The IADC Midyear Meeting 2026 is an annual conference organized by the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), a global association of corporate and insurance defense lawyers. This event brings together legal professionals to discuss current issues, share knowledge, and foster professional relationships.
The meeting will cover a range of topics pertinent to the defense counsel community, including artificial intelligence in legal practice, amendments to Federal Rule of Evidence 702, pro bono legal services, and the impact of misinformation on the legal system. Sessions will feature expert panels, interactive discussions, and presentations on these subjects.
Attendees can look forward to networking opportunities such as receptions, social events, and optional tours exploring New Orleans' rich culture. Notable speakers include astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and filmmaker Scott Hamilton Kennedy, who will discuss combating misinformation in the legal field.
This event is ideal for defense attorneys, corporate counsel, insurance executives, and other legal professionals seeking to stay informed on industry developments, earn Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits, and expand their professional networks.
Speakers(71)
Adam R.F. Gustafson
Deputy Assistant Attorney General at U.S. Department of Justice
Adam R.F. Gustafson serves as Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Environment and Natural Resources Division.
Alison A. Grounds
Managing Director at Troutman eMerge
Alison A. Grounds is the Managing Director of Troutman eMerge, specializing in eDiscovery and legal technology solutions.
Angela R. Guitar
Senior Claims Counsel at AXA XL
Angela R. Guitar is Senior Claims Counsel at AXA XL, managing complex insurance claims.
Antonio Barbuto Neto
Partner at Advocacia Adriano Dib
Antonio Barbuto Neto is a Partner at Advocacia Adriano Dib, focusing on international arbitration and litigation.
Atoyia Harris
Associate at Proskauer Rose
Atoyia Harris is an Associate at Proskauer Rose, focusing on labor and employment law.
Brian Cuevas
Corporate Counsel at U-Haul International
Brian Cuevas serves as Corporate Counsel for U-Haul International, managing legal matters for the company.
Catherine Leatherwood
Partner at Rogers Townsend, LLC
Catherine Leatherwood is a Partner at Rogers Townsend, LLC, focusing on environmental and construction law.
Ceren Canal Aruoba
Managing Director at BRG
Ceren Canal Aruoba is a Managing Director at BRG, providing economic consulting and expert testimony.
Cristin Traylor
Director of Law Firm Strategy at Relativity
Cristin Traylor is the Director of Law Firm Strategy at Relativity, providing expertise in eDiscovery and legal technology.
Damien Devot
Partner at Meyer Fabre Avocats
Damien Devot is a Partner at Meyer Fabre Avocats, specializing in international trade and sanctions law.
Daniel K. Steen
General Counsel at Lawyers for Civil Justice
Daniel K. Steen is General Counsel for Lawyers for Civil Justice, advocating for civil justice reform.
David A. Billions
Senior Counsel at Federal Express Corporation
David A. Billions is Senior Counsel at Federal Express Corporation, managing litigation and risk management.
David S. Gray
Partner at Venable LLP
David S. Gray is a Partner at Venable LLP, specializing in product liability and complex litigation.
Eric Brotten
Vice President, Compliance at AccentCare
Eric Brotten is Vice President of Compliance at AccentCare, overseeing regulatory compliance and risk management.
Farnaz F. Thompson
Partner at McGuireWoods LLP
Farnaz F. Thompson is a Partner at McGuireWoods LLP, specializing in government investigations and white-collar defense.
Frederick C. Schaefer
Associate General Counsel at Nationwide Indemnity
Frederick C. Schaefer is Associate General Counsel at Nationwide Indemnity, overseeing legal matters.
Gabriel Sidere
General Counsel at Florida Wellness Company
Gabriel Sidere is General Counsel at Florida Wellness Company, overseeing legal and compliance matters.
George R. Wray
Partner at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
George R. Wray is a Partner at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, with expertise in intellectual property law.
J. Mitchell Smith
Partner at Germer PLLC
J. Mitchell Smith is a Partner at Germer PLLC, specializing in litigation and dispute resolution.
Jack L. White
Partner at McGuireWoods LLP
Jack L. White is a Partner at McGuireWoods LLP, specializing in government investigations and white-collar defense.
James A. King
Partner at Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP
James A. King is a Partner at Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP, specializing in class action defense.
