35^th Annual

Conference on State and Federal Appeals

Austin Jun 12-13, 2025 The Otis Hotel Austin
Conference Concluded

Live Webcast Jun 12-13, 2025
Conference Concluded

Overview

UT Law CLE's 35th Annual Conference on State and Federal Appeals – designed for advanced-level civil appellate practitioners – has earned a reputation as the premier program on appellate practice and procedure in Texas and is a must-attend event for Texas civil appellate practitioners. Topics include:

Fifteenth Court of Appeals Panel
89th Legislature: What Just Happened and How it Affects Your Practice
Supreme Court of Texas Panel
Effective Strategies for Selecting Your Appellate Points
Ethics: Following the Letter and the Spirit of the Rules
Secrets of a Successful Reply Brief
Lightning Round Topics: Appellate Practice and Procedure
Ethics Game Show

Following the conference, attendees will receive a bonus eSupplement to ensure practitioners can earn their required 15.00/3.00 Texas MCLE hours for the year.

Event Schedule

Program is subject to change.
All times are Central Time Zone.

Day 1 June 12, 2025
Day 2 June 13, 2025

Time

Credit

Subject

Speaker
Thursday Morning, June 12, 2025
Presiding Officer:
Hon. Daryl L. Moore, Ahmad Zavitsanos & Mensing PLLC - Houston, TX
8:00 am
Austin Only

Registration Opens

Includes continental breakfast.
8:50 am

Welcoming Remarks
9:00 am

0.50 hr

89th Legislature: What Just Happened and How it Affects Your Practice and the Courts

A recap of selected bills that passed and some that didn't during the legislative session.

Hon. Jerry D. Bullard, Texas Business Court, Eighth Division - Fort Worth, TX
Sen. Nathan Johnson, Texas State Senate, District 16 - Dallas, TX

Hon. Jerry D. Bullard, Texas Business Court, Eighth Division - Fort Worth, TX
Sen. Nathan Johnson, Texas State Senate, District 16 - Dallas, TX
9:30 am

0.50 hr

Supreme Court of Texas by the Numbers

What do the Court’s numbers from the last term tell us about your client’s chances.

Don Cruse, Law Office of Don Cruse - Austin, TX

Don Cruse, Law Office of Don Cruse - Austin, TX
10:00 am

0.50 hr

Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure: Amendments Past and Future

Focus on recent changes to the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure and address potential rule amendments recommended by appellate practitioners.

Hon. Tracy Christopher, Fourteenth Court of Appeals - Houston, TX
Jennie Knapp, Underwood Law Firm, P.C. - Amarillo, TX

Hon. Tracy Christopher, Fourteenth Court of Appeals - Houston, TX
Jennie Knapp, Underwood Law Firm, P.C. - Amarillo, TX
10:30 am

15-Minute Break
10:45 am

0.75 hr

Fifteenth Court of Appeals Panel

After almost a year of operation, what do you need to know about practice in the Fifteenth Court of Appeals? What kinds of issues are being decided by this Court? Where does it stand on the scope of its jurisdiction? Answers to all of these questions and more from the three sitting Justices of the Fifteenth Court of Appeals!

Moderator:
Anne M. Johnson, Tillotson Johnson & Patton - Dallas, TX
Panelists:
Hon. Scott A. Brister, Fifteenth Court of Appeals - Austin, TX
Hon. Scott K. Field, Fifteenth Court of Appeals - Austin, TX
Hon. April Farris, Fifteenth Court of Appeals - Austin, TX

Moderator:
Anne M. Johnson, Tillotson Johnson & Patton - Dallas, TX
Panelists:
Hon. Scott A. Brister, Fifteenth Court of Appeals - Austin, TX
Hon. Scott K. Field, Fifteenth Court of Appeals - Austin, TX
Hon. April Farris, Fifteenth Court of Appeals - Austin, TX
11:30 am

0.50 hr

Horton: Charge Practice Now and Where It's Going

Discuss whether Horton renews previously settled questions on best practices for granulating questions in a jury charge and identify some open questions on where Horton might go.

