Panel Topics

1. New Technologies and Science in Tort Practice

   

   The first panel will focus on tort practice, addressing an eclectic mix of subjects ranging from predictive analytics and e-discovery to scientific evidence and the cognitive science of jury persuasion.                                                

   Moderator – Ronald Aronovsky, Professor of Law, Southwestern Law School

   Speakers:

   • Michael Green, Bess and Walter Williams Professor of Law, Wake Forest University School of Law 
   • Richard Marcus, Coil Chair in Litigation and Distinguished Professor of Law, UC Hastings College of Law
   • R. Rex Parris, Parris Law Firm
   • Michael Sander, Managing Director and Founder, Docket Alarm, and Director, Fastcase Analytics 
2. New Means of Financing Lawsuits and Law Firms

   

   Panel two will examine recent trends in financing lawsuits and proposals for changing non-lawyer relationships with tort firms.

   Moderator – Byron Stier, Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Professor of Law, Southwestern Law School

   Speakers:

   • John Beisner, Partner and Leader, Mass Torts, Insurance and Consumer Litigation Group, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP
   • Fiona Chaney, Investment Manager and Legal Counsel, Bentham IMF
   • James Fischer, Professor of Law, Southwestern Law School
   • Anthony Sebok, Professor of Law, Yeshiva University Cardozo School of Law
3. Luncheon Keynote Discussion — Torts: Past, Present, and Future

   

   Moderator – Catherine M. Sharkey, Crystal Eastman Professor of Law, New York University School of Law

   Discussants –

   • Brian Panish, Founding Partner, Panish, Shea & Boyle
   • Victor Schwartz, Co-Chair, Public Policy Group, Shook, Hardy & Bacon 
4. New Developments in Tort Litigation

   

   In panel three, the discussion turns to new forms of tort litigation, including recent developments in multidistrict, complex, class, and toxic tort actions such as the opioid mass litigation, among others.

   Moderator – Adam Zimmerman, Professor of Law and Gerald Rosen Fellow, Loyola Marymount University Law School Los Angeles

   Speakers: 

   • Mark Behrens, Partner and Co-Chair, Public Policy Practice Group, Shook, Hardy & Bacon (Washington, D.C. office)
   • Manuel Gomez, Associate Dean of International & Graduate Studies and Professor of Law, Florida International University College of Law 
   • Francis McGovern, Professor of Law, Duke Law School and Visiting Professor of Law, UC Hastings College of Law
   • Linda Mullenix, Morris & Rita Atlas Chair in Advocacy, University of Texas at Austin School of Law 
5. New Ventures in Tort Theory

   

   The fourth panel will examine tort theory, analyzing both how traditional theories can deal with new tort problems and how new theories may help place old quandaries in sharper focus.

   Moderator – Dov Waisman, Vice Dean and Professor of Law, Southwestern Law School

   Speakers:

   • Alan Calnan, Professor of Law, Southwestern Law School
   • Gregory Keating, Maurice Jones, Jr. – Class of 1925 Professor of Law and Philosophy, University of Southern California Gould School of Law
   • Christopher Robinette, Professor of Law and Director, Advocacy Certificate Program, Widener University Commonwealth Law School
   • Kenneth Simons, Chancellor’s Professor of Law, UC Irvine School of Law
6. Capstone Session – Surveying the New Frontiers of Tort Law: Quick Takes, Questions, and Answers

   

   Co-Chair Quick Takes - 

   • Alan Calnan, Professor of Law
   • Byron Stier, Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Professor of Law, Southwestern Law School

   Speaker Quick Takes – Various Participants

   Questions and Answers – Speakers and Audience