2024 DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar

Name: 2024 Asbestos Medicine Seminar | DRI
Start: 2024-11-06T12:00
End: 2024-11-08T13:00
Location: Caesars Palace

November 6–8, 2024
Caesars Palace | Las Vegas, Nevada

Go "All In" and Join Us in Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada!

Register by November 5 to save up to $500!
View registration information here.

This year’s seminar will bring together a superb lineup of medical and scientific experts, top-tier litigators, and timely topics. Plus, enjoy unforgettable events designed to promote insightful discussions and meaningful networking opportunities.

This is a must-attend event that will also feature the debut of the new Asbestos Medicine Committee. With the introduction of our new committee, DRI is proud to show its commitment to this important area of practice. Don’t miss your chance to dive deep with other committee members into defense strategies and methods that will best serve your clients.

What You Will Learn:

The science behind memory.
The medical perspective about diagnoses and how genetics factor into non-smoking lung cancer and mesothelioma cases.
Union knowledge of the hazards of asbestos.
The latest EPA updates.
Lessons learned in asbestos and talc trials from top litigators.
How to use artificial intelligence in your everyday practice without compromising client data.
The different experiences of Hispanic and Latino attorneys in the third installment of our multi-year diversity initiative.

Expand Your Network By:

Attending the much-anticipated Golf Tournament on Tuesday, November 5.
Forging connections through the Premier Networking Reception, included with your registration fee.
Joining the two special breakout sessions for young lawyers and those who practice in talc litigation.
Meeting defense counsel from across the US, in-house attendees, and members of the Insurance industry.
Exploring the trails of Red Rock Canyon—just 30 minutes from Caesar’s Palace—on Friday after the seminar.

Counsel Meetings with Major Companies
Take advantage of the opportunity to engage with key industry companies* including:

Eaton Corporation
Eckert Seamans
The Hartford
Hawkins Parnell
Lewis Brisbois
Nissan
Travelers
Volvo
Womble Bond Dickinson

*Subject to change

Representatives from These Insurance Companies Will Be in Attendance
Engage with in-house counsel and claims executives*:

BITCO Insurance Companies
Hanover Insurance Group
Nationwide Insurance
Travelers Insurance Company

*Subject to change

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Thank You to DRI's Committee Leadership
Registration & Networking Information
Agenda with Speakers
Headquarters Hotel Information
CLE Information
Sponsors
Other Information

Thank You to DRI's Asbestos Medicine Planning Leadership

**Bruce T. Bishop**
Program Co-Vice Chair

**Mahsa Kashani Tippins**
Program Co-Vice Chair

Registration Information

Save up to $500 when you register on or before November 5, 2024!

	Member Pricing	Non-Member Pricing	Non-Member Bundle ^
Regular Registration* (Now thru Nov. 5)	$1,595	$1,995	$1,915
Onsite Registration	$1,695	$2,095	$2,015
Group Registration (Non-Sponsored)**	$1,095 per person	$1,095 per person	$1,095 per person
Government	Government members will receive the applicable government rate for the seminar upon login. If the government rate does not appear after logging in, please call DRI directly at (312) 795-1101 to receive the discounted rate. Invoices can be sent after purchase upon request.

Not a DRI Member? Select the Non-Member Bundle and Save!

^ Not a DRI Member and want to save on your registration? Take advantage of the Non-Member / Trial Membership Bundle when you register for the DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar. Select the bundle and get up to 9 months of membership with the membership add-on when you check out. Note: Trial membership processing can take up to 30 days from the date of purchase, please contact DRI Customer Service with any questions.

Learn more about membership at DRI and get started on your DRI journey today!

*If your membership recently lapsed, please renew your membership prior to registering to ensure you receive your discounted member rate. If you would like to join DRI to receive the member pricing and see the benefits of becoming a member, click here to go to the Application page.

**Group registration is for registering four or more attendees, members and non-members. There is one free registration with every 10 registrations. You must lock in the rate three weeks prior to the seminar. If you want to register for the group pricing, fill out the form here (online registration is not available for this offering).

Networking Events

Premier Networking Reception | Cheri Rooftop
Sponsored by: ABC

Date: Thursday, November 7 from 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Pricing: Free when you register for the seminar
Location: Paris Hotel and Casino, 3655 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Step into a Parisian escape with your fellow DRI lawyers! Join us for the DRI Premier Networking Reception on Thursday, November 7 from 6:00–8:00 p.m., amid the legal minds of the Asbestos Medicine and Appellate Advocacy Seminars. Connect with fellow attorneys atop the Cheri rooftop at the Paris hotel — an oasis of chic tranquility under the glow of the Eiffel Tower. Savor light appetizers and toast with a drink from the open bar or our signature DRI mocktail as you forge valuable relationships in the heart of celebration. Don't miss this perfect blend of professional growth and social elegance.