Hon. David M. Gunn, First Court of Appeals - Houston, TX
Cody Vaughn, Jackson Walker LLP - Austin, TX

Hon. David M. Gunn, First Court of Appeals - Houston, TX
Cody Vaughn, Jackson Walker LLP - Austin, TX
12:00 pm
Austin Only

Pick Up Lunch (in Austin)

Included in registration.
Thursday Afternoon, June 12, 2025
Presiding Officer:
Jane M. N. Webre, Scott Douglass & McConnico LLP - Austin, TX
LUNCHEON PRESENTATION
12:30 pm

0.75 hr ethics

Ethics Game Show

Watch shameless appellate practitioners try to outgame each other as they answer ethics questions savvy practitioners need to know.

Moderator:
Hon. Tanya Garrison, 157th District Court - Houston, TX
Panelists:
Hon. Daryl L. Moore, Ahmad Zavitsanos & Mensing PLLC - Houston, TX
Alan York, Reed Smith LLP - Houston, TX

Moderator:
Hon. Tanya Garrison, 157th District Court - Houston, TX
Panelists:
Hon. Daryl L. Moore, Ahmad Zavitsanos & Mensing PLLC - Houston, TX
Alan York, Reed Smith LLP - Houston, TX
1:15 pm

15-Minute Break
1:30 pm

0.50 hr

Using the State Law Library

Learn about various books and research sources (online and in-person) that can assist appellate practitioners in preparing to write briefs and argue cases. Audience participation and recommendations for “essential reads” is encouraged.

Amy Small, Texas State Law Library - Austin, TX

Amy Small, Texas State Law Library - Austin, TX
2:00 pm

0.75 hr

Supreme Court of Texas Panel

Hear a candid conversation among the Justices about what is new at the Court, the state of the docket, and ways practitioners can improve their chances of securing discretionary review for their clients.

Moderator:
Connie H. Pfeiffer, Yetter Coleman LLP - Houston, TX
Hon. Jimmy Blacklock, The Supreme Court of Texas - Austin, TX
Hon. Jane N. Bland, The Supreme Court of Texas - Austin, TX
Hon. James P. Sullivan, The Supreme Court of Texas - Austin, TX

Moderator:
Connie H. Pfeiffer, Yetter Coleman LLP - Houston, TX
Hon. Jimmy Blacklock, The Supreme Court of Texas - Austin, TX
Hon. Jane N. Bland, The Supreme Court of Texas - Austin, TX
Hon. James P. Sullivan, The Supreme Court of Texas - Austin, TX
2:45 pm

15-Minute Break
3:00 pm

1.00 hr

Supreme Court of Texas Update

Explore recent opinions issued by the Court in the current term.

Hon. Jeff Boyd, The Supreme Court of Texas - Austin, TX
Kurt Kuhn, Kuhn Hobbs PLLC - Austin, TX

Hon. Jeff Boyd, The Supreme Court of Texas - Austin, TX
Kurt Kuhn, Kuhn Hobbs PLLC - Austin, TX
4:00 pm

0.50 hr ethics

Overcoming the Existential Crisis of Being An Appellate Lawyer

Because many factors control the outcome of an appeal—most unrelated to the performance of the advocate—appellate lawyers should try to avoid the crushing weight of responsibility for a favorable outcome. Yet for our clients, a favorable outcome is the only thing that matters. How do we simultaneously serve our clients’ needs and our own mental and emotional health?

Kevin Dubose, Alexander Dubose & Jefferson LLP - Houston, TX

Kevin Dubose, Alexander Dubose & Jefferson LLP - Houston, TX
4:30 pm

0.50 hr ethics

Ethics: Following the Letter and the Spirit of the Rules

Following the letter of the Disciplinary Rules helps Texas lawyers avoid misconduct findings in grievances. But that is only the beginning of a lawyer’s professional responsibilities to clients. Explore how we can maximize our professionalism by following not only the letter of the disciplinary rules, but their spirit as well.

