Multicounty (Mass Torts) Litigation Forum
Wednesday, June 17
9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
New Jersey Law Center, New Brunswick and Online
Earn up to 6.8 credits, including 1.0 in ethics.
Tuition Rates:
Member: $203
Non-Member: $254
About the Program
NJSBA Multicounty (Mass Torts) Litigation Forum
Gain practical strategies and the latest critical updates across the full spectrum of mass torts litigation – from case initiation through appeal. Join a distinguished panel of federal judges, state judges, and experienced practitioners as they share valuable guidance for handling mass tort litigation.
Key topics include:
- Recent mass torts case law update
- Judicial strategies for efficient case management
- Bench updates from MCL judges
- Navigating expert witness challenges
- Appellate insights and strategies
- Emerging issues in mass torts litigation
Join us for high-caliber insight from the judges and practitioners shaping mass torts practice in New Jersey and beyond.
Program Agenda:
9:00 | Introduction
9:05 | Judicial Roundtable
MCL and MDL overview, e-discovery, the role of magistrate judges, special masters, and the coordination component of mass torts litigation – Hon. Rukhsanah L. Singh, U.S.M.J.; Chief Judge Freda L. Wolfson, U.S.D.J., (Ret.); Hon. Bruce J. Kaplan, P.J.Cv.; Hon. Gregg. A. Padovano, J.S.C. and Hon. Ana C. Viscomi, J.S.C.
10:00 | Getting to Yes
Plaintiff and defense strategies for preparation and negotiation for a case management conference, jointly submitting case management orders and agendas, settlement negotiations – Melissa A. Geist, Esq. and Christopher A. Seeger, Esq.
10:35 | Break
10:45 | Bankruptcy Section
Discussion of the limits of bankruptcy in mass torts litigation from an esteemed panel – Hon. Christine M. Gravelle, U.S.B.J.; Donald W. Clarke, Esq.; Adam C. Silverstein, Esq. and Brent I. Weisenberg, Esq.
11:25 | 2026 Case Law Update – Jared M. Placitella, Esq.; Ellen Relkin, Esq. and Kristen Renee Fournier, Esq.
12:00 | Lunch
12:30 | Ethical Implications of AI Use in Mass Torts
Ethical considerations with the use of AI in litigation of mass tort claims, potential ethical issues – Kaitlyn E. Stone, Esq. and Lynne M. Kizis, Esq.
1:30 | Arbitration and Mediation
Judicial and attorney perspectives on arbitration and mediation of mass torts litigation – Hon. Joseph A. Dickson, U.S.M.J. (Ret.); Hon. Joel Schneider, U.S.M.J. (Ret.) and Daniel R. Lapinski, Esq.
2:05 | Break
2:10 | What You Need to Know in Preparing Your Appeal – Hon. Patty Schwartz and Justice Douglas M. Fasciale
2:50 | Beyond the Settlement: The Mechanics and Humanity of Claims Administration – Jordana H. Feldman, Esq.
3:30 | Adjourn
Faculty
| MODERATORS: | PRESENTERS: | ||
| Hon. Brian R. Martinotti, U.S.D.J. U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey |
Hon. Patty Schwartz Judge, U.S. District Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit |
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| Christopher M. Placitella, Esq. Editor in Chief, New Jersey Mass Tort & Class Actions Treatise (NJICLE 2020) Cohen, Placitella & Roth, PC, Red Bank |
Justice Douglas M. Fasciale New Jersey Supreme Court |
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| Hon. Christine M. Gravelle, U.S.B.J. U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey |
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| Hon. Rukhsanah L. Singh, U.S.M.J. U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey |
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| Chief Judge Freda L. Wolfson, U.S.D.J., (Ret.) Lowenstein Sandler LLP, Roseland |
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| Hon. Bruce J. Kaplan, P.J.Cv. Middlesex County Superior Court |
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| Hon. Gregg A. Padovano, J.S.C. Bergen County Superior Court |
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| Hon. Ana C. Viscomi, J.S.C. Middlesex County Superior Court |
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| Hon. Joseph A. Dickson, U.S.M.J. (Ret.) Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC, Roseland |
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| Hon. Joel Schneider, U.S.M.J. (Ret.) JAMS Mediation, Arbitration and ADR Services, Philadelphia |
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| Donald W. Clarke, Esq. Genova Burns LLC, Newark |
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| Jordana H. Feldman, Esq. JAMS New York, Adjunct Professor at NYU Law School and Penn Carey Law School |
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| Kristen Renee Fournier, Esq. Kirkland & Ellis, PC, New York |
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| Melissa A. Geist, Esq. Reed Smith, LLP, Princeton |
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| Lynne M. Kizis, Esq. Wilentz Goldman & Spitzer, Woodbridge |
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| Daniel R. Lapinski, Esq. Motley Rice, LLC, Cherry Hill |
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| Jared M. Placitella, Esq. Cohen, Placitella & Roth, PC, Red Bank |
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| Ellen Relkin, Esq. Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney Weitz & Luxenberg, New York |
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| Christopher A. Seeger, Esq. Seeger Weiss LLP, Ridgefield Park |
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| Adam C. Silverstein, Esq. Otterbourg P.C., New York |
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| Kaitlyn E. Stone, Esq. Barnes & Thornburg, LLP, Morristown |
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| Brent I. Weisenberg, Esq. Lowenstein Sandler LLP, Roseland |
CLE CREDITS:
| NJ CLE: | NJ CLE information: This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 6.8 hours of total CLE credit, including 1.0 in Ethics (Full Credits Available: NJ Civil Trial Attorney Credit: 6.8, NJ General: 5.8, NJ Ethics: 1.0) |
| NY CLE: | NY Ethics Non-Transitional: 1.0, NY Professional Practice Non-Transitional: 5.5 |
| PA CLE: | PA Ethics Credit: 0.5, PA Substantive Credit: 4.5 New: No PA CLE fee is required for this program. To earn PA CLE credits, a valid PA Bar ID number must be entered into the CLE form provided after attending the program. |
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