HarrisMartin’s California Asbestos Litigation Conference: Trial of a Cosmetic Talc Mesothelioma Case

Conference Agenda

Day 1, Thursday, July 19, 2018

7:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
Continental Breakfast

8:45 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Welcome By Co-Chairs

Scott L. Frost, Waters Kraus & Paul, Los Angeles
Stephen M. Nichols, Polsinelli, Los Angeles
Mary T. McKelvey, Polsinelli, Los Angeles
David Katzenstein, Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC, Newark, NJ


9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Ethics and State of the Court

• Civility and Professionalism Standards
Hon. Brian S. Currey, LAOSD Coordination Judge, Los Angeles
Hon. David S. Cunningham, California Superior Court, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles
Hon. John J. Kralik, California Superior Court, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles
Scott L. Frost, Waters Kraus & Paul, Los Angeles
Stephen M. Nichols, Polsinelli, Los Angeles


10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Mock Trial of a Cosmetic Talc Mesothelioma Case - Brief Statement of the Case

• Jury Questionnaires
• Comments by the Jury Consultants and Counsel
• Statement of the Case by the Judge
Presiding Judge:
Hon. Brian S. Currey, LAOSD Coordination Judge, Los Angeles

Robert F. Bettler Jr., Ph.D., DecisionQuest, Atlanta


10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Refreshment Break

10:45 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Mock Trial - Opening Statements from the Plaintiff and the Defense

• Case Themes
• Preempting the Opposition
• Telling the Story
Frederic (Rick) Norris, Dentons, Los Angeles
Jessica Dean, Dean Omar & Branham, LLP, Dallas


11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Mock Trial – Direct of Plaintiff Expert and Cross Examination

• Case Themes
• Preempting the Opposition
• Telling the Story
Testifying Expert: Edward Martinovich, Selman Breitman LLP, Los Angeles

Nathan D. Finch, Motley Rice LLC, Washington, DC
Mary T. McKelvey, Polsinelli, Los Angeles


12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Lunch

1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Mock Trial - Direct of Defendant’s Corporate Witness and Cross Examination

• Disease Process
• Causation
• State of Art
Testifying Expert: Jennifer J. Lee, Dentons, San Francisco

Khai LeQuang, Orrick, Irvine, CA
Mark D. Bratt, Weitz & Luxenberg P.C., Los Angeles


2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Mock Trial - Summary of the Case, Closing, and Final

• Focusing on the Trial Theme
• Guiding the Jury to Decision
• Overcoming Unexpected Evidence
Thomas H. Hart III, Shrader & Associates, LLP, Houston
Brendan J. Gaughan, CMBG3, Boston


3:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Mock Trial - Jury Instructions

Presiding Judge:
Hon. Brian S. Currey, LAOSD Coordination Judge, Los Angeles

Robert F. Bettler Jr., Ph.D., DecisionQuest, Atlanta


3:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Refreshment Break

4:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Mock Trial - Jury Deliberation, Live Video Feed of Discussion

Robert F. Bettler Jr., Ph.D., DecisionQuest, Atlanta


4:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closing Remarks

David Katzenstein, Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC, Newark, NJ


5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Networking Cocktail Reception