Scott Rothenberg, Law Offices of Scott Rothenberg - Bellaire, TX

Scott Rothenberg, Law Offices of Scott Rothenberg - Bellaire, TX
5:00 pm

Adjourn
Austin Only

Networking Reception (in Austin from 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.)

Join us for drinks and hors d'oeuvres with program faculty and attendees.

Time

Credit

Subject

Speaker
Friday Morning, June 13, 2025
Presiding Officer:
Kirsten Castañeda, Alexander Dubose & Jefferson LLP - Dallas, TX
8:00 am
Austin Only

Conference Room Opens

Includes continental breakfast.
9:00 am

0.50 hr
0.25 hr ethics

Effective Strategies for Selecting Your Appellate Point

Cover what appellate practitioners should consider when selecting points of error on appeal. From standards of review to public policy, this presentation will help you select the most persuasive points for your appellate brief.

Mia Lorick, Troutman Pepper Locke - Houston, TX

Mia Lorick, Troutman Pepper Locke - Houston, TX
9:30 am

0.50 hr

Secrets of a Successful Reply Brief

How to craft a powerful reply brief that gets to the point, tackles key arguments head-on, and keeps the reader engaged—without redundancy or wasted words.

Robert B. Gilbreath, Hawkins Parnell & Young LLP - Dallas, TX

Robert B. Gilbreath, Hawkins Parnell & Young LLP - Dallas, TX
10:00 am

0.75 hr

Interpreting Texas

A discussion on recent developments in statutory and constitutional interpretation.

Hon. J. Brett Busby, The Supreme Court of Texas - Austin, TX
Jason R. LaFond, Scott Douglass & McConnico LLP - Austin, TX

Hon. J. Brett Busby, The Supreme Court of Texas - Austin, TX
Jason R. LaFond, Scott Douglass & McConnico LLP - Austin, TX
10:45 am

15-Minute Break
11:00 am

0.50 hr

Temporary Relief in Appellate Courts

In 2024, the Supreme Court of Texas provided significant new guidance on the standard for granting temporary relief in appellate courts. Hear an overview and update on the standards and bases for temporary and emergency relief in appellate courts.

Grant Martinez, Yetter Coleman LLP - Houston, TX
Co-Author:
Lily Hann, Yetter Coleman LLP - Houston, TX

Grant Martinez, Yetter Coleman LLP - Houston, TX
Co-Author:
Lily Hann, Yetter Coleman LLP - Houston, TX
11:30 am

0.50 hr

Lightning Round Topics: Appellate Practice and Procedure

10 things to keep in mind when bringing an appeal or original proceeding.

Anthony T. Golz, Cokinos | Young - Houston, TX

Anthony T. Golz, Cokinos | Young - Houston, TX
12:00 pm
Austin Only

Pick Up Lunch (in Austin)

Included in registration.
Friday Afternoon, June 13, 2025
Presiding Officer:
Marie Jamison, Wright Close & Barger, LLP - Houston, TX
LUNCHEON PRESENTATION
12:30 pm

0.75 hr

District Court Judges Panel

A discussion of how district court judges feel about having appellate counsel at trial. And, how appellate counsel can be most beneficial at certain stages of the trial.

Moderator:
Jessica Z. Barger, Wright Close & Barger, LLP - Houston, TX
Panelists:
Hon. Beau A. Miller, 190th District Court - Houston, TX
Hon. Anna Perez, 41st District Court - El Paso, TX
Hon. Staci Williams, 101st District Court - Dallas, TX

Moderator:
Jessica Z. Barger, Wright Close & Barger, LLP - Houston, TX
Panelists:
Hon. Beau A. Miller, 190th District Court - Houston, TX
Hon. Anna Perez, 41st District Court - El Paso, TX
Hon. Staci Williams, 101st District Court - Dallas, TX
1:15 pm

15-Minute Break
1:30 pm

0.50 hr

Loper Bright, the End of Chevron Deference, and What’s Next for APA Challenges

The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Chevron deference. What’s next for challenges to new federal regulations, the authority of federal agencies, and the role of the judiciary?

