2025 Fire Science and Litigation Seminar

September 10–12, 2025
Austin Marriott Downtown | Austin, Texas

Austin skyline bridge yellow and orange sky

Light Up the Courtroom with Your Fire Science and Litigation Expertise!

Save up to $700 when you register on or before July 28!
View registration information.

Register Online

This seminar offers a unique, immersive learning experience for professionals in fire investigation, litigation, and product liability. Over three action-packed days, attendees will engage with industry experts through live burn demonstrations, interactive panels, and hands-on case studies. Topics range from the latest technologies in fire investigation, such as drones and smart devices, to defending complex claims involving propane fires, lithium-ion batteries, and wildfire litigation. Participants will also hone their trial skills through mock expert examinations and interactive legal ethics scenarios. With ample networking opportunities and practical insights, this seminar is designed to equip you with the tools and connections needed to succeed in navigating the complexities of fire-related legal matters.

What You Will Learn:

  • Apply real-world fire science principles through immersive experiences, including a live burn demonstration showcasing fire dynamics and flashover events.
  • Sharpen your trial skills by observing and analyzing expert direct and cross-examinations in a simulated product liability fire case.
  • Understand emerging risks and defenses in complex claims involving lithium-ion batteries, propane systems, wind turbines, and wildfires.
  • Leverage modern investigative tools—such as drones, smart devices, and advanced forensic techniques—to analyze fire origins and causes.
  • Gain insights from in-house counsel and industry experts on litigation readiness, incident response, and effective risk management strategies.
  • Stay ethically acute with an interactive session exploring real-life (and unbelievable) legal ethics scenarios that test your judgment and knowledge.

Expand Your Network By:

  • Connecting with industry leaders through dedicated networking opportunities, including a cocktail hour and small group discussions with peers and experts in fire investigation and litigation.
  • Engaging with a diverse group of professionals from various sectors, including product safety, legal, and fire science, to broaden your industry perspective and build meaningful relationships.
  • Participating in hands-on learning experiences like the live burn and expert examinations, offering a unique chance to bond with fellow attendees over shared insights and experiences.
  • Joining the Dine-Arounds to enjoy informal, on-the-go networking with colleagues and new connections at local restaurants, facilitating deeper conversations and long-lasting professional ties.

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

  • Brookdale
  • Ensign Services
  • Magnolia LTC
  • Signature HealthCARE
  • West Bend Mutual Insurance

*Subject to change

Representatives from These Companies Will Be in Attendance
Engage with claims professionals who either hire or supervise outside counsel:

  • TBD

*Subject to change

To save this page as a PDF, click on the "Print Brochure" button and under printer destination select "Save as PDF" or "Print to PDF."
For Android users, some browsers do not support printing.

Print Brochure

Thank You to DRI's Product Liability Committee Leadership

Jennifer Rediehs
Jennifer Rediehs
Program Chair
Allison Weyand
Allison Weyand
Program Vice Chair
Fred E. (Trey) Bourn III
Fred E. (Trey) Bourn III
Committee Chair
Lindsay Lorimer
Lindsay Lorimer
Committee Vice Chair
Mindy Brickman
Mindy Brickman
Law Institute

Join the Product Liability Committee

Registration Information

Save up to $700 when you register on or before July 28, 2025!

Worry-free registration: Cancellations received thirty (30) days or more before an in-person seminar are entitled to a full refund.

Save Your Spot Today

In registering for this seminar, I attest that I devote a substantial portion of my professional time to defending the interests of individuals, business, associations, or governmental entities in civil litigation. I understand that DRI reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to cancel my registration, without a refund, if I do not meet the criteria described above.


Member Pricing Non-Member Pricing Non-Member Bundle ^
Early Bird Registration*
(Now thru July 28)
$1,395 $1,795 $1,715
Regular Registration*
(July 29–Sept. 9)
$1,595 $1,995 $1,915
Onsite Registration* $1,695 $2,095 $2,015
Group Registration
(Non-Sponsored)
Group registration is for registering four or more attendees. Members and non-members receive a 15% discount off the member and non-member rates respective to the time the group registration is initiated (i.e. Early Bird, Regular or On-Site registration periods). There is one free registration with every 10 paid registrations.
If you want to register for the group pricing, fill out the form here. Please note that online registration is not available for this offer.
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 new to DRI? Take advantage of the Non-Member / Trial Membership Bundle and receive up to 9 months of membership when you register for the seminar. You’ll be able to add this special offer to your cart at 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. Please note renewing members and members with recently lapsed memberships are not eligible for a Non-Member Bundle.

