Includes continental breakfast.

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

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

Survey selected bills that passed and those that didn't – but you should know about anyway.

Jerry D. Bullard, Adams, Lynch & Loftin, P.C. - Grapevine, TX
Nathan Johnson, Texas State Senate, District 16 - Dallas, TX

Examine the most effective and ineffective use of appellate lawyers during and immediately after trial.

Hon. Barbara M. G. Lynn, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas - Dallas, TX
Hon. Daryl L. Moore, 333rd District Court - Houston, TX

Last fall brought a number of changes to the Court of Appeals. Get to know the new Justices.

Moderator:
Sharon McCally, McCally Law, P.C. - Houston, TX
Panelists:
Hon. Richard F. Hightower, First Court of Appeals - Houston, TX
Hon. Amanda L. Reichek, Fifth Court of Appeals - Dallas, TX
Hon. Gisela D. Triana, Third Court of Appeals - Austin, TX

Learn more than you ever thought you could know about Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law.

Hon. Tracy Christopher, Fourteenth Court of Appeals - Houston, TX

Take a look at language that is not necessary to the decision. Are we seeing more of this? What could that mean for you and your clients?

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

Included in registration.

Hear real-world, concrete insights into how pro bono matters can enrich your professional satisfaction, stretching you as both a person and a practitioner, and may even end up transforming an avocation into a new vocation.

Moderator:
Michael S. Truesdale, Enoch Kever PLLC - Austin, TX
Panelists:
Tim Patton, The Appellate Immigration Project - San Antonio, TX
Gretchen Sims Sween, Attorney & Counselor at Law - Austin, TX

Tom Brady, Yo-Yo Ma, Atul Gawande, and all master performers have one ingredient in common, but it is an ingredient that the business of law does not pay for and often does not value. Learn to identify this ingredient and actively fight against stagnation, automaticity, and mediocrity. 

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

Examine the significant jury charge cases over the past year and the most common recurring problems.

David Keltner, Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP - Fort Worth, TX

Get the latest on recent developments in Texas legal malpractice law, as well as notable ethics opinions that are applicable to appellate practitioners.

Robyn Bigelow Hargrove, Scott Douglass & McConnico LLP - Austin, TX

Fighting “city hall” remains quite a challenge in Texas in light of well-settled Supreme Court authority that declares a “high presumption” of governmental immunity from suit. Still, there are many waivers of immunity and this presentation discusses the status of immunity and waivers in the context of tort, contract, and statutory claims against the State and its political subdivisions.

William S. Helfand, Lewis Brisbois - Houston, TX

Over the past few years, the Supreme Court has continued to expand the scope of various official immunity doctrines, even as a growing array of judges and academic commentators have called for revisiting the circumstances in which individual government officers can be held personally liable for unlawful conduct. Hear an update both on the key cases in the field and the prospects for potentially dramatic reforms thereto.

Stephen Vladeck, The University of Texas School of Law - Austin, TX

Review of the 2018 term and a look ahead to the 2019 term commencing in October.

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

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

Includes continental breakfast.

Since its passage in 2011, the Texas Citizens Participation Act has given rise to a perhaps surprising array of interpretive issues and controversies. Explore several recurring and/or open issues under the TCPA, as well as any legislative efforts to amend this statute.

Moderator:
Thomas S. Leatherbury, Vinson & Elkins LLP - Dallas, TX
Panelists:
Hon. Bob Pemberton, Third Court of Appeals (Ret.) - Austin, TX
Amanda G. Taylor, Butler Snow LLP - Austin, TX

Examine recent appeals involving compensatory and “soft damages” to help you maximize or minimize those damages on appeal.

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

No one can deny the practice of law has changed dramatically in recent years, but many still advocate like it's 1999. Learn new tricks and tips on how to advocate effectively in today's courtrooms.

Tracy W. McCormack, The University of Texas School of Law - Austin, TX

We can raise many complaints for the first time on appeal ... or when it is too late for the non-complaining party to do anything about it. These complaints involve jurisdiction, standing, summary judgment practice, experts, damages, the charge, and attorney's fees, just to name a few areas. Identify these areas, get suggestions about how to pre-empt your opponent from ambushing you with such complaints, and hear ideas about ambushing your opponent, while taking care to avoid a self-inflicted wound.

Steven K. Hayes, Attorney at Law - Fort Worth, 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:
Roger D. Townsend, Cokinos | Young - Houston, TX
Panelists:
Hon. Nathan L. Hecht, The Supreme Court of Texas - Austin, TX
Hon. Debra H. Lehrmann, The Supreme Court of Texas - Austin, TX
Hon. J. Brett Busby, The Supreme Court of Texas - Austin, TX

Review Fifth Circuit operations and case-load challenges during the last year.

Hon. Priscilla R. Owen, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit - Austin, TX

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

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

The Supreme Court of the United States receives thousands of petitions every year and grants review in a tiny fraction of those cases. Explore the art and science of earning a spot on the Court’s docket, highlighting recent examples of cases that did (and didn’t) make the cut.

Carl Cecere, Cecere PC - Dallas, TX
Daniel L. Geyser, Geyser P.C. - Dallas, TX

Ethically proper social media presence, maintaining client confidentiality, and compliance with attorney advertising rules are three important cornerstones of any successful and ethical law practice. Update your knowledge and avoid pitfalls in all three areas as a result of this fast-paced and informative one-hour roundtable discussion.

Kendyl T. Hanks, Greenberg Traurig, LLP - Austin, TX
Gene Major, State Bar of Texas - Austin, TX
Scott Rothenberg, Law Offices of Scott Rothenberg - Houston, TX