Mass-Tort MDL Leadership Bench-Bar Leadership Summit 2026
The Mass-Tort MDL Leadership Bench-Bar Leadership Summit 2026 is a premier event organized by the Rabiej Litigation Law Center, scheduled to take place on July 16, 2026, at the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. This summit aims to bring together federal judges, practicing lawyers, and legal experts to discuss and develop best practices in managing mass-tort multidistrict litigations (MDLs).
Key topics to be addressed include the implementation of single consolidated master pleadings, joint training of Technology-Assisted Review (TAR) and generative AI for document discovery, and a panel discussion where judges will reflect on procedures they would reconsider in hindsight. Additionally, the summit will explore the establishment of optional deadlines for case resolution and propose best practices for common-benefit fee assessments in mass-tort MDLs.
The event will feature five panels comprising 10 to 15 federal judges and 20 to 25 practicing lawyers and experts. This intimate setting is designed to foster in-depth discussions and collaborative development of practical solutions. Attendees are expected to actively participate in these discussions, contributing to the drafting of best practices post-summit.
Legal professionals involved in mass-tort MDLs, including attorneys, judges, and legal scholars, are encouraged to attend. The summit offers a unique opportunity to engage with peers, gain insights into emerging challenges, and contribute to shaping the future of mass-tort litigation practices.
Speakers(38)
Adam Hoeflich
Professor of Law at Northwestern University School of Law
Professor Adam Hoeflich is a faculty member at Northwestern University School of Law, focusing on mass torts and complex litigation.
Alex Parkinson
Partner at Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick, PLLC
Alex Parkinson is a partner at Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick, PLLC, specializing in complex commercial litigation.
Alyson Jones
Partner at Butler Snow LLP
Alyson Jones is a partner at Butler Snow LLP, specializing in product liability and mass tort litigation.
Alyson Oliver
Partner at Oliver Law Group
Alyson Oliver is a partner at Oliver Law Group, specializing in mass tort and class action litigation.
Charlie Stern
Partner at Nachawati Law Group
Charlie Stern is a partner at Nachawati Law Group, specializing in mass tort and personal injury litigation.
Cliff Merrell
Partner at Greenberg Traurig LLP
Cliff Merrell is a partner at Greenberg Traurig LLP, focusing on product liability and mass tort litigation.
Deborah Greenspan
Partner at Blank Rome LLP
Deborah Greenspan is a partner at Blank Rome LLP, focusing on complex litigation and mass tort defense.
Edward Dumoulin
Partner at Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum LLP
Edward Dumoulin is a partner at Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum LLP, specializing in complex commercial litigation.
Emily Kent
Director at PwC
Emily Kent is a director at PwC, focusing on forensic services and litigation support.
Erica Zolner
Partner at Redgrave LLP
Erica Zolner is a partner at Redgrave LLP, specializing in eDiscovery and information governance.
Geoffrey Coan
Partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP
Geoffrey Coan is a partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, focusing on product liability and mass tort defense.
Hon. Darrin Gayles
District Judge at Southern District of Florida
Hon. Darrin Gayles serves as a District Judge in the Southern District of Florida, presiding over complex civil and criminal cases.
Hon. David Proctor
District Judge at Northern District of Alabama
Hon. David Proctor serves as a District Judge in the Northern District of Alabama, handling complex civil litigation.
Hon. Hope Cannon
Magistrate Judge at Northern District of Florida
Hon. Hope Cannon serves as a Magistrate Judge in the Northern District of Florida, overseeing pretrial proceedings in complex cases.
Hon. Joy Flowers Conti
Senior District Judge at Western District of Pennsylvania
Hon. Joy Flowers Conti serves as a Senior District Judge in the Western District of Pennsylvania, presiding over complex civil litigation.
Hon. Leigh Martin May
District Judge at Northern District of Georgia
Hon. Leigh Martin May serves as a District Judge in the Northern District of Georgia, overseeing a diverse docket of civil and criminal cases.