Agenda with Speakers

*Schedule and Speakers subject to change

Golf Outing (Tuesday, November 5, 2024)

Join us Tuesday morning for the DRI Asbestos Golf Outing at Las Vegas National Golf Course! Contact Erin Cowin at ecowin@hpylaw.com for any questions.

Location: Las Vegas National, 1911 E Desert Inn Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89169
Time: Tee times starting at 8:30 a.m.
Price: $172/player; $69 rental clubs

Organized by:
Douglas Simek, Hawkins Parnell & Young, Dallas, TX
Robert C. Manlowe, Williams Kastner, Seattle, WA

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Time (Pacific)	Program
12:00 p.m.	Registration Opens
12:30 p.m.	Welcome Lunch for Young Lawyers Get ready to dive into the DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar! Kick off the week with a fiery lunch at Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen at Caesars Palace. Join fellow young lawyers for a chance to engage new colleagues and connect over a devilishly delicious meal. Please meet at the restaurant. Seating is limited; please RSVP to Brianna Bailey at brianna.bailey@cs-law.com. This is a pay-your-own-way event.
2:00 p.m.	Diversity Initiative – The Hispanic and Latino American Lawyer (Joint Session with Appellate Advocacy) In part three of our multi-year diversity initiative, the panel will take a deep dive into what it means to be a Hispanic American or Latino American lawyer at a defense law firm. Our panelists will share their backgrounds and take us through the challenges and triumphs that made them the strong, resilient, and successful attorneys that you see today. The goal of this discussion is to continue creating a thought-provoking discussion that promotes a positive outlook and respectful interactions between all attorneys. Moderators Jonathan Terrell, KCIC, Washington, D.C. Mahsa Kashani Tippins, DCo LLC, Nashville, TN Eduardo J. Medina, Foley & Mansfield PLLP, Miami, FL Lucia V. Pazos, MG+M Law, Miami, FL Edward Ulloa, Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP, Los Angeles, CA Kirsten M. Castañeda, Alexander Dubose & Jefferson, Dallas, TX
3:00 p.m.	Recent Trends, Verdicts and Lessons Learned (Joint Session with Appellate Advocacy) The panel will analyze litigation trends, recent verdicts taken in asbestos and talc litigation, share the lessons learned, and provide ideas on successful paths forward. Michelle Potter, KCIC, Washington, D.C. Carrie S. Lin, MG+M Law, San Francisco, CA Chris Massenburg, MG+M Law, New Orleans, LA
4:00 p.m.	Corporate Representative Depositions in a Post Ramirez World – Dealing with Evidentiary Limitations and Avoiding Irreparable Damage This session will explore the personal knowledge challenges corporate witnesses face today and help you strategize how to find a witness for companies that no longer exist. Anthony J. Sbarra, Segal McCambridge, Boston, MA Dr. Marissa Beyers, Trial Behavior Consulting, Los Angeles, CA
5:00 p.m.	Asbestos Medicine Inaugural Committee Meeting (open to all)
6:00 p.m.	Networking / Cocktail Hour
7:30 p.m.	Dine-Arounds Join colleagues and friends at selected restaurants for dinner (on your own).

