Federal Bar Association

Webinar: Rest Assured: The Critical Legal Role of Sleep in Wellness and Attorney Competency
2025-02-05 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
**Program hosted in (ET) time zone**
“Rest Assured: The Critical Legal Role of Sleep in Wellness and Attorney Competency” explores the neuroscience of sleep, its impact on cognitive function, decision-making, and emotional regulation in legal practice. This course highlights how sleep influences attorney wellness, ethical practice, and the ability to meet professional standards in client representation.
Presented by the FBA Professional Development Committee.
Register Now!

Moderator: Benjamin de Seingalt, Corporate Counsel and Director of Compliance and Privacy, MarketVision Research
Benjamin de Seingalt is the Corporate Counsel and Director of Compliance and Privacy for MarketVision Research, one of the largest primary market research and consulting firms in the United States. His work focuses on global privacy compliance, corporate social responsibility, artificial intelligence, and post-market drug surveillance. Ben is also the Senior Fellow for Artificial Intelligence at the Lawyers’ Committee for Cultural Heritage Preservation and serves on the Editorial Board for The Federal Lawyer magazine, the board of the Federal Bar Association’s Section on Civil Rights, the BHBIA’s Ethics and Compliance Committee, ESOMAR’s AI Task Force Coordinating Committee, Intellus’ Data Integrity and Artificial Intelligence Task Force, and the Insights Association’s Standards Committee. He is a graduate of Tulane University Law School, the A.B. Freeman School of Business, and Washington College.

Joan Bibelhausen, Executive Director of Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers
Joan Bibelhausen, has served as Executive Director of Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers since 2005. She is nationally recognized for her work in the lawyer assistance and diversity and inclusion realms and has significant additional training in counseling, mental health and addiction, diversity, employment issues, and management. Joan has a passion for reducing the stigma about asking for and offering help to do our best work and live our best lives in the legal profession. She has spent her career working with legal professionals at a crossroads because of mental illness and addiction concerns, well-being, trauma, stress, and related issues. Joan wrote Lawyer Assistance Programs Provide a Lifeline for Juriste International, published in June 2024, coauthored “Stress and Resiliency in the US Judiciary” for the ABA 2020 Journal of the Professional Lawyer, and frequently writes for Minnesota and national bar publications. In 2022 she was recognized by the American Bar Association Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs with a Meritorious Service award in recognition of Extraordinary Service to Lawyer Assistance Programs. She received the Minnesota State Bar Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award for 2024.

Dr. Elizabeth A. Kensinger, Professor, Boston College
Elizabeth A. Kensinger, received her Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital, she joined the faculty of Boston College, where she is Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience and Director of the Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience laboratory. Her research is supported by the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. She has published over 200 research articles on how factors including sleep, stress, and aging affect memory and emotion, and she co-authored Why We Forget and How to Remember Better (Oxford University Press, 2023).

Registration
Register Now!

Live Broadcast | FBA Member: $0
Live Broadcast | Nonmember: $95
On-Demand Broadcast | FBA Member: $50
On-Demand Broadcast | Nonmember: $95

CLE
Please note: CLE for this webinar has not been pre-approved.
MyLaw and the FBA will seek 1.0 General CLE credit hours in 60-minute states, and 1.2 General CLE credit hours in 50-minute states.
Posted credit hours are estimated and subject to respective state approval and rounding rules. CLE qualifications vary by state/jurisdiction.
For questions regarding this program, please contact MyLaw CLE by email: registration@mylawcle.com or phone: 877-406-8636.

Email Communication Policy
By registering for this event, you agree to receive email communication from the Federal Bar Association and affiliated sponsors of the program concerning event details, Continuing Legal Education certification, programming changes, upcoming events, surveys, and post-event communications.
Recording Disclaimer
By registering for an online FBA program, you agree to the recording of audio and visual content presented during the live event and consent to subsequent use of the recording by the FBA. You agree that the recording is the sole property of the FBA and that the recording may be used by the FBA in any manner in its sole and absolute discretion. This recording may include questions and poll responses provided by you during the live event. If you do not consent to the recording and the FBA’s use of the same, do not register for the event.

Maryland Chapter: Fireside Chat with Chief Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Sullivan
2025-02-06 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | ZOOM
Our second fireside chat of the 2024-2025 bar year will be Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 12:00 PM with Chief Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Sullivan. This event will be virtual. Please use the Zoom link below to access the webinar.
Event registration: https://www.fbamd.org/fireside_chat_with_judge_sullivan
https://milesstockbridge.zoom.us/j/97296349647
Join via audio:
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Webinar ID: 972 9634 9647
International numbers available: https://milesstockbridge.zoom.us/u/aG4NrepS3
Join from an H.323/SIP room system:
H.323:
144.195.19.161 (US West)
206.247.11.121 (US East)
Meeting ID: 972 9634 9647
SIP: 97296349647@zoomcrc.com
WHEN
February 06, 2025 at 12:00pm – 1pm

Los Angeles Chapter: The Impact of Loper Bright on SEC Cases
2025-02-06 17:30 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Judicate West Offices, 601 S. Figueroa St., Ste. 3400, Los Angeles, 90017, United States
Event Description:
In Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, the Supreme Court overruled Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., ending almost 40 years of “Chevron deference” to an agency’s interpretation of an ambiguous statute. This panel will discuss the impact Loper Bright may have on the SEC, which often relied on Chevron deference to support its interpretation of federal securities laws.
Time: Thursday, February 06, 2025 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Registration opens: 5:30 pm
Judicate West (With Remote Viewing Option)
601 S. Figueroa St., Ste. 3400
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Cost:
$20 FBA Member – In Person
$10 FBA Member – Remote
$20 Co Sponsor Members – In Person
$10 Co Sponsor Members -Remote
$25 Non-Member -In Person
$15 Non-Member – Remote
Complimentary – Federal Judge/Clerk – In Person
Complimentary – Federal Judge/Clerk – Remote
Complimentary – Law Student – in Person
Complimentary – Law Student – Remote
The event will be hosted by Judicate West at its offices in downtown Los Angeles.
MCLE: 1.00 Hr. General MCLE; This activity has been approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education Credit by the State Bar of California. The FBA certifies that this activity conforms to the standards of approved education activities prescribed by the rules and regulations of the State Bar of California governing minimum continuing legal education.

Northern District of California Chapter: The Advocate's Workshop - Judge's Commentary on Oral Argument
2025-02-10 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | James R. Browning Courthouse, 95 7th St, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94103, United States
The Advocates Workshop: In this program, which will be live-streamed from the Ninth Circuit, two attorneys will present oral arguments to a three judge panel that will then review and discuss their advocacy skills.
Registration free at https://fbandca.ticketleap.com/oraladvocacy/
For questions regarding this program, please contact ndca.fba@gmail.com

Intellectual Property Law Section: Art and Fashion Law Conference
2025-02-12 08:30 - 2025-02-13 17:30 (America/New_York)
The Art & Fashion Law Conference joins two global industries in one compelling program. Experts in litigation, employment law, data privacy, intellectual property and product liability will collaborate in panels at the advanced and primer levels. The conference is designed for attorneys and non-attorneys who are interested in the intersection of art, fashion, and the law. Single day and full conference registration tickets are available. Conference attendees will be invited to a cocktail reception on February 12, 2025 to mingle and network with conference faculty and fellow attendees. The conference is exclusively available in-person. There is no hybrid streaming available. Use this LINK to register.
February 12, 2025 – 8:30 am to 5:30 pm – Art Law Conference (5 NY CLE)
February 13, 2025 – 8:30 am to 5:30 pm – Fashion Law Conference (5 NY CLE)
Sponsored by the FBA Intellectual Property Law Section and the FBA Southern District of New York Chapter.

Registration
[Register Online]

CLE

CLE Credit will only be issued for New York.
Attendees may receive up to 10.0 General CLE credits in New York.
Attendees outside of NY may contact their respective jurisdictions to determine if they’re able to claim credit independently.
Attendees will be responsible for checking in and out of programming onsite in order to meet New York attendance requirements. Certificates will be issued via email following the event.
For any questions regarding this program, including CLE matters, please email EMillwood@Dunnington.com.

Email Communication Policy
By registering for this event, you agree to receive email communications from the Federal Bar Association and affiliated sponsors of the program concerning event details, Continuing Legal Education certification, programming changes, upcoming events, surveys, and post-event communications.

Webinar - Pregnant Workers' Fairness Act: What Employers and Employees Need to Know
2025-02-12 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
**This event will be hosted in (ET) Time Zone**
Panelists will provide an overview of the Pregnant Workers’ Fairness Act. This will include a discussion of how the regulations issued in June 2023 have been implemented in the private workforce and some difficulties and challenges that employers and employees have faced in doing so. Panelists will also discuss employees’ rights and responsibilities under the new regulations.
Register Today!
Presented by the FBA’s Labor and Employment Section
Co-Sponsored by the FBA’s Professional Development and Diversity & Inclusion Committees.

About the Presenters:
TJ McGrath, General Counsel for the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
T.J. McGrath serves as the General Counsel for the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission advising the Executive Director on legal and business matters. Prior to MedPAC, she was the General Counsel at the Congressional Budget Office, and Associate General Counsel for the TRICARE Management Activity now the Defense Health Agency. She served 12 years on active duty with the Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps and 18 years as a reservist.
T.J. co-founded Ardaithe Consulting LLC, developing tailored soft skills training for leadership and staff. Specializing in Resiliency Training, Resolving Workplace Disputes, and Leading Teams, she has deployed training modules on Ethics, Sexual Harassment, Bystander Intervention, Mindfulness, and De-escalation.
For the FBA she currently serves as the Co-Chair for the Leadership Subcommittee, Diversity & Inclusion Standing Committee.

Katherine Greenberg, Director of Strategic Litigation, A Better Balance
Katherine Greenberg is the Director of Strategic Litigation at A Better Balance, where she enforces and defends laws protecting pregnant workers and caregivers, including pregnancy accommodation and lactation laws, and paid family and medical leave laws. Prior to joining A Better Balance, Katherine worked for the New York City Commission on Human Rights in various enforcement and policy roles. Katherine began her legal career as a judicial clerk, following which she joined The Legal Aid Society as a Skadden Fellow representing pregnant workers and caregivers in discrimination and FMLA claims.
Katherine earned her J.D. magna cum laude from NYU School of Law and holds an M.A. from Kings College London and a B.A. from Vassar College. She previously served as the Chair of the NYC Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Law Committee, and a board member of the New York chapter of the National Employment Lawyers Association.

