8:30 - 9:00 a.m.

Registration

9:00 - 9:10 a.m.

Welcome & Introductions

• John F. Watson, Craig & Craig, LLC, 2026-2027 IDC President

9:10 - 10:10 a.m.

The Relationship Between AI, Defense Counsel, and Corporate Professionals

• Presented by: Rebecca Fozo, Zurich North America, Taylor Smith, Suite 200 Solutions, and Christopher M. Vlasich, Trisura Group, Ltd.
  

During this session, corporate professionals will provide their perspective on the use of AI by defense counsel. The panel will discuss AI’s impact on billing, including how defense firms determine what tasks are appropriate for AI, how billing rates are affected, and how corporate professionals and defense firms develop an AI strategy. The panel also will address privacy concerns created by AI and what measures should be taken to address those concerns.

10:10 - 11:10 a.m.

AI Best Practices In and Out of the Classroom

Presented by: Robert Christie, Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice

AI is no longer the wave of the future. It is an important tool for defense attorneys, yet many still may not fully understand or be properly utilizing the technology. During this interactive presentation, attendees will learn how to integrate AI into their practices, both in and out of the courtroom. This will include demonstrations of various types of AI software and the benefits they offer to defense counsel.

11:10 - 12:10 p.m.

Artificial Intelligence in Expert Practice: What Defense Counsel Needs to Know

Presented by: Scott Nesvold, P.E., ESi

Generative artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how technical work product is created and used in litigation, and the implications for defense practitioners are already showing up in active cases. This session examines AI’s growing role in expert witness practice and litigation support from the perspective of a working forensic engineer, with practical guidance for defense attorneys navigating an evolving evidentiary landscape. Scott Nesvold draws on field observations to walk through how AI-generated technical content is affecting an investigator's workflow, what the current litigation AI landscape looks like across plaintiff and defense practice, and how existing admissibility frameworks provide tools for evaluating AI-assisted work product. The session also addresses responsible use of AI by experts and the accountability standards that expert testimony demands.

12:10 - 1:15 p.m.

Luncheon

1:15 - 2:15 p.m.

Avoiding Ethical Pitfalls of AI

Presented by: Anisa Jordan, Illinois ARDC

While AI offers many benefits to defense counsel, it also poses a multitude of ethical risks. This question-and-answer session will focus on specific ethical pitfalls associated with AI, the ethical rules implicated by AI use, and best practices to take when using AI to avoid ethics issues. Attendees also will learn about emerging trends and common scenarios involving AI and ethics seen by the ARDC.

2:15 - 3:15 p.m.

The Madison County AI Order: Origins, Objectives, and Early Lessons for Litigants and Counsel

Presented by: Hon. Sarah D. Smith, Circuit Court of Madison County

AI is rapidly transforming legal practice in both law offices and courtrooms. As AI tools become more prevalent, courts are increasingly facing AI’s benefits but also the risks and challenges associated with AI-generated work product. In this presentation, Judge Sarah D. Smith will discuss the concerns and issues that led her to create and author the Madison County AI Standing Order, the Order’s underlying goals, and its practical implications for litigants and counsel. Judge Smith will also address the Order’s early impact, evolving considerations, and how the courts can balance technological innovation with attorneys’ duties of competence, diligence, and candor to the tribunal.

3:15 - 4:30 p.m.

Happy Hour

Robert Christie of Baker, Sterchi, Cowden & Rice is a trial lawyer with deep experience defending professionals, companies, governmental entities, law enforcement officers, and individuals in high exposure cases in State and Federal Court. With that experience comes Bob’s ability to assess case exposures early, develop compelling and persuasive themes, and communicate his clients’ positions to achieve the best possible outcome. Bob’s appellate law experience, spanning four decades, has resulted in scores of published opinions throughout Washington State, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and on briefs to the United States Supreme Court. He is a recognized leader and teacher in technology and the art of visual persuasion. Bob has embraced AI as a force multiplier for trial preparation and trial, using it ethically and responsibly in his daily practice.

As an AVP with Zurich North America’s Claims Judicial & Legislative Affairs team, Rebecca Fozo provides education and public discourse on issues involving social inflation and legal system abuse. Through her role, she collaborates with industry partners and tort reform groups to grow a coalition addressing these issues. Her focus also includes tort reform issues pertinent to eastern states as well as products liability, mass tort and class action issues.

