RETURN TO NEWS & INSIGHTS

Webinar Recording

Jun 4, 2026

Commercial Litigation Outlook Webinar Series Recordings

Click for PDF

Part 4: Navigating Disruption, Distress and Disputes in Tumultuous Times

To view this video, please go to the cookie privacy settings link below and select “Allow All.”

About the Program

The final session of our 2026 Commercial Litigation Outlook Webinar Series turns to the economic fault lines reshaping commercial litigation: the intersection of bankruptcy and restructuring, franchise and distribution disputes, and real estate litigation. As a "K-shaped" economy continues to divide winners from losers, with AI-fueled sectors thriving while middle- and lower-market industries face mounting distress, legal and compliance professionals, in-house counsel, and business leaders face growing exposure across all three areas. This session is designed to provide practical guidance on navigating financial distress, protecting franchise networks, and managing real estate litigation risk in an environment defined by tariff uncertainty, persistent inflation, and elevated interest rates.

Key Topics: 

  • Bankruptcy and restructuring trends in 2026, including the continued surge in consumer bankruptcy filings, the impact of the approximately $2 trillion "Wall of Maturities" in commercial real estate mortgages, and rising farm bankruptcies, all against the backdrop of a diverging K-shaped economy.
  • Franchise and distribution risks stemming from franchisee financial distress, including the essential elements of a franchisee bankruptcy strategy, from protecting franchisor rights under the automatic stay to preparing for litigation when owners and creditors seek to assign blame.
  • Real estate litigation hotspots, including the rise of commercial landlord-tenant disputes and guaranty litigation, increased scrutiny of mortgage fraud in flip transactions, and a foreclosure landscape where distressed borrowers are increasingly handing back the keys or heading into bankruptcy.
  • How economic divergence is driving litigation risk across property types and sectors, from the boom in data center construction fueled by AI demand to the struggles facing older office buildings, middle-tier hotels, and an auto industry grappling with record affordability challenges.

Speakers

James Sowka, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Sam Rowley, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Elizabeth Schrero, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Moderator
Mark Johnson, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Part 3: Under Pressure: Legal Risk for Data Driven Businesses

To view this video, please go to the cookie privacy settings link below and select “Allow All.”

About the Program

The next session of our 2026 Commercial Litigation Outlook Webinar Series explores one of the most dynamic risk environments facing businesses today: the convergence of antitrust enforcement, consumer class actions, and privacy litigation. As regulators and plaintiffs sharpen their focus on data‑driven strategies, AI‑enabled tools, and digital consumer engagement, companies face growing scrutiny and higher stakes in how technology is deployed and governed.

This session is designed for legal and compliance professionals, in‑house counsel, and business leaders seeking practical guidance on anticipating enforcement trends, reducing exposure, and aligning business practices with emerging legal expectations.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Antitrust and merger enforcement trends in 2026, including scrutiny of algorithmic pricing, data sharing, AI‑driven decision‑making, and ongoing aggressive oversight of major transactions and Big Tech.
  • Rising consumer class action exposure, including under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and email, digital marketing and website focused claims, as well as enforcement of arbitration provisions and class action waivers.  
  • Privacy enforcement and litigation priorities, with a focus on demonstrating that opt‑outs, consent mechanisms, and disclosures function as promised across websites and mobile applications.
  • How AI is reshaping litigation risk, accelerating privacy claims and enforcement activity, and what companies can do now to mitigate that risk.

Speakers

Kristine Argentine, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Jason Priebe, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Sam Rowley, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Daniel Riley, Associate, Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Moderator

Kenneth Wilton, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Part 2: Protecting Organizations at the Intersection of Disclosure, Compliance, and Care  

To view this video, please go to the cookie privacy settings link below and select “Allow All.”

