ABA Forum on Construction Law Midwinter Conference 2026
The ABA Forum on Construction Law's 2026 Midwinter Conference, themed "Changing Landscapes: New and Effective ADR Strategies," is a premier gathering of construction law practitioners, in-house counsel, ADR specialists, and industry advisors. Taking place from February 4 to 7, 2026, at the Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point, California, this annual conference marks the launch of the Forum’s 50th Anniversary Celebration and offers a robust program of substantive legal education, insight into emerging trends, and networking opportunities for professionals across the construction and disputes community.
The conference will explore cutting-edge topics and evolving practices in construction alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Sessions will address issues such as the future of construction arbitration, innovative ADR tools like mediated case management and early neutral evaluation, and effective discovery and motion practice in arbitration. Attendees will benefit from expert perspectives on the intersection of law, practice, and project risk in construction, infrastructure, and built environment sectors.
In addition to its programming, attendees will have networking opportunities such as the "Meet the Neutrals" Speed Networking Event in support of the Ray Corollary Initiative. The event will also feature an exhibit hall where sponsors and exhibitors will showcase their services and products relevant to construction law and ADR.
This conference is ideal for construction law practitioners, in-house counsel, ADR specialists, and industry advisors seeking to stay abreast of evolving ADR strategies and network with peers. The event offers a dynamic setting to connect, learn, and help shape the future of dispute resolution in the construction industry.
Speakers(58)
A. Michelle Jernigan
Mediator at Upchurch Watson White & Max
Michelle Jernigan is a mediator at Upchurch Watson White & Max, specializing in construction law disputes.
Aaron P. Silberman
Co-Chair at Rogers Joseph O’Donnell P.C.
Aaron P. Silberman is the co-chair at Rogers Joseph O’Donnell P.C., presenting at the ABA Forum on Construction Law 2026 Midwinter Conference.
Allen Gibson
Expert at Womble Bond Dickinson
Allen Gibson is an expert at Womble Bond Dickinson, specializing in construction law and dispute resolution.
Andrew Sargent
PSP, Managing Director at VERTEX
Andrew Sargent, PSP, is a Managing Director at VERTEX, specializing in project controls and scheduling.
Avi Sharma
Director at Delta Consulting Group
Avi Sharma is a Director at Delta Consulting Group, engaging with peers and clients at the conference.
Benjamin Strong
Chief Revenue Officer at VERTEX
Benjamin Strong is the Chief Revenue Officer at VERTEX, leading revenue generation and growth strategies.
Bill Andrews
Attorney at Andrews Myers
Bill Andrews is an attorney at Andrews Myers, participating in discussions on the future of construction arbitration.
Bridget McCormack
Chief Executive Officer at American Arbitration Association
Bridget McCormack is the Chief Executive Officer of the American Arbitration Association, sharing insights on the current state of construction arbitration.
Bruce Alexander
Attorney at Construction ADR Services
Bruce Alexander is an attorney at Construction ADR Services, discussing innovative ADR tools in construction.
Chad Allred
Judge (Ret.) at JAMS
Judge Chad Allred (Ret.) is a neutral at JAMS, focusing on construction, business commercial, and engineering disputes.
Chris Ling
Senior Managing Director at VERTEX
Chris Ling is a Senior Managing Director at VERTEX, overseeing project advisory and forensic consulting services.
Dan Copeland
Principal Account Executive at VERTEX
Dan Copeland is the Principal Account Executive at VERTEX, managing client relations and business development.
Dean Thomson
Attorney at Fabyanske Westra Hart & Thomson
Dean Thomson is an attorney at Fabyanske Westra Hart & Thomson, providing guidance on alternative dispute resolution in construction.
Deborah S. Ballati
Esq., FCIArb at JAMS
Deborah S. Ballati, Esq., FCIArb, is a neutral at JAMS, with expertise in business commercial, construction, and insurance matters.
Deborah S. Ballati, Esq., FCIArb
Attorney and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators at JAMS
Deborah S. Ballati, Esq., FCIArb, is an attorney and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators at JAMS, focusing on business commercial and construction disputes.
