Overview
The online course offers a comprehensive survey of the fundamentals of multidistrict litigation (MDLs), affording learners practical insight into the lifecycle and management of complex aggregate litigation, which constitutes nearly 60 percent of civil cases filed in federal court. The course’s eight learning modules are led by prominent judges, practitioners, and academics who offer a balance of perspectives from both sides of the “v.”
The course embodies the vision of the late Duke Law professor Francis McGovern, a legend in this field who also sought to engage newcomers to the field of complex aggregate litigation and bring more diversity to MDL leadership. The course is designed to give participants the subject matter knowledge needed to participate in the litigation of these complex cases, and the confidence to seek leadership positions in them. No academic credit is provided for this program.
Participants who successfully complete the course will receive a certificate of course completion from the Bolch Judicial Institute of Duke Law School. This course is a recommended prerequisite for attending the McGovern Symposium at Duke University, an in-person conference focused on current issues in mass torts, aggregate litigation, and MDLs. (Registration fees for the symposium are waived for individuals who complete the course.)
CLE Information: This course has been approved for 9.5 hours of general CLE credit in North Carolina. CLE hours will be submitted on behalf of attorneys practicing in North Carolina. Attorneys practicing in other states will receive a “Certificate of Attendance” and a completed “Uniform Application for Accreditation” form after the course, which they can use to submit their CLE hours to their respective states.
Attorney
Registration RateRegistration opening fall 2025.
Judge/Student
ComplimentaryRegistration opening fall 2025.
*The Institute seeks to expand and diversify the field of attorneys capable of handling mass torts and MDLs. Discounts may be available for individuals with a demonstrated interest in the subject matter for whom the cost is prohibitive. To inquire about a discount, send an email relaying your interest and needs to lora.farmer@law.duke.edu.
Course Faculty
John Beisner
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
David Bernick
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Sheila Birnbaum
Phillips ADR
Prof. Andrew Bradt
UC Berkeley School of Law
Kim Branscome
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
Elizabeth Cabraser
Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP
Hon. Karen Caldwell
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky; Chair of the JPML
Hon. Edward Chen
U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
Prof. Jaime Dodge
Emory University School of Law
Hon. Robert Dow
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Hon. Eldon Fallon
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana
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 Geller
Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP
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. David Ichel
X-Dispute LLC; Duke Law
Prof. Sam Issacharoff
NYU School of Law
Prof. Bob Klonoff
Lewis & Clark Law School
Hon. Carolyn Kuhl
Superior Court of California for the County of Los Angeles
Enu Mainigi
Williams & Connolly LLP
Hon. Dan Polster
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
Prof. Teddy Rave
The University of Texas at Austin, School of Law
Hon. Robin Rosenberg
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
Chris Seeger
Seeger Weiss LLP
Roland Tellis
Baron & Budd, P.C.
Vaughn Walker
U.S. District Court, Northern District of California (ret.); ADR/Law Office – Vaughn R Walker
Lesley Weaver
Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP
Learning Modules
The course’s structure follows eight learning modules: 1) History of MDLs, 2) Unique Aspects of MDLs, 3) The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML), 4) MDL Leadership, 5) Case Management, 6) Pre-trial Issues, 7) Aggregate Trials, and 8) Settlement and Resolution. Each module contains readings, an approximately 1-hour recorded lecture, and a short quiz. All modules must be completed to receive a certificate of course completion from the Bolch Judicial Institute of Duke Law School.
Registration
The registration portal is closed and will reopen during the fall 2025 semester. Subscribe here to receive updates on the Institute’s Mass Tort MDL programming.
Once registered, learners will have six months to complete the course. As a Duke University continuing studies program, the MDL course requires that registrants create a Duke Learner profile. Please note that this profile is comprehensive, but only fields marked with asterisk (*) are required. If you encounter any technical issues during the registration process, please email Lora Beth Farmer at lora.farmer@law.duke.edu.
Sponsorships
Support the educational mission of the Bolch Judicial Institute of Duke Law.
$5,000 Sponsorship
Sponsor’s name will be listed on the Bolch Judicial Institute of Duke Law’s website for one year and includes one (1) complimentary registration to the course.
$10,000 Sponsorship
Sponsor’s logo will be listed on the Bolch Judicial Institute of Duke Law’s website for one year and includes two (2) complimentary registrations to the course.
In addition to the benefits listed above, sponsors will have the first opportunity to sponsor programs during the McGovern Symposium, which will take place on Duke University’s campus on December 12, 2024. Sponsorships will be used for scholarships and program support. For more information or to become a sponsor for the Mass Tort MDL Certificate or McGovern Symposium, contact Lora Beth Farmer at lora.farmer@law.duke.edu.