Page 21 - FDCC_February2026_Flyer

FDCC MEETINGS / LOOKING BACK
sprawling buffet of lobster risotto,
beef tenderloin, and fabulous
desserts to name a few. The smiles
said it all! The photos from the
President’s Reception perfectly
capture the energy and camaraderie
that defined the week. [insert some
photos here]
Wednesday was a fantastic day of
programming from start to finish.
Section programs featured the
second installment of the coverage
blockbuster, a lively Family Feud-
style disciplinary program, and
a hands-on, standing-room
only session on training award-
winning experts. The morning
Plenary Session stood out as a
highlight of the conference: Kile
Turner’s gripping account of how
unchecked hubris culminated in an
impeachment of the West Virginia
Supreme Court, while Justice
Elizabeth Walker’s compelling
discussion on wellness and trust
demonstrated how principled
leadership restored the eroded
trust. The session also featured
a TED talk showcase on elite
advocacy technique, which featured
four of our most experienced
appellate advocates, ending with
Justice Walker for the coup de
grace. The session closed with Alex
Dahl’s demonstration on how to
advocate for greater transparency
A week wasn’t long enough
to capture the wide variety of
indoor and outdoor activities
Park City offers, but who says we
can’t go back again?
in third-party-litigation funding,
tying together themes of ethics,
accountability, and excellence,
under the scrutiny of “Justice” Marc
Williams. Afterward, members
took full advantage of the beautiful
weather and surroundings by way
of excursions, tours and an evening
of dine-arounds in town.
Thursday brought a shift toward
high-stakes strategy and future-
focused skill building as we
discussed stealth discovery
techniques, cyber-breach
crisis response, and leadership
development for modern law firms.
The extended Plenary Session
provided actionable tools for
responding to nuclear verdicts,
Jimmy Wilkins and Jay Davis’s tips
on integrating AI into daily practice,
and defending civic and religious
organizations amid rapid legal
change. These programs provided
practical and forward-thinking
strategies.
A highlight of the week was
Thursday evening at Utah Olympic
Park, where members and their
families experienced a perfect
blend of adventure, history, and
entertainment. We had full run
of the Olympic Museum, where
members explored the legacy
of the games and the incredible
athletes who have competed there,
including our opening speaker,
Winter Vinecki! The evening
reached its thrilling climax with a
performance by the Flying Aces
Allstars’ aerial stunts, which left
the audience in awe. From daring
flips to jaw-dropping precision
over the pool, the show perfectly
captured the energy and spirit of the
Federation’s “Go for Gold” theme.
It was a night filled with laughter,
amazement, and memories that we
will cherish for years to come.
The program wrapped on a high
note Friday with Avalanche Ready,
an early-morning crash course
in crisis management that armed
attendees with essential frameworks
for responding to organizational
emergencies, particularly those
who frequent Cold Play concerts!
Closing Keynote speaker Holly
Rowe delivered one of the most
memorable moments of the week.
Her candid, inspiring reflections on
resilience, storytelling, and her rise
in sports journalism left us moved
and energized. And for those who
www.thefederation.org
February 2026 | federation flyer
17