To download and print a full brochure and/or registration form, click here. 

ADR SUMMIT 2026 AGENDA

FRIDAY, September 25, 2026

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Breakfast

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Registration

 

9:15 AM – 9:30 AM Welcome & Introductory Remarks

SPEAKERS: Steven Schulwolf, ADR Chair, Schulwolf Mediation PLLC, Austin, TX

David Deehl, All Sides Mediation, Jacksonville, Fl – MC of Conference

 

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM Assessing Risks and Valuing Cases: A Deeper Dive

Mediators stress risks and ask questions to assist parties in evaluating their cases and assumptions. Hear from Plaintiff and Defense counsel as well as coverage lawyers

MODERATOR:  Debbie Greenspan, Blank Rome, Washington, D.C.

SPEAKERS:  Abigail Kanavos, Cozen O’Connor, Chicago, Il

Mike Streich, Greenberg Streich, Houston, TX

Ben Boris, Neal Gerber & Eisenberg LLP, Chicago, Il

Joseph Steadman, Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila, Chicago, Il 

 

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM Mass Arbitrations: Creative Solutions to Complex Claims

This panel will discuss drafting arbitration clauses, the challenges presented in managing large, complex cases and the use of technology. Hear from arbitration leaders from the AAA and technology leaders incorporating AI into the dispute resolution field. 

MODERATOR:  David Reif, Reif ADR, New Haven, CT

SPEAKERS:  Kelly Turner, Assoc. General Counsel at American Arbitration Association, Chicago, IL 

Hon. Michael Fitzpatrick, Fitzpatrick ADR, WI

Dan Cotter, Aronberg Goldgehn, Chicago, IL

Jason Weber, CEO Litmas.ai, Miami, Fl

 

11:30 AM – 12:45 PM Lunch

 KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Q&A with Ken Feinberg

Not many mediators have movies and books made about them. Ken Feiberg is the exception. His significant accomplishments include being named the Special Master for the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund along with assisting in the resolution of disputes related to high profile disputes including Deepwater Horizon, the Boston Marathon Bombing and 737 Max claims against Boeing. This will be an interactive Q&A session where the audience is encouraged to ask questions. 

MODERATOR:  Jeff Kichaven, Jeff Kichaven Commercial Mediation, Los Angeles, CA

 

12:45 PM – 1:45 PM The Different Roads Traveled: Developing your Mediation Practice

So, you want to be a mediator? Maybe you already are a mediator. This panel discusses the different paths to starting and growing an ADR practice and things you can do while still litigating that will help prepare you for the challenges in making that transition.

MODERATOR:  Susan Guthrie, Guthrie Consulting & Media, Chicago, IL

SPEAKERS:  Jon Lewis, Lewis & Feldman, Birmingham, Al

Denise Smith Motta, Wilson Elsner, Louisville, KY

Courtney Chicvak, IMI, New York, NY 

Hon. Anna H. Demacopoulos (Ret.), JAMS, Chicago, IL

  

1:45 PM– 2:45 PM Behind the Curtain of Mediator Selection

Mediators have the unique perspective of being able to go behind the curtain during discussions with all parties. But what happens when parties choose mediators? What is the most important? What resources are reviewed? How willing are parties to use a mediator with who they have not mediated? Hear perspectives from in-house and outside counsel. 

MODERATOR: Hon. Laura McNally, U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, Chicago, IL

SPEAKERS:  Susan L. Buckingham, Executive Counsel, Travelers, Cockeysville, MD

Bill Baine, Gravely PC, San Antonio, TX

David Alt, BatesCarey LLP, Chicago, IL

Sam Ardery, Bunger & Robertson, Bloomington, IN

 

2:45 PM – 3:00 PM Break

 

3:00 PM-4:00 PM Controversial Topics in Mediation

Hear from experts about their thoughts on opening statements, exchanging mediation submission, AI and other topics on which seasoned practitioners often disagree.

MODERATOR:  Christine Forsythe, The Forsythe Law Firm, LLC, Atlanta, GA

SPEAKERS: Jeffrey Neidle, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, Selective Insurance Company, Branchville, NJ

Lee Shidlofsky, Shidlofsky Law Firm PLLC, Austin, TX

Brad Moyer, Kennedys, Kalamazoo, MI

Seth Lamden, Blank Rome, Chicago, IL

 

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Mediation Ethics

Ethics made fun. Utilizing video clips from mock mediations this panel will discuss a variety of ethical issues including their thoughts about ABA Formal Opinion 518.

MODERATOR:  Rick Alimonti, Alimonti Law Offices, Valhalla, NY

SPEAKERS: Hon. Royal Ferguson, Furgeson Malouf Law, Dallas, TX

Steve Nelson, Steve Nelson ADR, Dallas, TX

Steven Schulwolf, Schulwolf Mediation, Austin, TX

 

5:00 PM – 6:00PM Networking Reception

 

7:00 PM – 10:00PM UNOFFICIAL POST-EVENT BOAT CRUISE SPONSORED BY SCHULWOLF MEDIATION