CLASS ACTION MONEY & ETHICS CONFERENCE
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2025 CONFERENCE video REPLAYS AND PHOTOS


​Conference held May 7-8, 2025, at The Harmonie Club, New York City

CONFERENCE AGENDA AND VIDEO REPLAYS

8:00 a.m. – 8:10 a.m.
Opening Remarks - Conference Chairs
  • Gerald L. Maatman, Jr., Partner, Duane Morris LLP - View Bio
  • Jennifer A. Riley, Partner, Duane Morris LLP - View Bio
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Maatman, Jr.
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Riley

8:10 a.m. – 8:40 a.m.
State of the Industry: Class Action Review
Presented by Duane Morris, LLP
Authors Gerald L. Maatman, Jr. and Jennifer A. Riley of Duane Morris will present key findings from their inaugural Duane Morris-Class Action Review 2025. Their one-of-a-kind publication provides an analysis of class action trends impacting Corporate America, including, Class Action Fairness Act, mass appeals, consumer fraud, data breaches and more.
  • ​Gerald L. Maatman, Jr., Partner, Duane Morris LLP - View Bio
  • Jennifer A. Riley, Partner, Duane Morris LLP - View Bio
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Maatman, Jr.
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Riley

8:45 a.m. – 9:35 a.m.
AI in Law: The Future of Legal Practice
Artificial Intelligence is transforming the legal industry at an unprecedented pace. From predictive analytics and document automation to AI-powered contract tools and legal research, firms are leveraging AI to improve efficiency and client service. But with innovation comes risk—ethical concerns, data security, and AI "hallucinations" present new challenges. This panel of experts will explore how AI is reshaping litigation, law firm operations, and client expectations, offering key insights into its opportunities and limitations.
  • ​Denise Scotto, Esq., Managing Director, Senior Litigation Analyst, Esquire Bank​
  • Etia Rottman Frand, Esq., VP Litigation Partnerships​, Darrow - View Bio​
  • Mark Berman, Member, Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC - View Bio​
  • Ariana Tadler, Founder & Managing Partner, Tadler Law LLP - View Bio
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Scotto
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Frand
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Berman
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Tadler

9:40 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Guarding the Process: How to Combat Fraud in Class Action Claims
Fraudulent claims in class actions can undermine settlements, delay proceedings, and reduce recoveries for legitimate claimants. This panel will explore the risks of fraudulent claims, common schemes used to exploit the system, and the latest strategies to detect and prevent abuse. Experts will discuss advancements in fraud detection, data verification, and court-approved safeguards to ensure claim integrity. Learn how attorneys, administrators, and judges are working to uphold fairness and protect class action recoveries.
  • Moderator: Don Beshada, CEO, ClaimScore - View Bio
  • Bryan Heller, Chief Operating Officer, ClaimScore - View Bio​​
  • Ryan Clarkson, Managing Partner, Clarkson Law Firm - View Bio
  • Jeff Richardson, Co-Founder and CEO, Digital Disbursements - View Bio​
  • Steve Straub, VP of Operations, AB Data - View Bio
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Beshada
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Heller
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Clarkson
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Richardson
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Straub

10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Morning Networking Break

10:45 a.m. – 11:35 a.m.
How Securities Litigation Benefits Investors
Securities litigation plays a crucial role in protecting investors and maintaining market integrity. This panel will explore how legal actions expose fraud, corporate mismanagement, and deceptive practices, allowing investors to seek justice and financial recovery. Experts will discuss the mechanics of securities litigation, the significance of class actions, and how these legal tools enhance transparency and trust in financial markets. Attendees will gain key insights into investor protections and emerging trends in securities law.
  • ​James Christie, Partner, Labaton Keller Sucharow LLP  - View Bio
  • Lauren Ormsbee, Partner, Labaton Keller Sucharow LLP - View Bio
  • Matthew Cain, Senior Fellow, UC Berkeley Law - View Bio
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Christie
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Ormsbee
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Cain

11:40 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
From Breach to Bench, Data Breach Litigation and a Look At What’s Next
This panel will explore the evolving landscape of data breach class actions. A group of subject matter experts will discuss the challenges and obstacles they face in data breach litigation, the opportunities these cases present, and strategies for establishing effective settlement resolutions. Panelists will evaluate what needs to change in the data breach litigation space and examine emerging trends in cybersecurity litigation. Attendees will gain a better understanding of data breach litigation and valuable insights into this rapidly growing area of litigation.
  • ​Moderator: Bryn Bridley, VP of Business Development, Atticus Administration - View Bio
  • Chris Wood, Partner, Lewis Brisbois - View Bio
  • William Federman, Founder & Managing Member, Federman & Sherwood​ - View Bio
  • Terry Coates, Managing Partner, Markovits, Stock & DeMarco, LLC - View Bio
  • Alfred “Al” Saikali, Chair, Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice, Shook Hardy Bacon - View Bio
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Bridley
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Wood
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Federman
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Coates
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Saikali

