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Celebrating the Craft, Discipline, and Evolution
of the Modern Defense
The PDI Convocation is an annual event where you will be able to network with Primerus members and clients alike while earning continuing education credits in your field.
Don't miss the opportunity to re-connect with those you know and reach out to potential new referral resources.
$5,799 Member Registration Fee
$1,999 Second Member Registration Fee
$1,099 Member Spouse/Guest Fee
Register Now!
Hotel with Primerus room block:
Omni La Costa Resort & Spa
2100 Costa Del Mar Rd, Carlsbad, CA 92009
Click here to book your room!
Note: The hotel deadline is March 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM PT.
AGENDA
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Leadership, Culture, and the Modern Defense Lawyer
| 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM | Be the Hero: The Role of the Defense Lawyer in a World of Complacency |
| 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM | The Differentiator: People, Culture, and Execution in Modern Defense Practice |
| 3:00 PM – 3:15 PM | Break |
| 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM | The Economics of Defense: Pressure, Pricing, and the Future of the Insurance Defense Model |
| 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | Opening Reception with Cocktails and Heavy Hors D'oeuvres |
Friday, April 17, 2026
Valuation, Judgment, and the Discipline of Defense
| 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM | Breakfast for Seminar Attendees |
| 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM | Spouse/Guest Breakfast |
| 8:00 AM – 8:15 AM | President’s Remarks John C. "Jack" Buchanan – Primerus President and Founder (Ada, Michigan) |
| 8:15 AM – 8:45 AM | Attendee Introductions and Introduction of CLE Program |
| 8:45 AM – 9:30 AM | Litigation is Just Math |
| 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM | It’s Never Too Early to Put a Number on the Board |
| 10:15 AM – 10:30 AM | Break |
| 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM | Mediation is Not Trial – It’s a Negotiation |
| 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM | Enforce Your Number |
| 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Lunch |
| 1:15 PM – 5:30 PM | Golf at North Course (On Omni La Costa’s property) |
| 1:40 PM – 4:45 PM | Volunteer at Coastal Roots Farm (Group transportation provided) |
| 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM | Golf at Goat Hill Park 2323 Goat Hill Drive, Oceanside, CA (Transportation on your own) |
| 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM | Cocktails and Dinner |
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Precision, Credibility, and the Art of Expert Proof
| 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM | Breakfast for Seminar Attendees |
| 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM | The Expert: Why Are You Here? Should You Be Here? What Are We Doing? |
| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM | The Expert as Storyteller: Turning Complexity into Persuasion |
| 10:00 AM – 10:15 AM | Break |
| 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM | The Future of Proof: Technology, AI, and Data in Expert Testimony |
| 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | The Psychology of Persuasion – How Juries Actually Hear Experts |
| 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Lunch (On your own) |
| 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM | Carlsbad Food Tour (Group transportation provided) |
| 1:20 PM – 5:30 PM | Golf at South Course (On Omni La Costa’s property) |
| 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM | Pickleball Clinic and Tournament (On Omni La Costa’s property) |
| 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM | Cocktails and Dinner |
Click Here for Printable Agenda
Leisure Activities
Volunteer at Coastal Roots Farm
Friday, April 17, 2026
1:40 PM departure/4:45 PM return
30 spots – FREE
Support the local community and uphold Primerus’ community-service pillar by volunteering at Coastal Roots Farm! Coastal Roots Farm’s mission is “nourishing community” through equitable access to organic food and environmental education.
Volunteers will be assisting with seasonal tasks on the Farm which may include tending to growing spaces, minor building in programming areas, or prepping educational resources. Volunteer tasks are often physical and require people to be comfortable bending, squatting, lifting, and walking on uneven surfaces. Due to the dynamic nature of farming, specific volunteer tasks are typically assigned a week prior to the volunteer event.
For more information about Coastal Roots Farm, click here.
Golf at Goat Hill Park
Friday, April 17, 2026
2:00 PM start/5:30 PM end
4 spots – $74 each, cart fee included
Premium club rental sets are an additional $35 for 18 holes.
There are no rental shoes available.
Originally built in 1952 as a regulation length 9-hole par 36 layout, Center City Golf Course was one of the first golf courses in San Diego County. The course was redesigned in the early 90‘s by Ludwig Keehn into an 18-hole short course and became known as “Goat Hill” to locals. It is loved for its ocean views, fresh breeze, authentic atmosphere, and raw golf feel. You will have a hard time finding a more challenging short course with as many unique holes anywhere in the country.
Transportation is on your own, group transportation is not provided.
Golf at North Course
Friday, April 17, 2026
Tee Times: 1:15 PM, 1:25 PM, 1:35 PM
12 spots – $350 each, cart fee included
Rental clubs are $85 per set – includes 6 balls
There are no rental shoes available.
Tighten your game on a redesigned legendary course – Omni La Costa Resort & Spa’s North Course (Champions) reopened to club members and guests of the resort on June 1, 2024, following the 2024 NCAA Division I Golf Championships.
For more information, click here.
Carlsbad Food Tour
Saturday, April 18, 2026
12:30 PM departure/4:30 PM return
15 spots – $154 each
Carlsbad has it all, including award-winning restaurants that evoke nostalgia and delight. Whatever your tastes, Carlsbad’s dining scene offers a rich variety of flavorful, stylish options that will fuel your culinary adventure. This food tour includes six unique eateries: 2-3 savory stops, two desserts, plus wine and/or beer.
Group transportation included.
Pickleball Clinic and Tournament
Saturday, April 18, 2026
1:30 PM start/3:30 PM end
16 spots – $70 each
This two-hour program combines an instruction class and a round robin tournament. Spend the first 30-60 minutes learning new skills or developing your existing ones with Omni La Costa’s staff pickleball professionals followed by a fun round robin tournament. The tournament format ensures that all players play a number of competitive matches against different opponents and with different partners. One of the pro team members will act as the tournament director and ensure even play and that all participants have a fantastic time. Tournaments are great social events and good for meeting other attendees or reconnecting with friends. Program includes balls, paddles, teaching professionals for clinics, tournament director, and courtside towels.
Golf at South Course
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Tee Times: 1:20 PM, 1:30 PM, 1:40 PM
12 spots – $188 each, cart fee included
Rental clubs are $85 per set – includes 6 balls
There are no rental shoes available.
The South Course at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa is a parkland style course that features mature trees, gentle doglegs, and places a premium on accuracy off the tee. Holes 10-18 were used in the PGA TOUR rotation.
For more information, click here.
Register Now!
Note: The hotel deadline is March 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM PT.
Questions?
Contact Katie Bundyra at kbundyra@primerus.com or by phone at +1 800.968.2211 or +1 616.454.9939