Presentations
Important Undercurrents Shaping the 2020’s and What They Mean for Your Firm
Keynote: Jonathan Brill, Futurist, Strategist, and Author of Rogue Waves

In-House Counsel Roundtable: What’s Weighing Most on the Minds of In-house Counsel Today?The scope of responsibility for in-house counsel is expanding exponentially, encompassing everything from pandemic response teams to globalization to data privacy and cybersecurity to the proliferation of regulations across agencies and jurisdictions around the globe. This session will feature a candid discussion among in-house attorneys about the surge in number and nature of issues that consume their attention…and what law firms can do to help.
Moderator:  Celeste Bruce, Partner, Rifkin Weiner Livingston (Maryland)
Panelists: Christian Caballero, Vice President, Government Affairs, Progrexion
Mark Leonard, General Counsel, Jelly Belly Candy Company
Requel Gibson, Senior Counsel & Vice President, Legal, Regulatory & Compliance, BMO Financial Group
Heather King, General Counsel for Tech and Strategy companies

Law Firm Leaders Managing Through Challenging Times
Law firm leaders will discuss the challenges and changes that have emerged over the past 18 months, including insights on pre/during/post-COVID initiatives; diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) activities; community partnerships; new practices; and any/all programs/events recently launched or enhanced to benefit and support firm professionals. They will also offer perspectives on how current events are affecting their clients and the legal industry as a whole.
Moderator:  Rob Clarke, Jr, Shareholder, Ausley McMullen (Florida)
Panelists: Douglas Dodds, Managing Partner, Partner, McGinnis, Lochridge (Texas)
Stephanie Scharf, Partner, Scharf Banks Marmor (Illinois: Chicago)
James Speakman, Managing Partner, Clark Wilson (Vancouver)
Erica Tarpey, Managing Partner, Ireland Stapleton Pryor & Pascoe (Colorado)
Susan Wissink, Director & Management Committee Member, Fennemore (Arizona)

Employment Law Updates & Trends
Panel will discuss the wide range of employment law trends impacting our firms, as well as how we (as a network) can help our clients navigate the uncertain post-pandemic “new normal” business landscape.
Moderator: Reginald Belcher, Shareholder, Turner Padget (South Carolina)
Panelists: Peter Farley, Partner, McGuireWoods (Virginia)
Sarah Marmor, Partner, Scharf Banks Marmor (Illinois: Chicago)
Randy Armentrout, Shareholder, Nyemaster Goode (Iowa)

Fireside Chat: Cybersecurity/Privacy Threats & Trends
Scott Hellman, FBI Supervising Special Agent in the Cyber Division
Lessing Gold, Partner, Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp (California: Los Angeles)

US Federal and States Public Policy Update & Trends
Moderator: Steve Tugend, Director, Kegler Brown Hill + Ritter (Ohio)
Panelists: Jonathan McCardle, Partner, Featherstonhaugh, Wiley & Clyne (New York)
Cliff Webster, Director, Carney Badley Spellman (Washington)
Rob Rieger, Partner, Adams and Reese (Louisiana)
Alexis Glascock, Of Counsel, Fennemore Craig (Arizona)

The Impact of the Pandemic on Bankruptcies and Insolvencies: A New Paradigm, or the Next Stage in the Evolution of the Practice
Panelists will discuss the extent to which they believe the pandemic has impacted short-/long-term bankruptcy and insolvency matters locally, regionally, and globally. Attendees will be invited to share what they see happening in their own jurisdictions as well as forecast what the next 24 months might look like.
Moderator:  Thomas Beckett, Parsons Behle & Latimer (Utah)
Panelists: Gerald Shelley, Director, Fennemore (Arizona)
Maria Guthrie, Director, Kegler Brown Hill + Ritter (Ohio)
Alice van der Schee, Partner, Van Benthem & Keulen (The Netherlands)
Fabio Guzmán Saladin, Partner, Guzmán Ariza (Dominican Republic)

From Seed to Sale: Cannabis Industry Trends Across the U.S. and Canada
Panelist will discuss:
     – Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA)
     – Industry Opportunities: CBD/Hemp, Cannabis Tech, Medical and Social Products
     – Future of Industry, including Finance, Lending and M&A
     – State to State Legislative and Policy Advocacy
     – Regulatory and Licensing Updates
Moderator:  Tom Downey, Director, Ireland Stapleton (Colorado)
Panelists: Andrew Freedman, Executive Director, Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation; formerly in Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper’s Marijuana Czar
Michael Goswami, Member, Rose Law Firm (Arkansas)
Brent Boisvert, Field Law (Canada – Northwest Territories)
David (Neil) Hittinger, Jr., Member, Eckert Seamans (Pennsylvania)