Pamela Irons, Fedex

Pamela Irons is an in-house attorney for Federal Express Corporation. She focuses primarily on compliance with paid sick leave and paid family and medical leave laws, reasonable accommodation issues, and responding to administrative complaints and charges. Prior to FedEx, Pamela worked in private practice, defending management in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Fair Labor Standards Act and retaliation cases, as well as state employment law cases.
Pamela is admitted to practice law in Illinois and Tennessee. She earned her J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 2001. She also received an M.S. in Industrial Relations and B.S. in Psychology from Loyola.

Registration
Register Today!

Live Broadcast | FBA Member: $0
Live Broadcast | Nonmember: $95
On-Demand Broadcast | FBA Member: $50
On-Demand Broadcast | Nonmember: $95

CLE
Please note: CLE for this webinar has not been pre-approved.
MyLaw and the FBA will seek 1.0 General CLE credit hours in 60-minute states, and 1.2 General CLE credit hours in 50-minute states.

San Diego Chapter: New Members Mentorship Mixer
2025-02-12 17:00 - 18:30 (America/New_York) | Carter-Keep U.S. Courthouse, Enright Conference Room, 333 W Broadway, San Diego, C, 92101, United States
San Diego FBA members newly admitted to the bar are invited to connect with the local federal bench and seasoned practitioners in this mentorship mixer. Attendance is limited to FBA members admitted to practice within the last three years.

Civil Rights Law Section: 2025 Civil Rights Étouffée
2025-02-13 - 2025-02-14 | New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s Joyce & George Wein Heritage Center, 1205 N. Rampart Street, New Orleans, LA, 70116, United States
The Civil Rights Law Section is delighted to invite everyone back to New Orleans for our famous Civil Rights Étouffée, featuring nationally prominent litigators discussing a wide range of topics.
Learn more and register here: 2025 Civil Rights Étouffée
If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact fbacivilrightslaw@gmail.com
The section appreciates the support of the New Orleans Chapter and the 2025 event sponsors.

Palm Beach County Chapter: Panel Discussion on the Importance of Civility and Community Outreach with the Honorable Robin Rosenberg and the Honorable Beth Bloom
2025-02-13 11:30 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Ben Hotel, West Palm Beach, 251 Narcissus Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL, 33401
THE FEDERAL BAR ASSOCIATION
PALM BEACH COUNTY CHAPTER
Invites You to a Lunch Panel Discussion on
the Importance of Civility and Community Outreach with
the Honorable Robin Rosenberg and the Honorable Beth Bloom
of the Southern District of Florida.
The Ben Hotel
251 Narcissus Avenue
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Registration will begin at 11:30 a.m.
Lunch is from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Members: $50
Non-members: $65
Government Attorneys: $35
Judges and Staff: Complimentary
For security reasons, no walk-ins are permitted without prior approval.
Please RSVP by February 6, 2025, to Traci Willard at twillard@mrachek-law.com. Meal served will be chicken. Please include in your RSVP whether you need a vegetarian meal.
Please make your check payable to the Federal Bar Association PB Chapter. Please mail your payment to Traci Willard, c/o Mrachek Law, 505 South Flagler Drive, Suite 600, West Palm Beach, FL 33401

Webinar: Rising Through the Ranks in Law Firm Private Practice
2025-02-18 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
**Program hosted in (ET) Time Zone**
Join firm partners Lauren Caisman (BCLP), Jesse-Justin Cuevas (Susman Godfrey), and Sunni Harris (Dinsmore) for a frank and educational discussion moderated by Christie McGuinness (Saul Ewing) about the path from associate to partner at different sized law firms. All three panelists have spent their entire legal careers at their current law firms and have gone up the ranks starting from a junior associate. The program will touch on topics such as how roles change over time, developing soft vs. hard skills, overcoming imposter syndrome, self-promotion, non-traditional paths in private practice, and tips for succeeding at your organization.
Presented by the FBA’s Younger Lawyers Division
About the Presenters:
Lauren Caisman, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, Chicago, IL
Lauren joined BCLP in the fall of 2013 as a full-time associate, after spending her law school summer there, and joined the partner ranks in January 2022. She graduated from Northwestern University School of Law in 2013. Lauren’s litigation practice focuses on all aspects of commercial, biometric privacy, class action, and products liability litigation, and her clients span multiple industries.

Jesse-Justin Cuevas, Susman Godfrey L.L.P., Los Angeles, CA
Jesse-Justin started as an associate at Susman Godfrey in November 2018 after graduating from Northwestern Law School and completing two federal clerkships on the Fourth Circuit and Central District of California. She was elected to the firm’s equity-only partnership in December 2024. Jesse-Justin is a high-stakes civil trial lawyer and prides herself on being a subject-matter generalist. She has tried multiple cases across diverse disciplines, and she can’t wait for the next one.

Sunni Harris, Dinsmore and Shohl LLP, Washington, D.C.
Sunni has been with Dinsmore her entire career. After graduating from University of Kentucky College of Law in 2011, she has risen up the ranks from summer associate to full- and part-time associate to joining the firm’s partnership in January 2022, and she has worked in four of the firm’s U.S. offices. Sunni manages complex litigation in federal and state courts and has broad experience in class actions, financial services litigation, contract disputes, and data security.

Christie McGuinness, Saul Ewing LLP, New York, NY
Christie has been with Saul for the past six years. After graduating from Brooklyn Law School in 2017, she first worked at London Fischer LLP and then moved onto Saul in March 2019. Christie specializes in False Claims Act litigation while maintaining a broad commercial litigation practice. Since joining Saul, Christie became a member of Saul’s Pro Bono Committee and Associates Committee.

Registration
Registration is Closed

FBA Member: $0
Nonmember: $95

CLE
Please note CLE will not be offered for this event.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I access the virtual webinar?
A: Each webinar will have a unique link to watch the live broadcast. Registered attendees will receive login instructions via a calendar invitations 24 hours prior to the webinar.
Q: Will recordings of the sessions be available after the event?
A: Approved sessions will be available for registrants to view live and on-demand following the webinar.
Q: Who do I contact for more information?
A: Please contact sections@fedbar.org for any other questions.

Email Communication Policy
By registering for this event, you agree to receive email communication from the Federal Bar Association and affiliated sponsors of the program concerning event details, Continuing Legal Education certification, programming changes, upcoming events, surveys, and post-event communications.
Recording Disclaimer
By registering for an online FBA program, you agree to the recording of audio and visual content presented during the live event and consent to subsequent use of the recording by the FBA. You agree that the recording is the sole property of the FBA and that the recording may be used by the FBA in any manner in its sole and absolute discretion. This recording may include questions and poll responses provided by you during the live event. If you do not consent to the recording and the FBA’s use of the same, do not register for the event.
If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact Daniel Hamilton, Program Coordinator, at sections@fedbar.org

Webinar: Human Trafficking and Gender-Based Violence: Domestic and International Legal Frameworks and Strategic Responses
2025-02-19 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
**Program hosted in (ET) Time Zone**
This CLE webinar will explore the nexus between human trafficking and gender-based violence, shedding light on the intricate ways these scourges intertwine and disproportionately impact marginalized and vulnerable populations. Through an in-depth analysis of domestic and international legal frameworks, the program will examine the multifaceted challenges of combating trafficking while safeguarding the rights and dignity of survivors. The panelists will bring their expertise to discussions on survivor-centered legal advocacy, the complex interplay between immigration law and anti-trafficking efforts, and pioneering strategies for achieving justice and systemic reform.
Register Today!

Presented by the International Law Section

About the Presenters
Cristina Perozzi, Partner and Attorney, at Perozzi Law Firm
Cristina Perozzi is a distinguished international lawyer with nearly three decades of experience in criminal law, human rights, and the protection of vulnerable populations. As the head of Perozzi Law Firm she specializes in international and national criminal law, humanitarian law, and advocacy for victims of violence.
Attorney Perozzi is a recognized expert in humanitarian law, serving as a legal advisor for international missions with the Italian Red Cross, NATO, and the United Nations. She has been a lecturer and trainer in international law for military and civilian institutions worldwide.
A member of prestigious organizations such as the International Criminal Court Bar Association, and the European Criminal Bar Association, Attorney Perozzi continues to shape international justice through her advocacy, teaching, and groundbreaking legal work. A dedicated anti-mafia advocate, Cristina has served as a focal point for LIBERA, an Italian association combating organized crime, and has contributed to legal and policy initiatives addressing systemic violence and corruption. Her extensive experience also includes working with survivors of human trafficking and gender-based violence, securing justice for the most vulnerable.

Maricarmen Garza, Chief Counsel, Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence, American Bar Association
Maricarmen Garza is the Chief Counsel of the Commission, responsible for policy, program, and financial management. In that role, she serves as an expert resource on gender-based violence and the law to ABA leadership and staff, attorneys, judges, legislators, the media, and others; manages program activities and budgets; serves as liaison and staff to Commission members; and coordinates national policy initiatives.
Prior to joining the ABA CDSV as Chief Counsel, Maricarmen served as Chief of Programs for the Tahirih Justice Center, the only national, multi-city organization providing a broad range of direct legal services, policy advocacy, and training and education to protect immigrant women and girls fleeing gender-based violence.
Prior to Tahirih, Maricarmen worked with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA). As a TRLA attorney Maricarmen, focused her legal practice on assisting survivors of gender-based violence with complex family law and victim privacy matters. Maricarmen initiated and managed one of TRLA’s most successful and longstanding projects, the Legal Alliance for Survivors of Abuse (LASA), a unique collaboration between TRLA and domestic violence shelters and rape crisis centers in the 68 Texas counties served by TRLA. Through the LASA Project partnership, Maricarmen ensured that victims received holistic, trauma-informed, and victim centered legal and social services critical to breaking the cycle of violence. Maricarmen also managed TRLA’s Victim Rights Group, which included the Legal Aid for Survivors of Sexual Assault team and the Survivor Centered Economic Advocacy team, providing direction, mentorship, and supervision.

