Every year, the Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke Law hosts the McGovern Symposium on Civil Litigation. The symposium brings together leaders in the bench, the bar, and the academy to discuss cutting-edge issues in multi-district litigation, mass torts, and commercial litigation more broadly. Named to honor the memory of Duke Law Professor Francis E. McGovern, the program invites lawyers and judges 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.
Past attendees include Sheila Birnbaum (Phillips ADR), Elizabeth Cabraser (Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP), Hon. Bob Dow (U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois and current Counselor to the Chief Justice John Roberts), Hon. Amy St. Eve (U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit), Prof. Sam Issacharoff (NYU School of Law), Prof. Bob Klonoff (Lewis & Clark Law School), and Hon. William Orrick (U.S. District Court, Northern District of California).
The Symposium is supported by a gift from David Bernick (Kirkland & Ellis LLP) and Chris Seeger (Seeger Weiss).