IADC Speaks

The best trial lawyers never stop refining their craft. In the Next Level Lawyering, IADC Speaks Hosts Bob Christie (Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice LLC) and Emma Ross (Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum LLP) sit down with accomplished trial lawyers to examine the decisions, techniques, and habits that shape an effective trial presentation. Each concise episode focuses on one essential stage of trial and offers practical ideas that lawyers across practice areas can use the next time they prepare a case for a judge or jury.

In this episode, Bob and Emma speak with nationally known trial lawyer, former IADC president, and former IADC Trial Academy director Spencer Silverglate (Clarke Silverglate, P.A.) about cross-examination. Spencer explains how years of trial experience have shaped his approach, how he organizes a cross so that it feels focused and fluid, and how he uses exhibits without losing control of the witness or the courtroom. He also shares examples of crosses that worked, crosses that did not, and the principles he tries to carry into every examination.

The IADC Trial Academy has been training defense trial lawyers since 1973, giving participants an immersive, hands-on opportunity to sharpen their advocacy skills and take their practice to the next level. In this episode of IADC Speaks, Host Rebecca Weinstein Bacon (Bartlit Beck LLP) speaks with Jennifer Haltom Doan (Haltom & Doan) and Alba Arriaga Romano (Riley, Hewitt, Witte & Romano, P.C.) about what makes the week-long program so impactful—from full-day sessions and guest speakers to working directly with faculty and trying a product liability case with professional actors as witnesses.

They discuss the value of learning by doing, the importance of preparation, and the camaraderie and relationships that make the Academy experience last well beyond the week itself. Hear why the Trial Academy continues to be a defining experience for defense trial lawyers—and why firms should consider sending their lawyers to the program.

The Neutral’s Playbook: Practical Guides for Counsel in Arbitration and Mediation is a four-part series exploring the realities of modern dispute resolution. Featuring experienced arbitration and mediation practitioners, the series delivers action-oriented guidance to counsel navigating complex proceedings. Whether addressing domestic or international disputes, each conversation offers practical insight for lawyers, arbitrators, and emerging practitioners alike.

In this episode, IADC Speaks Host Al Vance (Vance Dispute Resolution, PC) chats with Christopher A. Kenney (Bowditch & Dewey, LLP) and Trea Southerland (Resolution 38 LLC) as they go behind the curtain to talk mediation secrets. They share what neutrals actually want to see, what parties consistently get wrong, and how their perspectives have changed now that they sit on the other side of the table.

The best trial lawyers never stop refining their craft. In the Next Level Lawyering, IADC Speaks Hosts Bob Christie (Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice LLC) and Emma Ross (Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum LLP) sit down with accomplished trial lawyers to examine the decisions, techniques, and habits that shape an effective trial presentation. Each concise episode focuses on one essential stage of trial and offers practical ideas that lawyers across practice areas can use the next time they prepare a case for a judge or jury.
 
In this episode, Bob and Emma speak with nationally renowned trial lawyer and former IADC Trial Academy director Ed Sledge (Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP) about visual storytelling. Ed explains how he incorporates visual information into trial strategy, when that process should begin, and how an initial concept becomes a polished, trial-ready presentation. The conversation also explores how lawyers can interact effectively with visuals in the courtroom—and how emerging technology is changing the way those visuals are developed.

The 2026 International Corporate Counsel College returns October 15–16 in Brussels, Belgium, bringing together in-house counsel from around the world for timely programming, meaningful connection, and practical discussion.

In this episode, IADC Speaks Host Christopher Parkerson (Campbell Conroy & O'Neil, P.C.) and program Director Cecilia Lahaye (Crowell & Moring LLP) preview this year’s College and its theme, Bridge Over Troubled Waters: How to Navigate Your Company in a World in Flux. They discuss the challenges facing today’s in-house counsel—from AI and economic uncertainty to tariffs, geopolitical risk, and more —and highlight what makes this “by in-house counsel, for in-house counsel” event a favorite IADC gathering. Learn all about the program, the speakers, and a very special guest speaker and register at www.iadclaw.org.

