| Time (Central) | Session |
|---|
| 7:30 a.m. | Coffee Service
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| 7:30 a.m. | Registration
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| 8:00 a.m. | Welcome and Introductions Thursday's mock trial will follow the fact pattern, as listed below:
The plaintiff, diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma at age 55, alleges her disease was caused by exposure to asbestos- and talc-containing brake products. The defense argues that her germline BAP1 mutation and the absence of markers commonly associated with asbestos-related mesothelioma point to an alternative explanation. |
| 8:15 a.m. | Opening Statements Experienced defense attorneys will demonstrate opening statements from both the plaintiff and defense perspectives. Using the seminar’s mock case, counsel will present competing narratives addressing alleged asbestos exposure, product identification, medical causation, and alternative causation evidence. The presentation will demonstrate how trial attorneys develop persuasive themes, organize complex factual and scientific evidence, anticipate weaknesses in their cases, and communicate effectively with a jury. Presiding Judge: Jerry Popovich, Hawkins Parnell & Young LLP, Santa Ana, CA
Plaintiff’s Lawyer: Erik DiMarco, GRSM
Defense Lawyer: Jeanette S. Riggins, MG+M |
| 9:05 a.m. | Direct and Cross-Examination of Plaintiff In this live trial-skills demonstration, defense attorneys will assume the roles of the plaintiff, plaintiff’s counsel, and defense counsel to present the direct and cross-examination of a plaintiff. The examination will address exposure history, product identification, frequency and duration of alleged exposure, medical history, and an alternative genetic cause of disease. Attendees will observe techniques for developing testimony on direct examination and testing credibility, recollection, and causation testimony through effective cross-examination and impeachment. Presiding Judge: Jerry Popovich, Hawkins Parnell & Young LLP, Santa Ana, CA
Plaintiff: Katharine S. Perry, MG+M
Plaintiff’s Lawyer: Haley L. Hansen, GRSM
Defense Lawyer: Stacey L. Strain, Hubbard Mitchell Williams & Strain |
| 9:45 a.m. | Break |
| 10:00 a.m. | Direct and Cross-Examination of Corporate Representative Defense attorneys assuming the roles of the corporate representative and counsel for both sides will demonstrate the direct and cross-examination of a corporate witness. The examination will address corporate and product history, historical knowledge and practices, warnings, document evidence, and the limits of a corporate representative’s personal and institutional knowledge. The program will highlight techniques for preparing and defending a corporate witness while also demonstrating the strategies opposing counsel may use to challenge the witness and advance a broader corporate-liability narrative. Presiding Judge: Jerry Popovich, Hawkins Parnell & Young LLP, Santa Ana, CA
Corporate Rep: Anthony Sbarra, Segal McCambridge, Milton, MA
Plaintiff’s Lawyer: Kevin E. Deenihan, Dioszeghy, Henry, Deenihan, Ijei LLC, Kansas City, MO
Defense Lawyer: Douglas R. Simek, Hawkins Parnell & Young, Dallas, TX |
| 10:40 a.m. | Presenting the Plaintiff and Defense Causation Theories |
| 11:05 a.m. | Closing Arguments Experienced defense attorneys will present closing arguments from both the plaintiff and defense perspectives following the mock trial presentations. Counsel will demonstrate how advocates use anchoring, synthesize exposure evidence, witness testimony, medical and scientific evidence, and the applicable burden of proof into competing theories of the case. The presentation will highlight techniques for addressing weaknesses in the evidence, responding to opposing arguments, explaining causation to jurors, using jury instructions and the verdict form effectively, and returning to the themes introduced during opening statements. Presiding Judge: Jerry Popovich, Hawkins Parnell & Young LLP, Santa Ana, CA
Defense Lawyer: Laura Kingsley Hong, Tucker Ellis LLP, Cleveland, OH
Plaintiff’s Lawyer: Catherine A. Mohan, McCarter & English, LLP, Boston, MA |
| 12:00 p.m. | DRI Networking Lunch |
| 1:30 p.m. | Live Deliberations Following the mock trial, a live jury will deliberate the case while attendees observe the discussion in real time. Guided by experienced jury consultants, the session will provide a rare opportunity to hear how jurors evaluate attorney presentations, witness credibility, exposure and causation evidence, competing trial themes, and the burden of proof. Attendees will gain insight into which evidence and arguments resonate with jurors, what jurors misunderstand or disregard, and how individual perceptions influence group decision-making. Ryan Malphurs, Ph.D., Delphi Litigation Strategies, Dallas, TX
Alison Richardson, M.A., Delphi Litigation Strategies, Dallas, TX |
| 2:30 p.m. | Jury Verdict and Live Jury Q&A After reaching a verdict, the jurors will participate in a moderated question-and-answer session examining how and why they decided the case. Jurors will discuss the evidence, witnesses, attorneys, and arguments they found most and least persuasive, as well as the factors that influenced their deliberations and ultimate verdict. The session will provide practical insight into how jurors process complex asbestos and medical evidence and how trial lawyers can communicate more effectively with future juries. Ryan Malphurs, Ph.D., Delphi Litigation Strategies, Dallas, TX
Alison Richardson, M.A., Delphi Litigation Strategies, Dallas, TX |
| 3:30 p.m. | AI Jury Presentation with Viewpoints.ai This presentation will explore the emerging use of artificial intelligence to evaluate litigation strategy and predict jury reactions. Using the same mock asbestos case presented to the live jury, Viewpoints.ai will demonstrate how an AI-based jury analyzes the evidence, witnesses, trial themes, and competing arguments. The presenters will compare the AI jury’s assessment and verdict with those of the live jury, highlighting areas of agreement and divergence and discussing the potential uses, limitations, and implications of AI-assisted jury research for trial preparation and litigation strategy. Leo Yeykelis, Viewpoints.ai, Mountain View, CA
Byron Reeves, PhD., Stanford University, Stanford, CA |
| 5:30 p.m. | Adjourn |
| 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Networking Reception | JBJ's Nashville
Sponsored by: Cosmich, DeHay & Elliston LLP, Hawkins Parnell, Heyl Royster, Husch Blackwell, Maron Marvel, Segal McCambridge, Vorys, Williams Kastner Click here for full details on the reception. |
| 7:45 p.m. | Dine-Arounds Join colleagues and friends at selected restaurants for dinner (on your own) |