About the Program

The next session of our 2026 Commercial Litigation Outlook Webinar Series focuses on emerging risks and enforcement trends in securities and fiduciary duty litigation, False Claims Act enforcement, and health care litigation. Regulatory priorities are shifting at the federal and state levels, while companies face growing exposure tied to AI adoption, cybersecurity incidents, whistleblower activity, and compliance representations tied to government funding and reimbursement.

This program examines how these developments are affecting investor litigation, FCA enforcement, and health care disputes - and what organizations should be doing now to manage litigation and enforcement risk in 2026.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Developments reshaping securities and fiduciary duty litigation, including AI‑related disclosures, event‑driven data breach claims, and evolving SEC enforcement priorities.
  • How DEI initiatives, certifications, and federal funding requirements are increasing FCA exposure and whistleblower activity.
  • Key issues in whistleblower litigation, including unsettled causation standards and the strategic impact of arbitration‑related preclusion.
  • Trends driving health care enforcement and privacy litigation, including record FCA recoveries, coordinated DOJ initiatives, and data breach class actions.
  • The expanding scope of AI oversight in health care, affecting clinical decision‑making, reimbursement, and regulatory compliance.

This program is tailored for legal, compliance, and business leaders who need to monitor and manage emerging enforcement and litigation risks across these areas in 2026. Attendees will gain practical guidance on evaluating exposure, enhancing compliance frameworks, and responding to heightened regulatory scrutiny.

Speakers

Matthew Catalano, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Jesse Coleman, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Yumna Khan, Associate, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Chris Robertson, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Moderator

Shawn Wood, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP 

Part 1: Securing Innovation and Competitive Edge in the AI Era

To view this video, please go to the cookie privacy settings link below and select “Allow All.”

About the Program

The inaugural session of our 2026 Commercial Litigation Outlook Webinar Series is designed to address the rapidly evolving legal challenges surrounding intellectual property, eDiscovery, innovation, and trade secrets in the age of generative AI and emerging technologies. This session provides actionable insights and expert guidance to help legal professionals, business leaders, and innovators navigate these complex issues effectively.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Key updates on AI inventorship, patent eligibility, and copyright challenges.
  • Strategies for safeguarding AI-related innovations and trade secrets.
  • Risks associated with AI-enabled tools in eDiscovery and evidentiary disputes.
  • Best practices for mitigating litigation risks tied to AI technologies.
  • Trends in trade secret litigation and restrictive covenant enforcement.
  • Practical tips for drafting compliant agreements.

This webinar offers a unique opportunity to gain critical insights into the intersection of technology and law. As generative AI and other technologies reshape industries, staying informed on regulatory developments, litigation risks, and intellectual property strategies is essential. Attendees will leave equipped with the tools and knowledge to protect their assets, manage risks, and stay ahead in a rapidly changing legal and technological environment.

Speakers

Matthew Christoff, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw
Lauren Gregory Leipold, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw
Robyn Marsh, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw
Dawn Mertineit, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw
Puya Partow-Navid, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw
Owen Wolfe, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw

Moderator

Rebecca Woods, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw

To comply with State CLE Requirements, CLE forms requesting credit in IL or CA must be received before the end of the month in which the program took place. Credit will not be issued for forms received after such date. For all other jurisdictions forms must be submitted within 10 business days of the program taking place or we will not be able to process the request.

Our live programming is accredited for CLE in CA, IL, and NY (for both newly admitted and experienced).  Credit will be applied as requested, but cannot be guaranteed for TX, NJ, GA, NC and WA. The following jurisdictions may accept reciprocal credit with our accredited states, and individuals can use the certificate they receive to gain CLE credit therein: AZ, AR, CT, HI and ME. For all other jurisdictions, a general certificate of attendance and the necessary materials will be issued that can be used for self-application. CLE decisions are made by each local board, and can take up to 12 weeks to process. If you have questions about jurisdictions, please email CLE@seyfarth.com.

Please note that programming under 60 minutes of CLE content is not eligible for credit in GA. programs that are not open to the public are not eligible for credit in NC.