When we talk about disputes, whether they are resolved through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or in court, we often focus on facts, evidence, legal principles, and remedies. But every dispute has a human element. The Emotional Dynamics of Dispute Resolution series looks at the role of emotions in legal disputes.

In this episode, IADC Speaks Host Shelagh Carnegie (Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP) along with guests Bridget Hoy (Lewis Rice LLC), Lindsay Lundholm (Baird Holm LLP), and Scott Kugler (Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP) explore anger as one of the strongest emotions that can emerge in a dispute. Through real-world examples and practical strategies, they discuss how anger can influence behavior, business decisions, and risk assessment—and how lawyers can recognize, understand, and work through emotion while maintaining professionalism and strong advocacy. As the conversation highlights, anger is information, not instruction.

The best trial lawyers never stop refining their craft. In the Next Level Lawyering, IADC Speaks Hosts Bob Christie (Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice LLC) and Emma Ross (Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum LLP) sit down with accomplished trial lawyers to examine the decisions, techniques, and habits that shape an effective trial presentation. Each concise episode focuses on one essential stage of trial and offers practical ideas that lawyers across practice areas can use the next time they prepare a case for a judge or jury.

In this episode, Bob and Emma speak with nationally known trial lawyer, American College of Trial Lawyers Fellow, and 2025 IADC Trial Academy director Kim Hardeman (Lederer Weston Craig PLC) about preparing and delivering an effective opening statement. Kim discusses when she begins building an opening, how she develops its structure over the life of a case, and how she weaves in texture and storytelling throughout. She also addresses testing an opening with an audience, responding to feedback, and using AI without losing the judgment and credibility on which a persuasive opening depends.

The Neutral’s Playbook: Practical Guides for Counsel in Arbitration and Mediation is a four-part series exploring the realities of modern dispute resolution. Featuring experienced arbitration and mediation practitioners, the series delivers action-oriented guidance to counsel navigating complex proceedings. Whether addressing domestic or international disputes, each conversation offers practical insight for lawyers, arbitrators, and emerging practitioners alike.

In this episode, IADC Speaks Host Al Vance (Vance Dispute Resolution, PC) chats with Christopher A. Kenney (Bowditch & Dewey, LLP) and Trea Southerland (Resolution 38 LLC), focusing on tools that move mediations forward. Drawing on their experience, they share practical tips on preparing for mediation, managing the room, breaking an impasse, and navigating the trends shaping mediation today.

Three letters have turned collegiate athletics on its head – NIL. NIL – name, image, and likeness – has arguably had the biggest impact on collegiate athletics. 

IADC Speaks Host Amy M. Stewart (Fisher Phillips; Stewart Law Group at the time of the recording) sits down with Angela “Ane” Redmond Debro (Associate General Counsel for Athletics, University of Mississippi), Julie Owen (Executive Director of Cap Management and Revenue Share, Kansas State University), and Ed Stewart (former Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director, University of Southern California), all experts in the field, to dive into NIL. With rules changing in real time and the stakes higher than ever, this episode breaks down the legal, financial, and practical realities shaping the future of college sports.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the practice of law. In this two-part IADC Speaks series, Host Rebecca Weinstein Bacon (Bartlit Beck LLP) is joined by AI leaders Brent Arnold (INQ Law), Jonathan Franklin (Franklin Legal Group, PA), and Sean Griffin (Longman & Van Grack LLC) where they explore both sides of the conversation—first, how artificial intelligence can improve the way lawyers work every day, and next, the ethical considerations, risks, and challenges that come with its growing use.

In part 1, the conversation focuses on the "good" of AI: practical ways attorneys can leverage today's tools to work more efficiently and effectively. Rebecca asks each guest to share the AI workflows and practice management tips they actually use—from managing email, proofreading, summarizing documents, and reviewing case files to comparing AI platforms and choosing the right tool for the task. The discussion also explores how AI can support trial and appellate work through real-world examples that listeners can immediately apply in their own practice.