Duke Law's Advanced Certificate in Mass Tort MDL

Overview

We are in the process of scheduling an updated version of this course. Please subscribe here to receive updates on this program and other courses offered by the Bolch Judicial Institute of Duke Law School. The information below is from the May 2023 program at Duke Law School and is for general informational purposes only.

Duke Law’s Advanced Certificate in Mass Tort MDL will be held at Duke Law on May 25, 2023, prior to the McGovern Symposium on May 26, 2023. The course’s highly interactive, seminar format offers participants an in-depth exploration of concepts introduced in the regular Mass Tort MDL Certificate course. Judges, academics, and practitioners will cover several key areas of MDLs, including three core sessions:

• Session 1: In-depth history of MDLs
• Session 2: Small group breakouts to discuss strategic considerations and practical guidance for plaintiffs, defendants, and special masters
• Session 3: Ethical issues that have become troublesome

Attendance at all advanced sessions and the McGovern Symposium is required to receive the certificate. The regular Mass Tort MDL Certificate course is a recommended prerequisite. The advanced program is an in-depth exploration of concepts introduced in the regular Mass Tort MDL Certificate course. Persons interested in attending the Advanced Mass Tort MDL Program who have not completed the Mass Tort MDL Certificate course as a prerequisite, but who have acquired equivalent experience or knowledge of Mass Tort/MDL litigation, may request a waiver of the certificate requirement. Requests for waivers will be considered on an individual basis and should be accompanied by an explanation of the applicant’s experience and or training regarding Mass Tort/MDL litigation. Requests for waivers should be emailed to Lora Beth Farmer at lora.farmer@law.duke.edu.

The fee includes attendance at the reception/dinner after the program and registration to the McGovern Symposium. 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.

Chatham House Rule: To encourage frank discussions, the conference is held under the Chatham House Rule: “When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.”

Faculty & Agenda

Course Faculty

Prof. Bob Klonoff
Lewis & Clark Law School

Prof. Marin Levy
Duke Law School

Enu Mainigi
Williams & Connolly LLP

Allison Ng
Greenberg Traurig, LLP

Hon. Dan Polster
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio

Diandra “Fu” Debrosse Zimmermann
DiCello Levitt

Hotel & Parking

Hotel Accommodations

Participants can reserve rooms at the Washington Duke Inn, a full-service resort located on Duke University's campus just a short walk from the law school.

Parking

If you are staying at Washington Duke Inn, the law school is a short 10-minute walk. If you need to park at the law school, please email Lora Beth Farmer to request a parking pass.

Sponsorships