Judges Join Speakers from Medtronic, Microsoft, 3M, Deloitte, LexisNexis, and Major Law Firms at Conference on Mega Litigation Challenges, HB Announces

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Sep 17, 2012, 05:42 ET

CHICAGO, Sept. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Citing the myriad challenges facing the courts and companies by massive complex litigation, Hon. Janice M. Symchych, a former U.S. Magistrate Judge and Deputy General Counsel at Medtronic, Inc., has assembled a faculty of sitting and former federal judges, in-house counsel at Fortune 500 companies, and partners from leading law firms, to tackle disputes that she characterizes as "too big to litigate," announced Tom Hagy, CEO of HB Litigation Conferences.

The program will take place at the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business' Gleacher Center on Nov. 9, 2012. This event will be free to a limited number of in-house counsel and judges, Hagy added.

Among the judges on the faculty are Chief U.S. Judge James F. Holderman of the Northern District of Illinois, and former U.S. District Judges James M. Rosenbaum. Judges Symchych and Rosenbaum now serve as neutrals at JAMS, the world's largest private alternative dispute resolution provider, Hagy said.

"Judge Symchych's background on the bench and with a Fortune 500 corporation makes her particularly qualified to lead such an event," Hagy added.

"We have arrived at a critical juncture where the judiciary and counsel need to find effective ways to navigate the new paradigm of cost-driven approaches to litigation strategy," Symchych explained. "Our faculty will comprise thought leaders who will come at the challenge from a variety of perspectives and present ways to move forward with mega litigation in the future."

Symchych said the faculty will discuss the impact of mega disputes on the courts, the legal profession and the parties in litigation; the internal demand at corporations to control costs; how leading trial lawyers have navigated these challenges; how law firm business models have or need to be adapted; how to put a lid on the explosion in e-discovery costs; and how to improve the likelihood of settlement.

Corporate perspectives will be presented by Microsoft Assistant General Counsel David Killough, Medtronic VP & Chief Litigation Counsel Rita A. McConnell, and 3M Assistant General Counsel Mary Cullen Yeager.

Law firm speakers include: Lori G. Cohen, Greenburg Traurig; Stephen Weisbrod, Weisbrod, Matteis & Copley; William P. Shelley, Cozen O'Connor; Daniel L. Ring, Mayer Brown; Craig Wildfang, Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi; Michael K. Brown, Reed Smith; Stephen J. Immelt, Hogan Lovells; and Tarek Ismail and Sean P. Brennan of Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum. E-discovery experts John A. Walker, principal, Deloitte Forensics; and Brian Ingram, head of Litigation Technology Consulting, LexisNexis, also will participate.

JAMS comprises a bank of neutrals who specialize in mediating and arbitrating complex, multi-party and business/commercial cases. For more information visit www.jamsadr.com.

HB is a nationally certified provider of continuing legal education focusing on complex litigation. HB is formerly Mealey's Conferences. For more information visit www.LitigationConferences.com.

Contact

Edie Scott, Media Relations Manager

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (484) 324-2755 x208 or 610 608 0938

Website: www.LitigationConferences.com

SOURCE HB Litigation Conferences