Judith Wood, Attorney, Human Rights Project
Judith Wood has defended the rights of asylum seekers since graduating from Pepperdine University School of Law, and has had her own law firm since 1984. She has won numerous appeals at the administrative and federal level, and is admitted to practice before the United States Courts of Appeals for the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Ninth and Tenth Circuits, as well as the Supreme Court. She is the immediate past chair of the FBA’s International Law Section and chairs the section’s International Human Rights Law Committee. She is a frequent speaker for the FBA, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Los Angeles County Bar Association, the Asian-Pacific Law Center, and several other groups. A film entitled “St. Judy” was made about her advocacy on behalf of women refugees in 2018.

Nagwa Ibrahim, Director of Legal Services at CAST – Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking
Nagwa Ibrahim is the Legal Director at the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (Cast) where she leads a team of attorneys providing direct legal services to the largest number of survivors of human trafficking in the United States as well as training and technical assistance on human trafficking cases nationwide. She also leads a team of lived experience experts and trainers providing trainings for audiences nationwide on human trafficking of youth. Prior to joining Cast, Nagwa was in private practice for 10 years with a focus on immigration law and criminal defense. Additionally, she has worked as a civil and human rights attorney, where she handled Guantanamo cases and other prisoner rights cases. Nagwa graduated from University of California Los Angeles, School of Law with a specialization in Critical Race Studies.

(Moderator) Federica Dell’Orto, Attorney, Principal at Dell’Orto Law Firm, & International Law Expert
Federica Dell’Orto is a New York-based attorney specializing in international, immigration and human rights law. She is the founder and principal of Dell’Orto Law Firm and represents clients in proceedings before a range of judicial bodies, including the Board of Immigration Appeals and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Originally from Italy, Ms. Dell’Orto earned her JD from the University of Milan with a concentration in EU and international law. She completed her LL.M. in Public International Law in Los Angeles and is licensed to practice in California. She is also admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Ms. Dell’Orto served as Chair of the International Law Section of the Federal Bar Association and represents the Federal Bar Association at the United Nations through its consultative status. In addition, she has authored numerous articles in legal journals addressing developments in international, human rights, and immigration law. A TEDx speaker, she continues to advocate for the advancement of legal frameworks that protect civil and constitutional rights.

Registration
Register Today!

Live Broadcast | FBA Member: $0
Live Broadcast | Nonmember: $95
On-Demand Broadcast | FBA Member: $50
On-Demand Broadcast | Nonmember: $95

CLE
Please note: CLE for this webinar has not been pre-approved.
MyLaw and the FBA will seek 1.0 General CLE credit hours in 60-minute states, and 1.2 General CLE credit hours in 50-minute states.
Posted credit hours are estimated and subject to respective state approval and rounding rules. CLE qualifications vary by state/jurisdiction.
For questions regarding this program, please contact MyLaw CLE by email: registration@mylawcle.com or phone: 877-406-8636.

2025 Qui Tam Conference
2025-02-20 08:00 - 2025-02-21 17:00 (America/New_York) | Hilton Washington DC Capitol Hill, 525 New Jersey Ave NW, Washington, DC, 20001
Save the Date!
Join the Qui Tam Section for its Annual Hybrid Qui Tam Conference Thursday, February 20 – Friday, February 21, 2025. This year’s hybrid program offers in-person or online viewing options for registered attendees.
Co-Hosted by the Qui Tam Section.

CLE
Posted credit hours are estimated and subject to respective state approval and rounding rules. CLE qualifications vary by state/jurisdiction and the FBA takes every measure to collaborate with presenters to ensure approval.
CLE Credit will be tracked via an online web application. Attendees must check-in and check-out of each session to record their attendance.
Certificates will be available to download online and sent via email approximately two weeks following the conference. Required course codes and/or documentation for self-reporting states will be issued via email, upon state bar approval. Thank you in advance for your patience, as state bars are experiencing significant delays with program processing.
Access more information about CLE Attendance and Reporting.

Venue
Hilton Washington DC Capitol Hill
525 New Jersey Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001

Sponsor
Email sponsor@fedbar.org to learn more about our sponsorship opportunities.

Email Communication Policy: By registering for this event, you agree to receive email communication from the Federal Bar Association and affiliated sponsors of the program concerning event details, Continuing Legal Education certification, programming changes, upcoming events, surveys, and post-event communications.
Recording Disclaimer: By registering for an online FBA program, you agree to the recording of audio and visual content presented during the live event and consent to subsequent use of the recording by the FBA. You agree that the recording is the sole property of the FBA and that the recording may be used by the FBA in any manner in its sole and absolute discretion. This recording may include questions and poll responses provided by you during the live event. If you do not consent to the recording and the FBA’s use of the same, do not register for the event.
Financial Assistance: Program registrants (both FBA members and nonmembers) who are unable to afford the registration fee may receive a 50% discount on the member rate. Qualifying attorneys include those who are unemployed or actively seeking employment. A formal letter requesting the discount must be emailed to meetings@fedbar.org. That letter needs to state the reason for the attorney’s interest in the course or activity, as well as proof of income or an explanation of the financial hardship, and it must be signed by the requesting lawyer.
If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact meetings@fedbar.org.

Northern District of California Chapter: Views From The Bench- What the Judges See And Hear
2025-02-24 14:00 - 15:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Ronald V. Dellums Courthouse, 1301 Clay Street, Oakland, CA, 94612, United States
This program, with Judges Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, Haywood Gilliam, Donna Ryu and Kandis Westmore, will cover what the judges think about various issues concerning attorneys who appear before them in the NDCA.
Register at https://fbandca.ticketleap.com/benchviews/
For questions regarding this program, please contact ndca.fba@gmail.com

Webinar: Naturalization - when the RFEs Start Coming
2025-02-25 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
**Program hosted in (ET) Time Zone**
This panel will discuss the more complex issues that arise in the naturalization context, including a finding that the base adjustment was not “in accordance with all applicable provisions,” along with issues of good moral character, convictions, lengthy absences from the U.S., and medical waivers. The panel will address administrative appeals on Form N-336, requests for rehearing, and district court litigation strategies.
Registration has closed.
Presented by the Immigration Law Section

Presenters
Betty Stevens, Attorney at Law

Elizabeth (Betty) J. Stevens received her J.D. magna cum laude from the George Mason School of Law in 2001. After clerkships with the U.S. District Court in Alexandria, the Arlington Immigration Court, and the Board of Immigration Appeals, she became an Assistant Director with the Office of Immigration Litigation’s (OIL) District Court Section. After retiring from DOJ at the end of 2016, Ms. Stevens joined the Poarch Thompson Law Firm, now Amaryllis Law, specializing in citizenship law, immigration agency processes, immigration detention, and litigation of immigration-related issues in the U.S. Court system.
Ms. Stevens serves on the Federal Bar Association’s (FBA) Government Relations Committee, became a Life Fellow of the Foundation of the FBA in 2023, is a former Chair of the FBA’s Immigration Law Section, and was one of the principal drafters of the FBA’s Article I Immigration Court model bill. She continues to actively promote the adoption of an independent Article I immigration court, and testified before Congress in 2022, on behalf of the FBA, regarding the Real Court, Real Justice Act.

Christopher W. Dempsey, Attorney at Law
Christopher W. Dempsey, principal of Dempsey Law PLLC, served with the Office of Immigration Litigation at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. for over a decade.  He retired in March 2018 as the Chief of the National Security and Affirmative Litigation Unit within his Section, where he supervised a team of attorneys conducting national security and immigration-related, affirmative and defensive litigation in district courts and courts of appeal across the nation.  Mr. Dempsey supervised all national security litigation of an office with over 75 attorneys, regularly trained Department attorneys in Washington, D.C. and the National Advocacy Center, and instructed agency attorneys and law enforcement officers at venues throughout the United States.  Prior to his work at the Justice Department, Mr. Dempsey served on active duty with the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps then remained active trying criminal cases in the Army Reserves.
Mr. Dempsey has significant litigation experience.  He has appeared in thirty-nine U.S. District Courts and eight U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal, tried seventeen jury cases and over fifty bench trials, and handled dozens of appeals.  Mr. Dempsey has worked a broad range of cases, from felony and capital criminal matters to civil suits under the Immigration and Nationality Act — including naturalization, adjustment of status, visa and passport matters, immigration detention, programmatic challenges, and denaturalization cases — as well as actions under the Administrative Procedure Act, Federal Tort Claims Act, and Bivens cases.  Mr. Dempsey has also handled dozens of habeas petitions and nation-wide class actions.
Mr. Dempsey is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (“AILA”), and currently serves as an Executive Director and Chair of the Litigation & Collective Advocacy Committee of the Central Florida Chapter (“CFC”) of AILA, regularly provides instruction as faculty at national immigration seminars, and is routinely sought out for his expertise in immigration matters by attorneys across the nation.
Mr. Dempsey is a combat-Veteran having deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  He volunteers assisting disabled and homeless Veterans in need through several local, national, and international non-profit organizations.  He is also a Mentor with Veterans Treatment Court for the Fourth Judicial Circuit in and for Duval County, Florida. He also founded Mission-Phoenix, Inc., a not-for-profit entity that assists Veterans suffering from PTSD with pro bono legal assistance.
In response to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of U.S. and coalition forces in August 2021, Mr. Dempsey co-founded with AILA-CFC Jacksonville Regional Vice Chair Andrea Reyes, the Northeast Florida Afghan Response Task Force (“NEFL-ARTF”), which staffed a pro bono legal clinic at the University of North Florda to assist local Afghan community members in filing humanitarian parole applications on behalf of family members currently in grave danger due to the Taliban threat inside Afghanistan. Mr. Dempsey also serves as the Chief Legal Advisor for Operation Snow Leopard, a not-for-profit entity created to assist Afghans to resettle in the United States and abroad. He represents Association of Wartime Allies and Veterans for American Ideals, a project of Human Rights First, in a class action lawsuit challenging adjudicatory delays in the Special Immigrant Visa process related to our Iraqi and Afghan Allies, currently pending in Washington, D.C., as well as lead counsel in a lawsuit—in partnership with AILA-National—challenging delays in the Afghan Humanitarian Parole process currently pending in the District of Massachusetts.
Finally, Mr. Dempsey Co-Founded the Consular Accountability Project, a not-for-profit created to resource legal challenges across the Nation to the doctrine of consular nonreviewability, which precludes judicial review of adverse consular decisions even if arbitrary or unfounded. He was lead counsel in a flagship case challenging the doctrine before the Supreme Court of the United States.
Mr. Dempsey is an accomplished runner and has participated in more than twenty-five ultramarathons.  The capstone of Mr. Dempsey’s running career was his completion of the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning in 2016.
Mr. Dempsey lives in the San Marco neighborhood of Jacksonville, Florida with his partner, their dog Roswell, and their cat, Maxwell. He has three (3) children who are all currently attending college in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Registration
Registration has closed.

