Palm Springs 2026 Recap
Our Best Year Yet By Kenny Ramirez
The 2026 Palm Springs Seminar, co-hosted by CAOIE, CAOC and OCTLA, was our most successful seminar to date—and for everyone fortunate enough to attend, it was easy to see why. The weekend began with Thursday's annual golf tournament at Monterey Country Club, a beautiful new venue that gave participants a fresh course to enjoy while reconnecting with colleagues and friends. The timing made it especially memorable. As the plaintiff bar continued its fight against Uber's ballot initiative threatening the rights of injured Californians, demonstrators—and even a helicopter overhead— attempted to disrupt the event. Instead of creating division, it had the opposite effect. The experience reminded everyone in attendance exactly why our organizations matter. The resolve, unity, and determination of the plaintiff bar were on full display, and the weekend began with an unmistakable sense of purpose. That spirit carried throughout the seminar. Attendance exceeded expectations, with the selling out of the room block at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Palmas more than a month in advance, a testament to the excitement surrounding this year's program. Thanks to the incredible CAOC staff, many people were nonetheless able to join us.
The educational program was outstanding. Friday featured an engaging live podcast-style keynote with Rahul Ravipudi, moderated by yours truly, followed by a timely roundtable discussion with CAOC President Doug Saeltzer, Executive Director Nancy Drabble, and Ravipudi on the then ongoing fight against Uber's initiative and the importance of a united plaintiff bar. Saturday's keynote by nationally renowned trial lawyer, strategist, and bestselling author Dorothy Clay Sims, moderated by OCTLA President Claire Lucich, was another highlight of the weekend.
Of course, what makes Palm Springs truly unique extends beyond the classrooms.
Unlike any other legal seminar, Palm Springs has become a destination where attorneys bring their spouses, significant others, children, and families. While attendees sharpen their skills in outstanding educational sessions, their families enjoy the beautiful Omni Rancho Las Palmas resort, the lazy river, nearby shopping, restaurants, and everything Palm Springs has to offer. That family-friendly atmosphere creates an energy unlike any other conference—one where meaningful professional relationships are strengthened in a relaxed setting. The weekend also featured a poolside welcome reception, CAOIE's Awards Reception, MC’d by Greg Rizio, honoring our Street Fighter of the Year, Judge of the Year Harold Hopp, and Trial Lawyer of the Year Brian Panish, along with a moving tribute by Bill Shapiro to Inland Empire legend Florentino Garza. We concluded with our first-ever Palm
Kenny S. Ramirez is the Founder & Trial Attorney of Kenny Ramirez Law Firm based in San Bernardino, CA. He is the 2026 Consumer Attorneys of Inland Empire President.
kramirez@ramirezlaw.com
95
Consumer Attorneys of California
FORUM July/August 2026
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs