This session will delve into the overlay between traditional ethical perils and technology, and provide an insightful exploration of both problems and solutions in this arena.  The topics to be covered will include, among others: how the digital age has impacted the ethical obligations of attorneys in competently representing their clients; inadvertent disclosures during e-discovery; obtaining personal information from wearables and other personal devices; the propriety of recording conversations; hazards of utilizing cloud-based sites; dangers from metadata and other embedded phenomena; use of social media - under false pretexts or otherwise - to gather information regarding parties, witnesses and jurors; and ethical boundaries for using electronic means to “spy” on the opposing side. 

Speakers:
Dion Cominos / Managing Partner, GRSM
Linda Moroney / Partner, GRSM 

During this panel presentation, we will discuss our Top Five “Hot Button” Issues evolving in employment law in 2019 and recap the biggest changes in employment law in 2018. Our speakers will provide cutting edge advice so that well-informed employment decisions can be made to avoid the expense and uncertainty of litigation. We will also address new litigation trends identified in employment law and provide insightful advice on how to develop best practices to avoid liability.

Speakers:
Debra Ellwood Meppen / Partner, GRSM 
Gina Haggerty Lindell / Partner, GRSM
Jessica Fritz Aguiar / Senior Claims Analyst, Allied World Insurance Company
Ben Accardo, Beazley

During this panel, speakers will discuss recent case law developments and trends to be aware of in insurance coverage, including coverage conditions, Coverages A and B, claims-made policies, interpleader, bad faith experts, reimbursement of defense costs, and damages.

Speakers:
Jennifer Arnett / Partner, GRSM 
Matthew Foy / Partner, GRSM 
Greil Roberts / Partner, GRSM

When evaluating professional liability claims there is a temptation to focus too much on evaluating liability, defenses to liability, and causation, while ignoring the financial side of the evaluation known as damages. This myopic approach can lead to catastrophic results at trial. During this interactive session, our panelists will focus on the important element of damages with a new twist on how to understand the latest damages theories, how to spot the crucial issues that will be litigated, and how to defend against the latest damages theories to prevent the runaway verdict at trial. The panelists will discuss both the damages theories and the current defenses to damages, including speculation, mitigation, the economic loss rule, and Daubert challenges, just to name a few. Finally, the discussion will focus on some very practical tips for claims professionals and lawyers in the timely evaluation and defense of damages claims.

Speakers:
Bob Bragalone / Partner, GRSM 
Franz Hardy / Partner, GRSM 
John Palmeri / Partner, GRSM 

As construction continues to thrive across the country, so do claims involving various aspects of construction, including catastrophic injuries and environmentally friendly building. This program will discuss recent trends in construction law, how they affect companies, insurers, and attorneys alike and how we can all better prepare to deal with them.

Speakers:
Keith Cramer / Partner, GRSM
Thomas Cronin / Partner, GRSM
Julie Bardacke Haddon / Partner, GRSM 

This panel will provide an overview of the rapidly-changing legal landscape with respect to privacy and cyber security laws, and the latest case law relating to coverage for data breach incidents and other cybersecurity-related incidents. An industry expert will also predict what the greatest risks for companies and insurance companies will be in the coming year.

Speakers:
Andy Castricone / Partner, GRSM 
Avanti Bakane / Partner, GRSM 
Rich Green / Partner, GRSM
Ryan Kratz / Senior Associate, Kissel Hirsch & Wilmer LLP

This presentation will cover how to handle mass tort and products liability claims on issues applicable to the defense of products related claims.  The course will cover four main topics:

1. The importance of the plaintiff’s deposition;
2. Updates on the Opioid litigation and the breadth of lawsuits resulting therefrom;
3. Updates and unique problems resulting from difficult jurisdictions;
4. Evaluating and attacking high exposure damages claims. 

Speakers:
Nancy Erfle / Partner, GRSM
James Lowery / Partner, GRSM
Benjamin Morton / Partner, GRSM
Steve Zakrzewski / Senior Counsel, GRSM

During this panel presentation, we will discuss how the #metoo movement has not only created but continues to influence far-reaching and permanent change for employers in the conduct of their business, but also for lawyers and employers finding themselves in litigation concerning sexual harassment or gender discrimination in the workplace. Our speakers will survey changes in the law and impacts in the courtroom now that the initial #metoo wave has receded.

Speakers:
Laura De Santos / Partner, GRSM
Michael Laurenson / Partner, GRSM 
Michael Lucey / Partner, GRSM 

This panel will discuss resolution strategies and approaches at mediations and settlement conferences.

These topics include:

1. Overall mediation and settlement strategies for environmental and toxic tort cases
2. Strategies to resolve environmental cases with insurance and/or coverage issues
3. Strategies to resolve toxic tort cases where causation is hotly contested

Speakers:
Erik DiMarco / Partner, GRSM 
Michael Pietrykowski / Partner, GRSM 
Todd Murphy / Partner, GRSM 
Jason Irvin / Partner, GRSM 
Beverly Bond / Partner, GRSM
James Lowery / Partner, GRSM

Panel members will discuss developments in the health care realm, with a particular focus on how technological advancement, changes in our social policies, and renewed analyses of our health care system have impacted potential liability for health care practitioners and their affiliated institutions. Panelists will use real-world examples to illustrate litigation trends, and will discuss best practices in meeting current, and future, challenges.

Speakers:
Michelle Allan / Partner, GRSM 
Jonathan Blakley / Senior Counsel, GRSM
Amie Golen / Partner, GRSM 
Thomas Quinn / Partner, GRSM 

Litigation against life, health and disability plans is on the rise.  In this session we will provide an overview of the various types of litigation that plans face and discuss common themes and defenses that plans can utilize in responding.  We will also address recent developments that are changing the landscape of this area and discuss effective strategies for mitigating risks for disputes. 

Speakers:
Ronald Alberts / Partner, GRSM 
Courtney Hill / Partner, GRSM 

Concluding our day, this ethics session will present recent and common ethical issues and quandaries in an interactive format.  Attendees will engage in an educational and entertaining review of important ethical situations led by our panelists.

Speakers:
Mercedes Colwin / Partner, GRSM 
Roger Mansukhani / Partner, GRSM 
Brandon Saxon / Partner, GRSM 
Peter Siachos / Partner, GRSM