Please join us for a Bench-Bar Discussion on
April 10th and 11th, 2025
Mass Torts and Complex Litigation
at GW Law
Where Bench & Bar Meet
2025 Event Agenda Coming Soon

Introduction to the Event & Hotel Information
James F. Humphreys Complex Litigation Center
GWU LAW
2000 H Street NW, Washington DC
April 10th and 11th, 2025
Your co-hosts, Patrick Luff and Mark York, cordially invite you to GW Law Bench & Bar ’25, scheduled for April 10-11, 2025.
This year’s conference will examine critical developments in MDL practices and complex litigation case management, with particular attention to emerging challenges in our evolving legal landscape. The program will explore pressing issues in class actions, ethical considerations in fee arrangements, and the growing role of litigation financing in complex cases.
Building on discussions from previous conferences, including our examination of mass tort bankruptcies, the 2025 program will facilitate essential dialogue between plaintiffs’ and defense counsel. Our sessions emphasize the importance of transparent judicial communication and bipartisan cooperation in managing complex litigation effectively.
The conference continues to serve as a vital forum for leadership figures, executive committee members, and judiciary representatives to develop best practices and innovative approaches for managing extensive dockets.
As always, the conference operates under the Chatham House Rules to promote open and candid discussion: “Participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant may be disclosed.” The success of this conference is made possible through attendees’ registration fees and the generous support from our sponsors.
Welcome

Welcome to the James Humphreys Complex Litigation Center Bench-Bar Forum 2025, held in collaboration with our conference partners and speakers including members of the judiciary. Our Team looks forward to connecting with all participants at this year’s forum, scheduled for April 10-11, 2025.
We extend our gratitude to the program’s co-chairs, Patrick Luff and Mark York, for their thoughtful collaboration in developing this year’s program. Their dedication to bringing together distinguished speakers and creating meaningful dialogue within our legal community continues to enhance the value of this forum.
We are deeply appreciative of the judges who will be taking time away from their demanding schedules to join us, as well as the litigators and experts who will share their insights into the evolving landscape of complex litigation. The opportunity to learn from such accomplished legal minds makes this event truly exceptional.
This forum would not be possible without our GW Law School hosts, whose continued partnership and dedication have been instrumental in connecting our community with leading voices in the legal industry. Their support remains vital to the success of this event.
We also express our sincere appreciation to our sponsors, whose generous support benefits the James F. Humphreys Complex Litigation Center. Your participation and attendance directly contribute to our scholarship fund, enabling us to continue supporting vital student programs.
We encourage all participants to engage actively in the upcoming discussions, share insights, and take advantage of this collaborative learning opportunity. A detailed agenda and complete speaker lineup will be shared as they are finalized.
Thank you for your participation in this year’s forum. We look forward to welcoming you in April 2025.
Schedule of Events & Speakers
Thursday, April 10
Panel 1: Litigation Finance
Moderator: Rick Marcus
Speakers:
- Deborah Hensler
- Judge Lee Rosenthal
- Maya Steinitz
- Alex Dahl
Panel 2: Bellwethers and Mediation in Mass Torts and Bankruptcy
Moderator: Jay Tidmarsh
Speakers:
- Judge Karen Caldwell
- Erin Copeland
- Elizabeth Cabraser
- John Beisner
Friday, April 11
Panel 3: Bankruptcy Updates
Moderator: Alan Morrison
Speakers:
- Anne Andrews
- Mikal Watts
- Lindsey Simon
- Emily Kent
- Greg Gordon
- Robert Drain
Panel 4: State Attorneys General in MDLs and Mass Tort Bankruptcies
Moderator: Roger Trangsrud, GW Law School
Speakers:
- Burton LeBlanc
- David Ackerman
- Mark Lynch
- Abigail Ryan
Speaker List & Bios
Speaker List & Bios TBD
Click on name to access the speaker’s bio.
Bankruptcy 1: Whither the Texas Two Step
- Moderator: Lindsey Simon, University of Georgia
- Honorable Shelley C. Chapman (Ret.), Willkie
- Greg Gordon, Jones Day
- Anne Andrews, Andrews & Thornton
- Samir Parikh, Lewis & Clark Law School
Bankruptcy 2: Non-Debtor Releases and the Implications
- Moderator: Alan Morrison, George Washington University
- Ken Feinberg, Special Master, The Feinberg Group
- Honorable Robert D. Drain (Ret.), Skadden, Arps
- Arik Preis, Akin Gump
- Scott Partridge, Partridge LLC
Proposed Rule 16.1
- Moderator: Rick Marcus, UC San Francisco
- Honorable Lee Rosenthal, United States District Court, Southern District of Texas
- Elizabeth J. Cabraser, Lieff Cabraser
- Deidre Kole, Assistant General Counsel, Johnson & Johnson – Litigation
- Kaspar Stoffelmayr, Bartlit Beck
Uninjured Plaintiffs in MDLs
- Moderator: Jay Tidmarsh, University of Notre Dame
- Honorable Karen Caldwell, Chair of Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML), United States District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky
- Lynn Baker, University of Texas
- Patrick Luff, Luff Law Firm
- John Beisner, Skadden, Arps
- Scott DeNardo, Archer Systems
Litigation Finance
- Moderator: Roger Trangsrud, George Washington University Law School
- Phil Goldberg, Shook Hardy & Bacon
- Sarah Lieber, JBSL Legal Finance LLC
- Maya Steinitz, Boston University
- Samir Parikh, Lewis & Clark Law School
- Alex Walsh, Walsh Law
Management of Mega Mass Torts: Camp Lejeune and 3M Ear Plugs
- Moderator: Jay Tidmarsh, University of Notre Dame
- Honorable Eldon E. Fallon, United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana
- Jennifer Hoekstra, Aylstock, Witkin, Kries & Overholtz
- Aviva Wein, Assistant General Counsel, Johnson & Johnson, Litigation Policy – Risk Management
- Randi Ellis, Special Master, Randi S. Ellis, LLC
- Deborah Hensler, Stanford University
Additional Resources
Law Firm Host

Gold Sponsors


Welcome Dinner for Judges,
Panelists, and Speakers

Welcome Reception

Cocktail Reception

Silver Sponsors


referralcounsel.com
Bronze Sponsors



Register Now
James F. Humphreys Complex Litigation Center
GWU LAW
April 10th and 11th, 2025
Registration Cost: $899
The button will take you to our registration page where you can add the attendee’s information and easily pay.
