Conference Agenda
Day 1, Wednesday, March 26, 2025
7:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:45 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Welcome by Co-Chairs
Jennifer M. Hoekstra, Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis, & Overholtz PLLC, Pensacola, FL
Ashleigh Raso, Nigh Goldenberg Raso & Vaughn, Minneapolis
9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
New Frontiers in Terrorism and Civil Litigation
Marlene Goldenberg, Nigh Goldenberg Raso & Vaughn, Washington, DC
Amanda Fox Perry, Fox McKenna, Washington, DC
9:45 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Depo Provera Update - Post JPML
Ashleigh Raso, Nigh Goldenberg Raso & Vaughn, Minneapolis
W. Roger Smith III, Beasley Allen Law Firm, Montgomery, AL
10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Refreshment Break
10:45 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Preemption at the State Level - Monsanto Update
Linda Lipsen, Chief Executive Officer, American Association for Justice, Washington, DC
Daniel Hinkle, Senior State Affairs Counsel, American Association for Justice, Washington, DC
11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Sexual Abuse Litigation
Anne Andrews, Andrews & Thornton, Newport Beach, CA
Chelsie Warner, Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis, & Overholtz PLLC, Pensacola, FL
Mikal C. Watts, Watts Law Firm LLP, Dorado, Puerto Rico
12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Lunch
Lunch Sponsored by Shield Legal.
12:45 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
California Fires Litigation
Mikal C. Watts, Watts Law Firm LLP, Dorado, Puerto Rico
Anne Andrews, Andrews & Thornton, Newport Beach, CA
1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
What We Wish the Other Side Understood
Samantha Katen, Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis, & Overholtz PLLC, Pensacola, FL
W. Roger Smith III, Beasley Allen Law Firm, Montgomery, AL
Steven M. Harkins, Greenberg Traurig, LLP, Atlanta
James Stephen Bennett, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, Fort Wayne, IN
Ellen K. Reisman, Reisman Greene Theis LLP, Washington, DC
2:15 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Refreshment Break
2:30 p.m. - 3:10 p.m.
AI and Discovery - Find Out How Both Sides are Using AI with Discovery
Carasusana B. Wall, Zoll & Kranz, LLC, Toledo, OH
Lisa Ann Gorshe, Johnson // Becker, PLLC, St. Paul, MN
3:10 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Bard PowerPort Update
Adam M. Evans, Dickerson Oxton, Kansas City, MO
Aaron Dickey, Dickey Law Firm, LLC, St. Louis
Rohit Udipi, Dickey Law Firm, LLC, Los Angeles
3:30 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Mass Tort Litigation Update Part I
Valsartan
Daniel Nigh, Nigh Goldenberg Raso & Vaughn, Washington, DC
Hair Relaxer
Syreeta Poindexter, Babin Law, LLC, Columbus, OH
Uber Sexual Assault
Marlene Goldenberg, Nigh Goldenberg Raso & Vaughn, Washington, DC
Video Gaming Addiction
David Bonnin, Eiland & Bonnin, PC, Galveston, TX
Opioids
Mildred Conroy, Simmons Hanly Conroy LLP, New York
4:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Mass Tort Litigation Update Part II
Suboxone
Lisa Ann Gorshe, Johnson // Becker, PLLC, St. Paul, MN
Paragard
Kristen M. Hermiz, Motley Rice LLC, Mount Pleasant, SC
Hernia Mesh
Brett Vaughn, Nigh Goldenberg Raso & Vaughn, Washington, DC
Camp Lejune
Zachary Mandell, Mandell, Boisclair, & Mandell, Ltd, Providence, RI
5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Rooftop Cocktail Reception - Sponsored by LitPro, Milestone and Counsel Financial
Please join us for a Rooftop Cocktail Party with open bar, heavy appetizers and a DJ!
Merchant & Trade
@ Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel
303 Church Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
From the moment you stroll through the doors at Merchant and Trade, you'll know you've entered a one of a kind spot. Perched on the 19th floor of Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel, our rooftop haven of swaying greenery and contemporary furnishings is the perfect place for after work libations that lead into late night revelry. So loosen that tie and order a drink, you don't want to miss the Carolina sunset.
Sponsored by LitPro, Milestone and Counsel Financial
