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.
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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!
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| 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.
Moderator
Rachel Cooper, McMillan LLP, Toronto, ON
Michael Papageorge, PPG Consulting, Phoenix, AZ
Mark Rowe, Techtronic Industries – TTI, Greenville, SC
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| 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.
Jeffrey E. Elkins, Shook Hardy, Kansas City, MO
Samuel G. Sudler, SEA, Ltd, Glen Burnie, MD
Todd Hetrick, Exponent, Chicago, IL |
| 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.
Carl Dolente, SEA, Ltd, Glen Burnie, MD
Richard Hollenbach, Exponent, Atlanta, GA
Kristen Lussier, ESi, Conroe, TX
Andrew Paris, Jensen Hughes, Minnetonka, MN |
| 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.
Shannon Kos, McCoy Leavitt Laskey, Ann Arbor, MI
Perry Hopkins, ESi, Peachtree Corners, GA |
| 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.
Nicholas Siewert, McCoy Leavitt Laskey, LLC, Ann Arbor, MI
Matthew G. Strader, Advanced Engineering Investigations (AEI), Littleton, CO |
| 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.
Jason Sutula, PhD, SEA, Ltd, Glen Burnie, MD
Sarah Eibling, Nelson Mullins, Columbia, SC |
| 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.
Brandan Mueller, Husch Blackwell, St. Louis, MO
Holly Stanford, U-Haul, Phoenix, AZ
Amy Gray, ESi, Miami, FL |
| 11:25 a.m. |
Playing with Ethical Fire (and Not Getting Burned)
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!
David Roth, Bradley Arant, Birmingham, AL
Nicole Jones, Bradley Arant, Birmingham, AL |
| 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.
DRI's Fire Science and Litigation Seminar is proudly supported by:
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
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.