Fermeen F. Fazal, Senior Counsel - Houston, TX
Travis Wussow, Jackson Walker LLP - Austin, TX

Fermeen F. Fazal, Senior Counsel - Houston, TX
Travis Wussow, Jackson Walker LLP - Austin, TX
2:00 pm

0.50 hr

U.S. Supreme Court Update

An overview of major decisions and trends from the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2024-2025 term.

Erin Glenn Busby, The University of Texas School of Law - Austin, TX

Erin Glenn Busby, The University of Texas School of Law - Austin, TX
2:30 pm

0.50 hr

U.S. Fifth Circuit Update

This presentation covers the most interesting cases about civil litigation from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in the past year.

Antonio X. Milton, Ahmad Zavitsanos & Mensing PLLC - Houston, TX

Antonio X. Milton, Ahmad Zavitsanos & Mensing PLLC - Houston, TX
3:00 pm

Adjourn

Day 1 June 12, 2025
Day 2 June 13, 2025

Download Schedule

Conference Faculty

Jessica Z. Barger

Wright Close & Barger, LLP
Houston, TX

Hon. Jimmy Blacklock

The Supreme Court of Texas
Austin, TX

Hon. Jane N. Bland

The Supreme Court of Texas
Austin, TX

Hon. Jeff Boyd

The Supreme Court of Texas
Austin, TX

Hon. Scott A. Brister

Fifteenth Court of Appeals
Austin, TX

Hon. Jerry D. Bullard

Texas Business Court, Eighth Division
Fort Worth, TX

Erin Glenn Busby

The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX

Hon. J. Brett Busby

The Supreme Court of Texas
Austin, TX

Hon. Tracy Christopher

Fourteenth Court of Appeals
Houston, TX

Don Cruse

Law Office of Don Cruse
Austin, TX

Kevin Dubose

Alexander Dubose & Jefferson LLP
Houston, TX

Hon. April Farris

Fifteenth Court of Appeals
Austin, TX

Fermeen F. Fazal

Senior Counsel
Houston, TX

Hon. Scott K. Field

Fifteenth Court of Appeals
Austin, TX

Hon. Tanya Garrison

157th District Court
Houston, TX

Robert B. Gilbreath

Hawkins Parnell & Young LLP
Dallas, TX

Anthony T. Golz

Cokinos | Young
Houston, TX

Hon. David M. Gunn

First Court of Appeals
Houston, TX

Lily Hann

Yetter Coleman LLP
Houston, TX

Anne M. Johnson

Tillotson Johnson & Patton
Dallas, TX

Sen. Nathan Johnson

Texas State Senate, District 16
Dallas, TX

Jennie Knapp

Underwood Law Firm, P.C.
Amarillo, TX

Kurt Kuhn

Kuhn Hobbs PLLC
Austin, TX

Jason R. LaFond

Scott Douglass & McConnico LLP
Austin, TX

Mia Lorick

Troutman Pepper Locke
Houston, TX

Grant Martinez

Yetter Coleman LLP
Houston, TX

Hon. Beau A. Miller

190th District Court
Houston, TX

Antonio X. Milton

Ahmad Zavitsanos & Mensing PLLC
Houston, TX

Hon. Daryl L. Moore

Ahmad Zavitsanos & Mensing PLLC
Houston, TX

Hon. Anna Perez

41st District Court
El Paso, TX

Connie H. Pfeiffer

Yetter Coleman LLP
Houston, TX

Scott Rothenberg

Law Offices of Scott Rothenberg
Bellaire, TX

Amy Small

Texas State Law Library
Austin, TX

Hon. James P. Sullivan

The Supreme Court of Texas
Austin, TX

Cody Vaughn

Jackson Walker LLP
Austin, TX

Hon. Staci Williams

101st District Court
Dallas, TX

Travis Wussow

Jackson Walker LLP
Austin, TX

Alan York

Reed Smith LLP
Houston, TX

Planning Committee

Hon. Daryl L. Moore—Chair

Ahmad Zavitsanos & Mensing PLLC
Houston, TX

Kirsten Castañeda

Alexander Dubose & Jefferson LLP
Dallas, TX

Elana S. Einhorn

Butler Snow LLP
Austin, TX

Jennifer S. Freel

Jackson Walker LLP
Austin, TX

Hon. Tanya Garrison

157th District Court
Houston, TX

Hon. David M. Gunn

First Court of Appeals
Houston, TX

Marie Jamison

Wright Close & Barger, LLP
Houston, TX

Anne M. Johnson

Tillotson Johnson & Patton
Dallas, TX

Kurt Kuhn

Kuhn Hobbs PLLC
Austin, TX

