2026 Annual Conference

APRIL 23-26, 2026

the HENDERSON BEACH RESORT

SEE YOU IN SUNNY DESTIN, FLORIDA!

REGISTER NOW
SPONSORSHIPS

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.

REGISTER NOW

Attention First & Second Year Attorneys!

Call 850-304-9674 to receive a discounted conference rate.

  • networking

  • HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS

  • continuing education

  • INSPIRING CONVERSATIONS

2026 AnnuAL Conference

Advocacy in spite of Adversity
Co-CHAIRED by April Collins & Ilya Lerma

  • 5:30 to 7:30 | Registration and Welcome Reception on the Sunset Terrace, Henderson Beach Resort

  • 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM | Breakfast

    8:00 AM to 8:15 AM | Welcome & Introductions
    Co-Chairs April Collins & Ilya Lerma

    8:15 AM to 9:00 AM | Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
    La’Verne Edney

    9:00 AM to 10:30 AM | Peeking Behind the Curtain: From Focus Groups to Jury Selection and Beyond
    Artemis Malekpour

    10:30 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 Schwarz

    11:30 AM to 12:15 PM | Your Playbook for Using AI Successfully in Law
    Hannah Garrett

    12:15 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 Brooks

    2:30 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 Lerma

    9:00 AM to 9:45 AM | Coal to Diamonds: Using Your Bad Facts to Your Advantage
    Bibi Fell

    9:45 AM to 10:30 AM | Damages from A Plaintiff’s Perspective
    Kelley Simoneaux

    10:30 to 10:45 AM | Coffee Break

    10:45 to 11:30 AM | Dealing with Our Loses
    Renee Franchi

    11:30 AM to 12:15 PM | It Takes Grit and Determination: A Shift of Mind
    Diane Friend

    12: 15 PM to 1:15 PM | Networking Lunch

    1:15 PM to 2:15 PM | Mom Guilt: The Internal Conflict
    Nicole Smith

    2:15 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 Altizer

    Conference 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.