Speakers

Check back for updates as we finalize the roster of high caliber speakers for our 25th anniversary event that will bring inspiration like you’ve never experienced.

Members of the Judiciary

Honorable Karen K. Caldwell

Chief Judge
U.S. District Court, E.D. of Kentucky
Panel Judge
Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML)

A View From the Bench: Judicial Insights on How this Year’s Events Have Impacted Dockets, Court Functions, Judicial Proceedings and the JPML in General

December 9, 2020 • 11:15 am

Honorable F. Dennis Saylor, IV

Chief Judge
U.S. District Court, D. Massachusetts

A View From the Bench: Judicial Insights on How this Year’s Events Have Impacted Dockets, Court Functions, Judicial Proceedings and the JPML in General

December 9, 2020 • 11:15 am

Honorable John R. Tunheim

Chief Judge
U.S. District Court, D. Minnesota

A View From the Bench: Judicial Insights on How this Year’s Events Have Impacted Dockets, Court Functions, Judicial Proceedings and the JPML in General

December 9, 2020 • 11:15 am

Honorable Eduardo C. Robreno

Senior Judge
U.S. District Court, E.D. Pennsylvania

A View From the Bench: Judicial Insights on How this Year’s Events Have Impacted Dockets, Court Functions, Judicial Proceedings and the JPML in General

December 9, 2020 • 11:15 am

Honorable William F. Highberger

Superior Court Judge
Los Angeles County Superior Court

A View From the Bench: Judicial Insights on How this Year’s Events Have Impacted Dockets, Court Functions, Judicial Proceedings and the JPML in General

December 9, 2020 • 11:15 am

Honorable Rex Burlison

Circuit Judge
22nd Judicial Circuit of MO

A View From the Bench: Judicial Insights on How this Year’s Events Have Impacted Dockets, Court Functions, Judicial Proceedings and the JPML in General

December 9, 2020 • 11:15 am

Co-Chairs

Charna Gerstenhaber

Vice President, Head of Litigation & Investigations
Novartis Pharmaceuticals (East Hanover, NJ)

Opening Remarks from the Co-Chairs

December 8, 2020 • 8:45 am

Christopher Guth

Senior Assistant General Counsel
Bayer (Pittsburgh, PA)

Understanding the Use of Data Analytics in the Management of MDLs

December 9, 2020 • 2:45 pm

Distinguished Speakers

Sonia Chen Arnold

General Counsel- Lilly Oncology
Eli Lilly and Company (Indianapolis, IN)

Diversity & Inclusion Town Hall: An Honest Discussion About Drivers of Successful D&I Initiatives and the Latest Challenges Faced by Law Firms and Life Sciences Companies

December 9, 2020 • 1:45 pm

Patricia A. Barbieri

SVP, General Counsel and Secretary Legal and Corporate Affairs
Daiichi Sankyo (Basking Ridge, NJ)

Virtual Workshop — Think Tank on the “5 Cs” of Successful In-House Counsel – Law Firm Partner Relationships: Cost, Competency, Communication, Collaboration and Culture

December 7, 2020 • 9:00 am

Mary-Alice Barrett

Associate General Counsel
Genentech

ACI’s Drug & Med Celebrates 25 Years: Industry Leaders Take a Look Back and a Look Ahead

December 8, 2020 • 9:00 am

Adam Bassing

Adam Bassing

Associate General Counsel, U.S. Litigation & Global Safety
UCB, Inc. (Smyrna, GA)

TRACK A: The Practice of Drug and Medical Device Litigation: Strategies for Combatting the Complexities of Today’s Products Liability Landscape

TRACK B: The Business of Drug and Medical Device Litigation: Understanding the True Costs of the New Products Liability Environment

December 8, 2020 • 3:15 pm

Andrew (Andy) Bayman

Partner
King & Spalding LLP (Atlanta, GA)

A View From the Bench: Judicial Insights on How this Year’s Events Have Impacted Dockets, Court Functions, Judicial Proceedings and the JPML in General

December 9, 2020 • 11:15 am

James (Jim) Beck

Senior Life Sciences Policy Analyst
Reed Smith LLP

TRACK A: The Practice of Drug and Medical Device Litigation: Strategies for Combatting the Complexities of Today’s Products Liability Landscape

TRACK B: The Business of Drug and Medical Device Litigation: Understanding the True Costs of the New Products Liability Environment

December 8, 2020 • 3:15 pm

Mollie Benedict

Partner
Tucker Ellis LLP

TRACK A: The Practice of Drug and Medical Device Litigation: Strategies for Combatting the Complexities of Today’s Products Liability Landscape

TRACK B: The Business of Drug and Medical Device Litigation: Understanding the True Costs of the New Products Liability Environment

December 8, 2020 • 4:15 pm

Erin Bosman

Co-Chair of Class Action and Mass Torts
Morrison & Foerster LLP (San Diego, CA)

Analyzing the Implications of Prep Act Immunity on Future Drug and Device Litigation and Assessing Potential Covid-19 Related MDLs

