Webinar: Trial Dockets & Settlement Conferences in Asbestos Litigation Hotspots

2/26/2021

Event Details

Trial Dockets and Settlement Conferences in Asbestos Litigation Hotspots: What to Know and How to Prepare While COVID-19 has dramatically changed how we litigate, eventually the legal practice will return to normal. In asbestos litigation, that means the resumption of in-person trials and settlement conferences. For asbestos litigation defense attorneys, settlement conferences and trial dockets are where hard work and effective strategy should pay off and result in a favorable outcome for your client. Defense counsel and their clients, however, should approach settlement conferences and trial dockets with a sufficient understanding of the court, opposing counsel, the jury pool, and the venue to avoid surprises and disappointing outcomes. Therefore, it is imperative to know the court's written and unwritten rules and procedures, the customs and practices governing settlement conferences and trial dockets in the venue, the judge's expectations, and important historical developments in asbestos litigation in the venue. During this webinar, the panel will provide important information and practical tips about settlement conferences and trial dockets in Madison County, St. Clair County, McLean County, Cook County, and the City of St. Louis. Specifically, the panel will discuss court rules governing the conferences and dockets, what is expected of parties and counsel, how different plaintiffs' firms approach the conferences and dockets, and what you should expect to occur during the conferences and dockets. Register Today!   Featured Speakers   Mehwish Aslam of Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP in Chicago received her JD from New York Law School in 2014. She has been practicing law in St. Louis, Missouri since 2017. Mehwish focuses her legal practice in general civil litigation, product liability, and toxic tort defense with emphasis on asbestos litigation. Prior to joining Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLLP, Mehwish practiced in New York City where she represented national insurance companies in defense and insurance coverage matters. 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 currently serves as First Vice President of the IDC Board of Directors. She is licensed to practice in both Illinois and Missouri state and federal courts. Danielle R. Luisi is an attorney with the law firm Husch Blackwell, LLP, where she focuses her practice on the defense of toxic tort, environmental disputes, and other complex litigation matters. She has experience defending clients in various industries against claims alleging personal injury as a result of toxic exposures. Ms. Luisi also serves as part of the national coordinating counsel and trial teams for multiple corporations defending asbestos and talc claims locally and throughout the country. She is involved in all aspects of the litigation process and has successfully achieved favorable defense rulings for her clients through effective motion practice and trial preparation. Ms. Luisi has significant trial experience as a former prosecutor in the civil and criminal bureaus of the Cook County States’ Attorney’s Office. She is licensed in Illinois and Missouri and is a member of the Defense Research Institute, Illinois Defense Counsel, Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, and Chicago Bar Association. Edward J. Matushek III is the founding partner of Matushek Nilles LLC in Chicago, with a branch office in Madison County. He has more than 37 years of experience in the defense of asbestos and toxic tort claims on behalf of international manufacturers and premises owners, as well as local distributors and contractors. He has tried high-profile cases to verdict in Cook County, McLean County and Madison County, Illinois. In addition to jury trials, Mr. Matushek has a lengthy record of success in the appellate courts and the Illinois Supreme Court. He received his B.A. from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1975, and obtained his J.D. from The UIC John Marshall Law School, where he placed first in the JMLS Moot Court Competition, receiving both the Outstanding Oralist Award and Best Brief Award. Mr. Matushek is a member of the Legislative and Toxic Tort Committees of the IDC, and for the past 19 years has been a featured speaker at the Chicago Bar Association’s annual seminar, “Taking and Defending Depositions in State and Federal Courts.” Ed Matushek has served on the Board of Managers for the Chicago Bar Association, and is a past Chair of its Continuing Legal Education Committee. In 1990, he was Chair of the Young Lawyers Section of the Chicago Bar Association, with responsibility for guiding more than 30 substantive law and service committees. From 1992 to 1998, he served on the Board of Directors of the American Judicature Society. James P. O’Shea, II of Husch Blackwell, LLP focuses his practice on toxic tort matters and product liability, with an emphasis on asbestos claims, but has also handled probate issues and entertainment matters. He drafts discovery and response pleadings, deposition summaries, pretrial reports as well as settlement authority requests and other reports as required by various insurance carriers. James earned his J.D. from The John Marshall Law School, where he was awarded the Order of John Marshall, served as Student Bar Association President, and served as a member of the John Marshall Law Review. Continuing Legal Education Credit  Credit has been approved with the MCLE Board of the Supreme Court of Illinois for 1.0 General CLE credit.