2026 Spring Seminar
Welcome Dinner: April 8, 2026 • 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm • Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab, Washington, DC
Full Program: April 9, 2026 • 8:45 am – 3:30 pm • Berman and Company, 1655 Fort Myer Drive, Arlington, VA
A full-day seminar for legal executives and policy leaders in the hospitality and restaurant industry, featuring practical, high-level discussions on AI, healthcare policy, labor and employment challenges, IP threats, and emerging legislation.
The program kicks off with a welcome dinner, featuring special guests from the Department of Labor and prominent media outlets—an opportunity to connect with peers and industry leaders.
Why Attend
- Gain practical insights you can apply immediately
Walk away with concrete strategies, best practices, and takeaways you can put to work the very next day. - Learn from the forefront of law and policy
Presentations are delivered by national law firms and legislative specialists, providing authoritative guidance on complex legal, regulatory, and industry issues. - Build meaningful professional connections
Engage in small-group, private networking with industry peers, legislative leaders, and top media influencers, fostering relationships that last well beyond the seminar. - Advance your professional credentials
Earn CLE credits while gaining exclusive insights that elevate your legal and policy expertise.
Topics
IP Litigation Trends in Restaurant and Retail
Jason Mueller will recap recent IP litigation industry trends, followed by a deeper dive into patent trolls in particular. The presentation will culminate with a summary of best practices being implemented to mitigate litigation risks (with a brief look at what is NOT “a best practice” from practical experience in the courts).
Speaker: Jason Mueller, Vorys
Jason, a leader in Vorys’ IP group and a lead trial lawyer, has spent two decades counseling clients on patents, copyrights, branding, trade secrets, technology, and corporate confidential information, handling federal and appellate litigation as well as international protection and enforcement.
Animal Rights Update: How Tactics Targeting Retailers and Restaurants Are Changing
Cage-free egg commitments, shareholder activism and ballot initiatives to make livestock farming more expensive: We will cover the latest animal rights advocacy tactics, and the legal and reputational risks they pose for retailers and restaurants.
Speaker: Will Coggin, Berman and Company
Will is VP of Research at BermanCo, where he leads advocacy-driven research on food policy, animal welfare, and consumer choice. He oversees opposition and custom research initiatives for clients nationwide. A frequent national media contributor, his work has served as the basis for national news stories and has been cited in Congress.
The Path Ahead: Navigating Healthcare Policy & Compliance
Expert insights on navigating complex healthcare regulations. Understand compliance strategies that keep your organization ahead of policy changes.
Speaker: Greenberg Traurig
Labor Law in Action: Wage & Hour Challenges
Explore emerging trends and enforcement priorities in labor law. Gain actionable guidance to manage risk and ensure compliance.
Speaker: Mintz
Innovate and Lead: Harnessing AI for Legal Operations
Practical strategies for leveraging AI to streamline legal workflows. Learn how top organizations are using AI to reduce risk and boost efficiency.
Speaker: TBD
Beyond the Horizon: Legislative Trends & Strategic Updates
Key legislative developments impacting the hospitality and restaurant industry. Receive insights from leading policy experts to stay ahead of change.
Speaker: TBD