Verus LLC, Cohen Placitella & Roth, P.C. and Corodemus & Corodemus, are presenting a full-day webinar devoted to talc and mass torts. This zoom webinar is hosted by NJICLE and will explore the lessons learned to date from the talc litigation for plaintiffs and defendants alike and how those lessons can be applied to future mass torts. Attendees will earn CLE credits.
Topics include:
- Comprehensive Review of Federal and State MDLs
- Recommended Research for Lawyers
- Gatekeeper Function of Courts for Experts: Standard Federal and State Courts rulings
- Challenges in Mass Tort Settlement Plans; Notes from the Asbestos Wars
- Proving Causation- Cosmetic Vs. Non-Cosmetic Products
- Confidentiality Orders, Spoliation and the Ghosts of Christmas Past
- Mass Tort Bankruptcy Strategies on Both Sides of the “V”
- Appellate Litigators Share Their Experiences.
- Pandemic Trial Practice in a Zoom World
WHEN: January 21, 2021 | 9 am – 3:30 pm ET
WHY: Talc is the most recent product to shape the current world of mass tort litigation. There are currently over 1,000 talc cases filed against Johnson & Johnson in New Jersey, and there are thousands more nationwide. In one of the New Jersey cases, Carl v. Johnson & Johnson, a trial court judge dismissed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, finding the plaintiffs’ experts lacked credibility. The Appellate Division reversed, finding that the trial court had erroneously dismissed the case by assessing the expert’s credibility rather than the methodology they used to reach their opinions.
The Appellate Court decision provides a benchmark for trial court judges and litigators about how they should be evaluating expert testimony in mass tort cases. Many believe the Carl decision gives new life to other talc cases currently pending in New Jersey courts. The future of the talc litigation has yet to be determined.
This Zoom videoconference will feature prominent judges, leading plaintiff and defense attorneys, and other experienced litigation professionals who will provide a thorough, nuanced analysis of how to litigate talc and other mass tort cases successfully.
Agenda:
9:00- 9:30 a.m.
Current & Prospective View of Federal and State MDLs: Talc a Case Study
Michelle A. Parfitt, Ashcraft & Gerel, LLP
John H. Beisner, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates
9:30-10:00 a.m.
Understanding the Science: Recommended Research for Lawyers
Dr. Margaret M. Thompson, Beasley Allen Law Firm
10:00-10:10 a.m. BREAK
10:10-11:00 a.m.
Gatekeeper Function of Courts for Experts: Standard Federal and State Courts rulings
Judge Robert B. Kugler, United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey
Judge Marina Corodemus (ret.), Corodemus & Corodemus
Danny R. Kraft Jr., Weitz & Luxenberg
Timothy I. Duffy, Coughlin Duffy LLP
Mark Silver, Coughlin Duffy LLP
11:00-11:20 a.m.
Challenges in Mass Tort Settlement Plans; Notes from the Asbestos Wars
Mark Eveland, Verus LLC
11:20-12:10 p.m.
Proving Causation – Cosmetic Vs. Non-Cosmetic Products
Susan M. Sharko, Faegre Drinker
Leigh O’Dell, Beasley Allen Law Firm
12:10-1:00 p.m. BREAK
1:00-1:30 p.m.
Confidentiality Orders, Spoliation and the Ghosts of Christmas Past
Chris Placitella, Cohen, Placitella & Roth, P.C.
Richard T. Bernardo, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates
1:30-2:15p.m.
Mass Tort Bankruptcy Strategies on Both Sides of the “V”
Robert S. Brady, Young Conaway
Mark A. Fink, Robinson+Cole
Rachel C. Strickland, Wilkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
Michael S. Etkin, Lowenstein Sandler
2:15-2:45 p.m.
Doesn’t Matter What the Jury Said, I’ll Win up on Appeal. Appellate Litigators Share Their Experiences.
Denyse Clancy, Kazan, McClain, Satterley & Greenwood
Karen Stanzione Conte, Reilly, McDevitt & Henrich, P.C.
2:45-3:30 p.m.
Pandemic Trial Practice in a Zoom World
Michael A. Akselrud, The Lanier Law Firm
Allison M. Brown, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates
To register or for more information, visit https://tcms.njsba.com/personifyebusiness/njicle/CLEPrograms/NJICLEEventsCalendar/MeetingDetails.aspx?productId=63918409