2025 Annual Membership
Meeting & Conference

Program / Agenda

Members will be able to Login to view presentation materials at the Conference.

Thursday — July 17, 2025
Time (Eastern) Description
 9:00 - 11:00AM
The Bistro
New Member/First Time Attendee Breakfast & Discussion
New members and first-time attendees are invited to join Board members for a casual meet and greet breakfast to learn more about SER and how to maximize the benefits and resources of membership. (RSVPs required.)
Sponsored by: 
 
 9:00 - Noon
2nd Floor Foyer
Registration Hours 
Members sign in and pick up their badges and welcome packets.
 
Noon - 1:00PM
The Bistro
Buffet Lunch 
Members and registered guests.
Coffee Sponsored by: 
 
1:00 - 1:45
Miles van der Rohe
2nd Floor
Annual Membership Meeting, Elizabeth FalkPresident 
Welcoming Remarks; Introduction of New Members; Officers' and Committee reports, Election of President-Elect and Directors; Passing of the gavel to Incoming President, Patrick M. Dennis.
 

 1:45 - 2:25
Miles van der Rohe
2nd Floor

FINRA Dispute Resolution Update 
Richard W. Berry, Esq.Executive Vice President and Director of FINRA Dispute Resolution Services (FDRS)  A yearly tradition, where Rick updates members on trends in FINRA arbitration, new procedures, types of cases filed, award results.  
 
 2:25 - 2:45 Coffee Break
Sponsored by: 
 
 
 2:45 - 3:40
Miles van der Rohe
2nd Floor
Elder Abuse Cases 
Issues in Elder Abuse cases in securities arbitration. Specific issues when providing financial services to the elderly, various definitions of “elderly” or diminished capacity, trusted contact requirements, firms ability to withhold disbursements, unhappy heirs. 
Moderator:
Andrew Auslander, CFA, FRM, member/Agile Financial LLC
Panelist(s):
Ronald C. Long, Esq., Stevens & Lee  
Richard Szuch, Esq., Stevens & Lee
 
 3:40 - 4:00 Break
 
 4:00 - 4:55
Miles van der Rohe
2nd Floor
Cryptocurrency/Digital AssetsWhere are we now, and where are we going? Possible types and implications of future U.S. regulation. What is and is not a security? What types of future litigation to expect, and the likely role experts in future disputes.

Moderator:
David Hinman, CFAmember/Hinman Capital Services LLC
Panelist(s):
Richard Levin, Esq., Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP
George Dowd, Esq., G. Dowd Law LLC

 6:00 - 7:00
The Bistro
Cocktail Reception 
Members and registered guests. Guest Speakers and local attorneys will be invited as well. Dress code: dress or pant suits for ladies/coats for men.
An opportunity to network, form new friendships and renew/burnish existing ones.
Appetizers Sponsored by: 
Cocktails Sponsored by: Collen Diles/Diles Consulting
 
 7:00 - 9:30
The Bistro
Annual Member/Guest Dinner 
Members and registered guests, guest speakers and invited attorneys. Dress code: dress or pant suits for ladies/coats for men.

 
Friday — July 18, 2025
Time (Eastern) Description
 8:00- 9:00AM
The Bistro
Buffet Breakfast 
Members and registered guests.
Coffee Sponsored by: 
 
 9:00- 9:50
Miles van der Rohe
2nd Floor
What are Litigators Looking For? What experts need to know about that first meeting/interview with the litigation counsel on a prospective matter. Get hired when you're right for the role! What experts can do to build their profile. Bring your toughest questions! 

Moderator:

Panelist(s): 
Gene Phillips, CEO, PF2 Securities, a Litigation Consulting Firm and Principal Consultant, Lexangle, a Management Consulting Firm (to Law Firms)
 9:50-10:10 Coffee Break 
Sponsored by: Stu Rosenthal/DamagesPro
10:10-11:00
Miles van der Rohe
2nd Floor
Artificial Intelligence - Fireside Chat – Okay it’s Chicago in July – AC Side Chat 

Moderator:
John Ivan, member/Oyster Consulting
Panelist(s): 
James G. Lundy, Esq., Foley & Lardner
 
11:00-11:20 Coffee Break 
Sponsored by: 
 
11:20-12:20
Miles van der Rohe
2nd Floor

 

 

What Attorneys Look for in an Expert Witness – Claimants’/Plaintiffs’ Counsel 

Moderator:
Patrick M. Dennis, Esq. President/ Oyster Consulting, LLC
Panelist(s):
Bruce Lewitas, Esq., Lewitas Hyman
James L. Kopecky, Esq., Kopecky Schumacher Rosenburg LLC
Harris Kay, Esq., Jenner & Block
Steven M. Melina, Esq.Greenberg Traurig

12:20- 1:20PM
The Bistro
Buffet Lunch 
Registered members only.
Coffee Sponsored by: 
 
1:20- 2:10
Miles van der Rohe
2nd Floor
Expungement and U-5 Issues

Moderator:
Patrick M. Dennis, Esq. President/ Oyster Consulting, LLC
Panelist(s): 
Douglas W. Hyman, Esq., Lewitas & Hyman

 2:10- 2:30 Coffee Break
Sponsored by:
 
 2:30- 3:20
Miles van der Rohe
2nd Floor

Be Prepared For Your Depositions! As more advisors move to independent RIA platforms, there has been an increase in securities cases filed in State Courts...which leads to an increase in depositions being taken of experts.  

Moderator:
Paul Carroll, member/Sententia LLC
Panelist(s): 
David Luger, Esq., Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP
Joseph S. Simms, Esq., Regminger
Robert N. Jones, member/Securities Claims Management, LLC

 3:20- 3:40 Break
 
 3:40- 4:30
Miles van der Rohe
2nd Floor

 
Experts Roundtable
Incoming President, Patrick Dennis, 
hosts this informal but candid "give and take" session, a Roundtable tradition for over 30 years! Members can put a question to members are large, share an important issue that wasn't covered, or just give general feedback. 
 
  5:30- 9:30
5:30 Meet to walk/ride to dinner
 
Post-Conference Dinner, 
Wrap up your conference experience with dinner at ...

Appetizers Sponsored by:
 
 


 

 


~Agenda and times subject to change and will be updated as information is provided.~