McGovern Symposium on Civil Litigation
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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 1: An Analytical Framework
- Session 2: Theories of Mass Litigation
- Session 3: Drugs 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.
| 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.
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.