2026 Conference Agenda
Additional speakers expected to be added.
7:30 a.m. |
Registration - Sponsored by McguireWoods |
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8:00 a.m. – 8:10 a.m.
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Opening Remarks by Esquire Bank and EisnerAmper
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8:15 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
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State of the Industry
Riley
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8:50 a.m. – 9:35 a.m.
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Legal Intelligence: Integrating the Use of Big Data Analytics in all Stages of Litigation
As everyone sees, AI and its offshoots are weaved into everything the legal world uses to conduct complex litigation. Rather than just brief and complaint writing, how are participants in class actions using these tools to harness the immense amounts of data that are generated and produced in the course of a typical case? Our panel of experts comes from all aspects of the process, from case inception to final resolution.
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9:40 a.m. – 10:25 a.m.
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Shifting Tides at the SEC: Implications for Issuers, Investors, and the Securities Litigation Bar
Recent SEC policy and enforcement developments are signaling potential shifts in market oversight, corporate disclosure, and securities enforcement. Proposals and rulemaking initiatives may affect reporting requirements, enforcement priorities, and the use of arbitration in investor disputes. These changes are prompting issuers, investors, and practitioners to reassess litigation risk, compliance strategies, and investor protection. This panel will bring together leading plaintiffs’ and defense attorneys and institutional investors to discuss how evolving SEC priorities may impact enforcement trends, securities class actions, and investor protection in a changing regulatory landscape.
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10:25 a.m. – 10:40 a.m.
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Networking Break
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10:40 a.m. – 11:25 a.m.
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Future of Litigation Finance: Beyond a Funding Agreement
How are law firms using alternative mechanisms to meet financial needs? How has the rise of Managed Service Organizations (MSO's) and potential addition of Alternative Business Structure (ABS) states created opportunity? What are the ethical constraints on employment of MSO's, and are there variations between states? Finally, what is the impact of California AB 931 (anti-ABS law) and how will that effect MSOs and other funding options?
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11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
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The State of Mass Arbitrations
The rise of mass arbitrations ushered in a new front for consumers seeking to hold corporations accountable. Since that rise, much has changed, with both neutrals and defense counsel adapting to this new strategy. Our panel discusses the state of play of mass arbitrations in 2026, from filing trends, ethics, and to the future of this legal area.
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12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
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Robert L. Lieff Annual Awards Luncheon
Sponsored by Alcom Printing Join us for a special luncheon honoring Robert L. Lieff as the inaugural recipient of the Robert L. Lieff Award for Outstanding Service to the Class Action Industry. This annual award recognizes exceptional leadership and lasting contributions to the field. The program will feature a fireside chat with Kenneth Feinberg, offering reflections on Robert’s career and the evolution of class action litigation.
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1:35 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.
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Beyond a Breach: Data Privacy Revisited
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2:25 p.m. – 3:10 p.m.
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Direct & Class Action Hybrid MDLs: A Balancing Act of Multiple Parts
A recent MDL trend has been the presence of multi-track MDLs, where potential claimants are asserting their own individual claims alongside the claims of a class. How do attorneys on both sides of the “V” approach these cases, and how can the multi-tracks help (and possibly hurt) each other approach resolution?
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3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
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Environmental Class Actions
Environmental litigation takes a long time, and requires significant resources to get through its stages. How law firms approach these problems from the outset, and build systems (of information and communication) can vastly improve outcomes for their clients and the court. The experts on this panel will discuss the ordering of priorities and how this can lead to more efficient resolutions.
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4:00 p.m. – 4:20 p.m.
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Networking Break
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4:20 p.m. – 5:05 p.m.
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Global Class Actions 101
This panel will provide a practical “Global Class Actions 101” introductions to major collective redress regimes worldwide. It will compare these systems to the U.S. model and explore how claimants, investors, lawyers, litigation funders, and policymakers are navigating this evolving landscape.
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5:10 p.m – 5:55 p.m.
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Expanding the Scope of Consumer Protection
Society’s definition and understanding of who is a consumer, whether it be of goods, services, or content, is more expansive than ever before. How has the legal world adapted to these changes in society? Our panelists are at the forefront of this ever-changing area of practice.
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6:00 p.m – 7:00 p.m. |
Closing Cocktail Reception and Award Ceremony
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Awards ceremony for the Premier Class Action Lawyers of Tomorrow
Tyler Bean
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Ryan Garippo
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Nina Gliozzo
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Matthew Grier
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Michael Griffin
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Amanda Karl
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Julia McGrath
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Jacqueline Meyers
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Erin Ruben
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Arianna Scavett
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George Schaller
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Brian Liegel
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