Hon. Matthew Kennelly
District Judge at Northern District of Illinois
Hon. Matthew Kennelly serves as a District Judge in the Northern District of Illinois, presiding over complex civil cases.
Hon. Melanie L. Cyganowski (Ret.)
Former Chief Judge at Otterbourg
Hon. Melanie Cyganowski is a former Chief Judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York, now practicing at Otterbourg.
Jacksy Bilsborrow
Partner at Weitz & Luxenberg PC
Jacksy Bilsborrow is a partner at Weitz & Luxenberg PC, specializing in mass tort and personal injury litigation.
Jen Alpert
Executive at Rubris, Inc.
Jen Alpert is an executive at Rubris, Inc., overseeing operations and strategic initiatives.
Jennifer Greenblatt
Partner at Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum LLP
Jennifer Greenblatt is a partner at Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum LLP, focusing on complex litigation and mass tort defense.
Jessica Wilson
Partner at DLA Piper
Jessica Wilson is a partner at DLA Piper, focusing on product liability and mass tort litigation.
John Rabiej
Rabiej Litigation Law Center
John Rabiej is the Executive Director of the Rabiej Litigation Law Center, overseeing the organization's initiatives and events.
Kelly Iverson
Partner at Lynch Carpenter LLP
Kelly Iverson is a partner at Lynch Carpenter LLP, focusing on complex litigation and mass tort defense.
Khaldoun Baghdadi
Partner at Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger
Khaldoun Baghdadi is a partner at Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger, specializing in personal injury and mass tort litigation.
Kim Brooke
Partner at DLA Piper
Kim Brooke is a partner at DLA Piper, specializing in complex commercial litigation.
Lori Cohen
Partner at Greenberg Traurig LLP
Lori Cohen is a partner at Greenberg Traurig LLP, focusing on complex litigation and mass tort defense.
Michael C. Zogby
Partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Michael Zogby is a partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP, focusing on complex litigation and mass tort defense.
Myriam E. Gilles
Professor of Law at Northwestern University School of Law
Professor Myriam E. Gilles is a faculty member at Northwestern University School of Law, specializing in mass tort litigation and class actions.
Palmer Lambert
Partner at Pendley, Baudin & Coffin LLP
Palmer Lambert is a partner at Pendley, Baudin & Coffin LLP, specializing in mass tort and personal injury litigation.
Paul Doolittle
Partner at Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo LLC
Paul Doolittle is a partner at Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo LLC, specializing in mass tort and class action litigation.
Peter Rotolo
Partner at Chaffe McCall LLP
Peter Rotolo is a partner at Chaffe McCall LLP, focusing on complex litigation and mass tort defense.
Professor Adam Hoeflich
Professor of Law at Northwestern University School of Law
Professor Adam Hoeflich is a faculty member at Northwestern University School of Law, with expertise in complex litigation and mass torts.
Professor Myriam E. Gilles
Professor of Law at Northwestern University School of Law
Professor Myriam E. Gilles is a faculty member at Northwestern University School of Law, specializing in mass tort litigation and class actions.
Shannon McClure
Partner at Blank Rome LLP
Shannon McClure is a partner at Blank Rome LLP, focusing on complex litigation and mass tort defense.
Sheila Birnbaum
Partner at Dechert LLP
Sheila Birnbaum is a partner at Dechert LLP, renowned for her expertise in product liability and mass tort litigation.
Stephen J. McConnell
Partner at Reed Smith LLP
Stephen McConnell is a partner at Reed Smith LLP, specializing in product liability and mass tort litigation.
William Monahan
Partner at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
William Monahan is a partner at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, specializing in complex commercial litigation.
Event Details
- Date
- July 16, 2026
- Location
- 🇺🇸 Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law
- Pricing
- $950
- Audience
- Legal professionals involved in mass-tort MDLs, including attorneys, judges, and legal scholars.
- CLE Credits
- CLE accreditation pending
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