McGovern Symposium on Civil Litigation

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Overview

The Bolch Judicial Institute of Duke Law School will host the third annual McGovern Symposium on Civil Litigation on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at the Washington Duke Inn on Duke University’s campus.

The 2024 symposium will focus on an emerging trend of courts being asked to resolve public policy issues, such as environmental exposures, which have traditionally been the subject of legislative and executive action due to their scale and complexity.

This trend is especially apparent in aggregate litigation. However, scholars and MDL practitioners are only beginning to understand the impact of this historic shift and the new demands it places on the justice system. The 2024 McGovern Symposium is intended to help identify and clarify issues for future scholarly and practical inquiry.

The 2024 symposium will cover the following sessions/topics:

  • Session 1An Analytical Framework
  • Session 2Theories of Mass Litigation
  • Session 3Drugs and Devices
  • Session 4: Environmental Exposures

The symposium was established to honor the memory of Duke Law Professor Francis E. McGovern. Attendees are encouraged to share commentary and ideas, and, in homage to Professor McGovern’s spirited approach to problem-solving, engage in lively discussions about challenges facing the field and the future of complex litigation.

Registration Cost

Early Bird Rate (Until Nov. 12) Regular Rate Judges
$300 $350 Email lora.farmer@law.duke.edu

The Institute seeks to expand and diversify the field of attorneys capable of handling mass torts and MDLs. To inquire about scholarship opportunities, please contact lora.farmer@law.duke.edu.

Click here to register. For questions about this event, please email lora.farmer@law.duke.edu

Thank you 2024 program sponsors!

Founding Contributors
David Bernick
Chris Seeger

If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor, contact Lora Beth Farmer at lora.farmer@law.duke.edu.

Speakers

Prof. Lynn Baker
University of Texas – Austin, School of Law

David Bernick
Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Sheila Birnbaum
Phillips ADR

Prof. Andrew Bradt
UC Berkeley School of Law

Elizabeth Cabraser
Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP

Hon. Bob Dow
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois

Peter Farrell
Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Prof. Brian Fitzpatrick
Vanderbilt

Hon. Jeremy Fogel
Executive Director of the Berkeley Judicial Institute; former Director of the Federal Judicial Center; U.S. District Court, Northern District of California (ret.)

Paul W. Grimm
David F. Levi Professor of the Practice of Law; Director of the Bolch Judicial Institute; U.S. District Court, District of Maryland (ret.)

Prof. Sam Issacharoff
NYU School of Law

Prof. Bob Klonoff
Lewis & Clark Law School

Prof. Maggie Lemos
Duke Law School

Hon. William Orrick
U.S. District Court, Northern District of California

Prof. Teddy Rave
University of Texas – Austin, School of Law

Chris Seeger
Seeger Weiss LLP

Hon. Amy St. Eve
U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit

Scott Summy
Baron & Budd

Beth Wilkinson
Wilkinson Stekloff

Hotel & Parking

Hotel Accommodations

Participants can reserve rooms at the Washington Duke Inn, a full-service resort on Duke University’s campus.

Parking

Parking is free at the Washington Duke Inn. If you need to park at the law school, please email Lora Beth Farmer to request a parking pass.