Registration Fees

Complimentary for FBA Members & Non-Members

Live Captioning: Closed captioning is available for all virtual webcasts.
Internet Requirements: Virtual programs require suitable internet strength to stream online panels. A minimum internet connection of 800 Kbps is recommended for an optimal attendee experience. Test your connection here.

Event Contact
Mary Sirmans
mary@amarylaw.com

CLE
Please note CLE will not be offered for this event.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I access the virtual webinar?
A: Each webinar will have a unique link to watch the live broadcast. Registered attendees will receive login instructions via a calendar invitations 24 hours prior to the webinar.
Q: Will recordings of the sessions be available after the event?
A: Approved sessions will be available for registrants to view live and on-demand following the webinar.
Q: Who do I contact for more information?
A: Please contact Mary Sirmans (mary@amarylaw.com) or sections@fedbar.org for any other questions.

Email Communication Policy
By registering for this event, you agree to receive email communication from the Federal Bar Association and affiliated sponsors of the program concerning event details, Continuing Legal Education certification, programming changes, upcoming events, surveys, and post-event communications.
Recording Disclaimer
By registering for an online FBA program, you agree to the recording of audio and visual content presented during the live event and consent to subsequent use of the recording by the FBA. You agree that the recording is the sole property of the FBA and that the recording may be used by the FBA in any manner in its sole and absolute discretion. This recording may include questions and poll responses provided by you during the live event. If you do not consent to the recording and the FBA’s use of the same, do not register for the event.

Webinar: The Future is Now: Exploring the Role of AI in Alternative Dispute Resolution
2025-02-25 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
**Program hosted in (ET) Time Zone**
This panel discussion will explore the rapidly evolving role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in alternative dispute resolution (ADR). The program will address the opportunities and challenges that AI brings to the field of mediation and arbitration. The panelists will address timely topics, including AI as a tool in ADR, the impact of AI on the mediation process, and ethical considerations. This program is ideal for law students, newer attorneys, mediators, and seasoned ADR professionals who are interested in the intersection of technology and dispute resolution.
Presented by the FBA’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Section

Register Today!

About the Presenters:
Renee Henson, Visiting Assistant Professor of Law, University of Missouri School of Law
Professor Renee Henson is a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Missouri School of Law, specializing in artificial intelligence and products liability law. Before joining academia in July 2023, she practiced at Stinson LLP, where she handled complex business and commercial litigation, including products liability and intellectual property disputes, earning accolades such as Missouri Lawyer’s Media’s Top Verdict and Settlement Winner in 2023 and the Lawyers of Color “Hot List” in 2022. Professor Henson’s scholarship explores the intersection of AI and tort law, with articles forthcoming in the Georgia State University Law Review and published in the Missouri Law Review and Temple Law Review. Professor Henson teaches Lawyering: Problem-Solving and Dispute Resolution and Products Liability, and she serves on the Missouri Supreme Court’s Committee on Jury Instructions and Charges – Civil. A sought-after speaker, she frequently presents on AI’s legal and ethical implications and is also a mediator at Henson & Henson Dispute Resolution, LLC. She earned her J.D. from the University of Missouri School of Law, where she was Editor-in-Chief of the Business, Entrepreneurship & Tax Law Review, and graduated magna cum laude with distinction from Columbia College.

Antone Melton-Meaux, Founder and CEO, Work Resolve Mediation
Antone Melton-Meaux is the Founder of Work Resolve Mediation and has over 25 years of experience in the law. Antone began his legal career as an employment attorney at Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom and later became a Partner at Jackson Lewis. He has also been the Chief Employment Counsel for St. Jude Medical and a Human Resources Leader for St. Jude Medical and Abbott Laboratories. Antone is a member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals and the International Academy of Mediators. He also teaches ADR courses as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Minnesota Law School, serves on the mediation panel for the American Arbitration Association, is rated AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell for the highest level of professional excellence, and has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America®. Antone obtained his J.D. as a Congressional Fellow from the University of Virginia School of Law. Antone also earned a Master of Theology from Union Theological Seminary in New York City as a Union Scholar.

Laurel Stevenson, Director, Mediation and Assessment Program (MAP), U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri
After more than two decades as a litigator in which she tried more than eighty jury trials to verdict, Laurel Stevenson became the Director of the Mediation and Assessment Program (known as MAP) for the United States District Court, Western District of Missouri in 2020. Laurel has served as a mediator or facilitator in more than 1,000 cases, including more than 300 Zoom mediations. She has resolved a wide variety of cases, including class actions, FLSA, employment, wrongful death, transportation, medical malpractice, and commercial disputes. Several resolutions have resulted in institutional policy changes. She has also served as an arbitrator, provided neutral evaluations, and been involved in summary jury trials and mini trials. Laurel trains judges, law students, attorney-advocates, and neutrals on ADR and has taught more than fifty CLE’s in multiple areas, including ADR, trial practice, ethics, AI, insurance, and trauma. She has numerous published legal articles in multiple publications, including The Resolver, Just Resolutions, and the Journal of the Missouri Bar.
Laurel is the Co-Chair of the Dispute Resolution Section’s Court ADR Committee, the Treasurer of the Federal Bar Association’s ADR Section, and the Editor of The Resolver, a publication of the FBA’s ADR Section. For the past three years, she has been a mentor to law students through the FBA’s mentorship program.

(Moderator) Naveen Raue, J.D. Candidate, University of Missouri School of Law, Class of 2027.
Naveen Rau is currently pursuing a legal education at the University of Missouri School of Law, as part of the Class of 2027. He is actively involved in the law school community as a Missouri Law Ambassador and a member of the Missouri Law Veterans Society. He emphasizes building robust advocacy and research abilities, with a keen interest in Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property.
Before attending law school, Naveen served as a U.S. Army Military Intelligence officer. In this role, he gained extensive experience in strategic analysis, critical decision-making, and leading diverse teams under challenging conditions. His military background instilled a disciplined approach to problem-solving, a deep respect for teamwork, and a strong ability to thrive under pressure—qualities that he now applies to his legal studies and professional development.
Naveen is enthusiastic about leveraging the law to effect meaningful change and is eager to apply his analytical and interpersonal skills in future legal practice.

Registration
Register Today!

Live Broadcast | FBA Member: $0
Live Broadcast | Nonmember: $95
On-Demand Broadcast | FBA Member: $50
On-Demand Broadcast | Nonmember: $95

CLE
Please note: CLE for this webinar has not been pre-approved.
MyLaw and the FBA will seek 1.0 General CLE credit hours in 60-minute states, and 1.2 General CLE credit hours in 50-minute states.
Posted credit hours are estimated and subject to respective state approval and rounding rules. CLE qualifications vary by state/jurisdiction.
For questions regarding this program, please contact MyLaw CLE by email: registration@mylawcle.com or phone: 877-406-8636.

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Webinar: Bar Prep Kickoff
2025-02-26 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
**Program hosted in (ET) Time Zone**

Attention all July 2025 bar preppers! Please join us for a one-hour tips session presented by the FBA Law Student Division Board. Panelists will present evidence-based tips for how to boost your chances of success, including the recommended number of hours, active versus passive study techniques, what to do if you must work while studying for the exam, how to structure study time, the importance of healthy eating, sleep, and exercise habits, how to prepare for the day(s) of the exam, and more. We hope to see you there and wish you luck!
Presented by the FBA’s Law Student Division

Registration is Closed

About the Presenters:
Professor Kymberly Porter
Kymberly Porter is an Associate Attorney for Miller, Christie & Kinney law firm. Admitted to practice in Alabama, she represents Defendants in multiple areas of tort litigation ranging from automobile and trucking accidents to workers compensation claims. Ms. Porter is a member of the Alabama Bar Association.
Ms. Porter attended Alabama A&M University and graduated from the University of South Alabama earning her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. She is a 2020 graduate of Faulkner University Thomas Goode Jones School of Law where she was active and held leadership roles in many extracurriculars including Ernestine S. Sapp chapter of the Black Law Students Association, Board of Advocates and Faulkner Law Review. She was a Walter K. Knabe Scholar and a Pupil member of the Hugh Maddox Inn of Court.
Ms. Porter has a robust amount of trial experience having previously served as an Assistant District Attorney in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and gardening.
Akiesha Anderson
Akiesha Anderson is the Advocacy and Partnerships Manager for Represent Justice. As a lawyer with a decorated career in policy advocacy, in addition to her work at Represent Justice, Akiesha serves as a bar exam grader with the National Conference of Bar Examiners and The Alabama State Bar. Akiesha is originally from Montgomery, Alabama yet currently resides in Southern California. She received her undergraduate degree in Sociology from Alabama State University in 2010, a Masters of Public Administration (MPA) from Auburn University Montgomery, and a Juris Doctor degree (JD) with a certificate in governmental affairs from The University of Alabama School of Law.
Professor Catherine Bramble
Catherine Bramble is an Associate Professor who teaches courses in advanced legal writing, including Legal Writing Theory and Practice, Advanced Legal Writing, and the Substantial Writing Workshop. She also teaches Torts.
Professor Bramble graduated summa cum laude from the J. Reuben Clark Law School in 2005 where she served as an editor for the BYU Law Review and competed on BYU Law School’s National Trial Advocacy team. Following graduation from law school, Professor Bramble worked as the Prelaw Advisor for BYU and then as the first Director of Preprofessional Advisement at BYU, where she oversaw advisement for undergraduates applying to graduate law, health, and business programs. In 2008, Professor Bramble joined MHM Law Offices in Provo, Utah, where she worked for eight years as a practicing attorney.
Professor Bramble joined BYU Law School in 2011 as a member of the Rex E. Lee Advocacy faculty, teaching Introduction to Legal Research & Writing and Introduction to Advocacy. In 2019, she was appointed the first Director of Academic Advisement and Development. During her time as director, she taught Fundamentals of Legal Analysis and Strategies in Legal Analysis. For the 2022-2023 academic year, Professor Bramble was a Visiting Assistant Professor at the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah, where she taught Torts, Applied Legal Writing, and Problem Solving & Analysis.
Since 2020, Professor Bramble has served as a member of the Utah Supreme Court Working Group on Attorney Licensure. Professor Bramble’s research interests include law school pedagogy and innovative attorney licensure.
Kijana Mitchell
Kijana Mitchell is a native of Brewton, AL. She graduated with her B.A. in Political Science and Public Administration, Magna cum laude from the University of North Alabama, and earned her J.D. with honors from Faulkner University’s Jones School of Law. Kijana held several leadership positions while in law school, including senior editor for the Faulkner Law Review, Attorney General for the Black Law Students Association, Fellow for Ms. JD, Vice President of the Public Interest Law Foundation and helping start the school’s student FBA chapter.
During law school, Kijana worked as a victim’s advocate for a nonprofit domestic violence agency and later served as a lobbyist for a statewide advocacy organization. As a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, she is also very involved in community service initiatives.
Kijana became a law student member of the Federal Bar Association after interning with the Honorable Judge Kelly F. Pate in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. Since becoming a member, she has had the opportunity to access a wealth of resources that have enhanced her confidence as a legal practitioner. She works as an Associate Attorney for the Jinks Crow law firm where she handles complex civil litigation. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, reading and painting.

