CAOC · OCTLA · CAOIE — Annual Conference
The Final Stretch.
Don't Miss This.
The 2026 Palm Springs Seminar is almost here — and there are still seats available. Two days of elite-level education, remarkable speakers, and the most anticipated send-off party in the seminar's history.
May 1–2, 2026 Omni Rancho Las Palmas 10.75 MCLE Credits Golf · Receptions · Awards · Bash
Spots are filling fast. Registration closes April 30 — secure your seat now. Register Now
We'll be honest: the 2026 Palm Springs Seminar is nearly sold out — and if you've been on the fence, this is your nudge. The lineup of speakers, the depth of the sessions, and what's planned for Saturday night make this one of the most compelling years the seminar has ever had. Here's what's waiting for you.
Headliners
The people you'll be learning from
This year's seminar brings together some of the most respected names in plaintiff's law — each bringing real courtroom experience and something genuinely new to say.
Friday Keynote
Rahul Ravipudi
Panish Shea Ravipudi LLP
One of the leading trial voices in the country, delivering the Friday luncheon keynote.
CAOIE President · Speaker
Kenny Ramirez
Kenny Ramirez Law Firm
Moderating Friday's luncheon and the Uber Initiative spotlight. Streetfighter of the Year honoree.
CAOC President · Speaker
Doug Saeltzer
Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger
Delivering a state-of-the-organization address at the Friday luncheon.
CAOC Executive Director
Nancy Drabble
Consumer Attorneys of California
Sharing critical legislative updates and advocacy priorities shaping the future of plaintiff law.
Saturday Keynote
Dorothy Clay Sims
Bestselling Author & Expert Strategist
Her newest tactics for exposing dishonest experts and winning depositions.
Friday Luncheon Spotlight
The Uber Initiative Update
Kenny Ramirez will moderate a focused update on the Uber Initiative — where it stands, what's been won, and what comes next. If you represent victims of rideshare-related harm or care about holding large corporations accountable, this is not a session to miss.
Featured sessions
Curriculum built for trial lawyers
Every session on this year's program was chosen because it addresses something attorneys actually struggle with in the field. No recycled panels. No generic overviews. Here are the sessions your colleagues are most excited about:
- Trying the Difficult Case The cases other lawyers walk away from — how to take them on, frame them, and win.
- Med School for Lawyers: TBI The neuroscience behind traumatic brain injury, distilled into courtroom-ready language.
- Precision & Persuasion: Courtroom Tech That Works The technology tools that actually move juries — not demos, but real-world technique.
- Ethics Update + Specialty Credit New rules, real implications, and 1.25 ethics MCLE credits — featuring Sen. Tom Umberg.
- How the Best Close Portions of real closings from top trial lawyers. Watch what works, and why, from Brian Panish, Nicholas Rowley, Ricardo Echeverria, and more.
- Latest Tactics to Expose Dishonest Experts Saturday's keynote goes deep on her newest strategies for uncovering flawed reports and challenging misleading testimony under oath.
The seminar is approved for 10.75 MCLE credit hours, including 1.25 ethics credits. CAOC maintains your records — Provider No. 00324.
Friday evening
Unwind where it counts
Poolside Welcome Reception
Conchilla Pool · Friday, May 1 · 4:00–5:30 PM
After a full day of sessions, find your people at the Conchilla Pool (follow the yellow umbrellas). Cold drinks, warm weather, and the kind of conversations that don't happen in conference rooms. This is where the real networking begins — and it's included in your registration.
Saturday night
End the weekend right
Palm Springs Seminar Send-Off Bash
The Party Everyone's Talking About
Saturday evening, once the sessions and awards wrap up, the weekend closes with the Palm Springs Seminar Send-Off Bash — a full-on farewell party at Dave and Busters! Think: great venue, your seminar crew, and everyone's partners, spouses, and kids welcome. This isn't a cocktail hour — it's a night out. Thank you to lead sponsors Rizio Lipinsky Heiting and more.
Saturday, May 2 · 6:00–9:30 PM Dave and Busters Families welcome Sponsored by Rizio Lipinsky Heiting
Full social calendar
There's more beyond the sessions
The seminar's social programming is as carefully curated as its education. Thursday's 9-hole scramble at Monterey Country Club (limited to the first 60 registrants) kicks the weekend off with an open bar reception. Friday night features the New Lawyers Division Party sponsored by Baldwin Settlements. And Saturday closes with the CAOIE Awards Ceremony — honoring Trial Lawyer of the Year Brian Panish, Streetfighter of the Year Kenny Ramirez, and Judge of the Year Hon. Harold Hopp — before the Send-Off Bash begins.
Registration details
Everything that's included
One registration gets you: access to all session materials, MCLE tracking, the Friday Welcome Reception, Saturday continental breakfast, lunch both days, specialty coffee, the CAOIE Awards Reception, and the Send-Off Bash. Plus full access to 27 exhibitors — including the Java Justice specialty coffee station, proudly sponsored by Calvin Berman, Esq.
Registration closes
April 30, 2026
Don't wait — spots are limited and the seminar is nearly full. Register at caoc.org.
Golf add-on
Limited to 60 spots
Thursday, April 30 at Monterey Country Club. Add during registration or email CAOIE.
Note on the hotel: The Omni Rancho Las Palmas room block has closed, but we encourage you to contact the hotel directly or reach out to kpebler@caoc.org for assistance with accommodations.
Seats are going. Grab yours.
Registration closes April 30. The speakers, the sessions, the pool, the bash — it's all waiting for you in Palm Springs.
Register Now View Full Agenda
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