Bench Bar Conference 2025
by United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
The Bench Bar Conference 2025 is a collaborative event organized by the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, with support from the Massachusetts Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. Scheduled for September 11-12, 2025, at the Boston Marriott Newton in Newton, MA, this conference aims to foster dialogue and cooperation between the judiciary and legal practitioners.
The conference agenda includes a variety of sessions covering critical legal topics. Highlights include a plenary session featuring U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson in conversation with Senior U.S. District Judge Patti B. Saris, discussing the Supreme Court's recent and upcoming terms. Breakout sessions will address challenges in higher education, complex civil litigation, developments in artificial intelligence, and international law issues, among others.
Attendees will have opportunities for networking during the opening reception and luncheon. Notable speakers include Melissa Murray, Professor of Law at NYU School of Law, and Michael J. Klarman, Charles Warren Professor of American Legal History at Harvard Law School. The event also features roundtable discussions and panels with esteemed judges and legal experts.
This conference is ideal for legal professionals seeking to stay informed on current legal developments, engage with peers, and gain insights from leading figures in the judiciary and academia.
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Speakers(43)
Alex Whiting
Professor of Practice at Harvard Law School
Professor Alex Whiting teaches at Harvard Law School and is a former prosecutor in The Hague, specializing in international law.
Allison D. Burroughs
U.S. District Judge at U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Judge Allison D. Burroughs serves on the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, recognized for her fair and thoughtful judicial approach.
Amir Farhadi
Senior Associate at Foley Hoag LLP
Amir Farhadi is a senior associate at Foley Hoag LLP, focusing on international litigation and arbitration.
Angel Kelley
U.S. District Judge at U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Judge Angel Kelley serves on the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, bringing a diverse background to the bench.
Angela Onwuachi-Willig
Dean and Ryan Roth Gallo Professor of Law at Boston University School of Law
Dean Angela Onwuachi-Willig leads Boston University School of Law, focusing on critical race theory and employment discrimination.
Bill Abely
Assistant U.S. Attorney, Chief, Criminal Division at U.S. Attorney's Office
Bill Abely is the Chief of the Criminal Division in the U.S. Attorney's Office, overseeing federal criminal prosecutions.
Brian E. Murphy
U.S. District Judge at U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Judge Brian E. Murphy serves on the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, bringing a wealth of legal experience to the bench.
Catherine Scott
Partner at Morgan, Brown & Joy
Catherine Scott is a partner at Morgan, Brown & Joy and serves as President of the Federal Bar Association, Massachusetts Chapter.
Claudia Lagos
Partner at Scully & Lagos
Claudia Lagos is a partner at Scully & Lagos, specializing in criminal defense and civil rights litigation.
David D’Addio
Assistant U.S. Attorney, Deputy Chief, Criminal Division at U.S. Attorney's Office
David D’Addio serves as Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division in the U.S. Attorney's Office, focusing on complex criminal cases.
David Lowy
General Counsel at University of Massachusetts
David Lowy serves as General Counsel for the University of Massachusetts and is a retired Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.
Denise J. Casper
Chief U.S. District Judge at U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Chief Judge Denise J. Casper leads the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, known for her leadership and judicial acumen.
Donald L. Cabell
Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge at U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Chief Magistrate Judge Donald L. Cabell serves in Massachusetts, recognized for his contributions to the judiciary.
F. Dennis Saylor IV
Senior U.S. District Judge at U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV is a Senior U.S. District Judge in Massachusetts, known for his leadership and judicial service.
F. Dennis Saylor, IV
Senior U.S. District Judge at United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
F. Dennis Saylor, IV is a Senior U.S. District Judge with a distinguished career in federal jurisprudence.
Indira Talwani
U.S. District Judge at U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Judge Indira Talwani is a U.S. District Judge in Massachusetts, noted for her commitment to justice and legal excellence.
Jessica D. Hedges
U.S. Magistrate Judge at U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Judge Jessica D. Hedges serves as a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Massachusetts, recognized for her legal expertise.
Jessica Thrall
Assistant Federal Public Defender at Federal Public Defender's Office
Jessica Thrall serves as an Assistant Federal Public Defender, advocating for clients in federal court.
Jonathan Choi
Professor of Law at Washington University School of Law
Professor Jonathan Choi teaches at Washington University School of Law, focusing on tax law and legal technology.
Josh R. Bullock
Panel Executive at Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
Josh R. Bullock is the Panel Executive for the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, overseeing complex civil cases.
Judith G. Dein
U.S. Magistrate Judge at U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Judge Judith G. Dein serves as a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Massachusetts, known for her dedication to justice.
Julia E. Kobick
U.S. District Judge at U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Judge Julia E. Kobick serves on the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, noted for her legal expertise.
Katherine C. Ferguson
First Assistant U.S. Attorney at U.S. Attorney's Office
Katherine Ferguson is the First Assistant U.S. Attorney, overseeing federal prosecutions with a commitment to the rule of law.
Ketanji Brown Jackson
U.S. Supreme Court Justice at Supreme Court of the United States
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson serves on the U.S. Supreme Court, bringing a wealth of judicial experience and a commitment to upholding the Constitution.
Leah Foley
U.S. Attorney at U.S. Attorney's Office
Leah Foley serves as a U.S. Attorney, prosecuting federal cases with a focus on justice and integrity.
Louis W. Tompros
Partner at WilmerHale
Louis Tompros is a partner at WilmerHale, focusing on intellectual property litigation.
Madeline Cox Arleo
U.S. District Judge at U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
Judge Madeline Cox Arleo serves on the U.S. District Court in New Jersey, recognized for her contributions to federal jurisprudence.
Margaret R. Guzman
U.S. District Judge at U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Judge Margaret R. Guzman serves as a U.S. District Judge in Massachusetts, recognized for her commitment to justice.
Melissa Maxman
Managing Partner, Washington Office at Cohen & Gresser LLP
Melissa Maxman is the managing partner of Cohen & Gresser's Washington office, focusing on antitrust and complex litigation.
Melissa Murray
Professor of Law at NYU School of Law
Professor Melissa Murray is a distinguished legal scholar at NYU School of Law, specializing in constitutional law and reproductive rights.
Meredith Leary
Member at Mintz
Meredith Leary is a member at Mintz, specializing in complex litigation and regulatory compliance.
Michael J. Klarman
Charles Warren Professor of American Legal History at Harvard Law School
Professor Michael J. Klarman is a legal historian at Harvard Law School, specializing in constitutional law and history.
Michael Packard
Partner at Quinn Emanuel
Michael Packard is a partner at Quinn Emanuel, focusing on white-collar criminal defense and complex litigation.
Myong J. Joun
U.S. District Judge at U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Judge Myong J. Joun serves on the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, noted for his legal expertise.
Naomi Shatz
Partner at Zalkind, Duncan & Bernstein LLP
Naomi Shatz is a partner at Zalkind, Duncan & Bernstein LLP, specializing in civil rights and employment law.
Nathaniel M. Gorton
Senior U.S. District Judge at U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton serves as a Senior U.S. District Judge in Massachusetts, known for his extensive judicial experience.
Oscar Cruz
First Assistant Federal Public Defender at Federal Public Defender's Office
Oscar Cruz is the First Assistant Federal Public Defender, dedicated to defending the rights of the accused.
Patti B. Saris
Senior U.S. District Judge at U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Judge Patti B. Saris has served as a U.S. District Judge in Massachusetts, known for her dedication to justice and legal scholarship.
Paul G. Lannon
Partner at Holland & Knight LLP
Paul Lannon is a partner at Holland & Knight LLP, specializing in higher education law and employment litigation.
Paul G. Levenson
U.S. Magistrate Judge at U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Judge Paul G. Levenson is a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Massachusetts, known for his dedication to the legal community.
Peter Cary
Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge at U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Maine
Judge Peter Cary is the Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge in Maine, overseeing complex bankruptcy cases.
Scott Lauer
Assistant Federal Public Defender at Federal Public Defender's Office
Scott Lauer is an Assistant Federal Public Defender, dedicated to defending individuals in federal criminal cases.
Tara Allen
Federal Public Defender at Federal Public Defender's Office
Tara Allen is the Federal Public Defender, advocating for indigent defendants in federal court.
Event Details
- Date
- October 15, 2025
- Location
- 🇺🇸 Boston, United States
- Boston Marriott Newton
- Audience
- Legal professionals, including attorneys, judges, and legal scholars.