Registration
Registration is Closed

FBA Member: $0
Nonmember: $95

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If you would like to submit any question(s) to the presenters in advance of the webinar, please do so via the form below:

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CLE
Please note CLE will not be offered for this event.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I access the virtual webinar?
A: Each webinar will have a unique link to watch the live broadcast. Registered attendees will receive login instructions via a calendar invitations 24 hours prior to the webinar.
Q: Will recordings of the sessions be available after the event?
A: Approved sessions will be available for registrants to view live and on-demand following the webinar.
Q: Who do I contact for more information?
A: Please contact sections@fedbar.org for any other questions.

Email Communication Policy
By registering for this event, you agree to receive email communication from the Federal Bar Association and affiliated sponsors of the program concerning event details, Continuing Legal Education certification, programming changes, upcoming events, surveys, and post-event communications.
Recording Disclaimer
By registering for an online FBA program, you agree to the recording of audio and visual content presented during the live event and consent to subsequent use of the recording by the FBA. You agree that the recording is the sole property of the FBA and that the recording may be used by the FBA in any manner in its sole and absolute discretion. This recording may include questions and poll responses provided by you during the live event. If you do not consent to the recording and the FBA’s use of the same, do not register for the event.
If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact Daniel Hamilton, Program

experience. Test your connection here.

Northern District of California Chapter: Grace, Courage and the Unyielding Power of Integrity
2025-02-26 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Thelton E. Henderson Ceremonial Courtroom (U.S. District Court), 450 Golden Gate Avenue, 19th FL, San Francisco, CA, 94102
“Grace, Courage and the Unyielding Power of Integrity: The Story of Two Civil Rights Pioneers—Constance Baker Motley and James Meredith” will be a reenactment of the admissions hearings to allow Meredith to enter Ol’Miss in 1961.
Tickets: https://fbandca.ticketleap.com/motley/
For questions regarding this program, please contact ndca.fba@gmail.com

2025 Tax Law Conference
2025-02-27 09:00 - 2025-03-03 17:00 (America/New_York) | Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, US
Save the Date!
Join the Tax Law Section for its 49th Annual Tax Law Conference [Virtually] Thursday, February 27 – Friday, February 28 and [In-Person] Monday, March 3, 2025.
Co-Hosted by the Section on Taxation.

CLE/CPE
Posted credit hours are estimated and subject to respective state approval and rounding rules. CLE qualifications vary by state/jurisdiction and the FBA takes every measure to collaborate with presenters to ensure approval.
CLE Credit will be tracked via an online web application. Attendees must check-in and check-out of each session to record their attendance.
Certificates will be available to download online and sent via email approximately two weeks following the conference. Required course codes and/or documentation for self-reporting states will be issued via email, upon state bar approval. Thank you in advance for your patience, as state bars are experiencing significant delays with program processing.
Access more information about CLE Attendance and Reporting.
The Federal Bar Association is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its web site: www.nasbaregistry.org.
Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live.

Venue
Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center
1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington D.C., DC 20004

Sponsor
Email sponsor@fedbar.org to learn more about our sponsorship opportunities.

Email Communication Policy: By registering for this event, you agree to receive email communication from the Federal Bar Association and affiliated sponsors of the program concerning event details, Continuing Legal Education certification, programming changes, upcoming events, surveys, and post-event communications.
Recording Disclaimer: By registering for an online FBA program, you agree to the recording of audio and visual content presented during the live event and consent to subsequent use of the recording by the FBA. You agree that the recording is the sole property of the FBA and that the recording may be used by the FBA in any manner in its sole and absolute discretion. This recording may include questions and poll responses provided by you during the live event. If you do not consent to the recording and the FBA’s use of the same, do not register for the event.
Financial Assistance: Program registrants (both FBA members and nonmembers) who are unable to afford the registration fee may receive a 50% discount on the member rate. Qualifying attorneys include those who are unemployed or actively seeking employment. A formal letter requesting the discount must be emailed to meetings@fedbar.org. That letter needs to state the reason for the attorney’s interest in the course or activity, as well as proof of income or an explanation of the financial hardship, and it must be signed by the requesting lawyer.
If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact meetings@fedbar.org.

San Diego Chapter: Beyond the Hype - Real-World Applications and Ethical Implications of AI in Legal Practice
2025-02-28 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom Webinar
Please join U.S. Magistrate Judge Allison Goddard and the authors of the recently published book, A Short & Happy Guide to Artificial Intelligence, for a wide-ranging discussion of artificial intelligence and the law.
MCLE: One hour of Technology California MCLE.
*Webinar will be hosted in (PT) Pacific Time Zone.*
Panelist Biographies:
Hon. Allison H. Goddard was sworn in as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of California in August 2019. She graduated from Boston College in 1993 and received her J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law in 2000. Judge Goddard spent the first half of her legal career representing corporate defendants in litigation at Cooley LLP and at her own law firm, Jaczko Goddard LLP. In 2011, she shifted her practice to representing plaintiffs in complex and intellectual property litigation. Judge Goddard has tried several cases, including class actions and patent infringement disputes. She speaks regularly on eDiscovery and technology in the law, including artificial intelligence. She also teaches trial practice and coaches a mock trial team at a local high school.
James Cooper is a Professor of Law at California Western School of Law. Professor Cooper has served as the Associate Dean of Experiential Learning and as Assistant Dean at the law school. A Cambridge University-trained Barrister and Solicitor, Professor Cooper started his career with Baker & McKenzie, and is or has been a faculty member, visiting professor, or visiting scholar at the University of Strathclyde Law School in Glasgow, Scotland; the University of Toronto; University of California, San Diego; the Franz von Liszt Institute at Justus Liebig University in Giessen, Germany; the University of Macau; Singapore University of Social Sciences; and the University of Heidelberg. Mr. Cooper’s scholarship has appeared in leading journals in North America, South America, and Europe. He is a frequent public speaker, and has contributed to newspapers, television, and radio news programs around the world. Some of his law review articles have been paired with documentary films he co-directed. Professor Cooper’s work has recently focused on the legal regulation of emerging technologies including blockchain, artificial intelligence, and the metaverse.
Kashyap Kompella is an award-winning industry analyst, best-selling author, columnist, educator, and advisor to leading companies and start-ups in United States, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Currently, Mr. Kompella is the CEO of the global technology industry analyst firm RPA2AI Research. RPA2AI advises global corporations, venture capital / private equity firms and government agencies on AI Investments, Enterprise AI, AI Governance, AI Audits and AI Ethics. He is widely recognized as a thought leader on AI and emerging technologies, and has been quoted by the media, including the BBC, Quartz, Economist, Mint, Guardian, Forbes, Nikkei Asian Review, eMarketer, CMSWire, KMWorld, EContent and SearchCIO.

Webinar: Through Her Clerks’ Eyes II: The Barrier-Breaking Career of Judge Baker Motley, and Her Honor's Living Legacy Empowering the Next Generation of Practitioners
2025-02-28 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
**Program hosted in (ET) Time Zone**
In celebration of Black History Month and Women’s History Month and to kick off the fourth edition of The Hon. Constance Baker Motley Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Essay Competition, please join the Federal Bar Association’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, the FBA Southern District of New York Chapter, the FBA Younger Lawyers Division, the FBA Minnesota Chapter, and the DC Chapter, along with those interested in, curious about, or committed to the values personified by Judge Baker Motley at a webinar honoring Her Honor’s trailblazing legacy.
The February 28th webinar will feature Judge Baker Motley’s former law clerk, Chief Judge Swain, who will discuss Her Honor’s life and career, as well as offer a rare glimpse behind the curtain and into the chambers of one of our nation’s most accomplished advocates, jurists, and public servants. The panel will also discuss Judge Baker Motley’s impact and the opportunities that her work has created for all to advance within the legal profession. This webinar will also serve to kick off the fourth edition of the FBA’s Hon. Constance Baker Motley Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Essay Competition, which invites law students and those who have been in practice for ten years or less to submit short essays that address strategies to promote, achieve and sustain, diversity, equity and inclusion in federal practice. To learn more or to participate in the essay contest, follow this link.
REGISTER NOW!
Presented by the Committee on Diversity and Inclusion and the Younger Lawyers Division.
Sponsored by the FBA’s Minnesota Chapter, Southern District of New York Chapter, and the Washington, DC Chapter.