December 8, 2020 • 10:30 am

Michelle M. Bufano

Partner
Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP (New York, NY)

TRACK A: The Practice of Drug and Medical Device Litigation: Strategies for Combatting the Complexities of Today’s Products Liability Landscape

TRACK B: The Business of Drug and Medical Device Litigation: Understanding the True Costs of the New Products Liability Environment

December 8, 2020 • 4:15 pm

Matthew A. Campbell

Partner, Co-Chair, Product Liability & Mass Torts Practice
Winston & Strawn LLP (Washington, DC)

MDL Case Study: Analyzing the Unique Nuances of Three of 2020’s Most Significant MDLs

December 9, 2020 • 9:00 am

Robert P. Charrow

General Counsel
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Keynote Address

December 8, 2020 • 1:30 pm

Lori Cohen

Co-Chair, Global Litigation
Chair, Pharmaceutical, Medical Device & Health Care Litigation Group
Chair, Trial Practice Group
Greenberg Traurig LLP (Atlanta, GA)

ACI’s Drug & Med Celebrates 25 Years: Industry Leaders Take a Look Back and a Look Ahead

December 8, 2020 • 9:00 am

Paul J. (PJ) Cosgrove

Partner
Ulmer & Berne LLP (Cincinnati, OH)

Analyzing Risks and Liabilities Associated with New Technologies, Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence

December 9, 2020 • 4:00 pm

Howard M. Cyr

Assistant General Counsel
Teleflex (Wayne, PA)

TRACK A: The Practice of Drug and Medical Device Litigation: Strategies for Combatting the Complexities of Today’s Products Liability Landscape

TRACK B: The Business of Drug and Medical Device Litigation: Understanding the True Costs of the New Products Liability Environment

December 8, 2020 • 4:15 pm

Michael P. Downey

Founder
Downey Law Group LLC

Interactive Ethics Lab

December 9, 2020 • 4:45 pm

Gabriel Egli

Partner
Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP (St. Louis, MO)

Understanding the Use of Data Analytics in the Management of MDLs

December 9, 2020 • 2:45 pm

Wendy West Feinstein

Partner
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP (Pittsburgh, PA)

Embracing the New Normal: Establishing Best Practices for Efficient and Successful Virtual/Remote Trial Practice

December 8, 2020 • 11:30 am

Kristen Fournier

Partner
King & Spalding LLP (New York, NY)

Rick Fuentes, Ph.D.

Founding Partner
R&D Strategic Solutions (Atlanta, GA)

Assessing How Recent Current Events are Impacting Juror Mindsets, Perceptions and Verdicts in Drug and Device Cases

December 9, 2020 • 10:30 am

Rachel Gallagher

Director, Legal Counsel
Teva Pharmaceuticals (Horsham, PA)

TRACK A: The Practice of Drug and Medical Device Litigation: Strategies for Combatting the Complexities of Today’s Products Liability Landscape

TRACK B: The Business of Drug and Medical Device Litigation: Understanding the True Costs of the New Products Liability Environment

December 8, 2020 • 4:15 pm

John Galvin

Partner
Thompson Coburn LLP (St. Louis, Missouri)

TRACK A: The Practice of Drug and Medical Device Litigation: Strategies for Combatting the Complexities of Today’s Products Liability Landscape

TRACK B: The Business of Drug and Medical Device Litigation: Understanding the True Costs of the New Products Liability Environment

December 8, 2020 • 3:15 pm

Ashley Garry

Senior Legal Counsel
ArTara Therapeutics (Indianapolis, IN)

Analyzing Recent Changes to FDA Approval Processes and Future Implications on Product Liability Cases

December 8, 2020 • 2:00 pm

Mara Cusker Gonzalez

Partner
Dechert LLP (New York, LLP)

MDL Case Study: Analyzing the Unique Nuances of Three of 2020’s Most Significant MDLs

December 9, 2020 • 9:00 am

Max Heerman

Senior Legal Counsel, Litigation
Medtronic (Washington, DC)

ACI’s Drug & Med Celebrates 25 Years: Industry Leaders Take a Look Back and a Look Ahead

December 8, 2020 • 9:00 am

Jean F. Holloway

Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary
CryoLife, Inc. (Kennesaw, Georgia)

ACI’s Drug & Med Celebrates 25 Years: Industry Leaders Take a Look Back and a Look Ahead

December 8, 2020 • 9:00 am

Michael Imbroscio

Partner, Co-Chair of the Products Liability & Mass Tort Practice
Covington & Burling LLP (Washington, DC)

ACI’s Drug & Med Celebrates 25 Years: Industry Leaders Take a Look Back and a Look Ahead

December 8, 2020 • 9:00 am

Marcela Kirberger

General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer
Roche Diagnostics Corporation (Indianapolis, IN)

TRACK A: The Practice of Drug and Medical Device Litigation: Strategies for Combatting the Complexities of Today’s Products Liability Landscape

TRACK B: The Business of Drug and Medical Device Litigation: Understanding the True Costs of the New Products Liability Environment

December 8, 2020 • 4:15 pm

Amy Todd Klug

Associate General Counsel, Litigation & Corporate Operations, Legal Affairs
Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. (Basking Ridge, NJ)

TRACK A: The Practice of Drug and Medical Device Litigation: Strategies for Combatting the Complexities of Today’s Products Liability Landscape

TRACK B: The Business of Drug and Medical Device Litigation: Understanding the True Costs of the New Products Liability Environment

December 8, 2020 • 3:15 pm

Paul LaFata

Partner
Dechert LLP (New York, NY)

Embracing the New Normal: Establishing Best Practices for Efficient and Successful Virtual/Remote Trial Practice

December 8, 2020 • 11:30 am

John P. Lavelle, Jur.

