2025 HNBA Convention

JAMS is proud to be a Gold Sponsor at the 2025 HNBA Convention.

Taking place September 3–5, 2025, at the Gaylord Resort in Oxon Hill, MD. This dynamic, three-day event offers cutting-edge CLE panels led by top practitioners and national policymakers, impactful plenary sessions, high-level networking opportunities, and interactive workshops.

Featured JAMS Speakers: Hon. Marla O. Anderson (Ret.), Hon. Ariel E. Belen, (Ret.), FCIArb, and Hon. Luis A. Lavin (Ret.)

Featured Speakers and Program Information:

Panel Date: Friday, September 5, 2025

Time: 11:15 AM – 12:30 PM

Ethical Challenges in the Legal Profession: Maintaining Integrity in Complex Scenarios
This program explores the ethical dilemmas lawyers face in today’s complex legal environment. Participants will examine real-world scenarios involving confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and professional responsibility, with a focus on maintaining integrity under pressure. Special emphasis will be placed on ethical considerations in dispute resolution and litigation, where impartiality and fairness are critical. Ideal for legal professionals and students, this session offers practical insights into navigating ethical gray areas while upholding the core values of the legal profession.
Panelists:

• Hon. Ariel E. Belen, (Ret.), FCIArb, Mediator & Arbitrator, JAMS, New York, NY
• April Toy, Partner, Hinshaw, Milwaukee, WI
• Esteban Rodriguez, Partner, O’Melveny, Los Angeles, CA
• Hon. Marla O. Anderson (Ret.),Mediator & Arbitrator, JAMS, San Jose, CA

Panel Date: Friday, September 5, 2025

Time: 2:45 PM – 4:00 PM

Pathways to the Judiciary

The HNBA Judicial Division will discuss their career trajectory and provide advice to law students, lawyers, and other professionals interested in ascending to the bench. Representing a diverse array of judges and jurisdictions (both geographically and type of court), panelists will discuss both the appointed and elected processes for judges in different jurisdictions as well as ethical guidelines or standards associated with panelists’ paths to becoming judges or retaining their positions. Additionally, the challenges of being a Latinx and person of color will also be a focus.

Moderator: Hon. Javier E. Vargas, New York State Court of Claims, New York, NY

Panelists

• Hon. Jesse G. Reyes, Illinois Appellate Court, District 1 Chicago, IL
• Hon. Luis A. Lavin (Ret.), Mediator & Arbitrator at JAMS, California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District (formerly), Los Angeles, CA
• Hon. Lourdes M. Ventura, NYS Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department, Brooklyn, NY
• Hon. André Michael Espinosa, Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey Newark, New Jersey
• Hon. Adam J. Espinosa, Denver District Court, Criminal Division, Denver, CO