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.

Networking Events

Networking Reception at the XXXXX
Sponsored by: ABC

Date: Wednesday, Month Day from 7:00–10:00 p.m.
Pricing: Free when you register for the seminar (guest tickets $100 each, available at check-out)
Location: XXXXX, Address, City, State

TBD.

Hotel Information

The seminar will take place at Austin Marriott Downtown, 304 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701.
To contact the hotel directly, call 512.457.1111.

A limited number of discounted hotel rooms have been made available at the Austin Marriott Downtown. Take advantage of the group rate of $329.00 Single/Double.

Reserve your Room Online

The hotel block is limited, and rooms and rates are available on a first-come, first-served basis. You must make reservations by August 12, 2025, to be eligible for the hotel's group rate. Requests for reservations made after August 12 are subject to room and rate availability.

Full Agenda

*Schedule and Speakers subject to change

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Time (Central) Session
8:00 a.m. Registration
8:00–9:00 a.m. Buses Leave for Live Burn from Hotel
9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Live Burn in Round Rock, TX

Get ready for an unforgettable day of hands-on learning! Join recognized fire science and engineering experts for an action-packed, one-day training that dives deep into the real-world principles of fire dynamics and investigation techniques. Step into the role of an investigator as you explore multiple realistic, pre-burned fire scenarios—and see how theory meets practice. The adrenaline-pumping centerpiece? A live burn demonstration where you’ll witness fire behavior unfold in real time, including the powerful phenomenon of flashover. This is fire science like you’ve never experienced it—up close, immersive, and impossible to replicate from behind a desk!
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, September 11, 2025

Time (Central) Session
8:30 a.m. Registration & Coffee Service
9:00 a.m. Welcome and Introductions

Mindy Brickman, Christovich & Kearney, LLP, New Orleans, LA
Jennifer Rediehs, Goldberg Segalla, Los Angeles, CA
9:15 a.m. We Didn’t Start the Fire: Cause vs Consequence for Li-Ion Battery Claims

Lithium ion (Li-Ion) batteries continue to play a significant role in product liability claims for the products that they power. An important question to be answered in any Li-Ion battery investigation or claim is, was thermal runaway a result of an internal failure or a result of the fire? Thermal runaway in a battery cell can be initiated by an internal failure, but also from the heat of a fire. It is often the case that the state of the evidence after a fire makes it impossible to determine cause vs consequence for a given battery. With the rise of right to repair the necessity to evaluate cause vs consequence extends from the cells into the battery control system and other systems that may have been affected after sale.
9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. DRI Cares | Blessings in a Backpack

Click here for details on DRI Cares.
10:15 a.m. Coffee Break
10:30 a.m. Trial by Fire: Mastering Expert Examinations in Product Liability Examinations

Join us for a mock direct and cross-examination of an expert witness in a product liability fire case, designed for defense lawyers seeking to sharpen their advocacy skills. This session will focus on the strategies behind effective expert examinations, from building a strong, persuasive direct to challenging credibility and exposing weaknesses on cross. The expert, equipped with knowledge of fire origins, product failures, and forensic analysis, will face tough questioning from both sides. The defense will work to solidify the expert’s testimony using key scientific principles and industry standards, while opposing counsel will press on inconsistencies, alternative causation theories, and potential bias. More than just a demonstration, this interactive session will provide practical insights into trial strategy, expert witness preparation, and effective advocacy in complex product liability cases. Whether you're experienced in the courtroom or refining your approach, expect actionable takeaways and real-world litigation tactics.
11:30 a.m. Igniting Knowledge: What Did We Learn from our Live Burn?