Jeffrey S. Levinger

Levinger PC
Dallas, TX

Dana Livingston

Cokinos | Young
Austin, TX

Mia Lorick

Troutman Pepper Locke
Houston, TX

Connie H. Pfeiffer

Yetter Coleman LLP
Houston, TX

Scott Rothenberg

Law Offices of Scott Rothenberg
Bellaire, TX

Jane M. N. Webre

Scott Douglass & McConnico LLP
Austin, TX

Alan York

Reed Smith LLP
Houston, TX

MCLE Credit

Texas – 11.75 hrs | 2.00 hrs Ethics
Legal Specialization(s): Civil Appellate Law, Criminal Law, Criminal Appellate Law, Civil Trial Law, Family Law, Juvenile Law, Personal Injury Trial Law

You may claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the State Bar of Texas. A Certificate of Attendance will be provided in Your Briefcase for your records. The system reports Texas CLE credit every Tuesday. If you are claiming credit in the last week of your birth month, self-report your CLE credit directly to the State Bar of Texas at texasbar.com, using the course number provided on your certificate of attendance.

California – 11.75 hrs | 2.00 hrs Ethics

You must claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. UT Law CLE is required to provide the State Bar with electronic attendance records for any MCLE participatory activity within 60 days of completion of the activity. The California licensee is responsible for reporting their compliance/credit hours earned to the State Bar at the end of their reporting period directly to the State Bar of California at calbar.ca.gov UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.

Oklahoma – 14.00 hrs | 2.50 hrs Ethics

You must claim and certify your credit online in Your Briefcase, then you will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the Oklahoma Bar Association within 30 days after the conference.

Pennsylvania – 11.50 hrs | 2.00 hrs Ethics

UT Law CLE is an approved provider of Pennsylvania credit, sponsor #236. You must claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. Attorney attendance will be reported to Pennsylvania within 2 weeks after credit is claimed and submit. Attorneys are not able to report this credit on their own, and UT Law CLE pays all associated fees for the credit hours. Contact us at accreditation@utcle.org if you have additional questions.

Other States – 11.75 hrs | 2.00 hrs Ethics

Note on Self-Reporting Your Credits in Another State

If you wish to satisfy MCLE or other professional education requirements in another state for a program offered by the University of Texas School of Law, please check with the state bar or other licensing authority in that state to ensure it will qualify for self-reporting your credits.

You must claim and certify your credit online in Your Briefcase, you will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records and to provided to other licensing authorities as needed.

MCLE credit is presented based on a 60-minute credit hour.

Other Credit

TX Accounting CPE – 14.00 hrs

The University of Texas School of Law (Provider #250) live conferences are presumptively approved by The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy for Texas Accounting CPE credit based on a 50-minute credit hour. Approved for general CPE credit only.

At the conference, you are welcome to sign in on the Accounting CPE Record of Attendance form at the registration desk, but we are now reporting all credit online. You will receive a Texas Accounting Certificate of Completion in Your Briefcase. Self-report your CPE credit directly to TSBPA. UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.