Partner
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP (Philadelphia, PA)

Julie M. Lewis

General Counsel & Corporate Secretary
Carestream Health (Rochester, NY)

Virtual Workshop — Think Tank on the “5 Cs” of Successful In-House Counsel – Law Firm Partner Relationships: Cost, Competency, Communication, Collaboration and Culture

December 7, 2020 • 9:00 am

Veronica M. Lei

Assistant General Counsel - Litigation and Legal Compliance
Eli Lilly and Company (Indianapolis, IN)

Virtual Workshop — Think Tank on the “5 Cs” of Successful In-House Counsel – Law Firm Partner Relationships: Cost, Competency, Communication, Collaboration and Culture

December 7, 2020 • 9:00 am

Buffy Mims

Partner
Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP (Washington, DC)

Assessing How Recent Current Events are Impacting Juror Mindsets, Perceptions and Verdicts in Drug and Device Cases

December 9, 2020 • 10:30 am

Marilyn Moberg

Partner
Reed Smith LLP

MDL Case Study: Analyzing the Unique Nuances of Three of 2020’s Most Significant MDLs

December 9, 2020 • 9:00 am

Sarah Padgitt

Associate General Counsel
Baxter (Deerfield, IL)

TRACK A: The Practice of Drug and Medical Device Litigation: Strategies for Combatting the Complexities of Today’s Products Liability Landscape

TRACK B: The Business of Drug and Medical Device Litigation: Understanding the True Costs of the New Products Liability Environment

December 8, 2020 • 3:15 pm

Julie Park

Partner
Morrison & Foerster LLP (San Diego, CA)

TRACK A: The Practice of Drug and Medical Device Litigation: Strategies for Combatting the Complexities of Today’s Products Liability Landscape

TRACK B: The Business of Drug and Medical Device Litigation: Understanding the True Costs of the New Products Liability Environment

December 8, 2020 • 3:15 pm

Megan Pizor

General Counsel
Litigation Management, Inc. (Mayfield Heights, OH)

Understanding the Use of Data Analytics in the Management of MDLs

December 9, 2020 • 2:45 pm

Alan E. Rothman

Counsel
Sidley Austin LLP (New York, NY)

TRACK A: The Practice of Drug and Medical Device Litigation: Strategies for Combatting the Complexities of Today’s Products Liability Landscape

TRACK B: The Business of Drug and Medical Device Litigation: Understanding the True Costs of the New Products Liability Environment

December 8, 2020 • 4:15 pm

Richard W. Silbert

V.P., Chief Legal Strategist
Purdue Pharma L.P. (Stamford, CT)

Virtual Workshop — Think Tank on the “5 Cs” of Successful In-House Counsel – Law Firm Partner Relationships: Cost, Competency, Communication, Collaboration and Culture

December 7, 2020 • 9:00 am

Matthew L. Stennes

Vice President, Chief Litigation & Investigations Counsel
Medtronic (Minneapolis, MN)

Assessing How Recent Current Events are Impacting Juror Mindsets, Perceptions and Verdicts in Drug and Device Cases

December 9, 2020 • 10:30 am

Carly W. Stephani

Principal Litigation Counsel, Litigation & Global Investigations
Medtronic (Minneapolis, MN)

Analyzing Risks and Liabilities Associated with New Technologies, Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence

December 9, 2020 • 4:00 pm

Adam Spicer

Partner
King & Spalding LLP (Atlanta, GA)

Embracing the New Normal: Establishing Best Practices for Efficient and Successful Virtual/Remote Trial Practice

December 8, 2020 • 11:30 am

Sheea Sybblis

Associate General Counsel
Nestle Health Science (New York, NY)

Analyzing Recent Changes to FDA Approval Processes and Future Implications on Product Liability Cases

December 8, 2020 • 2:00 pm

Brennan Torregrossa

Senior Vice President, Head of Global Litigation
GSK (Philadelphia, PA)

Analyzing the Implications of Prep Act Immunity on Future Drug and Device Litigation and Assessing Potential Covid-19 Related MDLs

December 8, 2020 • 10:30 am

Sara Thompson

Partner
Greenberg Traurig LLP (Atlanta, GA)

MDL Case Study: Analyzing the Unique Nuances of Three of 2020’s Most Significant MDLs

December 9, 2020 • 9:00 am

Celeste Warren

Vice President, Global Diversity & Inclusion Center of Excellence
Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer
Merck