You are here

2024 SDTX Bench-Bar Conference - November 14, 2024 - Conference Webpage

8:00 am

CHECK-IN AND LIGHT BREAKFAST
Location

Foyer, Ballroom at Bayou Place

    
9:00 am

WELCOME
Introduction

Hon. Randy Crane, Chief U.S. District Judge
Andrew Gould, President, Federal Bar Association, Southern District of Texas Chapter

    
9:15 am

Professionalism in a Contentious World
Description

A panel of district judges and practitioners explore professionalism with a focus on the implications of today’s contentious environment. They will offer insights on how to get along with difficult opposing counsel—and the benefits of maintaining a good relationship with the other side—while still zealously representing your clients. 

CLE: 1.0 hours (0.5 Ethics)

    
Moderator

Lynne Liberato, Haynes & Boone LLP

    
Panel

Hon. David S. Morales, U.S. District Judge
Hon. Drew Tipton, U.S. District Judge
Paul Yetter, Yetter Coleman LLP
10:15 am

Building a Plane Mid-Flight: The Rapid Integration of AI in the Legal Field
Description

A panel of practitioners will explore the evolving role of generative AI in legal practice, focusing on its use by lawyers and clients alike. The presentation will also address best practices for integrating AI tools responsibly into lawyers’ daily practices, while highlighting important ethical considerations.

CLE: 0.75 hours (0.5 Ethics)

    
Moderator

Aaron Levine, Polsinelli PC

    
Panel

Laura Alaniz, Spencer Fane LLP
Vanessah Pace, Intellectual Property Lawyer
Dov Preminger, Preminger PLLC
11:00 am

BREAK
11:15 am

Inside the Courtroom: The Magistrate Judge’s Perspective
Description

A panel of magistrate judges discuss their powers and duties under 28 U.S.C. §§ 631 and 636, as well as provide insight on how magistrate judges are selected and what experience is needed for the role. The panel will give practice pointers, including strategies on when to file a dispositive motion, how to practice efficiently before the court, and both how and why to consent to proceedings before a magistrate judge.

CLE: 1.0 hours

    
Moderator

Hon. Peter Bray, U.S. Magistrate Judge

    
Panel

Hon. Diana Song Quiroga, U.S. Magistrate Judge
Hon. Christina Bryan, U.S. Magistrate Judge
Hon. Yvonne Ho, U.S. Magistrate Judge
12:15 pm

LUNCH AND NETWORKING
1:00 pm

FIRST BREAKOUT SESSION: Supreme Court and Fifth Circuit Update
Description

CIVIL (Option #1)

Led by jurists, these panels of appellate attorneys will discuss notable Supreme Court and Fifth Circuit cases that civil practitioners need to know about for their practice.

CLE: 1.0 hours

    
Moderator

Hon. Priscilla Richman, U.S. Circuit Judge

    
Panel

Eva Guzman, Wright Close & Barger LLP
Connie Pfeiffer, Yetter Coleman LLP
Macey Reasoner Stokes, Baker Botts LLP
Description

CRIMINAL (Option #2)

Led by jurists, these panels of appellate attorneys will discuss notable Supreme Court and Fifth Circuit cases that criminal practitioners need to know about for their practice.

Criminal Update PowerPoint

CLE: 1.0 hours

    
Moderator

Hon. John A. Kazen, U.S. District Judge

    
Panel

Timothy Crooks, Esq.
Anna E. Kalluri, Assistant U.S. Attorney
Matthew Wright, Assistant Federal Public Defender
2:00 pm

SECOND BREAKOUT SESSION
Description

CIVIL: The General Counsel’s View (Option #1)

A panel of general counsel for prominent Houston companies will discuss navigating legal and economic challenges, managing a legal department, and the importance of the rule of law to business.

CLE: 1.0 hours

    
Moderator

Gregg Costa, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

    
Panel

R. Mick Cantu, Houston Methodist, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Business and Strategic Development Officer
Monica Karuturi, CenterPoint Energy, Executive Vice President and General Counsel
R. Hewitt Pate, Chevron Corporation, Vice President and General Counsel
Description

CRIMINAL: A Conversation with the U.S. Attorney and Federal Public Defender (Option #2)

Chief Judge Randy Crane leads the U.S. Attorney and Federal Public Defender in a wide-ranging conversation about managing their respective offices, which span across the district. Other topics include their offices’ working relationship with one another, as well with the federal judiciary, and common ethical issues in criminal prosecution and defense.

CLE: 1.0 hours (0.5 Ethics)

    
Moderator

Hon. Randy Crane, Chief U.S. District Judge

    
Panel

Alamdar Hamdani, United States Attorney
Scott Martin, Chief of Appeals, Office of the Federal Public Defender

3:00 pm

BREAK
3:15 pm

Connecting with Juries
Description

A panel of district judges and trial lawyers will discuss successful and unsuccessful strategies used during trial to connect with juries. The panelists will discuss best practices for voir dire, opening statements, witness testimony, and closing arguments.

CLE: 0.75 hours

    
Moderator

Hon. Jeff Brown, U.S. District Judge

    
Panel

Hon. Nelva Gonzales Ramos, U.S. District Judge
Dan Cogdell, Cogdell Law Firm
Randy Sorrels, Sorrels Law
4:00 pm

What Works: Effective Presentation Techniques and Use of Technology
Description

This panel of district and magistrate judges will discuss effective presentation strategies for hearings and trial, in both civil and criminal cases. Among other things, the panelists will discuss how to best use technology to assist the Court; when technology is not needed; and what the newer generation of judges finds helpful and effective.

CLE: 1.0 hours

    
Moderator

Hon. Mitchel Neurock, U.S. Magistrate Judge

    
Panel

Hon. Alfred H. Bennett, U.S. District Judge
Hon. Ignacio Torteya, U.S. Magistrate Judge
5:00 pm

CLOSING REMARKS
Conclusion

Hon. Randy Crane, Chief U.S. District Judge

    
5:15 pm

RECEPTION
Location

Foyer, Ballroom at Bayou Place

    
6:30 pm

ADJOURN