About the Presenters:
Moderator: Natalie Ellis, Associate Attorney, Riley, Safer, Holmes, Cancila, LLP
A dedicated and fearless advocate with experience in all stages of litigation, Natalie Ellis defends clients in complex cases, primarily product liability and mass tort claims, in state and federal courts. She provides creative solutions and strategies rooted in a deep appreciation of her clients’ business needs and objectives, putting them in the best position to succeed when litigation arises.
Natalie is highly valued for her ability to grasp the technical nuances of her clients’ products and develop legal analyses specific to the unique considerations of each matter. Clients appreciate that she goes above and beyond to provide the most efficient and effective solutions. Prior to joining RSHC, Natalie practiced medical malpractice at a Chicago-based law firm where she defended hospitals, physicians, nurses, and other health care staff.

The Hon. Laura Taylor Swain, Chief Judge, United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
Laura Taylor Swain was appointed to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on July 11, 2000, and entered on duty on August 31, 2000. She became Chief Judge of the Court on April 10, 2021. A native New Yorker, Chief Judge Swain graduated from Radcliffe College of Harvard University, cum laude, and from the Harvard Law School. She served as a law clerk to the Honorable Constance Baker Motley from 1982 to 1983. She practiced law with a private firm in New York until 1996. Judge Swain was also the first woman, and first person of color, to serve as a member of the New York State Board of Law Examiners, and served as such for 10 years prior to taking the bench. She served as a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of New York from November 1996 until August 2000. Judge Swain chaired the Advisory Committee of the Judicial Conference of the United States on the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure from 2007 to 2010. Judge Swain has served the judiciary and the community through committee and board membership of numerous organizations, and has received numerous awards as well as honorary degrees. Since May 2017, Judge Swain has presided, by designation of the Chief Justice of the United States pursuant to the federal PROMESA statute, over the PROMESA debt restructuring proceedings for Puerto Rico.

Register Now!

Live Broadcast | FBA Member: $0
Live Broadcast | Nonmember: $95
On-Demand Broadcast | FBA Member: $50
On-Demand Broadcast | Nonmember: $95

CLE
Please note: CLE for this webinar has not been pre-approved.
MyLaw and the FBA will seek 1.0 General CLE credit hours in 60-minute states, and 1.2 General CLE credit hours in 50-minute states.
Posted credit hours are estimated and subject to respective state approval and rounding rules. CLE qualifications vary by state/jurisdiction.
For questions regarding this program, please contact MyLaw CLE by email: registration@mylawcle.com or phone: 877-406-8636.

Orange County Chapter: Opt-Out Civil Consent to Magistrate Judges
2025-03-04 11:30 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | UCI School of Law, EDU 1111; 401 E. Peltason Drive, Irvine, CA
Our esteemed panel of judges will discuss the new Opt-Out Civil Consent to Magistrate Judges Program in the Central District of California.
MAGISTRATE JUDGES:
Hon. Karen L. Stevenson, Chief Magistrate Judge
Hon. John D. Early
Hon. Douglas F. McCormick
Hon. Karen E. Scott
Hon. Autumn D. Spaeth
DISTRICT JUDGE:
Hon. Fred W. Slaughter
FREE EVENT • REGISTRATION REQUIRED:
This is a complimentary event with a box lunch provided, but there is a fee for parking. NOTE we cannot guarantee a box lunch for registrations received after February 25.
BOX LUNCH OPTIONS:
At the time of registration, please indicate your preference from this list:
– Roast Beef and Cheddar Sandwich
– California Turkey Ciabatta with Avocado, Spinach, Cucumber, Tomato and Ranch Dressing
– (VG | EW | PF) Portobello Banh Mi Sub: Portobello Mushrooms, Pickled Veggies and Jalapenos with Vegan Sriracha Mayo
QUESTIONS:
Contact FBA/OC at info@FBAOC.com or (949) 608-9905.

Qui Tam Section: [VIRTUAL] Targeting Corporate DEI via the False Claims Act
2025-03-04 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York)
**Program hosted in (ET) Time Zone**
Our panel will take an early look at the Trump administration’s evident intention to invoke the False Claims Act against federal contractors and subcontractors as part of its campaign against what it claims are “dangerous, demeaning, and immoral,” not to mention “illegal,” DEI initiatives, as outlined in the president’s executive order of January 21, 2025 titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.”
*** This event does not offer CLE credit ***
Register Today!
Presented by the FBA Qui Tam Section
Co-Sponsored by the College of Labor & Employment Lawyers

Presenters
Speakers
Denise M. Barnes, Bass, Berry & Sims

David S. Fortney, FortneyScott

Kathleen R. Scanlan, Keller Grover

Moderator
Deborah P. Kelly, Manatt

Opening Remarks
R. Scott Oswald, Qui Tam Section, Federal Bar Association

John F. Ring, College of Labor & Employment Lawyers

Registration
Register here!

FBA Members: $0
Non-Members: $0

CLE
Please note that CLE credit is not offered for this webinar.

Email Communication Policy
By registering for this event, you agree to receive email communications from the Federal Bar Association and affiliated sponsors of the program concerning event details, Continuing Legal Education certification, programming changes, upcoming events, surveys, and post-event communications.
Recording Disclaimer
By registering for an FBA webinar, you agree to the recording of audio and visual content presented during the live event and consent to subsequent use of the recording by the FBA. You agree that the recording is the sole property of the FBA and that the recording may be used by the FBA in any manner in its sole and absolute discretion. This recording may include questions and poll responses provided by you during the live event. If you do not consent to the recording and the FBA’s use of the same, do not register for the event.
If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact sections@fedbar.org.

Webinar: Practical Impact of the New SBA Recertification Regulations on the M&A Industry
2025-03-04 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
**Program hosted in (ET) Time Zone**
Join the Government Contracts Law Section on a discussion addressing the real-world ramifications surrounding the SBA’s new recertification regulations from the perspectives of an M&A law practitioner and an M&A investor as well as a discussion of practical adjustments in the market.
**This event does not offer CLE Credit**
Registration has closed.
Presented by the Federal Bar Association’s Government Contracts Section

Presenters

Ralph C. Thomas III (Moderator)
Senior Counsel and Government Contracts Law Practice Lead
Whiteford Taylor & Preston LLP
Ralph C. Thomas III is Senior Counsel and Government Contracts Law Practice Lead at the Washington, D.C. Office of Whiteford Taylor & Preston. Mr. Thomas is also the Chair of the Federal Bar Association’s Government Contracts Section. He has substantial experience in all phases of Government Contracts Law and has successfully represented government contractors before Federal courts, Federal agencies and arbitration tribunals. Ralph has been the Government Contracts Law subject matter expert on major Merger & Acquisition deals. He is the author of numerous articles on business and government contract law-related matters.
During his practice, he has drafted and negotiated any number of Joint Venture, Subcontract, and Teaming Agreements on behalf of government contractors and has conducted numerous workshops and seminars on such topics. He has represented clients in bid and size protests, contract claims against the government, as well as other government contracts litigation.
Having testified in Congress a number of times on Government contracting issues, mostly focusing on small businesses, he has been a speaker at numerous small business conferences across the country. In 2023, he was an invited panelist at a contracting summit held at the White House. Internationally, he has addressed numerous public procurement conferences abroad.

Steve Horn (Panelist)
Managing Partner
National Security Capital Advisors, LLC
Steve is currently the Managing Partner of National Security Capital Advisors, LLC. (an investment bank supporting the National Security Community). He is also on the Board of Directors of MasterPeace Solutions, Ltd. providing strategic planning and consulting, Business Development, and Capital Raise outreach.
In addition, Steve is President and Owner of SJ Horn Associates (an Executive Search and Business Incubator Firm), Founder of Project Delivery, Ltd. (An Information Technology and Analytics services company supporting the Federal Sector), and the Founding Partner of Hire Performance, a firm focused on Outsourced Search Services and Contract Recruiting services to companies in support of the DoD/Intelligence Community.
During his 30+ years in the industry, Steve has executed dozens of consulting assignments related to retention, organizational development, strategic business planning, mergers and acquisitions planning and execution, staffing and business development for DoD/Intelligence Community companies. Additionally, he has participated in the placement of nearly 2,000 Board Members, executives, managers, and engineers within the DoD/Intelligence Community.

Frank S. Jones, Jr. (Panelist)
Partner/Co-Chair- Business Department
Whiteford Taylor & Preston LLP
Frank S. Jones, Jr is Co-chair of the firm’s Business Department, Mr. Jones has over 25 years of experience in business transactions, including M&A experience that extends to public and private companies, buy- and sell-side transactions, and all aspects of the acquisition process. He has significant experience with equity and debt financings that include venture capital, private equity and public offerings.
Mr. Jones has assisted clients in M&A, capital raising, licensing and IP protection strategies in a wide range of industries, including cyber security, government contracting, software and technology, finance, energy, electronics, life sciences, medical research, and nonprofits, among others. He serves as outside general counsel to many clients which, while concentrated in the middle market, have ranged from Fortune 200 companies to entrepreneurs.
Mr. Jones speaks frequently on business and technology topics.

Registration
Registration has closed
Registration Fees

FBA Member: $0
Nonmember: $95

Live Captioning: Closed captioning is available for all virtual webcasts.

Internet Requirements: Virtual programs require suitable internet strength to stream online panels. A minimum internet connection of 800 Kbps is recommended for an optimal attendee experience. Test your connection here.

CLE
Please note CLE will not be offered for this event.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I access the virtual webinar?
A: Each webinar will have a unique link to watch the live broadcast. Registered attendees will receive login instructions via a calendar invitations 24 hours prior to the webinar.
Q: Will recordings of the sessions be available after the event?
A: Approved sessions will be available for registrants to view live and on-demand following the webinar.
Q: Who do I contact for more information?
A: Please contact sections@fedbar.org for any other questions.

