Trial Lawyer Summit

Summit doors open at 8:00 a.m. PT | 11:00 a.m. ET so you can get situated before opening remarks kick off at 8:15 a.m PT | 11:15a.m. ET!

Not using the right technology can add work to your already full plate. This session cuts through the noise around legal technology to show you practical tools that actually help strengthen arguments and improve case outcomes—without giving you a headache.

You’ll learn:

• Which AI and legal tech tools genuinely make case prep and trial strategy better
• Examples from firms like yours that are winning more cases with the right technology
• Easy ways to use these tools that won’t eat up your already limited time

Ryan Hagenbrok

Owner & Partner, Hagenbrok & Hagenbrok PLLC

Ryan Hagenbrok is a partner at Hagenbrok & Hagenbrok PLLC, a multi-practice law firm based in Savannah, Tennessee. In addition to his law practice, Ryan is the founder of a consulting business, HagenBot Solutions, which helps law firms and legal businesses streamline operations with automation.

Mariam Kuregyan, Esq.

Founder & lead attorney, davana law firm, aplc

Mariam Kuregyan, Esq., founded Davana Law Firm in 2017 with a vision of creating a firm built on trust, healing, and unwavering support for those facing life’s toughest challenges. Over the past seven years, she has led the firm’s transformation into a trial-proven powerhouse, successfully handling over 500 personal injury cases and securing justice for more than 2,500 clients. With a steadfast commitment to compassionate advocacy, Ms. Kuregyan leverages her extensive investigative skills, negotiation expertise, and strategic litigation experience to achieve exceptional case results.

Emma S. Rucker.

Paralegal, Colburn Hintze Maletta, PLLC

Emma has worked as a paralegal in family law for 5+ years, supporting attorneys and clients in solo and mid-sized firm settings with a strong focus on efficiency, organization, and trial preparation.

The right jurors can make or break your personal injury case before you even present evidence. We’ll show you how to spot the people who will truly hear your client’s story.

This session covers:

• Psychological factors that influence how jurors make decisions, from implicit bias to group dynamics
• How to use emerging technologies and AI-powered analytics to improve juror profiling
• Powerful voir dire techniques that build your case narrative from day one

Robert Simon

Founder, Partner & Trial Director, The Simon Law Group

Robert T. Simon is the co-founder and lead trial attorney at the Simon Law Group, a nationally recognized firm with a 9-figure annual practice and offices across California, Arizona, and Texas. Known for his work in high-stakes commercial carrier death cases, he has earned multiple peer-voted Trial Lawyer of the Year awards and regularly educates attorneys nationwide. He is a legal tech advocate and co-founder of Justice HQ, frequently speaks at major seminars, and hosts legal podcasts and shows. Beyond the courtroom, Robert is deeply involved in mentorship, legal ethics leadership, and foster care advocacy with his wife and their three daughters.

Dan Schaar

Senior Trial Attorney, Schaar & Silva

Dan has nearly two decades of experience in the courtroom. The results he has achieved on behalf of his clients are nothing short of remarkable. He is frequently asked to consult on personal injury cases across the country, and is known for achieving successful results on cases previously labeled “unwinnable.” Some of his recent results include a $6.7 Million verdict on behalf of an injured cyclist, which remains one of the largest verdicts on behalf of an injured cyclist in California history. Most recently he was part of a trial team that secured a $15.4 Million verdict on behalf of an undocumented worker in Dallas, Texas. Over his career he has achieved numerous six-, seven-, and eight-figure verdicts and settlements, often with little to no money having been offered before Dan’s involvement.

Harry Plotkin

Jury Consultant, Your Next Jury

When the best trial lawyers in California go to trial, they call Harry (Plotkin). A juror consultant who works exclusively for plaintiffs, Harry has helped trial lawyers pick juries that have delivered some of the biggest verdicts in personal injury, employment, and civil rights trials, including the largest employment verdict in the history of the country, the largest medical malpractice verdict in American history, and record verdicts in countless courtrooms. He believes that huge verdicts don’t just help plaintiffs, they make our world a safer, fairer place for customers, employees, and the public.

Some jurors will hurt your case before the first witness takes the stand. Master how to quickly identify problematic personal views and select jurors who will genuinely consider your arguments.

This session gives you:

• Real-world tactics to uncover hidden biases that undermine claims
• Smart psychological techniques to select jurors who will connect with your case theory
• Practical ways to use modern tools—from AI analytics to social media insights—to build your winning jury

Michelle Iarusso

Founder, Iarusso Legal APC

Michelle Iarusso is a trial attorney and founder of Iarusso Legal APC, with over a decade of experience litigating complex employment and business cases, including trials and arbitrations involving discrimination and harassment. A graduate of NYU Tisch and UCLA Law, she has clerked for the Los Angeles Public Defender and served as a Fellow with the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Ashley Davenport

Owner & Attorney, Davenport Law, PC

Ashley Davenport is a plaintiff’s employment lawyer with her own firm, Davenport Law PC. Ms. Davenport has represented plaintiffs in both individual FEHA/whistleblower and wage and hour class actions seeking justice for employees throughout the State of California since 2006. Ms. Davenport was previously named a SuperLawyer Rising Star for a number of years, and this year was named a SuperLawyer in Labor and Employment.

Imagine spending less time on paperwork and more time building winning cases. This demo reveals how Clio transforms your practice—from signing new clients to courtroom preparation—freeing you to deliver the exceptional legal representation your clients deserve.

In this session, you’ll learn:

• How to automate client intake so you get better information with less work
• Easy ways to keep track of all your cases so nothing falls through the cracks
• Tools that handle routine tasks so you can dedicate more hours to billable work

Kate Bell

Affinity Partnerships Manager

With over three years of hands-on experience in managing a non-profit law firm, Kate has honed her skills in identifying inefficiencies and addressing pain points within the law firm landscape. Kate currently serves as an Affinity Partnerships Manager, where she leverages her background in law firm management and consulting to forge strategic alliances and collaborations. Her expertise lies in fostering partnerships that drive innovation and transform the legal profession.

Already have Clio at your practice but feeling like you are not using it to its fullest? Our product team will show you the features and shortcuts that other trial lawyers swear by.

We’ll cover how to use Clio to:

• Set up secure client portals that protect sensitive case information while making communication easier
• Organize your case files and evidence so you can find exactly what you need during trial preparation
• Stay on top of important updates even when you’re stuck in court all day

Anastasiia Sviridenko

Intermediate Customer Support Specialist

Anastiasiia is an experienced customer support specialist with a strong background in legal technology and software solutions. Specializes in assisting law firms with technology adoption, troubleshooting complex cases, and enhancing customer experience.

Trial work can be mentally and emotionally taxing. This session offers practical strategies to help you manage stress before trial, stay focused during intense courtroom moments, and recover effectively afterward.

In this session, you’ll learn how to:

• Navigate stress and build mental resilience throughout the trial process
• Balance demanding professional responsibilities with your personal wellbeing 
• Use simple techniques to sharpen focus and maintain emotional control in the courtroom

Monica Burkoth

Founder, Confident Counsel Academy &
Partner at Johnson & Bell, Ltd.

Monica Burkoth is an equity partner and seasoned trial attorney who focuses her practice on municipal liability, civil rights, class actions, and prison litigation. With over 45 jury trials to verdict and a strong track record in both state and federal courts, she brings deep litigation experience and strategic insight to complex, high-stakes cases. Recognized as a “Rising Star” by Illinois Super Lawyers since 2018, a “Top 40 Under 40” attorney by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, and an “Emerging Lawyer” by Leading Lawyers, she is committed to empowering female attorneys to exceed their career goals while maintaining balance and purpose. Monica also plays a key role in mentoring trial teams and fostering leadership rooted in integrity and impact.

As we wrap up the summit, we’ll share helpful resources and top learnings from the day.