Jay Mattappally
Partner at Irwin Fritchie Urquhart Moore & Daniels, LLC
Jay Mattappally is a Partner at Irwin Fritchie Urquhart Moore & Daniels, LLC, focusing on intellectual property law.
Jeffrey A. Holmstrand
Member at Grove, Holmstrand & Delk, PLLC
Jeffrey A. Holmstrand is a Member at Grove, Holmstrand & Delk, PLLC, focusing on appellate practice and litigation.
Jennifer Gellie
Counsel at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
Jennifer Gellie is Counsel at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, focusing on international trade and compliance.
John T. Harding
Partner at Clyde & Co US LLP
John T. Harding is a Partner at Clyde & Co US LLP, focusing on insurance coverage and litigation.
Johner T. Wilson, III
Member at Epstein Becker & Green, P.C.
Johner T. Wilson, III is a Member at Epstein Becker & Green, P.C., focusing on litigation and trial practice.
Joséane Chrétien
Partner at McMillan LLP
Joséane Chrétien is a Partner at McMillan LLP, specializing in intellectual property and technology law.
Katherine Lawler
Partner at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP
Katherine Lawler is a Partner at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, focusing on litigation and pro bono work.
Katherine Palmquist
Principal Scientist at Exponent
Katherine Palmquist is a Principal Scientist at Exponent, specializing in environmental science and risk assessment.
Kenneth Sharperson
Partner at Armstrong Teasdale
Kenneth Sharperson is a Partner at Armstrong Teasdale, specializing in insurance coverage and litigation.
Kristen Harris
General Counsel at BlueOval SK, LLC
Kristen Harris is General Counsel at BlueOval SK, LLC, overseeing legal affairs for the company.
Kristina Shampanier
Managing Director at BRG
Kristina Shampanier is a Managing Director at BRG, specializing in economic consulting and damages analysis.
Laura J. O'Rourke
Assistant General Counsel at Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
Laura J. O'Rourke is Assistant General Counsel at Toyota Motor North America, Inc., managing legal affairs.
Leanne Matchen
Senior Counsel at UnitedHealthcare
Leanne Matchen is Senior Counsel at UnitedHealthcare, managing legal and regulatory matters.
Lee Mickus
Partner at Evans Fears Schuttert McNulty & Mickus
Lee Mickus is a Partner at Evans Fears Schuttert McNulty & Mickus, with expertise in product liability and tort litigation.
Linda Kelly
Senior Vice President and General Counsel at National Association of Manufacturers
Linda Kelly is Senior Vice President and General Counsel at the National Association of Manufacturers, overseeing legal affairs.
Mackie LeFevre-Snee
Senior Counsel at RiverStone International Insurance, Inc.
Mackie LeFevre-Snee is Senior Counsel at RiverStone International Insurance, Inc., managing complex insurance claims.
Marcia Narine Weldon
Professor of Law at University of Miami
Marcia Narine Weldon is a Professor of Law at the University of Miami, specializing in corporate governance and compliance.
Mark Goldstein
Partner at Reed Smith LLP
Mark Goldstein is a Partner at Reed Smith LLP, focusing on labor and employment law.
Mark L. Reardon
Member at Eckert Seamans, LLC
Mark L. Reardon is a Member at Eckert Seamans, LLC, focusing on litigation and dispute resolution.
Mark Melasky
Managing Member at Intellectual Property Consulting, LLC
Mark Melasky is the Managing Member of Intellectual Property Consulting, LLC, specializing in IP law.
Maureen Mahoney
Vice President and Chief Legal Officer at Hackensack Meridian Health
Maureen Mahoney is Vice President and Chief Legal Officer at Hackensack Meridian Health, overseeing legal operations.
Megan Ma
Research Fellow at Stanford University
Megan Ma is a Research Fellow at Stanford University, focusing on the intersection of law and technology.
Michael A. Airdo
Partner at Airdo Werwas, LLC
Michael A. Airdo is a Partner at Airdo Werwas, LLC, specializing in litigation and serving as IADC Foundation Board President.
Michael O'Brien
Member at Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott LLC
Michael O'Brien is a Member at Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott LLC, focusing on litigation and dispute resolution.
Michael R. Klatt
Partner at Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP
Michael R. Klatt is a Partner at Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP, focusing on product liability defense.
Michael R. Williams
Solicitor General at State of West Virginia
Michael R. Williams is the Solicitor General for the State of West Virginia, representing the state in appellate matters.