Prior to joining the Claims Judicial & Legislative Affairs team, Rebecca handled complex multi-national claims, long tail chemical exposure claims, and multi-district litigation claims for Zurich’s Mass Litigation team. Rebecca was also a Chicago-based attorney, spending nearly 20 years defending municipal entities and private corporations in the areas of municipal litigation, personal injury, toxic torts and employment law. She is a member of the Illinois Defense Counsel, serving as an Associate Editor and Chair of the Corporate Professionals Committee. She is also a member of DRI and Lawyers for Civil Justice.

Anisa Jordan is an attorney with over 15 years of experience, currently serving as Ethics Education Counsel for the ARDC and recently appointed Vice Chair of the Illinois State Bar Association’s Criminal Justice Section. A former Assistant State’s Attorney and founder of The Jordan Law Firm, she brings extensive courtroom and criminal defense experience, along with a strong commitment to ethics and justice.

Scott Nesvold, P.E. is a Principal and Senior Director at Engineering Systems Inc. (ESi), where he leads the Civil, Structural, and Environmental practice group. A licensed structural engineer and fire protection engineer, he has provided expert witness services and technical consultation on behalf of defense counsel across a broad range of construction, property damage, and fire-related matters. He serves on ESi’s AI governance leadership team and brings a practitioner’s perspective to both the promise and the risks of AI in forensic consulting practice.

Taylor Smith is the founder and president of Suite 200 Solutions. The firm provides advisory services and market intelligence to claim executives, defense attorneys, technology providers and private equity.

With deep experience in insurance, claims, and litigation management, Taylor’s practice focuses on helping industry leaders navigate industry disruption and change. He specializes in bridging market intelligence and technology use to help organizations achieve better outcomes in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Prior to founding the Company in 2009, Taylor held various executive positions with ePolicy Solutions, WK ELM, CaseKnowledge, and CaseRev. In these roles, he developed high levels of expertise in litigation management, spend management, collaborative litigation software, vendor management, and other initiatives important to insurance and legal executives.

He has conducted the CLM's litigation and defense counsel studies since 2012, has served as a Chancellor in the CLM's Litigation Management Institute, and as a Dean in the CLM's School of Litigation Management.

Judge Sarah D. Smith has served as judge in the Third Judicial Circuit of Illinois, presiding in Madison County, since 2015 serving first as an appointed Circuit Judge and then as an elected Circuit Judge. She hears a diverse civil docket, including complex tort litigation, medical negligence, personal injury, commercial disputes, and high-volume civil calendars. In addition to her civil assignment, Judge Smith is the Presiding Judge of the Madison County Veterans Treatment Court, a specialty court providing evidence-based intervention, treatment, and accountability for veterans involved in the justice system. She also presides over various post-conviction matters and other collateral challenges arising from criminal convictions. Judge Smith is a veteran of the United States Army, she is a Colonel and a senior officer in the Illinois Army National Guard. She serves as the G7 (Plans & Exercises) for the Illinois National Guard and was formally the State Judge Advocate for the Illinois Army National Guard. Judge Smith is a 2020 graduate of the US Army War College where she obtained her Master’s in Strategic Studies. She is a 2x combat veteran, and Bronze Star recipient. Prior to joining the bench, Judge Smith practiced civil litigation and served as a felony prosecutor. She frequently lectures on topics involving artificial intelligence in the courts, electronic discovery, trial strategy and litigation as well as judicial ethics. Committed to public service, Judge Smith remains active in veteran support initiatives, judicial education, and community outreach. Outside the courtroom, she is also a certified high-school and collegiate football official and a dedicated supporter of youth athletics in Madison County.

Christopher Vlasich is Senior Vice President, Claims at Trisura Group, where he is the Head of Claims for North America. He previously spent more than a decade at Allianz Commercial, most recently as Head of Financial Lines & Cyber for North America, after beginning his career as a litigator in Cleveland. Chris is a frequent speaker for PLUS, PLDF, RIMS, and Perrin Conferences on topics ranging from nuclear verdicts and social inflation to D&O trends and litigation funding. Chris is licensed to practice in Ohio and Illinois.