Institute for Law & Leadership Agenda

Friday, February 20, 2026

1:00 PM - Registration Opens (snacks provided)

 

1:45 PM - Welcome

  • Jennifer Banda, CWIL Director
  • Samantha Morales, WLC President

 

1:50 PM - Ladies Who Lawyer Bingo

  • Valerie Esparza, CWIL Director of Operations & Programs

 

2:15 PM - Introduction of Keynote

  • Katie B. Hobson, Assistant Attorney General, Environmental Protection Divison at Texas Office of the Attorney General

 

2:20 PM - Confidence in the Courtroom and Beyond

  • Justice Chari Kelly, Texas Third Court of Appeals

 

3:00 PM - Navigating Crucial Conversations in the Legal Profession

  •  Jennifer Banda, Moderator
  • Susan Blount, Former General Counsel, Prudential Financial
  • Mollie Duckworth, Partner, Latham & Watkins

 

3:55 PM - Difficult Discussion Demos

  • Jennifer Banda, CWIL Director

 

4:40 PM - Day 1 Closing

  • Jennifer Banda & Samantha Morales

 

4:45 PM - Sips & Summons (Reception in Susman Godfrey Atrium – h’ors doeuvres and drinks provided)

SATURDAY, February 21, 2026

 

8:30 AM - Breakfast

 

9:00 AM - Welcome to Day 2

  • Jennifer Banda & Samantha Morales

 

9:05 AM - Building Your Brand

  • Averi Muhr, Moderator, Women’s Law Caucus                   
  • Maria Amelia Calaf, Partner, Botkin Chiarello Calaf
  • Julia Simon, Principal, Simon Dispute Resolution LLC (former CLO Mary Kay Inc.)

 

9:45 AM - In the Hot Seat: Workplace Hypos & How to Handle

  • Samantha Morales, Moderator
  • Lori Erwin, Litigation Associate Director, Health and Human Services Commission
  • Marcy Greer, Managing Partner, Alexander Dubose & Jefferson
  • Betty Ungerman, Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer, Lennox International

 

10:45 AM - Break  

 

10:55 AM - Beyond the Billable Hour: What Every Young Lawyer Should Know

  • Jasmine Martinez, Moderator, Women’s Law Caucus                       
  • Lily Chinn, Partner, Hogan Lovells 
  • Gina Shishima, Vice Chair US Management Committee, Norton Rose Fulbright

 

11:45 AM - Lunch

 

12:15 PM - Smart Money, Strong Career

  • Liz Nielsen, Attorney, Nielsen Law
  • Sarah Florer, Attorney/Shareholder, FBFK Law
  • Elizabeth Quanaim, Partner, Robin Glen

 

1:00 PM - A Seat at the Table: Presence & Professional Etiquette

  • Joy Peng, Moderator, Women’s Law Caucus
  • Veda Tsai, Federal Judicial Clerk
  • Jennifer Banda, CWIL Director
  • Valerie Esparza, CWIL Director of Operations & Programs

 

1:45 PM - Looking Back, Moving Forward

  •  Samantha Morales, WLC President

 

2:15 PM - Closing Remarks

  • Jennifer Banda, CWIL Director