Step behind the flames and into the science. This presentation will break down the key insights from the live burn demonstration – what happened, why it happened, and what it means for real-word investigations. We will walk through each station connecting what we saw to practical fire dynamics and scene analysis.
12:45–2:00 p.m. DRI Networking Lunch
2:00 p.m. Ain’t No Sunshine: Investigating Solar Panel Fires

This panel explores the growing concerns of fires in solar panels, examining causes, risk factors, and prevention strategies. The panel will discuss fire detection technologies, design vulnerabilities, maintenance protocols, and the legal and environmental implications of solar panel fires in the expanding world of renewable energy.
3:00 p.m. When it Flames it Roars: Trends in Tomorrow’s Wildfires

Wildfires are growing more frequent, intense, and unpredictable – reshaping risk profiles and legal exposure across industries. This presentation explores emerging wildfire trends driven by climate change, land use, and infrastructure vulnerabilities, with focus on what these developments mean for defense counsel and technical experts.
4:00 p.m. Committee Business Meeting
6:00 p.m. Networking Reception

Join fellow seminar attendees at our Networking Reception. More details to come.
8:00 p.m. Dine-Arounds

Join colleagues and friends at selected restaurants for dinner (on your own).

Friday, September 12, 2025

Time (Central) Session
8:30 a.m. Registration and Coffee Service
9:00 a.m. Welcome and Announcements

Allison Weyand, Frost Brown Todd, Louisville, KY
9:10 a.m. A Collection of Stories: A Fire Investigators Guide to Determining the Cause

Traditional fire investigation methods continue to provide the foundation for identifying the origin and cause of fire-related incidents. Fire dynamics, witness observations, and proper evidence retrieval play a crucial role in understanding what led to a fire event. But how has the science evolved? With technology advancing at an unprecedented pace, modern devices are proving vital for understanding and reverse-engineering fire events, particularly when dealing with a total loss. This presentation will explore a series of case studies that highlight the impact of smart devices, drones, complex commercial systems, and other innovative tools on contemporary fire investigations. Attendees will gain insight into how these modern techniques equip today’s fire investigators with enhanced capabilities for analyzing fire scenes.
10:10 a.m. Break
10:25 a.m. Boom or Bust: Defending Propane Claims in the Hot Seat

Defending propane-related claims requires precision, strategy, and a deep understanding of both the science and the law. This session will explore the most common causes of propane fires and explosions, offering insight into how these incidents typically unfold and where liability risks arise. We'll examine failure-to-warn issues and product liability pitfalls that often trip up even seasoned defense teams. Learn how to construct a robust, science-backed defense using expert evidence that can withstand scrutiny in court. Finally, gain practical takeaways from in-house counsel on litigation readiness, incident response, and how to prepare your clients for the heat of propane-related litigation. Whether you're dealing with a single incident or mass tort potential, this session will help you stay cool under pressure.
11:25 a.m. We Didn’t Start the [Ethical] Fire, Did We?: Burning Ethical Issues

Put your legal ethics instincts to the test in this interactive session. Using five hypotheticals based upon real life examples, the presenters will help the audience unpack five particularly tricky rules of professional conduct. Remember that smoke sometimes shows there is fire… but NOT necessarily where that fire is. And, if you don’t watch out where you going, you just might get burned!
12:25 p.m. Adjourn

CLE Information

Earn up to TBD hours of continuing legal education hours (CLE) 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 here for details on CLE late fees.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

DRI's Fire Science and Litigation Seminar is proudly supported by:

Envista Forensics ESi Exponent logo S-E-A Know.

If you would like to contact DRI about seminar sponsorship opportunities (including pricing) or to reserve a spot, please visit the sponsorship page.

DRI Cares

Blessings in a Backpack

Blessings in a Backpack Who Will Feed the Kids this Weekend?

Please join us in supporting Blessings in a Backpack, an organization that mobilizes communities, individuals, and resources to provide food on the weekends for school-aged children across America who might otherwise go hungry. Seminar attendees will have the opportunity to fill bags of food on the way to the joint networking lunch on Thursday, September 11. Feeding a child before you feed yourself is a wonderful way to support children and families in the Austin community.

Donate to Blessings in a Backpack

Additional Resources

If you have any questions or concerns regarding DRI programs, please contact DRI Customer Service at 312.795.1101 or custservice@dri.org.