12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Lunch Panel: Bankruptcy Developments in the Past Year
Discussion on how mass tort claims are being facilitated in bankruptcy, where this has been happening, what’s been achieved, and the hopes, challenges, and potential pitfalls ahead.
  • Moderator: Gina Passarella, Senior Vice President, ALM Global - View Bio
  • David Castleman, Partner, Otterbourg P.C. - View Bio​​
  • Hon. Shelley Chapman (Ret.), Senior Counsel, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP - View Bio
  • Rachael Ringer, Partner Co-Head, Distressed Investing, Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP - View Bio
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Passarella
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Castleman
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Chapman
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Ringer

1:50 p.m. – 2:40 p.m.
Connecting with Plaintiffs in the Age of Tech
This panel will explore how technology, including AI and digital platforms, is reshaping the way legal professionals connect with plaintiffs. Panelists will discuss the impact of these technologies on accessibility, communication, and personalized legal strategies. They will also explore how AI can enhance case management, improve client engagement, and predict case outcomes. Key topics will include AI-driven predictions, privacy concerns, ethical implications, and real-world case studies demonstrating how these tools are transforming plaintiff representation in class actions.
  • Rebecca Gilliland, Principal, Beasley Allen - View Bio​
  • ​Katrina Carroll, Founding Partner, Carroll Shamberg LLC - View Bio
  • Samuel Wechsler, Legal Consulting Team Lead, Darrow - View Bio
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Gilliland
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Carroll
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Wechsler

2:45 p.m. – 3:35 p.m.
The Rise of Mass Arbitration: Strategy, Ethics, and Corporate Response
Mass arbitration is reshaping the legal landscape, challenging corporations and redefining dispute resolution. This panel will explore the strategic use of mass arbitration, ethical considerations surrounding its rise, how arbitration providers are adopting mass arbitration rules and procedures, and how companies are responding to the surge in claims. Experts will discuss key legal developments, evolving defense tactics, and the broader implications for class action litigation. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the future of mass arbitration and its impact on corporate accountability.
  • Dai Wai Chin Feman, Managing Director and Corporate Counsel, Parabellum Capital​ - View Bio​
  • ​Jonathan Waisnor, Partner & Chair of ADR Practice, Labaton Keller Sucharow LLP​ - View Bio
  • Ryan Ellersick, Partner, Zimmerman Reed LLP - View Bio
  • Tim Kolesk, Partner, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP - View Bio
  • Raphael Janove, Founder, JANOVE PLLC - View Bio
  • Michael McTigue Jr., Partner, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP - View Bio
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Chin Feman
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Waisnor
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Ellersick
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Kolesk
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Janove
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McTigue

3:35 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Afternoon Networking Break

4:00 p.m. – 4:50 p.m.
Ethics of Social Media Discovery​
Social media evidence is increasingly vital in class action litigation, shaping early case assessment and discovery. This panel will explore how digital footprints across platforms like Facebook, X, Instagram, and lesser-known sites such as Strava and Venmo can impact litigation. Experts will discuss ethical and compliance challenges, best practices for identifying and preserving social media data, and real-world examples of how social media intelligence influences cases. Attendees will gain insights into leveraging social media for stronger legal strategies.  
  • Josh Janow, CEO, SMI Aware - View Bio
  • Paige Hansen, Intelligence Analyst, SMI Aware - View Bio
  • Jerry Bui, CEO, Right Forensics - View Bio
  • Denise Backhouse, Shareholder and eDiscovery Counsel, Littler Mendelson, P.C. - View Bio
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Janow
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Hansen
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Bui
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Backhouse

4:55 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Beyond the Check: How Digital Payments Are Transforming Class Action Payouts and Fighting Fraud
Despite the rise of digital payment solutions, checks remain the standard for class action distributions—often leading to inefficiencies, higher costs, and unclaimed funds.
This session will explore why digital payments are not just a faster alternative but a smarter one. Learn how digital payments improve claimant reach, reduce administrative overhead, enhance tracking, and provide powerful fraud prevention capabilities. Discover how platforms like Tremendous empower administrators and plaintiff attorneys to detect fraudulent claims before funds leave the QSF, ensuring a more secure and efficient distribution process.
  • Moderator: Nick Baum, CEO, Tremendous - View Bio​
  • Steve Straub, VP of Operations, AB Data - View Bio
  • Kyle Mason, Managing Director, Legal Services Industry Group, EisnerAmper - View Bio
  • Eric Eckhardt, Chief Revenue Officer, Angeion Group - View Bio
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Baum
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Straub
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Mason
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Eckhardt



Event photos


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​THANK YOU TO OUR 2025 CONFERENCE SPONSORS

MAJOR SPONSORS:
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PATRON SPONSORS:
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SUPPORTING SPONSORS:
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MEDIA PARTNERS:
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​Conference Contact:
Will Etchison
305-707-7493
[email protected]

2025 CLASS ACTION MONEY & ETHICS CONFERENCE

​Presented by BEARD GROUP, INC
May 7-8, 2025
In-Person at The Harmonie Club
4 East 60th Street
New York, NY 10022
Conference Contact:
Will Etchison
305-707-7493
[email protected]
Website Designed by PROSPER Creative Design
  • 2025 Video Replays
  • Webinar
  • Sponsor
  • Helpful Resources
    • 2024 Video Replays
    • Past Conferences
    • Class Action Newsletter
  • About Beard Group, Inc
  • Contact