Email Communication Policy
By registering for this event, you agree to receive email communication from the Federal Bar Association and affiliated sponsors of the program concerning event details, Continuing Legal Education certification, programming changes, upcoming events, surveys, and post-event communications.
Recording Disclaimer
By registering for an online FBA program, you agree to the recording of audio and visual content presented during the live event and consent to subsequent use of the recording by the FBA. You agree that the recording is the sole property of the FBA and that the recording may be used by the FBA in any manner in its sole and absolute discretion. This recording may include questions and poll responses provided by you during the live event. If you do not consent to the recording and the FBA’s use of the same, do not register for the event.
If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact sections@fedbar.org

Northern District of California Chapter: Litigating Motions for Attorneys’ Fees - Judicial and Practitioner Views on Best Practices and Common Pitfalls
2025-03-04 17:00 - 18:30 (America/New_York) | Robert F. Peckham Federal Building & United States Courthouse, 280 South 1st Street, Ceremonial courtroom, San Jose, CA, 95113, United States
Featuring
Judge Edward J. Davila, District Judge, San Jose
Judge Nathanael Cousins, Magistrate Judge, San Jose
Judge Virginia K. DeMarchi, Magistrate Judge, San Jose
With Todd Gregorian (Fenwick & West LLP) and Kevin Budner (Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP)
Moderated By Allen Wang and Ravi Ranganath (Fenwick & West LLP)
Registration at: https://fbandca.ticketleap.com/fees/
MCLE Available
For questions regarding this program, please contact ndca.fba@gmail.com

Webinar: Order in the Court: Law Clerk Tips for Managing a Docket
2025-03-06 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
**Program hosted in (ET) Time Zone**
Join us for an informative webinar focused on essential tips for law clerks in managing a docket effectively. Whether you’re new to the role or looking to refine your skills, this program will cover key strategies for organizing, prioritizing, and tracking cases, ensuring you stay on top of deadlines and tasks. Our experienced speakers, including federal judges and a representative from the Administrative Office of the Courts, will share practical advice on time management, handling complex caseloads, and ensuring cases are proceeding timely. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your docket management skills and boost your efficiency as a law clerk!
**This event does not offer CLE Credit**
Registration has closed.
Sponsored by the FBA’s Judiciary Division‘s Federal Judicial Law Clerk Committee
Webinar registration is free for FBA members! Please also note that law students, term law clerks, and “Clerks of Court,” “Deputy Clerks,” “Divisional Clerks,” or “Executives” of Federal courts established under Article I or Article III of the Constitution are eligible for complimentary membership. In addition, any judge of the Federal courts established under Article III of the Constitution, any United States Bankruptcy Judge, any United States Magistrate Judge, any United States Immigration Judge, and any judge of a Federal court established under Article I of the Constitution who is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate is eligible for honorary membership. Learn more and join here.

Presenters
(Moderator) Caryn Peterson, Career Clerk for Magistrate Judge Carmen Henderson, Northern District of Ohio
Caryn Peterson is the career law clerk for Magistrate Judge Carmen E. Henderson in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. Prior to clerking for Judge Henderson, Caryn clerked in the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. Combined, Caryn has fourteen years’ experience clerking in the federal courts. Prior to joining the court, Caryn worked for four years as a litigation attorney in a mid-size law firm in Akron, Ohio. Caryn graduated cum laude from the University of Akron School of Law in 2007, where she also worked for two years at the Legal and Appellate Clinic assisting indigent criminal defendants with their federal and state appeals. Caryn graduated cum laude from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois in 2002 with a degree in mathematics.
Kelly W. Chadwick, DTS Training Branch – Training Division, Systems Development and Support Office, Administrative Office U.S. Courts
Kelly W. Chadwick is a member of the AOUSC-DTS-SDSO Training Division’s Microsoft Collaboration and Communication Training (MCCT) team in San Antonio, Texas and focuses on Microsoft Cloud Technology Consulting services. Through his work as an internal cloud technology consultant, he has developed working relationships and trust with judges, circuit executives, and assistant circuit executives for IT (ACEs) throughout the federal judiciary. He delivers Microsoft 365 technology presentations at judicial conferences, national judiciary IT conferences, and divisional conferences. Kelly graduated from Boise State University with a Master of Science in Instructional and Performance Technology. His past professional positions have included: instructional designer, computer application instructor, training media consultant, distance learning/media researcher, and project manager.

Hon. Landya McCafferty, U.S. District Chief Judge, United States District Court, District of New Hampshire
Hon. Landya Boyer McCafferty currently serves as Chief District Judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire. In 2013, President Obama nominated and the Senate confirmed her to the federal bench, and she is the first woman to serve as a federal judge in N.H. Prior to that, she served for 3 ½ years as Magistrate Judge in the same court. Before joining the district court bench, Judge McCafferty served as Disciplinary Counsel for the N.H. Attorney Discipline Office (2004-2010). Most of her career was spent as a staff attorney for the N.H. Public Defenders Office (1995-2003), including two years as an appellate defender arguing appeals on behalf of indigent defendants before the N.H. Supreme Court. Judge McCafferty also worked briefly in private practice for the McLane Law Firm. Immediately out of law school, she clerked for the Hon. Norman H. Stahl at both the federal district and First Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge McCafferty graduated from Harvard University and Northeastern University School of Law.

Hon. Stacey D. Adams, U.S. Magistrate Judge, United States District Court, District of New Jersey
Magistrate Judge Stacey Adams was appointed to the Federal bench in 2024. She currently sits in the District of New Jersey, Newark vicinage where she presides over both civil and criminal matters, ranging from single plaintiff cases to class actions.
Judge Adams also served as a Superior Court Judge for the State of New Jersey from 2019 through 2024, where she sat in the Family and Civil Divisions.
Prior to her service in the judiciary, Judge Adams was a labor and employment litigator. From 2006 until joining the bench, Judge Adams was a shareholder at Littler Mendelson, P.C., the largest labor and employment firm in the country, where she had a thriving practice and also sat on several firm management committees – such as the Womens’ Leadership Initiative, Alumni Committee and the Client Investment Management Committee. From 2002 through 2006, Judge Adams worked at Decotiis, Fitzpatrick, Cole & Wisler, LLP, where she was first elevated to partner. Judge Adams began her career at the New York City office of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP, where she worked as an associate from 1997 through 2002, in the labor and employment department.
In addition to being a seasoned litigator with significant trial and appellate experience (including arguing and prevailing before the New Jersey Supreme Court), Judge Adams frequently conducted diversity, anti-harassment, and other forms of training for her clients. Beyond her legal practice, Judge Adams served on several different boards and committees including the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association, District Court of New Jersey’s Lawyers Advisory Committee, the Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey and the Sidney Reitman Employment Inn of Court. Judge Adams graduated from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1998 after receiving her undergraduate degree from George Washington University, both magnum cum laude.

Registration
Registration has closed.

FBA Member: $0
Nonmember: $95

CLE
Please note CLE will not be offered for this event.

Live Captioning: Closed captioning is available for all virtual webcasts.

Internet Requirements: Virtual programs require suitable internet strength to stream online panels. A minimum internet connection of 800 Kbps is recommended for an optimal attendee experience. Test your connection here.

Email Communication Policy
By registering for this event, you agree to receive email communications from the Federal Bar Association and affiliated sponsors of the program concerning event details, Continuing Legal Education certification, programming changes, upcoming events, surveys, and post-event communications.
Recording Disclaimer
By registering for an online FBA program, you agree to the recording of audio and visual content presented during the live event and consent to subsequent use of the recording by the FBA. You agree that the recording is the sole property of the FBA and that the recording may be used by the FBA in any manner in its sole and absolute discretion. This recording may include questions and poll responses provided by you during the live event. If you do not consent to the recording and the FBA’s use of the same, do not register for the event.
If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact sections@fedbar.org

Northern District of California Chapter: Raising the Bar - Civility in the Legal Profession
2025-03-06 17:00 - 18:30 (America/New_York) | Thelton E. Henderson Ceremonial Courtroom (U.S. District Court), 450 Golden Gate Avenue, 19th FL, San Francisco, CA, 94102
An honest discussion about the challenges faced by lawyers in our profession, including junior lawyers, women, and minorities, who often bear the brunt of harassment and bullying in litigation. And ways in which each of us can combat this bullying and make our profession more hospitable and welcoming for all.
Panelists
Hon. Rita Lin, U.S. District Judge
Paul Grewal, Chief Legal Officer, Coinbase
Emily Haffner Reitmeier, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Moderated by
Hon. Susan Illston, U.S. District Judge
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Thelton Henderson Ceremonial Courtroom
450 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco, CA
5:00 – 6:30 pm | Reception to Follow
Civility in the Legal Profession MCLE
For tickets: https://fbandca.ticketleap.com/civility/
For questions regarding this program, please contact ndca.fba@gmail.com

Maryland Chapter: Introduction to Federal Practice Program and Admission Ceremony 2025
2025-03-07 12:30 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | United States Courthouse, 6500 Cherrywood Lane, Courtroom 4C, Greenbelt, MD, 20770, United States
The Federal Bar Association Maryland Chapter’s Annual
INTRODUCTION TO FEDERAL PRACTICE PROGRAM AND ADMISSION CEREMONY
The Maryland Chapter of the Federal Bar Association is sponsoring a program for practitioners in Maryland’s Federal District Court and/or for attorneys who want to be admitted to the Court. The CLE program will cover topics that include:
– Introduction to the Courthouses and Lawyer Resources
– Highlights of Local Rules and Standing Orders
– Discovery and Discovery Disputes
– Mediation
– Motions Practice
The program will feature judges from the federal bench, as well as attorneys who regularly practice in the U.S. District Court. It also will include remarks and tips from the Clerk’s Office of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, and a presentation by Catherine “Katie” Curran O’Malley, Executive Director of the Women’s Law Center of Maryland, about opportunities to provide assistance to victims of domestic violence.
CLE Registration
The program will be held in Courtroom 4C in the United States District Court in Greenbelt and will start promptly at 12:30 p.m., with registration beginning at 12:00 p.m. The program will be followed by a reception.
An RSVP is required, but the CLE program is offered free of charge. Please RSVP on our website: https://www.fbamd.org/introduction_to_federal_practice_program_and_admission_ceremony_2025
Attorney Admissions
Attorneys who want to be admitted to the U.S. District Court must apply for admission and pay the $200 admission fee electronically through the Court’s website at https://www2.mdd.uscourts.gov/baradmapp/prerequisites.aspx.
Applicants must have a sponsor complete and sign the sponsor portion of the application, but sponsors need not attend the ceremony. Admission applications for the March 7, 2025 ceremony must be filed online by February 26, 2025. Applicants will be directed to register to attend the March 7th ceremony once their applications have been approved, but they must separately RSVP for the CLE program. The admissions ceremony will follow the CLE program and is scheduled for approximately 4:30 p.m. Admittees are welcome to have guests attend the ceremony. A reception will follow.
WHEN:
March 7, 2025, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
(followed by reception 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.)
WHERE:
United States Courthouse
6500 Cherrywood Lane, Courtroom 4C
Greenbelt, Maryland 20770
CONTACT: Peter Nothstein · Peter.Nothstein@usdoj.gov

