Felice Wagner – The Trial Network

Matt Dixon – DCM Insights
Top performers have figured out a radical new approach that is redefining what it means to be a “rainmaker” in today’s professional services market. Drawing on a comprehensive, quantitative study of nearly 3,000 professional services partners, The Activator Advantage identifies the five types of partners found across the professional services landscape and shows how only one of them—the Activator—drives consistent growth.

Facilitators at each table will lead discussions about the Activator Advantage model and its applicability to participants, both individually and within their firms.

Moderator:
Felice Wagner – The Trial Network

Panelists:
Lise Monette – Miller Thomson
Moheeb Murray – Bush Seyferth
Kelly Theard – Deutsch Kerrigan

In this session moderated by Felice Wagner, panelists will share examples of successful efforts that deepened client relationships through proactive engagement, including implementing client feedback interviews, investing meaningfully in client initiatives, and incorporating clients into a firm’s milestone celebration. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas to strengthen trust, enhance client loyalty, and foster long-term partnerships.

Leadership Track: Making Hard Conversations a Cultural Advantage (Mockingbird 1)
Marcie Borgal Shunk – The Tilt Institute
Whether it’s unchecked behavior by senior lawyers or underperformance at the top, ignoring or avoiding issues is costly. Today’s most successful firms foster cultures where honest, values-driven conversations are the norm—not the exception. This frank discussion will cover how to effectively tackle difficult conversations with confidence and integrity.

Practice Track: Defense Lab (Mockingbird 2)
Lee Hollis – Lightfoot Franklin & White, Derek Stikeleather – Goodell DeVries Leech & Dann, and Michelle Byers – Campbell Conroy & O’Neil
Join leading defense attorneys for an interactive roundtable exploring the latest trends, strategies, and developments shaping litigation. This session will spotlight the power of anchoring, the influence of numerical framing, and the growing impact of nuclear verdicts. Come ready to share experiences, exchange ideas, and gain practical insights you can bring back to your practice.

Business Development Track: Best Practices in Maximizing Your Network Membership (Mockingbird 3)
Felice Wagner, Edd Schillay, and Katie Schrack – The Trial Network
Join Trial Network staff for a collaborative discussion on how to maximize the value of your firm’s participation in the Network. We’ll cover strategies for leveraging symposium attendance, staying engaged between events, tracking referrals, and demonstrating impact within your firm. Bring your tips and tools to share—and leave with fresh ideas to strengthen your firm’s return on investment.

Leadership Track: Rethinking Lawyer Development – What Comes After Apprenticeship? (Mockingbird 1)
Marcie Borgal Shunk – The Tilt Institute
The traditional one-to-one apprenticeship model is fading—and fast. Adaptability is replacing mastery as a critical differentiator. This session explores how law firms can reimagine training to meet the demands of AI, shifting client expectations, and generational change.

Practice Track: Defense Lab (Mockingbird 2)
Malissa Wilson – Forman Watkins & Krutz and TBDs
Join leading defense attorneys for an interactive roundtable exploring the latest trends, strategies, and developments shaping litigation. Come ready to share experiences, exchange ideas, and gain practical insights you can bring back to your practice.

Business Development Track: Business Development Without Burnout – Sustainable Growth for Busy Litigators (Mockingbird 3)
EJ Stern and Katherine Wilson – Fractional Law Firm CMO
Balancing client demands and business development can feel overwhelming for busy trial lawyers. This session explores practical, sustainable strategies for building and maintaining strong client relationships without sacrificing well-being. Learn how to focus your efforts, leverage your strengths, and grow your practice in ways that align with your time, energy, and long-term goals.

Moderator:
Marcie Borgal Shunk – The Tilt Institute
Panelists:
Vito Gagliardi – Porzio Bromberg & Newman
Nikki Nesbitt – Goodell DeVries Leech & Dann
David Suchar – Maslon

Effective succession planning requires consideration and engagement of three key groups: those preparing to step back, those in the middle navigating dual roles, and next-generation leaders. Topics will include transitioning client relationships, developing the next generation of lawyers, and ensuring meaningful integration of emerging leaders into The Trial Network.

Tony Rospert – Thompson Hine

Tony Rospert – Thompson Hine

Katherine Wilson – Fractional Law Firm CMO and Joshua Metcalf – Forman Watkins & Krutz
AI is transforming how law firms deliver legal services and their approach to marketing. This session will examine current and emerging AI tools, how to integrate AI to support your practice and amplify your firm’s visibility, and potential implementation challenges.

Moderator:
Katherine Wilson – Fractional Law Firm CMO
Panelists:
Bill Garcia – Thompson Hine
Marissa Ronk – Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell
Jack Sharman – Lightfoot Franklin & White

Building on the previous session, panelists will share their personal experiences utilizing AI, how their firms are adopting and sanctioning AI tools, client expectations, and more. Facilitators will then lead table discussions to share resources, consider challenges, and ask questions about leveraging AI.

Moderator:
Felice Wagner – The Trial Network
Panelists:
Katie Reilly – Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell
Lyndon Sommer – Sandberg Phoenix
Tony Lathrop – Moore & Van Allen

In this insightful and practical session, Felice Wagner will moderate a panel on how member firms can fully leverage the value of The Trial Network. Panelists will share examples of successful collaboration among member firms and lessons learned, opportunities created by the Network to grow relationships with existing and potential clients, and tips and tactics to advocate for your firm’s participation in the Network.

Tony Rospert – Thompson Hine