George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School

Eighth Annual Judicial Symposium on Civil Justice Issues


Event Details

  • Date:
  • Venue: George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School
  • Division: The Judicial Education Program

The civil justice system in the United States is in a constant state of flux.  Changes occur at both the state and federal levels, through both legislative and judicial actions.  At the same time, judges face a constant barrage of new and innovative legal theories and procedural maneuvers.  The annual symposium provided a platform that gives judges a systematic review and critique of the most important civil justice issues of the day.

Agenda

Emerging Trends in Civil Justice

John H. Beisner, Partner, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP & Affiliates

Robert S. Peck, President, Center for Constitutional Litigation, PC

Moderator:  Karen M. Czarnecki, Director, Education, Law & Economics Center, George Mason University School of Law


Scientific Evidence in Environmental and Toxic Torts Litigation

David E. Bernstein, George Mason University Foundation Professor of Law, George Mason University School of Law

Eric G. Lasker, Partner, Hollingsworth, LLP

Carla Burke, Shareholder, Baron & Budd, LLP

R. Dean Hartley, Partner, Hartley & O’Brien, PLLC

Moderator:  Richard O. Faulk, Senior Director, Initiative for Energy & the Environment, Law & Economics Center and Partner, Hollingsworth, LLP


Arbitration

Andrew J. Pincus, Partner, Mayer Brown, LLP

John A. Shope, Partner, Foley Hoag, LLP

Jason S. Johnston, Henry L. and Grace Doherty Charitable Foundation Professor of Law, University of Virginia School of Law

Christopher R. Drahozal, Associate Dean for Research & Faculty Development and John M. Rounds Professor of Law, University of Kansas School of Law

Moderator:  James C. Cooper, Director of Policy & Research, Law & Economics Center, and Lecturer in Law, George Mason University School of Law


Use of Private Contingency Fee Attorneys by State AGs

Luther J. Strange, III, Attorney General of Alabama

Bill McCollum, Partner, Dentons and former Attorney General of Florida

Peggy A. Lautenschlager, Of Counsel, Bauer & Bach, LLC and former Attorney General of Wisconsin

Moderator:  Tony F. Troy, Member, Eckert Seamans and former Attorney General of Virginia


Generic and Brand Name Drug Liability AKA “Innovator Liability”

Jay P. Lefkowitz, Partner, Kirkland & Ellis, LLP

Kannon K. Shanmugam, Partner, Williams & Connolly

Fern P. O’Brian, Partner, Thompson Hine

Esther E. Berezofsky, Partner, Williams Cuker Berezofsky

Charna L. Gerstenhaber, Vice President and Head of Litigation, Novartis Pharmaceuticals

Moderator:  Claire Prestel, Staff Attorney, Public Justice


Hydraulic Fracturing and Federalism

Christopher A. Wright, CEO, Liberty Resources, LLC

Michael L. Krancer, Partner, Blank Rome, LLP

Sharon Buccino, Director, Land and Wildlife Program, Natural Resources Defense Council

Chris Nidel, Nidel Law, PLLC

Brent M. Rosenthal, The Law Office of Brent M. Rosenthal, PC

Moderator:  Richard O. Faulk, Senior Director, Initiative for Energy & the Environment, Law & Economics Center and Partner, Hollingsworth, LLP