8:00 AM - 3:30 PM | Registration

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Networking Breakfast

9:00 AM - 9:45 AM | Keynote - What Judges See: Guidance for General Counsel in Litigation Strategy and Courtroom Success

From high-stakes verdicts to poor trial execution, what general counsel doesn’t see can hurt them. In this candid conversation with Judge Paula Patrick, attendees will gain critical insight into what judges observe behind the bench—insights that often go unseen by GCs managing litigation from afar. Drawing on decades of experience, including overseeing Pennsylvania’s largest verdict at the time, Judge Patrick will offer real-world advice on how GCs can better communicate with litigating counsel, understand jury dynamics, assess trial risk, and evaluate whether outside counsel are truly suited for the jurisdiction and case at hand. She’ll also share how civility, reputation, and courtroom communication shape outcomes and why being “smart about court” is just as important as being smart about business.

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Networking Break

12:30 PM - 1:15 PM | Networking Lunch

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM | Closing Plenary - Making Coherent Decisions from Conflicting Advice: The GC as Chief Synthesis Officer

General Counsel are no longer just legal advisors—they’re the ultimate integrators of insight across legal, business, risk, and reputational domains. In an era where conflicting guidance from internal teams, external counsel, and regulatory bodies is the norm, GCs must act as synthesis officers, distilling diverse inputs into clear, strategic decisions. This session explores the art and discipline of making judgment calls under pressure, balancing nuance, and leading with clarity in complex environments.