Conference Agenda
Day 1, Wednesday, March 29, 2023
8:00 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
Registration
8:45 a.m. - 8:50 a.m.
Introductory Remarks
Richard J. Arsenault, Neblett, Beard & Arsenault
8:50 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
State of the Banking/Financial Industry
Francesca C. Castagnola, Senior Managing Director, Western Alliance Bank, San Diego
9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Key Bankruptcy Developments Regarding J&J and 3M
• Talc: LTL Management, LLC (debtor). Non-debtor protected parties: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. and Johnson & Johnson (and other third party insurers and retailers)
• 3M: Aearo Technologies, LLC (debtor); Other affiliated debtors that filed their own bankruptcy petition: Aearo LLC; Aearo Intermediate LLC; Aearo Holding LLC; Aearo Mexico Holding Corp.; Cabot Safety Intermediate LLC; 3M Occupational Safety LLC
• Texas Two-Step Status
• Financial Distress and Good Faith Requirements
• 3rd Circuit J&J Ruling
Moderator: Richard J. Arsenault, Neblett, Beard & Arsenault
Panelists:
Leigh O’Dell, Beasley Allen Law Firm, Montgomery, AL
Melanie H. Muhlstock, Parker Waichman LLP, Port Washington, NY
Yvonne M. Flaherty, Lockridge Grindal Nauen P.L.L.P., Minneapolis
Majed Nachawati, Nachawati Law Group, Dallas
Rachel Lanier, The Lanier Law Firm, Los Angeles
9:45 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Critical Litigation Management Issues
• The Selection of MDL Transferee Judges and Venue: What Arguments Resonate?
• Fed/State Coordination: Peacefully Co-Existing in Parallel Universes
• Early Case Vetting
• Litigation Holds/Spoliation/Sanctions
• Managing Litigation Fatigue
Moderator: Erin K. Copeland, Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs, Houston
Panelists:
Mildred Conroy, The Lanier Law Firm, New York
Don M. Downing, Gray Ritter Graham, St. Louis
Scott A. Powell, Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton LLP, Birmingham, AL
Fidelma L. Fitzpatrick, Motley Rice LLC, Providence, RI
Scott DeNardo, Senior Vice President, Mass Torts, Archer Systems, LLC, Bethlehem, PA
10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Refreshment Break
10:45 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Camp Lejeune
• The Legislation
• The Science
• Damages and Defenses
• Attorney Fees
Moderator: Aimee Wagstaff, Wagstaff Law Firm, Denver
Panelists:
Sara Papantonio, Levin Papantonio Rafferty, Pensacola, FL
Aaron Heckaman, Bailey Cowan Heckaman PLLC, Houston
Kathryn Snapka, The Snapka Law Firm, Corpus Christi, TX
11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Mass Tort Update 1.0
• East Palestine Train Derailment
• Social Media
• Chemical Hair Straightener
• Infant Formula
• CPAP
• Acetaminophen (ASD/ADHD)
• Zantac
Moderator: Jayne Conroy, Simmons Hanly Conroy, New York
Panelists:
Seth A. Katz, Burg Simpson Eldredge Hersh & Jardine, P.C., Phoenix
Bradley D. Honnold, Goza & Honnold, Overland Park, KS
R. Brent Wisner, Wisner Baum, Los Angeles
12:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Luncheon – Keynote by W. Mark Lanier
1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Resolution Strategy & Associated Best Ethical Practices
• Global vs. Inventory Settlements
• Understanding the Consequences and Nature of an “Aggregate Settlement”/Ethical Rules and Required Disclosures
• Fee Disgorgement For Ethical Violations: Burrow v. Arce
• Special Master: Function, Role and Why Necessary?
• Drafting Master Settlement Agreements
• Funding, Timing and Establishing Qualified Settlement Funds
• Walk Away Rights, Clawbacks, Substitutions, and Participation Thresholds
• Appeals, Extraordinary Circumstances Awards And Setting Appropriate Reserves
• Confidentiality/Public Statements/Penalties
• Protocols And Methodology Associated With Allocating Settlement Proceeds
• Addressing Liens And Dealing With The Associated Holdbacks
Moderator: W. Mark Lanier, The Lanier Law Firm, Houston
Panelists:
Jayne Conroy, Simmons Hanly Conroy, New York
Jim Murdica, Barnes & Thornburg LLP, New York
Lana K. Varney, King & Spalding LLP, Austin, TX
Hon. Glenn A. Norton, Norton Dispute Resolution, LLC, St. Louis
Richard J. Arsenault, Neblett, Beard & Arsenault
2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Mass Tort Update 2.0
• Asbestos/Meso
• Elmiron
• Paraquat
• Southern Baptist
• AFFF
• TEPEZZA
Moderator: Erin K. Copeland, Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs
Panelists:
Jonathan M. Sedgh, Morgan & Morgan, New York
Lindsey Cheek, The Cheek Law Firm LLC, New Orleans
Shannon Pennock, The Pennock Law Firm, Jersey City, NJ
Robert J. Drakulich, The Drakulich Firm, San Diego
3:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Refreshment Break
3:30 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Game Changing Rules
• Daubert Zantac Rulings
• Jurisdictional Landscape Following BMS
• Preemption
• Lone Pine
• Proposed Amendment to Federal Rules Providing Interlocutory Appeals from MDL Judge’s Orders
Moderator: Richard J. Arsenault, Neblett, Beard & Arsenault
Panelists:
Nicholas J. Drakulich, The Drakulich Firm, San Diego
Justin Presnal, Simmons Hanly Conroy, College Station, TX
Paul Pennock, Morgan & Morgan, New York
Catelyn McDonough, Anapol Weiss, Philadelphia
4:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Mass Tort Update 3.0
• EzriCare Artifical Tears Lubricant Eye Drops
• PFAS
• Juul
• Exactech
• Paragard
Moderator: Jayne Conroy, Simmons Hanly Conroy, New York
Panelists:
Gale Pearson, Nachawati Law Group, Minneapolis
Vicki J. Maniatis, Milberg Coleman Bryson Phillips Grossman, PLLC, New Jersey
Chelsea L. Monroe, Motley Rice LLC, Mount Pleasant, SC
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Networking Cocktail Reception
Networking Cocktail Reception Sponsored by Western Alliance Bank.