Upcoming Webinar: Contemporary Issues in Mass Torts: Applying Lessons Learned from Talc and Beyond

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

REGISTRATION LINK

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

Break: 12:10-1:00 p.m.

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

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