2026 Annual Conference
APRIL 23-26, 2026
the HENDERSON BEACH RESORT
SEE YOU IN SUNNY DESTIN, FLORIDA!
A DIFFERENT KIND OF CONFERENCE
A DIFFERENT KIND OF CONFERENCE
Meet us in FLORIDA for this life-changing conference.
You’ll earn CLE hours and network with colleagues, but you’ll also engage in meaningful conversation and make lifelong connections. The Society is a community dedicated to lifting women up, side by side, supporting them in their endeavors to be the best trial attorneys & women they can be. Our annual conference is where we come together to check in, support one another, and re-engage as a community.
Attention First & Second Year Attorneys!
Call 850-304-9674 to receive a discounted conference rate.
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networking
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HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS
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continuing education
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INSPIRING CONVERSATIONS
2026 AnnuAL Conference
Advocacy in spite of Adversity
Co-CHAIRED by April Collins & Ilya Lerma
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5:30 to 7:30 | Registration and Welcome Reception on the Sunset Terrace, Henderson Beach Resort
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7:00 AM to 8:00 AM | Breakfast
8:00 AM to 8:15 AM | Welcome & Introductions
Co-Chairs April Collins & Ilya Lerma8:15 AM to 9:00 AM | Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
La’Verne Edney9:00 AM to 10:30 AM | Peeking Behind the Curtain: From Focus Groups to Jury Selection and Beyond
Artemis Malekpour10:30 AM to 10:45 AM | Coffee Break
10:45 AM to 11:30 AM | Building the Team: Managing Co-Counsel, Experts & Clients in Nationwide Cases
Ashlea Schwarz11:30 AM to 12:15 PM | Your Playbook for Using AI Successfully in Law
Hannah Garrett12:15 PM to 1:15 PM | Networking Lunch and Woman of the Year Presentation
1:15 PM to 2:30 PM | Workplace Toxicity and How to Cure It
Carrie Roane & Dana Brooks2:30 to 3:15 PM | Session Coming Soon
Courtney Smith -
7:00 AM to 8:00 AM | Breakfast
8:15 AM to 9:00 AM | The Science of Persuasion
Ilya Lerma9:00 AM to 9:45 AM | Coal to Diamonds: Using Your Bad Facts to Your Advantage
Bibi Fell9:45 AM to 10:30 AM | Damages from A Plaintiff’s Perspective
Kelley Simoneaux10:30 to 10:45 AM | Coffee Break
10:45 to 11:30 AM | Dealing with Our Loses
Renee Franchi11:30 AM to 12:15 PM | It Takes Grit and Determination: A Shift of Mind
Diane Friend12: 15 PM to 1:15 PM | Networking Lunch
1:15 PM to 2:15 PM | Mom Guilt: The Internal Conflict
Nicole Smith2:15 PM to 3:15 PM | Marketing Panel: Strategies for Any and Every Size Firm
Alecia Emidy & Stephanie Wolf -
7:30 AM to 8:00 AM | Breakfast
8:00 AM to 11:00 AM | Connection Advocacy
Bettina AltizerConference Ends
Our host hotel is
the HENDERSON BEACH RESORT
Experience the timeless romance of Henderson Beach Resort on Florida’s Emerald Coast. Where Southern charm meets modern luxury.
Generations have chosen Henderson Beach Resort as a place to reconnect, discover, and unwind. Surround yourself with the beauty of nature and shape storied memories that will last a lifetime.
Please use the booking link below to secure your room or call the reservation department at 855-741-2777 and use the group name “Society of Women Trial Lawyers” or group code “10G87W”.
Society of Women Trial Lawyers at The Henderson Beach Resort & Spa
·The price shown online is reflective of the room rate, resort fee, and taxes on the resort fee. The contracted rate is shown on the booking page. The above link will remain active until the block is full or on the cutoff date (April 1st), whichever comes first. Guests looking to book a condo should book a standard room first through the link, then email krichards@hendersonbeachresort.com with the condo size you would like to upgrade to.
Please let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to working with you again!
Hear from our members
Continuing Legal Education
An application for accreditation for continuing legal education credit is submitted to all applicable states. Number of credits awarded will vary based on state regulations. Please bring your license and/or bar information with you to the program.