Erin Watt
Data Analyst at Cumming Group
Erin Watt is a Data Analyst at Cumming Group, providing analytical support for dispute resolution services.
Gail A. Andler
Hon. (Ret.) at JAMS
Hon. Gail A. Andler (Ret.) is a neutral at JAMS, specializing in business commercial, class action, and construction defect cases.
Hon. Gail A. Andler (ret.)
Retired Judge at JAMS
Hon. Gail A. Andler (Ret.) is a retired judge and JAMS neutral with expertise in business commercial, class action & mass tort, and construction defect cases.
James Granstra
Managing Director at VERTEX
James Granstra is a Managing Director at VERTEX, speaking on differing site conditions on mega projects.
Jeff Fuchs
Executive Chairman at Delta Consulting Group
Jeff Fuchs is the Executive Chairman at Delta Consulting Group, participating in sessions at the conference.
Jennifer Grippa
Neutral at Miles Mediation & Arbitration
Jennifer Grippa is a neutral at Miles Mediation & Arbitration, facilitating dispute resolutions across various sectors.
Joanne Saint-Louis
Case Manager at JAMS
Joanne Saint-Louis is a Case Manager at JAMS, supporting the administration of various dispute resolution processes.
Joe Tirado
Neutral at JAMS
Joe Tirado is a neutral at JAMS, focusing on banking, business commercial, and construction disputes.
John B. Miller
Esq., LL.M., Ph.D at JAMS
John B. Miller, Esq., LL.M., Ph.D, is a neutral at JAMS, focusing on aviation, business commercial, and construction disputes.
John B. Miller, Esq., LL.M., Ph.D
Attorney at JAMS
John B. Miller, Esq., LL.M., Ph.D, is an attorney at JAMS with expertise in aviation, business commercial, and construction disputes.
John Carpenter
Attorney at Shimmick Construction
John Carpenter is an attorney at Shimmick Construction, examining benefits and drawbacks of dispositive motions in arbitration.
John Cullian
P.E., Managing Director at VERTEX
John Cullian, P.E., is a Managing Director at VERTEX, focusing on forensic engineering and construction consulting.
John Ralls
Attorney at Ralls Gruber & Niece
John Ralls is an attorney at Ralls Gruber & Niece, discussing effective discovery and motion practice in arbitration.
Jon B. Masini
Esq. at JAMS
Jon B. Masini, Esq., is a neutral at JAMS, with expertise in business commercial, construction, and environmental law.
Jon B. Masini, Esq.
Attorney at JAMS
Jon B. Masini, Esq., is an attorney at JAMS specializing in business commercial, construction, and environmental law disputes.
Joseph A. Ferrentino
Esq. at JAMS
Joseph A. Ferrentino, Esq., is a neutral at JAMS, focusing on business commercial, construction, and real property disputes.
Joseph A. Ferrentino, Esq.
Attorney at JAMS
Joseph A. Ferrentino, Esq., is an attorney at JAMS with expertise in business commercial, construction, and real property disputes.
Josh A. Maltzer
Of Counsel at Rogers Joseph O’Donnell P.C.
Josh A. Maltzer is of counsel at Rogers Joseph O’Donnell P.C., attending the ABA Forum on Construction Law 2026 Midwinter Conference.
Judge Chad Allred (Ret.)
Retired Judge at JAMS
Judge Chad Allred (Ret.) is a retired judge now serving as a neutral at JAMS, specializing in construction, business commercial, and real property disputes.
Kim Taylor
Chief Executive Officer at JAMS
Kim Taylor is the Chief Executive Officer of JAMS, sharing insights on the current state of construction arbitration.
Kimberly Taylor
Chief Executive Officer at JAMS
Kimberly Taylor is the Chief Executive Officer of JAMS, leading the organization's strategic initiatives and operations.
Lauren Abeyta
Attorney at Construction Discovery Experts
Lauren Abeyta is an attorney at Construction Discovery Experts, moderating discussions on discovery and motion practice in arbitration.
