Schedule
|
12:30 p.m.
|
Registration
|
|
1:00 p.m.
|
Welcome & Introductions
|
|
1:10 - 2:10 p.m.
|
From BIPA to GIPA: Another Four-Letter Word in Illinois Class Action Litigation
Presented by: Greg Odom, Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice
During the past five years, the Illinois Biometric Information Act has proven dangerous for companies doing business in Illinois, as evidenced by skyrocketing class action lawsuit filing rates. Since 2023, another statute often referred
to by a four-letter acronym has given rise to a surge in class action lawsuits: the Genetic Information Privacy Act (“GIPA”). In this portion of the seminar, we will discuss GIPA’s key provisions, the troubling similarities between
GIPA and BIPA, GIPA litigation trends, and considerations for companies regarding GIPA litigation. We also will examine GIPA’s extremely broad scope and how it even impacts those outside of GIPA litigation. Whether you represent employers,
insurers, healthcare providers, or individuals in civil litigation, you should attend this seminar because GIPA very likely could affect your practice.
|
|
2:10 - 2:40 p.m.
|
BIPA Litigation: Where Things Stand and What the Future May Hold
Presented by: Natalie Stanton, Sandberg Phoenix
Following the Illinois Supreme Court’s opinion in Rosenbach v. Six Flags Ent. Corp., BIPA class action filings surged. Attempting to track the flood of rulings and opinions in BIPA litigation can be daunting. If you need a primer
on recent BIPA developments, or are new to the world of BIPA litigation and need to get up to speed, this program is for you. In this portion of the seminar, we examine the current state of BIPA litigation, including the types of entities
being targeted, common defenses raised, and significant rulings in the past year. We also will address the expected impact of Illinois Senate Bill 2979 if signed into law.
|
|
2:40 - 3:10 p.m.
|
Is BIPA the Gift that Keeps Giving? How Coverage Litigation May Be the Next BIPA Hot Spot
Presented by: Charles Insler, HeplerBroom LLC
In December 2023, the Illinois Appellate Court issued a momentous opinion in Nat’l Fire Ins. Co. of Hartford v. Visual Pak Co., finding that an insurer owed no duty to defend or indemnify an underlying BIPA lawsuit under a liability
insurance policy. Since then, the District Court for the Northern District of Illinois has similarly found that an insurer owed no duty to defend or indemnify in an underlying BIPA lawsuit. The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals
subsequently determined that an insurer owed a duty to defend a BIPA lawsuit under an umbrella policy. During this portion of the seminar, we will unpack the recent decisions and examine the future of BIPA coverage disputes in light
of these decisions.
|
|
3:10 - 4:10 p.m.
|
Navigating the PFAS Landscape: Science, Applications, and Legalities
Presented by: Laura Beasley, Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice and Daisy Denizard, Hawkins Parnell & Young LLP
Join us for a an overview of PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances). We will cover their history, chemical properties, environmental persistence, and health effects. We will learn about their industrial uses, regulatory landscape,
and the EPA's action plans. Our panel will also explore PFAS litigation, ongoing lawsuits, emerging trends, and future regulation.
|
| 4:10 - 6:00 p.m. |
Happy Hour |
Continuing Legal Education Credit
This program has been approved for 3.0 hours of CLE Credit by the Illinois MCLE Board.
Event Location & Registration
This COMPLIMENTARY hybrid seminar will be presented in person at Brown & James, P.C. 800 Market Street, Suite 1100, St. Louis, MO and live via Zoom.
Featured Speakers
|
|
Laura K. Beasley is a member of Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice LLC in Belleville. Ms. Beasley focuses her practice in the areas of manufacturing, insurance, transportation, pharmaceuticals, and medical device.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geography in 1996 from Austin Peay University and her law degree from Southern Illinois University School in 2001. She is a member of several bar associations and is a past president
of IDC. She is licensed to practice in both Illinois and Missouri state and federal courts.
|
|
|
Daisy Denizard, of Hawkins Parnell & Young LLP in Chicago, advises and represents clients in complex litigation, insurance issues, and risk management. As national coordinating counsel and local counsel
in Illinois and Wisconsin, she primarily defends corporations in litigation involving mass torts and toxic exposures to asbestos, talcum powder, and a range of chemicals. She also focuses on managing litigation and developing trial
strategies.
Over her career, Daisy has extensive experience in an array of high-exposure and high-profile matters, including commercial litigation and disputes, business torts, environmental, Superfund/pollution, cost recovery, insurance coverage,
premises and product liability. Prior to joining Hawkins Parnell & Young, she directly handled complex environmental and latent claims. She was responsible for monitoring environmental, asbestos, talc and latent type claims,
including evaluation of cases, strategic planning, resolution of coverage issues, and establishment of adequate reserves.
|
|
|
Charles N. Insler, of HeplerBroom LLC in St, Louis is an accomplished writer who helps spearhead the firm’s appellate practice. He has briefed more than 15 appeals over the last five years, covering a variety
of procedural and substantive legal issues. Mr. Insler’s appellate practice has reached all five Appellate Districts in Illinois, all three Appellate Districts in Missouri, as well as the Illinois Supreme Court, the Missouri Supreme
Court, and the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Seventh and Eighth Circuits. Mr. Insler’s practice also includes a concentration on complex commercial litigation, which can involve cases touching on antitrust and unfair competition
matters, business torts, class actions, intellectual property disputes, securities law, and cybersecurity.
|
|
|
Greg Odom is a Member with Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice. He defends clients in mass toxic torts and commercial litigation. Greg also advises businesses and business groups on cybersecurity issues, with
an emphasis on biometric privacy law compliance. An experienced trial attorney, he represents individuals, local businesses, and Fortune 500 companies in state and federal courts across Illinois and Missouri. Greg is a member of
the Illinois Defense Counsel Board of Directors. He has been named to The Best Lawyers in America (Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants 2024; Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, 2023-2024), Illinois Super Lawyers Rising
Stars (2016-2023), Illinois Law Bulletin Media Emerging Lawyer, 2015-2022 and Missouri Lawyers Media Up & Coming Award (2022).
|
|
|
Natalie (Kussart) Stanton has worked in the Business Litigation and Products Liability practice groups at Sandberg Phoenix for almost 20 years. Natalie has experience in class actions, commercial litigation,
trust litigation, personal injury and tort defense, and product and toxic tort liability. She is currently the Chair of her firm’s Class Action Team and was formally the Chair of DRI’s Class Action SLG (special litigation group).
As part of her class action experience, she has handled several Biometric Information Privacy Act class actions in Illinois, primarily for restaurant owners. She has also handled many individual BIPA cases for temp agencies, hospitals,
and other employers. Natalie has been repeatedly named as a Rising Star by Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, which is an honor given to no more than 2.5% of all attorneys in the state.
|
Sponsors
Special thanks to our event sponsors:
Host
We would also like to thank our event host, Brown & James, P.C.
|
Print Page