8:00 a.m.

Breakfast & Networking with Sponsors

8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

The Current State of Personal Jurisdiction in Illinois and Missouri | Presented by: Robert F. Chandler, Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice LLC, St. Louis, MO and Gregory W. Odom, Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice, LLC, Belleville, IL

Illinois and Missouri are home to some of the largest toxic tort dockets in the country. Many cases have no connection to Illinois or Missouri and are often filed by nonresident plaintiffs against foreign corporations. Personal jurisdiction, therefore, is an incredibly important defense in both states.

This program is a comparative analysis of Illinois and Missouri personal jurisdiction law. Attendees will learn about recent court opinions and rulings related to specific, general, and consent jurisdiction. The program also will feature a discussion of the recent Illinois consent jurisdiction statute. The presenters will offer practical insight into asserting and maintaining a personal jurisdiction defense based on historical precedent, recent case law, and statutory provisions.

9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Navigating Bad Faith Law in Illinois and Missouri: Key Risks, Defenses, and Emerging Trends | Presented by: Susan Dimond, Roberts, Perryman P.C., St. Louis, MO and Donald Patrick Eckler, Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP, Chicago IL

This CLE program provides a focused comparison of insurer bad faith law in Illinois and Missouri, highlighting key statutory and common law frameworks that shape exposure and defense strategies. Attendees will gain practical guidance on claims handling, litigation risks, and effective defenses to minimize bad faith liability in both jurisdictions. The session also examines recent developments and trends, equipping civil defense practitioners with actionable insights for managing complex coverage disputes.

10:30 - 11:00 a.m.

Networking Break

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Judicial Panel Discussion featuring judges from both sides of the River!

1:15 p.m.

St. Louis Cardinals v. Baltimore Orioles Ballgame

Robert F. Chandler is a Member in Baker Sterchi’s St. Louis office. He is an experienced litigation defense attorney who focuses his practice on professional and management liability, construction, insurance, real estate, product liability, complex commercial litigation, and related business disputes. He regularly appears in state and federal courts in Missouri and Illinois.

Susan M. Dimond, Roberts, Perryman P.C., St. Louis, MO, has focused her practice on the defense of professionals and the analysis of coverage obligations for almost 20 years. Susan leads the firm's legal malpractice defense, professional liability, insurance coverage and extra-contractual liability teams. She has considerable experience defending attorneys in legal malpractice claims, ethical complaints, breach of fiduciary duty claims and cases alleging violations of consumer protection statutes. She also routinely defends design professionals, insurance agents, and small business in similar claims. Susan also handles complex first party and third-party insurance coverage questions and frequently litigates cases involving extra contractual liability. She routinely advises both insurers and insureds on complex coverage questions across the Midwest. Susan has spoken extensively on Missouri bad faith law and Mo.Rev.Stat.§ 537.065. She has been recognized and included in Best Lawyers since 2020 and Super Lawyers in 2025.

Donald Patrick Eckler is a Partner in Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP’s Chicago office where he serves as Office Co-Chair. Mr. Eckler is also Vice-Chair of the firm’s Midwest Coverage practice team, Vice-Chair of the firm's Transactional Risks/Representations & Warranties practice team, and a member of the firm’s Appellate Advocacy Section. He is a highly experienced litigator who focuses his practice on professionals, insurers, and businesses in disputes in state and federal courts across Illinois, Indiana, and Tennessee.

Gregory W. Odom is a Member in Baker Sterchi’s Belleville office and co-chair of the firm’s Toxic Tort Practice Group. He is an experienced trial attorney whose practice focuses on defending clients in mass toxic tort and commercial litigation in Illinois and Missouri state and federal courts. He is second vice president of Illinois Defense Counsel and serves on its Executive Committee.