Reducing Risk, Enhancing Care Symposium

For CALA Members Only.

February 9, 2026 | 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Registration Deadline: February 1, 2026

Hyatt Regency Newport Beach West
Price: $225

Register Now     Hotel Reservations

Join CALA for an exclusive, members-only symposium tailored for senior living leaders who want to stay ahead in California’s dynamic landscape. Led by top legal and operational experts, this event dives deep into proven strategies for minimizing risk while delivering exceptional care.

What to Expect:

  • Insights from esteemed legal and operational consultants
  • Real-world scenarios and case studies — common pitfalls and complex challenges
  • Practical, ready-to-implement solutions to enhance care and protect your organization

This interactive event will empower you with actionable knowledge to confidently navigate challenges, safeguard residents and optimize outcomes.

Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn and lead!

Topics and Panelists:

Labor & Employment Issues

  • Moderator: Diane O’Malley, Partner, Hanson Bridgett
  • Morei Lingle, Senior Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer, Merrill Gardens
  • Amber Gustafson, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Carlton Senior Living

This session includes an overview of new employment laws and adjustments assisted living providers may need to make to their operations to properly comply. The panel will then discuss current legal issues in employment areas that result in risks to the organization, including staff training to mitigate potential liability from implementation of new laws and outcomes of recent cases. An update on PAGA will also be provided.

Emerging Trends: Criminal Prosecution

  • Moderator: Joel Goldman, Partner, Hanson Bridgett
  • Philip J. Kearney, Shareholder, Murphy, Pearson, Bradley & Feeney, P.C.
  • Loren B. Shook, President, Chief Executive Officer & Chairman, Silverado
  • Kristina Hulsey, Vice President, Risk & Legal Affairs and Chief Compliance Officer, Silverado

This session will explore the concerning emerging trend of criminal prosecution of assisted living providers and their employees. The panel will explore past cases, discuss best practices to prevent potential criminal prosecution, and how to be best prepared for potential criminal court proceedings. Based on personal experience and current court cases, the panel will advise on best practices and answer questions from the audience.

Updates in Arbitration

  • Moderator: Jay Thomas, Assistant General Counsel, Atria Senior Living
  • Lori Ferguson, Partner, Hanson Bridgett
  • Spencer Stein, Partner, Wilson Getty

This session will start with a presentation overviewing current claims trends resulting from lawsuits in the senior care industry. A moderated discussion will then cover new laws that may affect lawsuits that arise from assisted living operations and current court cases that may affect future assisted living cases. The panel will also field questions from the audience.

A request for 4 hours of RCFE CEUs (Laws, Regulations, Policies & Procedural Standards Impacting RCFEs) is pending DSS approval.

Reserve your spot today — space is limited!

This event is for members only. Members please sign in to register. Non-members, please contact Cindi Alvidrez to inquire about membership in CALA.

Register Now

Location

Hyatt Regency Newport Beach West
4545 MacArthur Blvd
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Room Block Deadline – January 15, 2026 (unless sold out earlier)

Hotel Reservations

Schedule

Check-in: 9:30 – 10:00 AM
Symposium:  10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Lunch provided.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsor