Mass-Tort MDL Leadership Bench-Bar Leadership Summit 2026
The Mass-Tort MDL Leadership Bench-Bar Leadership Summit 2026 is a premier event organized by the Rabiej Litigation Law Center, scheduled to take place on July 16, 2026, at the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. This summit aims to bring together federal judges, practicing lawyers, and legal experts to discuss and develop best practices in managing mass-tort multidistrict litigations (MDLs).
Key topics to be addressed include the implementation of single consolidated master pleadings, joint training of Technology-Assisted Review (TAR) and generative AI for document discovery, and a panel discussion where judges will reflect on procedures they would reconsider in hindsight. Additionally, the summit will explore the establishment of optional deadlines for case resolution and propose best practices for common-benefit fee assessments in mass-tort MDLs.
The event will feature five panels comprising 10 to 15 federal judges and 20 to 25 practicing lawyers and experts. This intimate setting is designed to foster in-depth discussions and collaborative development of practical solutions. Attendees are expected to actively participate in these discussions, contributing to the drafting of best practices post-summit.
Legal professionals involved in mass-tort MDLs, including attorneys, judges, and legal scholars, are encouraged to attend. The summit offers a unique opportunity to engage with peers, gain insights into emerging challenges, and contribute to shaping the future of mass-tort litigation practices.
Speakers(34)
Adam Hoeflich
Professor of Law at Northwestern University School of Law
Professor Adam Hoeflich is a faculty member at Northwestern University School of Law, focusing on mass torts and complex litigation.
Alex Parkinson
Partner at Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick, PLLC
Alex Parkinson is a partner at Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick, PLLC, focusing on complex commercial litigation.
Alyson Jones
Partner at Butler Snow LLP
Alyson Jones is a partner at Butler Snow LLP, focusing on product liability and mass tort litigation.
Alyson Oliver
Managing Partner at Oliver Law Group
Alyson Oliver is the managing partner at Oliver Law Group, focusing on mass tort and class action litigation.
Charlie Stern
Partner at Nachawati Law Group
Charlie Stern is a partner at Nachawati Law Group, focusing on mass tort and personal injury litigation.
Cliff Merrell
Shareholder at Greenberg Traurig LLP
Cliff Merrell is a shareholder at Greenberg Traurig LLP, specializing in product liability and mass tort litigation.
Deborah Greenspan
Partner at Blank Rome LLP
Deborah Greenspan is a partner at Blank Rome LLP, specializing in mass tort and complex litigation.
Edward Dumoulin
Partner at Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum LLP
Edward Dumoulin is a partner at Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum LLP, specializing in complex commercial litigation.
Emily Kent
Director at PwC
Emily Kent is a director at PwC, specializing in forensic services and litigation support.
Erica Zolner
Partner at Redgrave LLP
Erica Zolner is a partner at Redgrave LLP, focusing on eDiscovery and information governance.
Geoffrey Coan
Partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP
Geoffrey Coan is a partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, focusing on product liability and mass tort litigation.
Hon. Darrin Gayles
District Judge at Southern District of Florida
Hon. Darrin Gayles serves as a District Judge in the Southern District of Florida, presiding over complex civil litigation cases.
Hon. Hope Cannon
Magistrate Judge at Northern District of Florida
Hon. Hope Cannon serves as a Magistrate Judge in the Northern District of Florida, with experience in complex litigation matters.
Hon. Joy Flowers Conti
Senior District Judge at Western District of Pennsylvania
Hon. Joy Flowers Conti serves as a Senior District Judge in the Western District of Pennsylvania, with extensive experience in complex litigation.
Hon. Leigh Martin May
District Judge at Northern District of Georgia
Hon. Leigh Martin May serves as a District Judge in the Northern District of Georgia, with experience in mass tort and complex litigation.
Hon. Matthew Kennelly
District Judge at Northern District of Illinois
Hon. Matthew Kennelly serves as a District Judge in the Northern District of Illinois, presiding over complex civil litigation cases.
Hon. Melanie Cyganowski
Former Chief Judge at Otterbourg
Hon. Melanie Cyganowski is a former Chief Judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York and currently serves as a partner at Otterbourg.
Jacksy Bilsborrow
Partner at Weitz & Luxenberg PC
Jacksy Bilsborrow is a partner at Weitz & Luxenberg PC, focusing on mass tort and personal injury litigation.
Jen Alpert
Vice President at Rubris, Inc.
Jen Alpert is the Vice President at Rubris, Inc., specializing in legal technology solutions.
Jennifer Greenblatt
Partner at Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum LLP
Jennifer Greenblatt is a partner at Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum LLP, specializing in complex litigation.
Jessica Wilson
Partner at DLA Piper
Jessica Wilson is a partner at DLA Piper, specializing in product liability and mass tort litigation.
Kelly Iverson
Partner at Lynch Carpenter LLP
Kelly Iverson is a partner at Lynch Carpenter LLP, specializing in class action and mass tort litigation.
Khaldoun Baghdadi
Partner at Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger
Khaldoun Baghdadi is a partner at Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger, specializing in personal injury and mass tort litigation.
Kim Brooke
Partner at DLA Piper
Kim Brooke is a partner at DLA Piper, focusing on complex litigation and mass tort defense.
Lori Cohen
Partner at Greenberg Traurig LLP
Lori Cohen is a partner at Greenberg Traurig LLP, focusing on complex litigation and mass tort defense.
Michael Zogby
Partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Michael Zogby is a partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP, specializing in product liability and mass tort defense.
Myriam E. Gilles
Professor of Law at Northwestern University School of Law
Professor Myriam E. Gilles is a faculty member at Northwestern University School of Law, specializing in mass tort litigation and class actions.
Palmer Lambert
Partner at Pendley, Baudin & Coffin LLP
Palmer Lambert is a partner at Pendley, Baudin & Coffin LLP, focusing on mass tort and personal injury litigation.
Paul Doolittle
Partner at Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo LLC
Paul Doolittle is a partner at Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo LLC, focusing on mass tort and class action litigation.
Peter Rotolo
Partner at Chaffe McCall LLP
Peter Rotolo is a partner at Chaffe McCall LLP, specializing in complex litigation and mass tort defense.
Shannon McClure
Partner at Blank Rome LLP
Shannon McClure is a partner at Blank Rome LLP, specializing in complex litigation and mass tort defense.
Sheila Birnbaum
Partner at Dechert LLP
Sheila Birnbaum is a partner at Dechert LLP, renowned for her expertise in product liability and mass tort litigation.
Stephen McConnell
Partner at Reed Smith LLP
Stephen McConnell is a partner at Reed Smith LLP, specializing in product liability and mass tort defense.
William Monahan
Partner at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
William Monahan is a partner at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, focusing on complex commercial litigation.
Event Details
- Date
- July 16, 2026
- Location
- 🇺🇸 Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law
- Pricing
- $950
- Audience
- Legal professionals involved in mass-tort MDLs, including attorneys, judges, and legal scholars.
- CLE Credits
- CLE accreditation pending
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