25th Annual Business Litigation Conference 2026

The 25th Annual Business Litigation Conference 2026 is a premier event organized by Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE), scheduled for February 25, 2026, in Boston. This conference brings together legal professionals to discuss and analyze current trends and developments in business litigation.

A key session titled "Frustration of Purpose 2.0 in Breach of Contract Cases" will be presented by Boston partner Ben Lajoie and his co-panelists. This session will explore the evolving doctrine of frustration of purpose, beginning with case law that emerged from COVID-19 disruptions to commercial contracts, including goods and services agreements, leases, and other business arrangements. The discussion will also examine recent challenges such as funding claw-backs, contract cancellations, tariffs, and shifting tax policies, providing practical guidance on drafting strategies like force majeure clauses and limitation of liability provisions to manage uncertainty in long-term contracts.

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear directly from U.S. District Court judges, U.S. District Court magistrate judges, Massachusetts Superior Court judges, and distinguished litigators as they share insights on emerging trends. The conference will feature the popular Business Litigation Session Judicial Panel and Federal Judicial Panel, offering valuable perspectives from the bench.

This conference is ideal for legal professionals involved in business litigation, including attorneys, in-house counsel, and legal scholars. Participants will gain valuable insights into recent case law developments, practical drafting strategies, and judicial perspectives, enhancing their ability to navigate complex business litigation challenges effectively.