The Michigan Defense Trial Counsel (MDTC) will conduct its 2026 Winter Meeting, titled “Meeting The Challenge: A New Defense Model,” on Friday, October 30, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sheraton Detroit Novi, 21111 Haggerty Road in Novi.
The program schedule will include:
• 8:30 a.m.—Vendor Networking + Breakfast
• 9 a.m.—Welcome
• 9:10 a.m.—”Defending Healthcare Heroes,” presented by John E. Hall Jr., Hall Booth Smith PC
• 10:10 a.m.—Vendor Networking + Refreshment Break
• 10:30 a.m.—Keynote: “Telling the Defense Story,” presented by David Mann
• Noon—Lunch + Presentations
• 1:15 p.m.—”Unsubstantiated Anchoring: Paintings and Jets and Baseball Contracts, Oh My!,” presented by Mike Cook – Collins Einhorn Farrell PC
• 2 p.m.—Panel: “The Future of Defense,” featuring Wayne County Circuit Court Judge David Allen; Victoria Lehman of Giarmarco, Mullins, & Horton PC; Eric Ramar of Ottenwess Law; Ardijana Ivezaj of McDonald, Baas, & Livingston PLLC; and moderator Destiny Hughes of Foster, Swift, Collins, & Smith
• 3 to 4 p.m.—Defense Network Reception
During the luncheon, the MDTC/MAJ (Michigan Association for Justice) Respected Advocate Award will be presented. The MDTC annually gives the award to a member of the plaintiff’s bar for the purpose of recognizing and honoring the individual’s history of successful representation of clients and adherence to the highest standards of ethics. The MAJ does the same annually for a defense practitioner to promote mutual respect and civility.
Cost for the Winter Meeting is $279.28 for MDTC members, $348.65 for non-members, and a new member special of $332.63 which includes the cost of meeting and one year of membership. The registration fee includes program, lunch, and breaks.
The Defense Network Reception is an additional fee of $15 for MDTC members and $35 for non-members. Judges may attend for free.
To register, visit www.mdtc.org/event/2026-annual-winter-meeting.
The program schedule will include:
• 8:30 a.m.—Vendor Networking + Breakfast
• 9 a.m.—Welcome
• 9:10 a.m.—”Defending Healthcare Heroes,” presented by John E. Hall Jr., Hall Booth Smith PC
• 10:10 a.m.—Vendor Networking + Refreshment Break
• 10:30 a.m.—Keynote: “Telling the Defense Story,” presented by David Mann
• Noon—Lunch + Presentations
• 1:15 p.m.—”Unsubstantiated Anchoring: Paintings and Jets and Baseball Contracts, Oh My!,” presented by Mike Cook – Collins Einhorn Farrell PC
• 2 p.m.—Panel: “The Future of Defense,” featuring Wayne County Circuit Court Judge David Allen; Victoria Lehman of Giarmarco, Mullins, & Horton PC; Eric Ramar of Ottenwess Law; Ardijana Ivezaj of McDonald, Baas, & Livingston PLLC; and moderator Destiny Hughes of Foster, Swift, Collins, & Smith
• 3 to 4 p.m.—Defense Network Reception
During the luncheon, the MDTC/MAJ (Michigan Association for Justice) Respected Advocate Award will be presented. The MDTC annually gives the award to a member of the plaintiff’s bar for the purpose of recognizing and honoring the individual’s history of successful representation of clients and adherence to the highest standards of ethics. The MAJ does the same annually for a defense practitioner to promote mutual respect and civility.
Cost for the Winter Meeting is $279.28 for MDTC members, $348.65 for non-members, and a new member special of $332.63 which includes the cost of meeting and one year of membership. The registration fee includes program, lunch, and breaks.
The Defense Network Reception is an additional fee of $15 for MDTC members and $35 for non-members. Judges may attend for free.
To register, visit www.mdtc.org/event/2026-annual-winter-meeting.
