Modernizing Severability and Delegation Clauses in Employment Arbitration Agreements

Modernizing Severability and Delegation Clauses in Employment Arbitration Agreements

A standard severability clause and a delegation clause can coexist in the same arbitration agreement, but until recently, California practitioners could not be certain a court would honor both. The Ninth Circuit's March 19, 2026 decision in Sandler v. Modernizing Medicine, Inc. provides important guidance for attorneys drafting, enforcing, or challenging employment arbitration agreements in California. Join Jared W. Slater, Ervin Cohen & Jessup LLP, as he examines the court's holding that incorporation of the JAMS rules constitutes "clear and unmistakable" evidence of delegation, and that a generic severability clause referencing "a court or other body of competent jurisdiction" does not undermine that delegation. The program will also address the court's FAA preemption analysis, explain why reliance on California state-court authority was reversible error, and provide practical drafting and litigation takeaways for motions to compel arbitration. This program offers practical guidance for anyone drafting arbitration agreements or litigating motions to compel in California. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

Mastering Brackets in Mediation

The term “brackets” raises anxiety or ire for many mediators and attorneys because it is susceptible to so many different interpretations. (And, of course, there is the math!) This often leads to a knee-jerk resistance to the use of this powerful negotiation technique. This presentation will cover various forms of “bracketing” such as conditional offers, public and private ranges, specific numbers, etc., as well as the many ways brackets can facilitate resolution. Diana L. Maier, Signature Resolution will discuss common assumptions made, benefits and drawbacks of different bracketing methods, timing considerations, and best practices for avoiding bracketing pitfalls and ethical dilemmas. Bracketing in its many forms can add another sophisticated and flexible negotiating instrument to the mediator’s toolbox. Bring your questions and join the conversation. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

Nuts and Bolts of Drone Law: FAA, Privacy & What Lawyers Need to Know

As technology rapidly accelerates, drones and drone law move further from being a niche. In fact, drones are generating legal issues that cut across criminal defense, civil litigation, municipal law, real estate, entertainment, and more. Chances are you already represent clients utilizing drones in some capacity and if not, you may soon as the FAA’s new regulations will make them even more widely accessible in commerce and safety alike. In this introductory, sky level overview, Lauren Brown, Civica Law Group, will guide attorneys through the governing legal framework for drone use in California and beyond. Topics include FAA regulations, Fourth Amendment considerations and impacts on privacy, the public interest exception, and the evolving legal questions raised by advanced aerial surveillance. This program will address the a spectrum of clients operating in this space, from private individuals and commercial operators to public agencies and first responders, and what counsel needs to know when advising each. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

The John Connor Rule: The Ethics of Responsible AI Under COPRAC

COPRAC's recent advisory makes clear that efficiency does not replace professional responsibility. Powerful AI systems require human oversight, and the lawyer's obligation to supervise, verify, and own AI-assisted work is non-negotiable under California Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 1.1 and ABA Model Rule 5.3. Christian Puzder of Casefriend examines how attorneys can responsibly integrate AI into legal workflows without compromising ethics, confidentiality, or client interests. The program focuses on accountability-first AI use, covering competence obligations, confidentiality risks under RPC Rule 1.6, and practical frameworks for supervising AI-generated work product. Attendees will leave with concrete protocols for integrating AI tools while satisfying their professional responsibility obligations. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

AI Prompt Writing: Mastering the Art of the Ask for Transactional Practice

Ashley Jones of LinkSquares will guide participants through the steps needed to compose focused purposeful AI prompts. Tailored to the unique demands of transactional attorneys, these prompts will address everything from clause generation and customization to document drafting and review. Drawing on practical examples spanning NDAs, deal summaries, complex contract review workflows, and more, participants will gain hands-on strategies to start incorporating AI into your daily legal workflows. By the end of this program, attorneys will be equipped to craft and deploy prompts across every stage of a transaction, saving time without sacrificing precision. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.