Jessie Zeigler – Bass Berry & Sims (Nashville, TN)
David Suchar – Maslon (Minneapolis, MN)
Karen Simonson – Medtronic
Todd Sorenson – Capella University

Res Ipsa Loquitur, Latin for “the thing speaks for itself,” can be a windfall-evidentiary doctrine for plaintiffs, especially in products liability litigation. The doctrine often confirms a juror’s suspicion that “something must have gone wrong for this to happen” and shifts the burden to the manufacturer to prove an alternative cause. From voir dire through closing, trial lawyer Ray Lewis will share proven strategies for attacking and silencing res ipsa loquitur.

Given the proliferation of litigation involving opioids, opioid cases have become the “new tobacco” of mass tort litigation. Trial lawyer Jessie Zeigler will address how plaintiffs are framing these cases and provide insights into how claims against manufacturers of all types of products, well beyond pharmaceuticals, are being pursued, and how product manufacturers can prepare against a litigation wave like this in the future.

People can see legal disputes in a “David v. Goliath” context – the under-resourced individual standing against a well-funded, multi-billion dollar corporation. But corporations have amazing backstories, compelling missions and positive impacts in their communities. In this presentation, Maslon’s Steve Schleicher will address messaging against corporate bias at all stages of litigation – from motion practice to trial, including evidentiary issues and best practices.

Whether you are requesting centralization from the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation or addressing such a motion to transfer by the opposing party, there are numerous factors to consider when faced with the decision to centralize federal products liability cases in a multidistrict litigation pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1407(a). This panel will explore those initial considerations in the MDL process and beyond, including: the number of cases currently filed; the potential growth of litigation with common questions of fact; the likelihood of inconsistent rulings and competing scheduling orders; the volume of potential discovery; the selection of venue and judge for the transferee court; increased media attention and legal advertising concerning the pharmaceutical, mass tort or products liability litigation; the ease of resolution, including trial or settlement; and whether, in the absence of a MDL, coordination orders will be agreed upon and/or entered.

Panelists:
Kathy DiGiorno – Medtronic
Leanne Matchen – UnitedHealth Group
Nicole Narotzky – Maslon (Minneapolis, MN)
Lee Hollis – Lightfoot Franklin & White (Birmingham, AL)

Trial lawyers must recognize that jurors bring innate and understandable biases to their decision-making process. Most jurors, for example, believe that more warnings or safety features will prevent most accidents. In this session, Harlan Prater will address how to craft an opening statement that will catch the jurors’ attention and capitalize on how jurors use cognitive shortcuts to process unfamiliar information and make decisions.

The rapid technological development of connected devices requires fresh and constant attention to physical and cybersecurity. However, with the lack of special legislation, courts look to traditional legal principles to apply to these increasingly complex issues. This presentation will explore cybersecurity, privacy, and ethical data collection issues that must be considered with the rapid development of technology, including the legal implications of advanced technology and privacy considerations when collecting and using data.

This panel will address the disparity between how lawyers and their clients view experts and how everyone else in the courtroom views them. Topics of discussion will include: making sure the views are similar or different (depending on the expert); considerations of client input when retaining experts; expert experience and demeanor; and jury bias against certain kinds of experts.

Panelists:
Erin Davenport – Johnson Brothers Liquor Company
Mary Clift Abdalla – Forman Watkins & Krutz (Jackson, MS)
Ericka Downie – Goodell DeVries Leech & Dann (Baltimore, MD)

Track A: Tales from the Frontlines
Moderator: Todd Ohlms — Freeborn & Peters (Chicago, IL)

Room: Fjords 4

Todd Ohlms from Chicago’s Freeborn & Peters will lead a round table discussion regarding issues raised in recent products liability trials, including necessity and sufficiency of written product warnings, reasonably anticipated use of products, a defendant’s knowledge of potential dangers of its products and use of shadow juries to provide feedback during trials.

Group Panelists:
Robert Stokes – Tennant Company
Mary Anne Mellow – Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard (St. Louis, MO)
John Buckley – Nixon Peabody (Chicago, IL)
Jim Frederick – Goodell DeVries Leech & Dann (Baltimore, MD)

Track B: Best Practices for Accident Investigations
Moderator: Bill Hubbard — Thompson Hine (Cleveland, OH)

Room: Fjords 3

There is key evidence to be gained and preserved in the hours and days following a workplace accident or environmental release. Unfortunately, the call to action never comes at a convenient time. Smart companies plan ahead and have accident investigation protocols in place in advance of any incident. Hear in-house counsel discuss lessons learned from accident and workplace investigations, and how those investigations have informed their company’s accident investigation protocols.

Group Panelists:
Ryan Siekmann – S-E-A Limited
Bobby Hood, Jr. – Hood Law Firm (Charleston, SC)
Jessie Zeigler – Bass Berry & Sims (Nashille, TN)

Track C: Preventing Product Liability Claims Before They Arise and How Prevention Affects Settlement
Moderator: Tom Myrick — Moore & Van Allen (Charlotte, NC)

Room: Fjords 2

Participants in this interactive session will discuss various components of product liability law, including contractual language used to limit product liability, how the UCC plays into product liability claims, product recalls, and getting the most from preventative measures when looking ahead to settlement or trial.

Group Panelists:
Spiwe Jefferson – Christ Light Productions
Ericka Downie – Goodell DeVries Leech & Dann (Baltimore, MD)
Ray Lewis – Deutsch Kerrigan (New Orleans, LA)

Rule 45 subpoenas in which the requesting party seeks extensive information from a non-party, including ESI, can place non-parties in an extremely uncomfortable position. In products liability cases, important ESI is often in the possession of non-parties, including first responders, healthcare providers, insurers and/or a plaintiff’s employer. While compliance with Rule 45 subpoenas may force a non-party to incur exorbitant expenses, Rule 45 includes protections for non-parties that all attorneys should be aware of. With an emphasis on the use of non-party subpoenas in the product liability context, trial lawyer Scott Etish will address how to utilize Rule 45 to comply with and object to third-party subpoenas in a cost-effective manner and provide practical advice on seeking to shift costs, including attorneys’ fees, onto the requesting party.

As social media proliferates and evolves, questions remain unsettled and courts divided. The panel will discuss how social media shapes the duties of competency, evidence preservation, and confidentiality, in addition to addressing how social media may be used for investigations, discovery, and trial.

Panelists:
Susan Sheely – Self Esteem Brands
Katie Maechler – Maslon (Minneapolis, MN)
Greg Marshall – Snell & Wilmer (Phoenix, AZ)