Webinar: Employee Handbooks - Best Practices and Potential Pitfalls
2025-03-11 14:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York)
**Program hosted in (ET) Time Zone**
Please join the Labor & Employment section to discuss best practices for reviewing, drafting, and revising employee handbooks. This session will start with initial considerations and the importance of understanding the client’s business (what they do, what are their priorities, where are their employees, and any industry/business specific requirements/concerns that should be included or addressed), the importance of “doing no harm” and avoiding creating contractual obligations, things to consider when reviewing and updating existing handbooks, tips for drafting handbooks for multi-state/cross-jurisdictional employers, and common traps/pitfalls to avoid, yet are often included and/or requested by employers (such as introductory periods, formal review processes, open-door/grievance policies, graduated/incremental disciplinary policies, and policies that are unrealistic or frequently ignored/disregarded to an employer’s detriment).
Register Today!

Presented by the Labor & Employment Section

About the Presenters
David A. Michel – Partner, Sherin and Lodgen LLP, Boston, MA
David A. Michel assists clients in resolving complex employment, business, and real estate disputes.
A partner in Sherin and Lodgen LLP’s Litigation Department, his experience includes representing companies and individuals in a variety of complex civil and commercial disputes in federal and state court and through alternative dispute resolution. In particular, David represents clients and organizations in employment matters involving restrictive covenants, discrimination, wrongful termination, and wage and hour litigation. He also represents companies, developers, property owners, and landlords involved in commercial and real estate disputes, including adverse possession, breach of contract, brokerage, and zoning matters.
Prior to joining Sherin and Lodgen, David was a Staff Attorney for the Committee for Public Counsel Services’ Public Defender Division. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts from The George Washington University in 2006, David returned to his native Massachusetts to pursue a career in law. David received his J.D. from Boston University School of Law in 2011, where he served as submissions editor for the Boston University Public Interest Law Journal and achieved honors in the Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Concentration.

Jack Blum – Shareholder, Polsinelli, Washington, DC
Jack Blum is an experienced employment law advisor and litigator. Jack has extensive experience defending employers against all manner of claims by their employees in federal and state courts, as well as before government agencies like the OFCCP, EEOC, and state human rights commissions.

Jack particularly focuses on representing government contractor employers. Jack guides clients through OFCCP audits, framing the client’s hiring, compensation, and other personnel practices and data to preemptively address potential OFCCP concerns to avoid extensive agency inquiries. When OFCCP does challenge a client’s practices, Jack has successfully defended against OFCCP’s claims of discrimination. Jack also advises contractors on compliance with their obligations under the Davis-Bacon Act, Service Contract Act, and a wide range of FAR and DFAR clauses.
Jack also frequently represents parties in employee mobility litigation, including claims involving non-competition, non-solicitation, and confidentiality agreements, trade secret misappropriation, and business torts asserted against former employees and competitors that hire them. As employers face significant competitive harm from an employee’s theft of customer or technical information, Jack is prepared to take immediate decisive action to obtain a temporary restraining order preventing improper competition. Significantly, Jack has experience in both prosecuting and defending employee mobility claims and is able to offer clients a well-rounded assessment of their options and courses of action.
Jack also works closely with in-house counsel, human resources personnel, and business executives to craft compliant personnel policies that meet the client’s business requirements. Jack advises clients regarding employee/independent contractor classifications, onboarding employees subject to restrictive covenants, reductions in force, and internal investigations of sensitive harassment and potential whistleblower allegations. Jack also walks clients through sensitive terminations to reduce the potential for litigation or at least best position the client in the event that litigation is inevitable. Jack draws heavily upon this counseling experience in representing clients in litigation.

James Noël – Counsel – McConnell Valdés LLC, Puerto Rico

James Noel is Counsel, Labor & Employment Law Practice Group for McConnell Valdés LLC. Mr. Noel has provided advice and has represented employers in all areas of federal and Puerto Rico employment law.
Mr. Noël has vast litigation experience in both state and federal courts. His initial assessment to clients is based on years of experience and takes into consideration the nature of the claims, the opposing counsel, the state-court judge, and the potential exposure of a jury trial, among other criteria.
Mr. Noël has handled matters involving more specialized knowledge than the usual employment case, such as the Railway Labor Act, the National Labor Relations Act, the Federal Arbitration Act, ERISA, and COBRA. He has also served as counsel in cases before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
In addition to litigation, Mr. Noël has handled numerous due diligence matters, including the purchase or sale of businesses in Puerto Rico, as well as labor and employment audits.
He is the Past-President of the FBA, Puerto Rico Chapter; former Treasurer of the Labor and Employment Law Section of the FBA national; Vice-Chairman of the Counsel of Past Presidents of the FBA Puerto Rico Chapter; a Fellow of the Foundation of the FBA; and a member of the Board of the Labor and Employment Section of the FBA.
Mr. Noël provides advice to Corporación La Fondita de Jesús, a non-profit organization which helps people who have problems with controlled substances kick the habit. He has also provided pro bono services in Federal and State Courts.

Brian J. MacDonough, Partner, Sherin and Lodgen LLP, Boston, MA

Brian J. MacDonough chairs the Sherin and Lodgen LLP Employment Department, and co counsels and represents executives and professionals in sophisticated employment and compensation matters and employment litigation.
He handles a wide range of matters, including contract negotiation and enforcement, discrimination, whistleblowing, wage and hour issues, and wrongful termination. In particular, Brian advises executives and professionals regarding employment agreements, change of control agreements, equity and deferred compensation vehicles, non-competition and other restrictive covenants, severance/separation terms, and transition agreements.
A trusted advisor to his clients, Brian often works with them throughout their careers as they transition to new opportunities. As noted by Chambers USA, he “brings a calm demeanor to the table and focuses on the best outcome for his client,” says one interviewee. A client adds: “He is empathetic and very strategic in negotiations.”
In addition to his executive advocacy practice, Brian also litigates cases in both federal and state courts and appears regularly before state and federal agencies, including the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Highly respected by his colleagues, Brian is a former co-chair of the Boston Bar Association’s Labor & Employment Law Section. He also served on the committee that prepared draft sexual harassment regulations on behalf of the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and he assisted in the drafting of proposed revisions of the Commission’s procedural regulations.
Brian is a frequent author and speaker on matters of employment law. He is an editor and co-author of the Massachusetts Employment Law Manual, published by Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. He has also co-authored employment law chapters for the MCLE’s Massachusetts Basic Practice Manual, and sections of the quarterly Commentary for the Massachusetts Discrimination Law Reporter. Brian has chaired several programs sponsored by MCLE, including “What Every Lawyer Needs to Know About Employment Law” and “Preventing and Litigating Wage & Hours Cases.”

Registration
Register Today!

Live Broadcast | FBA Member: $0
Live Broadcast | Nonmember: $95
On-Demand Broadcast | FBA Member: $50
On-Demand Broadcast | Nonmember: $95

CLE
Please note: CLE for this webinar has not been pre-approved.
MyLaw and the FBA will seek 1.0 General CLE credit hours in 60-minute states, and 1.2 General CLE credit hours in 50-minute states.
Posted credit hours are estimated and subject to respective state approval and rounding rules. CLE qualifications vary by state/jurisdiction.
For questions regarding this program, please contact MyLaw CLE by email: registration@mylawcle.com or phone: 877-406-8636.

Oklahoma City Chapter: Judicial Reception and Fireside Chat
2025-03-11 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | Oklahoma Contemporary, 11 NW 11th St., Oklahoma City, O, 73103, United States
The Oklahoma City Chapter of the Federal Bar Association cordially invites you to our annual Judicial Reception and Fireside Chat at Oklahoma Contemporary on Tuesday, March 11, as we celebrate the career of United States District Judge Stephen P. Friot. This event also offers the opportunity to connect with fellow legal professionals, engage in lively conversation with some of the legal community’s most respected figures, and deepen your understanding of the law.
A reception begins at 5:30, where guests can mingle with colleagues and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. The program will begin at 6:30, featuring Judge Stephen P. Friot, as he reflects on his experience and insight gained over the course of his distinguished career.
Register to attend using the link provided.

Qui Tam Section: [VIRTUAL] FCA Trial Practice
2025-03-12 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York)
**Program hosted in (ET) Time Zone**
This panel will revisit recent FCA trial experiences, addressing the unique issues that arise from FCA practice. It will also examine what aspects of discovery and motion practice really influence trial preparation and practice.

Register Today!

Presented by the FBA Qui Tam Section

Presenters
Sara Vann, Georgia Office of the Attorney General (Moderator)

Anthony DeCinque, Assistant U.S. Attorney, N.D. Ga.

Daniel Miller, Walden Macht & Haran LLP

Tom Clarkson, Griffin Durham Tanner Clarkson LLC

Registration
Register here!

FBA Members: $0
Non-Members: $0

CLE
Please note that CLE credit is not offered for this webinar.

Email Communication Policy
By registering for this event, you agree to receive email communications from the Federal Bar Association and affiliated sponsors of the program concerning event details, Continuing Legal Education certification, programming changes, upcoming events, surveys, and post-event communications.
Recording Disclaimer
By registering for an FBA webinar, you agree to the recording of audio and visual content presented during the live event and consent to subsequent use of the recording by the FBA. You agree that the recording is the sole property of the FBA and that the recording may be used by the FBA in any manner in its sole and absolute discretion. This recording may include questions and poll responses provided by you during the live event. If you do not consent to the recording and the FBA’s use of the same, do not register for the event.
If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact sections@fedbar.org.
