The Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke Law School hosted the 2026 McGovern Symposium on Civil Litigation on February 26–27, bringing together judges, scholars, and practitioners for a discussion of major issues shaping contemporary civil litigation. The program included an opening dinner in honor of the late Duke Law Professor Francis E. McGovern, followed by a full day of symposium sessions at Duke Law School.
This year’s symposium focused on multidistrict litigation and related developments in civil procedure, with sessions addressing the early implementation of Rule 16.1, the use of bankruptcy in mass litigation, and the evolving role of bellwether proceedings. The program also featured a lunch panel on the experiences of women attorneys and judges in MDLs.
“We are very encouraged by the strong response to this year’s focused topics,” said Kim Mueller, a retired federal judge and director of the Bolch Judicial Institute. “With the symposium, we brought together a top-notch group of judges, lawyers, and scholars for meaningful engagement on several of the most pressing issues in the world of MDL practice. By convening established experts and emerging voices in a trusted space, we furthered our goal of fostering spirited exchange leading to proposals for meaningful improvements in practice.”
The 2026 McGovern Symposium was made possible through the generous support of its sponsors: David Bernick and Chris Seeger, founding contributors, along with Hon. Vaughn Walker and Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP. The Bolch Judicial Institute extends a special thank you to David Bernick for sponsoring the 2026 McGovern Memorial dinner. The Institute also extends special thanks to the family of Francis McGovern, including his wife, Katy, and daughter, Laura, whose presence at this year’s symposium was especially meaningful.
Through programs like the McGovern Symposium, the Institute fosters thoughtful dialogue on the judiciary and civil justice system while advancing broader understanding of the courts and the rule of law. Click here to learn more about this and other programs offered by the Bolch Judicial Institute of Duke Law School.