Contact us at accreditation@utcle.org if you have additional questions.

MCLE Credit

Texas – 11.75 hrs | 2.00 hrs Ethics
Legal Specialization(s): Civil Appellate Law, Criminal Law, Criminal Appellate Law, Civil Trial Law, Family Law, Personal Injury Trial Law

You may claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the State Bar of Texas. A Certificate of Completion will be emailed to you upon claiming credit. The system reports Texas CLE credit every Tuesday. If you are claiming credit in the last week of your birth month, self-report your CLE credit directly to the State Bar of Texas at texasbar.com, using the course number provided on your certificate of attendance.

California – 11.75 hrs | 2.00 hrs Ethics

To claim California MCLE credit, California credit option must be selected PRIOR to viewing the live webcast. This accreditation requires attendance verification. UT Law CLE monitors and records attendee responses to questions that randomly appear during the live webcast presentation. Verification pop-ups will NOT display when the webcast video player is in "full screen" mode. Furthermore, the notification sound effect alerting pop-ups, will NOT play on mobile devices. We recommend viewing from a computer, as opposed to a mobile device, should MCLE credit, other than Texas, be needed. The response record is detailed on the Certificate of Completion.
You must claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. UT Law CLE is required to provide the State Bar with electronic attendance records for any MCLE participatory activity within 60 days of completion of the activity. The California licensee is responsible for reporting their compliance/credit hours earned to the State Bar at the end of their reporting period directly to the State Bar of California at calbar.ca.gov. UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.

MCLE credit is presented based on a 60-minute credit hour.

Oklahoma – 14.00 hrs | 2.50 hrs Ethics

To claim Oklahoma MCLE credit, Oklahoma credit option must be selected PRIOR to viewing the live webcast. This accreditation requires attendance verification. UT Law CLE monitors and records attendee responses to questions that randomly appear during the live webcast presentation. Verification pop-ups will NOT display when the webcast video player is in "full screen" mode. Furthermore, the notification sound effect alerting pop-ups, will NOT play on mobile devices. We recommend viewing from a computer, as opposed to a mobile device, should MCLE credit, other than Texas, be needed. The response record is detailed on the Certificate of Completion.

The University of Texas School of Law (Provider #169) live webcast presentations meet the requirements and are presumptively approved by the Oklahoma Bar Association for MCLE credit based on a 50-minute credit hour. Upon claiming credit, a Certificate of Completion will be emailed to you. UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the Oklahoma Bar Association within 30 days after the webcast.

Pennsylvania – 11.50 hrs | 2.50 hrs Ethics

To claim Pennsylvania MCLE credit, Pennsylvania credit option must be selected PRIOR to viewing the live webcast. This accreditation requires attendance verification. UT Law CLE monitors and records attendee responses to questions that randomly appear during the live webcast presentation. Verification pop-ups will NOT display when the webcast video player is in "full screen" mode. Furthermore, the notification sound effect alerting pop-ups, will NOT play on mobile devices. We recommend viewing from a computer, as opposed to a mobile device, should MCLE credit, other than Texas, be needed. The response record is detailed on the Certificate of Completion.

UT Law CLE is an approved provider of Pennsylvania credit, sponsor #236. Attorney attendance will be reported to Pennsylvania within 2 weeks after credit is claimed and submitted. Attorneys are not able to report this credit on their own, and UT Law CLE pays all associated fees for the credit hours. Contact us at accreditation@utcle.org if you have additional questions.

MCLE credit is presented based on a 60-minute credit hour.

Other States – 11.75 hrs | 2.00 hrs Ethics

Note on Self-Reporting Your Credits in Another State

To claim Other States MCLE credit, Other States credit option must be selected PRIOR to viewing the live webcast. You must claim and certify your credit online in Your Briefcase, you will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records and to provide to other licensing authorities as needed.

