"The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers"

Justice John Paul Stevens understood why Shakespeare put those oft-misquoted words into the mouth of the villainous Dick the Butcher. As Justice Stevens explained: "Shakespeare insightfully realized that disposing of lawyers is a step in the direction of a totalitarian form of government."

This timely panel will discuss the constitutionality of the Trump administration's series of unprecedented attacks on prominent law firms and sitting judges, the reaction from the courts, and how members of the legal profession can defend the Rule of Law.

Participants will be introduced to approaches to mediation, managing difficult clients, effectively communicating a client’s position to the mediator, positioning a client for resolution, and time management during mediation. Hypotheticals will be presented to illustrate different strategies and techniques.

The session will provide an in-depth look at how the Bipartisan Budget Act (BBA) has transformed partnership audits, including the centralized partnership audit procedures under IRC §§ 6221–6241. Jennifer Black (Citrin Cooperman) and Robert Horwitz (Hochman Salkin Toscher Perez, P.C.) will guide attendees through the key components of a BBA audit—from the designation and powers of the Partnership Representative, to the calculation and modification of imputed underpayments, to the decision-making process between paying at the partnership level versus electing a push-out.

The program will also cover the mechanics and strategy behind Administrative Adjustment Requests (AARs), the strict timing rules and procedural traps, and how tiered partnership structures complicate compliance and reporting. Whether you advise on partnership formation, prepare partnership returns, or represent clients before the IRS, this presentation will deliver essential tools for navigating the BBA regime in practice.

Succession planning for law firms is more than just an exit strategy—it’s about shaping a lasting legacy and ensuring continued success. This program will explore how to align your goals with the right succession structure, whether through a sale, internal transition, merger, or creating a law-related business. It will also cover essential considerations including financing strategies, defining the future role of founders, navigating tax implications, and preparing effective contingency plans.

The Federal Circuit is best known as the nation’s leading patent law court—but it also plays a surprising and growing role in shaping copyright law. This program examines how copyright cases reach the Federal Circuit, often through the inclusion of a now-defunct patent claim and explores the implications of this procedural quirk. Topics include concerns about forum shopping, the court’s perceived bias toward rights holders, and the potential for patent law reasoning to influence copyright doctrine.

When Minor’s Counsel is appointed, many attorneys representing parents are left wondering what happens next. This CLE will cover the essential information Family Law attorneys need to know to navigate cases involving Minor’s Counsel, including their role, responsibilities, scope of work, and control of privilege. Learn when to include Minor’s Counsel in communications, how to manage a limited appointment, and practical strategies for effectively working with them throughout the case.

In this program, Nancy Potter will explore how civil rights laws like Title IX and Section 504 apply in the college setting, with a focus on what attorneys need to know to support students. Nancy will cover how accommodations are handled at the postsecondary level, what to expect in campus disciplinary proceedings (including Title IX investigations), and how to identify when legal support may be necessary. Attorneys will gain practical insight into spotting red flags, protecting student rights, and navigating the often complex world of college policies and procedures.