Leah Wilson
Business Development Manager at Miles Mediation & Arbitration
Leah Wilson is the Business Development Manager at Miles Mediation & Arbitration, overseeing client relations and business growth.
Lisa Mingoia
Attorney at Skanska USA Building Inc.
Lisa Mingoia is an attorney at Skanska USA Building Inc., moderating sessions on tailoring ADR to construction disputes.
Mark Degenaars
LEED GA, Chief Operating Officer at VERTEX
Mark Degenaars, LEED GA, is the Chief Operating Officer at VERTEX, overseeing company operations and strategic initiatives.
Nancy Greenwald
Neutral at Upchurch Watson White & Max
Nancy Greenwald is a neutral at Upchurch Watson White & Max, specializing in mediation and dispute resolution.
Nate Swink
Director at Delta Consulting Group
Nate Swink is a Director at Delta Consulting Group, advancing key industry relationships at the conference.
Patricia H. Thompson
Esq., FCIArb, CollArb at JAMS
Patricia H. Thompson, Esq., FCIArb, CollArb, is a neutral at JAMS, with expertise in appellate, banking, and construction matters.
Patricia H. Thompson, Esq., FCIArb, CollArb
Attorney and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators at JAMS
Patricia H. Thompson, Esq., FCIArb, CollArb, is an attorney at JAMS specializing in appellate, banking, and construction disputes.
Philip L. Bruner
Esq. at JAMS
Philip L. Bruner, Esq., is a neutral at JAMS, specializing in construction, energy, and international disputes.
Philip L. Bruner, Esq.
Attorney at JAMS
Philip L. Bruner, Esq., is an attorney at JAMS specializing in construction, energy & utilities, and international & cross-border disputes.
Richard M. Harris
Shareholder at Rogers Joseph O’Donnell P.C.
Richard M. Harris is a shareholder at Rogers Joseph O’Donnell P.C., speaking at the ABA Forum on Construction Law 2026 Midwinter Conference.
Rick Zieglowsky
Moderator at American Arbitration Association
Rick Zieglowsky is a moderator at the American Arbitration Association, focusing on alternative dispute resolution processes.
Robert Adams
Managing Director at VERTEX
Robert Adams is a Managing Director at VERTEX, specializing in commercial damages and investigations.
Sam Hadley
Expert at Capital Project Management
Sam Hadley is an expert at Capital Project Management, providing strategic insights in project management.
Sandy M. Kaplan
Esq. at JAMS
Sandy M. Kaplan, Esq., is a neutral at JAMS, specializing in construction, personal injury, and real property cases.
Sandy M. Kaplan, Esq.
Attorney at JAMS
Sandy M. Kaplan, Esq., is an attorney at JAMS focusing on construction, construction defect, and insurance disputes.
Shelly Ewald
Attorney at Watt Tieder
Shelly Ewald is an attorney at Watt Tieder, contributing to conversations on emerging trends in construction arbitration.
Sonny Jester
Senior Vice President at Cumming Group
Sonny Jester is the Senior Vice President at Cumming Group, leading the Dispute Resolution + Avoidance team.
Ted Scott
Managing Director at Secretariat
Ted Scott is a Managing Director at Secretariat, specializing in expert testimony in mediation and arbitration.
Thomas J. Stipanowich
Esq. at JAMS
Thomas J. Stipanowich, Esq., is a neutral at JAMS, specializing in business commercial, construction, and international disputes.
Thomas J. Stipanowich, Esq.
Attorney at JAMS
Thomas J. Stipanowich, Esq., is an attorney at JAMS focusing on business commercial, construction, and international & cross-border disputes.
Vincent Ly
Senior Director at Cumming Group
Vincent Ly is the Senior Director at Cumming Group, specializing in dispute resolution and project management.
Event Details
- Date
- February 4-7, 2026
- 4 days
- Location
- 🇺🇸 Dana Point, United States
- The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
- Audience
- Construction law practitioners, in-house counsel, ADR specialists, industry advisors
- CLE Credits
- 13.3 CLE hours including 1.2 ethics