans, LA

Review of the 2017 term and a look ahead to the 2018 term commencing in October.

Jeremy C. Marwell, Vinson & Elkins LLP - Washington, DC

Technology has enabled our practices to become more mobile than ever before. Learn about hardware, software, and best practices that will allow you to work safely, securely, and efficiently from wherever you are. 

D. Todd Smith, Smith Haley Nobles - Austin, TX

“Yes, we’re talking, but you’re not hearing me.” Sound familiar? Examine how to get more out of oral argument from the perspectives of the lawyer and the court.

Hon. William J. Boyce, Fourteenth Court of Appeals - Houston, TX
Robert M. (Randy) Roach Jr., Roach & Newton, L.L.P. - Houston, TX

Take advantage of this unique opportunity to meet and discuss issues with members of the judiciary. Please select "Luncheon with the Judiciary" on the registration form to attend ($35 additional charge).

Sometimes you need the Fifth Circuit to act fast. Learn about obtaining stays and other emergency relief from federal appellate courts.

Leslie Sara Hyman, Pulman, Cappuccio, Pullen & Benson LLP - San Antonio, TX
Kevin S. Ranlett, Mayer Brown LLP - Houston, TX

Review recent opinions and trends from the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

David S. Coale, Lynn Pinker Cox & Hurst, LLP - Dallas, TX

Don’t let your case be decided on a procedural ground when it doesn’t need to be! Hear an update on recent cases addressing the most important procedural bars in Fifth Circuit appeals, including qualified immunity, subject matter jurisdiction, appellate jurisdiction, ripeness, and mootness. 

Raffi O. Melkonian, Wright Close & Barger, LLP - Houston, TX

Based on cases argued before the Fifth Circuit over a one-year period, examine statistics such as voting patterns, reversal rates, and timing of decisions.

William Peterson, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP - Houston, TX