The Protracted MDLs Bench-Bar Leadership Conference, co-hosted by the Rabiej Litigation Law Center and the Cleveland State University College of Law, convened on June 13-14, 2024. This event brought together plaintiff and defense attorneys, along with ten federal judges, to collaboratively develop strategies for expediting the resolution of prolonged actions in Multidistrict Litigations (MDLs).
Key topics addressed included the implementation of the new Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 16.1, effective December 1, 2025, which mandates parties to propose practices facilitating the resolution of MDL actions. Discussions also covered the appointment of recalled magistrate judges, early Rule 34 discovery requests, establishment of separate settlement tracks, and the creation of central-exchange platforms for information management.
The conference featured multiple panels with esteemed federal judges and legal experts, providing attendees with valuable insights into the complexities of MDLs. Networking opportunities were abundant, including a group reception on Thursday evening and a dinner sponsored by Litigation Management, Inc.
This conference was particularly beneficial for legal professionals involved in MDLs, offering practical solutions to streamline litigation processes and enhance the administration of justice.
Categories
Speakers(23)
Andre Mura
Partner at Gibbs Law Group LLP
Andre Mura is a partner at Gibbs Law Group LLP, specializing in complex litigation.
Ashlie Sletvold
Partner at Peiffer Wolf Carr Kane Conway & Wise LLP
Ashlie Sletvold is a partner at Peiffer Wolf Carr Kane Conway & Wise LLP, focusing on mass tort litigation.
Bradley Honnold
Partner at Goza & Honnold, Trial Lawyers
Bradley Honnold is a partner at Goza & Honnold, focusing on plaintiff-side litigation.
Dan Balhoff
Partner at Perry, Balhoff, Mengis & Burns, LLC
Dan Balhoff is a partner at Perry, Balhoff, Mengis & Burns, LLC, focusing on mediation and arbitration.
Francis Citera
Partner at Greenberg Traurig LLP
Francis Citera is a partner at Greenberg Traurig LLP, focusing on product liability and mass tort defense.
Hon. Bernice B. Donald
Retired Circuit Judge at Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals; Burch, Porter & Johnson PLLC
Hon. Bernice Donald is a retired Circuit Judge from the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, now practicing at Burch, Porter & Johnson PLLC.
Hon. Dan Polster
District Judge at Northern District of Ohio
Hon. Dan Polster serves as a District Judge in the Northern District of Ohio, overseeing complex litigation.
Hon. David Proctor
District Judge at Northern District of Alabama
Hon. David Proctor serves as a District Judge in the Northern District of Alabama, presiding over federal cases.
Hon. Eduardo Robreno
Retired District Judge at Eastern District of Pennsylvania; McCarter & English LLP
Hon. Eduardo Robreno is a retired District Judge from the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, now practicing at McCarter & English LLP.
Hon. Freda Wolfson
Retired Chief Judge at District of New Jersey; Lowenstein Sandler LLP
Hon. Freda Wolfson is the retired Chief Judge of the District of New Jersey, now practicing at Lowenstein Sandler LLP.
Hon. Gary Jones
Magistrate Judge at Northern District of Florida
Hon. Gary Jones serves as a Magistrate Judge in the Northern District of Florida, overseeing pretrial proceedings.
Hon. Karen Caldwell
Chair at Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
Hon. Karen Caldwell serves as the Chair of the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, overseeing the coordination of complex cases.
Hon. Michael North
Magistrate Judge at Eastern District of Louisiana
Hon. Michael North serves as a Magistrate Judge in the Eastern District of Louisiana, handling pretrial matters in federal cases.
Hon. Nancy Rosenstengel
Chief Judge at Southern District of Illinois
Hon. Nancy Rosenstengel serves as the Chief Judge of the Southern District of Illinois, managing federal cases in her district.
Hon. Nannette Brown
Chief Judge at Eastern District of Louisiana
Hon. Nannette Brown serves as the Chief Judge of the Eastern District of Louisiana, overseeing federal cases in her jurisdiction.
Leslie LaMacchia
Attorney at Bell Legal Group
Leslie LaMacchia is an attorney at Bell Legal Group, specializing in mass tort litigation.
Megan Pizor
Chief Legal Officer at Litigation Management Inc.
Megan Pizor is the Chief Legal Officer at Litigation Management Inc., specializing in legal strategy and operations.
Paul LaFata
Partner at Dechert LLP
Paul LaFata is a partner at Dechert LLP, specializing in complex litigation.
Professor Doron Kalir
Professor of Law at Cleveland State University College of Law
Professor Doron Kalir teaches law at Cleveland State University College of Law, focusing on complex litigation and legal ethics.
Professor Michael Borden
Professor of Law at Cleveland State University College of Law
Professor Michael Borden teaches law at Cleveland State University College of Law, with expertise in civil procedure.
Robert Friedman
Partner at King & Spalding LLP
Robert Friedman is a partner at King & Spalding LLP, focusing on complex litigation and mass torts.
Steve Bennett
Partner at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Steve Bennett is a partner at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, focusing on complex litigation.
Syreeta Poindexter
Attorney at Babin Law LLC
Syreeta Poindexter is an attorney at Babin Law LLC, specializing in mass tort cases.
Event Details
- Date
- June 13-14, 2024
- 2 days
- Location
- 🇺🇸 Cleveland, United States
- Cleveland State University College of Law
- Pricing
- $800 - $1,200
- Audience
- Legal professionals involved in Multidistrict Litigations (MDLs)
- CLE Credits
- 10.7 CLE credits approved by the New Jersey state bar