Thursday, November 7, 2024

Time (Pacific)	Program
6:45 a.m.	Zumba Start the morning off right with a Zumba class! No equipment is needed, just your workout clothes and bring a water bottle. No cost to attend. Carol Wuesterfeld of Travelers will lead the group.
8:00 a.m.	Registration & Coffee Service
8:30 a.m.	Welcome and Introductions Roman Lifson, Christian & Barton LLP, Richmond, VA Evelyn Fletcher Davis, Hawkins Parnell & Young LLP, Atlanta, GA
8:40 a.m.	The Science of Memory Dr. Deryn Strange is a Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science and an expert on the malleability of memory. Her research focuses on: (1) the causes and consequences of distorted memories for traumatic events; (2) the techniques that elicit false personal or collective memories and whether those false memories can be corrected; and (3) the legal implications of memory distortion. Dr. Strange’s presentation will provide participants with a better understanding of the science of memory and how to identify and address unscientific, but widely held, theories about memory that plaintiffs often advance in litigation. Dr. Deryn Strange, Ph.D., John Jay College, New York, NY
9:40 a.m.	Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Enhanced Legal Practice Join us for an insightful presentation on the transformative impact of artificial intelligence in the legal profession. Heather H. Neubauer, Meagher & Geer, PLLC, Minneapolis, MN
10:10 a.m.	Insights Quick Hit - Best Practice Steps for Every Product Defendant (KCIC) During this insight series attendees will listen to a consultant's observations on successful practices from thirty years of assisting defendant corporations in asbestos litigation. Jonathan Terrell, KCIC, Washington, DC
10:20 a.m.	Insights Quick Hit - Go Paperless. From Complaint to Verdict (ExhibitSuite) ExhibitSuite is the one tool that allows your office to become completely paperless. We bridge your office and the world by eliminating the painstaking task of printing multiple copies of documents for depositions and trials. With ExhibitSuite, you and your team can manage your case files and prepare for both depositions and trials, anywhere, anytime. How? You will show your exhibits to all parties (who may view from their own device, via secure pin) when YOU are ready for them to be shown! Go Paperless! From Complaint to Verdict. Lori Warren (Founder & CEO), ExhibitSuite, Huntsville, AL
10:30 a.m.	Coffee Break
10:45 a.m.	The 10 Most Outrageous Misdiagnoses of Mesothelioma I Have Encountered: What Can We Learn from These Cases? Victor L. Roggli, M.D., Duke School of Medicine, Durham, NC
11:35 a.m.	Unveiling Secrets: Weaving the Fabric of Investigation to Settle Cases and Win at Trial In this presentation, seasoned litigator Robin Silver & Expert investigator Joseph Jones will discuss how to effectively conduct investigation throughout the litigation lifecycle. Practical case studies will be presented on how investigations should be leveraged to locate deeply hidden facts which can change the trajectory of your case. Special emphasis will be given to the unique challenges and opportunities surrounding the use of social media in trials, including proper preservation, how to authenticate and lay the foundation for this game changing evidence. Robin Silver, Miles & Stockbridge, Baltimore, MD Joseph Jones, Bosco Legal Services, Inc., Riverside, CA
12:30 p.m.	DRI Networking Lunch Join all seminar attendees for lunch and networking opportunities that are second to none.
1:00 p.m.	Lessons in Leadership: Sharing & Recognition An inspiring power hour where female influencers in asbestos defense share key insights on leadership and are recognized for outstanding contributions to our industry. Moderators Evelyn Fletcher Davis, Hawkins Parnell, Atlanta, GA Bernadette W. Catalana, Thompson Coe, New York, NY
2:00 p.m.	Young Lawyers Breakout Click on "Young Lawyers Breakout" tab for details.
2:00 p.m.	Talc Breakout Click on "Talc Breakout" tab for details.
2:00 p.m.	Non-Smoking Lung Cancer and Genetics Allan Feingold, M.D., Baptist Health South Florida, Miami, FL Stasha Novakovic, M.D., Baptist Health South Florida, Miami, FL
3:00 p.m.	Genetics and Mesothelioma Gabor Mezei, M.D., Ph.D, Exponent, Worcester, MA
3:00 p.m.	Insurance Roundtable (open to Defense Counsel) Frederick Schaefer, Nationwide, Wausau, WI Alexandra Nassopoulos, Resolute Management, Boston, MA Jay Surdukowski, The Riverstone Group, Concord, NH Amanda Webber, Allianz, Petaluma, CA
3:50 p.m.	Break
4:00 p.m.	Main Stage Quick Hits Series (4:00–5:00 p.m.)
4:00 p.m.	Quick Hits 1: Trial Against the Navy John M. Fitzpatrick, Tanenbaum Keale LLP, Naples, FL
4:15 p.m.	Quick Hits 2: Litigating Claims with Foreign Residents Nicole R. MacKenzie, Williams Kastner, Seattle, WA
4:30 p.m.	Quick Hits 3: Sources Behind the EPA Regulations Kurt L. Rasmussen, Rasmussen Dickey Moore, Kansas City, MO
4:45 p.m.	Quick Hits 4: EPA Update #1 Bruce T. Bishop, Willcox & Savage P.C., Norfolk, VA
5:00 p.m.	Adjourn
6:00 p.m.	Premier Networking Reception \| Cheri Rooftop Click here for details on premier networking reception.
8:00 p.m.	Dine-Arounds Join colleagues and friends at selected restaurants for dinner (on your own).