This accreditation requires attendance verification. UT Law CLE monitors and records attendee responses to questions that randomly appear during the live webcast presentation. The response record is detailed on the Certificate of Completion.

MCLE credit is presented based on a 60-minute credit hour.

Other Credit

TX Accounting CPE – 14.00 hrs

The University of Texas School of Law (Provider #250) live webcast presentations meet the requirements and are presumptively approved by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy for Texas Accounting CPE credit based on a 50-minute credit hour. Approved for general CPE credit only.

This accreditation requires attendance verification. In compliance with the rules, UT Law CLE monitors and records attendee responses to questions that randomly appear during the live webcast presentation. The response record is detailed on the Certificate of Completion.

To claim Texas Accounting CPE credit, the Texas Accounting CPE credit option must be selected PRIOR to viewing the live webcast. Upon claiming credit, a Certificate of Completion will be emailed to you. Self-report your CPE credit directly to the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy.

Contact us at accreditation@utcle.org if you have additional questions.

Key Dates

Austin – Jun 12-13, 2025 – The Otis Hotel Austin

Conference Concluded

Live Webcast – Jun 12-13, 2025

Conference Concluded

Buy

Austin
Live Webcast

Individual
Last day for $595.00 Early Bird pricing: Feb 13, 2025
Last day for $695.00 Regular pricing: May 23, 2025
$795.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (5 registrants minimum)
Last day for $525.00 Early Bird pricing: Feb 13, 2025
Last day for $625.00 Regular pricing: May 23, 2025
$725.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (10 registrants minimum)
Last day for $455.00 Early Bird pricing: Feb 13, 2025
Last day for $555.00 Regular pricing: May 23, 2025
$655.00 for registrations received after this time

Cancellation Policy
Last day for full refund cancellation: Jun 6, 2025
$50 processing fee applied after this date
Last day for cancellation: Jun 9, 2025

Individual
Last day for $695.00 Regular pricing: Feb 13, 2025
$795.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (5 registrants minimum)
Last day for $625.00 Regular pricing: Feb 13, 2025
$725.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (10 registrants minimum)
Last day for $555.00 Regular pricing: Feb 13, 2025
$655.00 for registrations received after this time

Add-on (in-person registration required)
$100.00

Cancellation Policy
Last day for full refund cancellation: Jun 6, 2025
$50 processing fee applied after this date
Last day for cancellation: Jun 9, 2025

Venue

The Otis Hotel Austin

1901 San Antonio St.
Austin, TX 78705
512-473-8900
Map

Accommodations

A limited number of rooms have been reserved at a special rate of $234 per night. Our special room rate is available until May 21, or until the room block is exhausted, whichever comes first. Click here to book your room online.

Parking Information

$25 Daily Self-parking
$35 Overnight Self-parking
$55 Overnight Valet parking

Our Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors! Click each logo below to learn more.

Beck Redden LLP

Beck Redden LLP
www.beckredden.com

Beck Redden is a firm of courtroom lawyers. Litigation is the Firm’s only practice, and the attorneys here take special pride in advocating for clients before juries and judges. In a world of increasing legal complexity, Beck Redden remains committed to simple traditions of professionalism, integrity, and distinguished advocacy. The Firm handles a wide range of disputes including energy, oil and gas, product liability, antitrust, securities, environmental, insurance coverage, legal and accounting malpractice, and intellectual property cases. Awarded 2016 Litigation Department of the Year by Texas Lawyer (midsize firms), Beck Redden is consistently recognized as a top-tier and highly recommended firm by Chambers USA, Legal 500 United States, Benchmark Litigation, and “Best Law Firms” national and state rankings issued by U.S. News & World Report – Best Lawyers®.
Butler Snow LLP

Butler Snow LLP
www.butlersnow.com

Butler Snow LLP is a full-service law firm with more than 400 attorneys and advisors collaborating across a network of 26 offices in the United States and London. The firm has built a team of professionals who share a commitment to serve clients from Fortune 100 companies to emerging technology start-ups. Throughout its history, the firm has been consistently recognized for its unique approach to the practice of law and its emphasis on client service. The firm is also a recognized leader in Alternative Fee Arrangements, offering clients the predictability they need to operate efficiently.
Jackson Walker