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Astrophysicist
Neil deGrasse Tyson is a renowned astrophysicist and science communicator, serving as the director of the Hayden Planetarium.
Patrice Balhoff Childress
Senior Counsel at ExxonMobil
Patrice Balhoff Childress is Senior Counsel at ExxonMobil, managing legal matters related to environmental law.
Peter J. Pliszka
Partner at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
Peter J. Pliszka is a Partner at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, focusing on product liability and class actions.
Phil Goldberg
Managing Partner at Shook, Hardy & Bacon, LLP
Phil Goldberg is the Managing Partner at Shook, Hardy & Bacon, LLP, specializing in public policy and litigation.
Richik Sarkar
Partner at Dinsmore & Shohl
Richik Sarkar is a Partner at Dinsmore & Shohl, specializing in business litigation and appellate practice.
Ronald J. White
General Counsel at Illinois Farm Bureau
Ronald J. White serves as General Counsel for the Illinois Farm Bureau, overseeing legal affairs for the organization.
Roy Prather
Principal at Beveridge & Diamond PC
Roy Prather is a Principal at Beveridge & Diamond PC, focusing on environmental law and litigation.
Samantha Welch
Managing Director at BRG
Samantha Welch is a Managing Director at BRG, specializing in international trade and sanctions compliance.
Sara M. Turner
Shareholder at Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC
Sara M. Turner is a Shareholder at Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC, specializing in litigation.
Sarah J. Armstrong
Partner at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
Sarah J. Armstrong is a Partner at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, specializing in litigation and dispute resolution.
Scott Hamilton Kennedy
Filmmaker
Scott Hamilton Kennedy is an Academy Award–nominated filmmaker known for his work on documentaries addressing social issues.
Sherylle Francis
Senior Counsel at Universal Property and Casualty Insurance Company
Sherylle Francis is Senior Counsel at Universal Property and Casualty Insurance Company, managing legal affairs.
Stacy L. Douglas
Partner at Everett Dorey LLP
Stacy L. Douglas is a Partner at Everett Dorey LLP, focusing on litigation and trial practice.
Stephen J. Zralek
Partner at Spencer Fane LLP
Stephen J. Zralek is a Partner at Spencer Fane LLP, focusing on intellectual property and business litigation.
Sylvie Gallage-Alwis
Partner at Signature Litigation AARPI
Sylvie Gallage-Alwis is a Partner at Signature Litigation AARPI, specializing in product liability and mass torts.
Tara Ward
Partner at McDermott Will & Emery
Tara Ward is a Partner at McDermott Will & Emery, focusing on government contracts and regulatory compliance.
Tiffany Graves
Pro Bono Counsel at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
Tiffany Graves is Pro Bono Counsel at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, leading the firm's pro bono initiatives.
Timothy Pinos
Partner at Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP
Timothy Pinos is a Partner at Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, specializing in litigation and dispute resolution.
W.M. Bains Fleming, III
Partner at MMPO Defense
W.M. Bains Fleming, III is a Partner at MMPO Defense, specializing in insurance defense litigation.
William A. Bulfer
Partner at Teague Campbell Dennis & Gorham, LLP
William A. Bulfer is a Partner at Teague Campbell Dennis & Gorham, LLP, focusing on insurance defense and litigation.
William J. Kelly, III
Partner at Kelly Law Partners, LLC
William J. Kelly, III is a Partner at Kelly Law Partners, LLC, focusing on complex litigation and trial advocacy.
Yasir Billoo
Partner at International Law Partners LLP
Yasir Billoo is a Partner at International Law Partners LLP, specializing in business litigation and trial advocacy.
Yuri Sugano
Partner at Nishimura & Asahi
Yuri Sugano is a Partner at Nishimura & Asahi, focusing on international arbitration and dispute resolution.
Zandra E. Foley
Partner at Thompson, Coe, Cousins & Irons, LLP
Zandra E. Foley is a Partner at Thompson, Coe, Cousins & Irons, LLP, specializing in litigation and trial advocacy.
Event Details
- Date
- February 8-12, 2026
- 5 days
- Location
- 🇺🇸 New Orleans, United States
- The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans
- Pricing
- $1,295 - $1,695
- Audience
- Defense attorneys, corporate counsel, insurance executives, legal professionals
- CLE Credits
- Up to 12.5 CLE hours, including 2.0 ethics credits