Friday, November 8, 2024

Time (Pacific)	Program
8:30 a.m.	Registration & Coffee Service
9:00 a.m.	Welcome and Announcements Bruce T. Bishop, Willcox Savage P.C., Norfolk, VA Mahsa Kashani Tippins, DCo LLC, Nashville, TN
9:10 a.m.	Appellate Trends: Spotlight on Failure to Warn Cases (Joint Session with Appellate Advocacy) In this joint session with the DRI Appellate Advocacy Seminar, the panelists will explore developing issues and trends in product liability for failure-to-warn claims, offering insights from the trial and appellate bars, as well as industry. Moderators Robert Wise, Nelson Mullins, Richmond, VA Rory D. Cosgrove, Carney Badley Spellman PS, Seattle, WA Rachel T. Reynolds, Wilson Elser, Seattle, WA Beverly M. Bond, Gordon Rees, Dallas, TX
10:10 a.m.	Coffee Break
10:25 a.m.	Union Knowledge of the Hazards of Asbestos In this session, we will explore union leadership's pivotal role in advocating for workplace safety, specifically focusing on how unions were instrumental in disseminating information about the potential hazards of asbestos in the workplace. We will review how the AFL-CIO influenced government regulations, workplace standards, and the broader understanding of potential asbestos hazards during the last three decades of the 20th century. Unions during this time helped bridge the gap between the medical and scientific communities, government bodies, and the workers themselves. This historical context is important to the jury's consideration of whether a defendant's conduct met the standard of care based on the knowledge available at the time of the alleged exposure. Gary D. Elliston, DeHay & Elliston LLP, Dallas, TX
11:10 a.m.	Genetics and Litigation: Understanding the Significance of Test Results; Strategies and Best Practices for the Pursuit of Relevant Genetic Testing and Information This session will discuss the significance of various types of genetic tests commonly found in medical records and consider effective strategies to overcome systemic challenges to the pursuit of highly relevant genetic testing and results. Kevin P. Greene, Willcox & Savage P.C., Norfolk, VA Kelvin Wyles, Husch Blackwell LLP, Los Angeles, CA
12:00 p.m.	Ethics Session: Duty in Receiverships Edward A. Smallwood, Post & Schell PC, Pittsburgh, PA
1:00 p.m.	Adjourn

Young Lawyers Breakout (Thursday 2:00–5:00 p.m.)

Time (Pacific)	Program
2:00 p.m.	The Associate’s Role in Trial Heather S. Kirkpatrick, DeHay & Elliston, Walnut Creek, CA Bina Ghanaat, Hugo Parker, San Francisco, CA
3:00 p.m.	Demonstration: Showing Young Lawyers How to Get Business Carol G. Snider, Barclay Damon, Buffalo, NY Jay Evans, Segal McCambridge, Pittsburgh, PA Nicholas Fox, Mack Trucks, Inc. (Volvo Group North America, LLC), Greensboro, NC
4:00 p.m.	Knowing Your Dealer, Playing the Cards You are Dealt, and Knowing When to Hold ‘Em Young lawyers will learn how to navigate the unique relationships developed in repeat complex tort cases, and how to best conduct themselves in high-stress litigation scenarios. Jason Elam, Gay Jones & Kuhn PLLC, New Orleans, LA S. Christopher Collier, Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP, Atlanta, GA
5:00 p.m.	Breakout Adjourn

Talc Breakout (Thursday 2:00–5:00 p.m.)

Time (Pacific)	Program
2:00 p.m.	Defending the Ultra-Trace Case Eric D. Cook, Willcox & Savage, Norfolk, VA
2:50 p.m.	Roundtable Discussion of Recent Talc Trials Khaled Taqi-Eddin, Womble Bond Dickinson, San Francisco, CA
3:40 p.m.	Geology Presentation Erik DiMarco, Gordon Rees Scully & Mansukhani, New York, NY
4:05 p.m.	PLM Analysis of Talc for Chrysotile Asbestos Kevin Hynes, King & Spalding, New York, NY
4:30 p.m.	Asbestos Exposure from Cosmetic Facial Makeup Products Mary T. McKelvey, Polsinelli, Los Angeles, CA
5:00 p.m.	Breakout Adjourn

Headquarters Hotel Information

The seminar will take place at Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109.
To contact the hotel directly, call 866.227.5938.

The DRI room block at Caesars Palace is now sold out. Please use the link below to reserve a room at a nearby available hotel The most convenient hotel options near Caesar’s Palace include the Hilton Grand Vacations Club at the Flamingo, the Paris Las Vegas Resort and Casino, the Venetian Resort Las Vegas, and the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino.

Alternative Hotels

If you are planning on attending the seminar and have not secured a hotel reservation, search for hotel availability via our trusted partner aRes Travel**. Book online or call 1-800-559-3186 for assistance; for International callers 1-619-546-5773.

**aRes Travel is a third-party travel planner. Rates, deposits, and cancellation policies may vary and are the responsibility of the guest. Questions on hotel policies or payments made on aRes website should be directed to the aRes Reservation Center or to the hotel directly.

Learn More About Caesars Palace!

CLE Information

Earn up to 12.75 hours of continuing legal education hours (CLE), including 1.00 hour of Ethics from this seminar.

View CLE Credit by State

In some states that charge late CLE submission fees, there will be a $100 late fee to report CLE credits submitted more than 30 days after a seminar/virtual event. Click the button below for more details.

CLE Late Fees