Jackson Walker
www.jw.com

Since Jackson Walker’s founding in 1887, our attorneys have represented some of the most influential companies and business leaders in the world. Today, we remain firmly rooted in Texas while serving clients around the globe. With more than 500 attorneys, we are the largest firm in Texas and represent Fortune 500 companies, multinational corporations, major financial institutions, insurance companies, and a wide range of public companies and private businesses. We have been recognized by Law360 as a “Texas Powerhouse” and an “elite law firm” that regularly provides counsel to industry-leading clients.
Vinson & Elkins LLP

Vinson & Elkins LLP
www.velaw.com

Founded over a century ago in Houston, Texas, Vinson & Elkins is an international law firm of nearly 750 lawyers with 13 offices located in energy hubs, financial centers, and political capitals across the globe. In state and federal courts across Texas and the U.S., V&E appellate lawyers have an enviable track record of success representing appellants and appellees, plaintiffs and defendants, amici, and interveners in high-stakes litigation. Partnering with in-house counsel, trial lawyers, and subject-matter experts, our appellate lawyers handle direct appeals of trial court and intermediate appellate judgments and appeals of administrative actions. We also bring broad experience to critical activities at the trial court level, as well as provide legal and strategic counseling to clients on a range of constitutional, statutory, and regulatory issues outside the context of, or in anticipation of, litigation.
Wright Close & Barger, LLP

Wright Close & Barger, LLP
www.wrightclosebarger.com

Wright Close & Barger handles complex civil appellate matters for clients across the state, who call upon the firm’s extensive expertise to achieve favorable resolutions. In addition to obtaining superior results for its clients, Wright Close & Barger has shaped law in Texas and other jurisdictions. The firm’s diversity of experience provides the depth required for its wide range of successes. Tom Wright, Jessica Barger, and the WCB appellate team have appealed complex cases all across Texas and in several other jurisdictions for more than 40 years. Justices Eva Guzman and Wanda Fowler bring nearly 30 years of experience from the appellate bench. Most of the firm’s appellate members are Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. The WCB team is hand-picked from among the best and brightest, and their accolades confirm their abilities. The firm’s philosophy is that experience, skill, and tenacity, properly applied, will yield outstanding results. This philosophy is brought to bear on every case.
Yetter Coleman LLP

Yetter Coleman LLP
www.yettercoleman.com

Yetter Coleman LLP is a litigation boutique built to handle high-stakes business and technology litigation on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants involving a broad spectrum of matters including contract and business torts, appellate, intellectual property, and antitrust and securities litigation. Our appellate lawyers handle appeals in state and federal courts across the country and partner with our trial teams to provide clients with an integrated approach from which the best strategic decisions are developed for every stage of litigation. The firm’s appellate lawyers are regularly recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Chambers USA, and as “Super Lawyers” and “Texas Rising Stars” by Thomson Reuters. More broadly, the firm has earned a reputation as one of America’s best litigation-only firms with appearances on the American Lawyer list of National Litigation Boutique Firms of the Year in 2019, 2009, and 2005, and consistent ranking as one of the top trial firms in Texas by Chambers USA.

Conference on State and Federal Appeals

Overview

Event Schedule

Thursday Morning, June 12, 2025

Thursday Afternoon, June 12, 2025

Friday Morning, June 13, 2025

Friday Afternoon, June 13, 2025

Conference Faculty

Planning Committee

Credit Info

MCLE Credit

Other Credit

MCLE Credit

Other Credit

Key Dates

Venue

The Otis Hotel Austin

Accommodations

Parking Information

Our Sponsors

Beck Redden LLP

Butler Snow LLP

Jackson Walker

Vinson & Elkins LLP

Wright Close & Barger, LLP

Yetter Coleman LLP

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