Winning Mass Torts: Strategies for Defending High-Stakes Litigation

Christopher G. Campbell
Antonious E. Sadek
Katie Insogna
Rachel Horton
Megan Kinney
Christopher G. Campbell | DLA Piper
Antonious E. Sadek | DLA Piper
Katie Insogna | DLA Piper
Rachel Horton | DLA Piper
Megan Kinney | DLA Piper
Live Video-Broadcast: June 18, 2025

2 hour CLE

Tuition: $195.00
Subscribe to myLawCLEs All-Acces Pass...
Get this course, plus over 1,000+ of live webinars.
Learn More
Training 5 or more people?

Sign-up for a law firm subscription plan and each attorney in the firm receives free access to all CLE Programs

Program Summary

This program provides a comprehensive guide to defending mass tort litigations, covering both fundamental principles and advanced strategies. Attendees will gain insights into managing federal multidistrict litigations (MDLs), state-coordinated proceedings, and global mass torts. Key topics include drafting effective pleadings, structuring discoveries to ensure balanced disclosures, identifying and addressing critical legal and expert issues early, and developing strategic approaches to bellwether case selection and trial. The session will also explore best practices for coordinating defense efforts across multiple jurisdictions.

Key topics to be discussed:

  • Defining and narrowing mass tort claims at the pleading stage
  • Designing affirmative discovery to balance the disclosure obligations on both sides
  • Identifying dispositive legal, expert, and other issues and getting them heard early
  • Bellwether case selection and trial strategies
  • Federal, state, and global coordination

Date / Time: June 18, 2025 

  • 1:00 pm – 3:10 pm Eastern
  • 12:00 pm – 2:10 pm Central
  • 11:00 am – 1:10 pm Mountain
  • 10:00 am – 12:10 pm Pacific

Closed-captioning available

Speakers

Christopher G. Campbell_myLawCLEChristopher G. Campbell | DLA Piper

Chris Campbell is the Chair of DLA Piper’s Product Liability and Mass Tort practice group, which is among the world’s largest and most award-winning team of product liability defense counsel. A graduate of Harvard Law School, Chris has 20 years’ experience in all phases of mass tort, class action, and other complex commercial litigation, including trying cases and arguing appeals. He has served as global, national, and trial counsel for many global companies in the life sciences, food and beverage, automotive, and insurance sectors. In addition, Chris also advises clients on regulatory, communications, and other strategic matters with the potential to impact the clients’ business interests or reputations.

Clients say of Chris: “He is great. Period.” Others praise the quality of his strategic advice and devotion to client service as “truly indispensable” to their teams, noting their gratitude for “all the help (almost around the clock!) and good advice.” The Legal 500 United States has repeatedly recognized Chris, noting that he “commands respect.” Law360 selected Chris as a “Rising Star” in the area of product liability, citing his “knack for breaking down difficult science into concepts” and “creativity and unorthodox tactics” that “have set him apart.”

Chris regularly speaks and writes on the topics of product liability, mass torts, and class action litigation, as well as the attorney-client privilege, expert witnesses, pharmacovigilance, trial tactics, and other topics.

 

Antonious E. Sadek_myLawCLEAntonious E. Sadek, PharmD. | DLA Piper

Tony Sadek is a pharmacist and associate in DLA Piper’s Product Liability, Mass Tort, and Product Stewardship group. He focuses his practice on pharmaceutical and medical device litigation, mass torts, product liability, and regulatory issues. As a pharmacist, Tony served as pharmacy practicing consulting to clients. After law school, Tony clerked for mass tort judges at both the federal and state level. Prior to joining DLA Piper, Tony worked at an expert witness company, connecting law firms to experts who meet their case needs.

 

Speaker_Katie InsognaKatie Insogna | DLA Piper

Katie Insogna serves as Co-Chair of the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Product Liability Sub-Practice Group. A five-time honoree by Legal 500 for life sciences and pharmaceutical and medical device defense (2020 as a Rising Star; 2021-2024 as a Next Generation Partner), Katie’s practice focuses on litigation, regulatory, and enforcement challenges facing pharmaceutical, medical device, and life science companies.

Her litigation practice primarily involves representing clients in complex, multi-jurisdictional product liability litigation and complex commercial litigation, for which DLA Piper’s Product Liability and Mass Tort practice group has been recognized as a leader for years. As part of her Legal 500 recognition, Katie was described as “highly skilled” and “a name to note.” Clients recognized that she “excels at handling high-stakes litigation and counselling” and “recommended for her ability to handle both regulatory issues and litigation, including MDLs tied to product liability, and broader commercial litigation.”

Katie has extensive expertise with fact and expert witness development, discovery and dispositive motion practice, and trial preparation. Katie has taken and defended numerous parties and third-party witness depositions in product liability and commercial litigation cases. She also has argued with motions in state and federal courts.

In addition to her litigation practice, Katie counsels clients on research and development, risk management, and other compliance issues.

 

Speaker_Rachel HortonRachel Horton | DLA Piper

Rachel Horton represents pharmaceutical and medical device companies in multidistrict litigation and appeals throughout the United States. Rachel is a high-energy litigator who regularly handles complex matters. She has presented oral arguments in front of federal Courts of Appeals, state and federal trial courts and arbitration panels.

Rachel has significant experience drafting dispositive motions that have helped eliminate or narrow claims. For example, she has deep experience litigating preemption and standing issues. Recently, Rachel has collaborated with her colleagues to litigate False Claims Act and intellectual property lawsuits on behalf of life science companies.

Rachel also maintains an active pro bono practice. She regularly handles Court-appointed appeals in the Third Circuit, and she is a member of the Second Circuit’s Pro Bono Panel.

Rachel graduated first in her law school class. During law school, she interned with the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, where she assisted in the government’s litigation of Federal Tort Claims Act and False Claims Act cases. She also served as an intern for the Honorable Louis H. Pollak, US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Then Rachel clerked for the Honorable Legrome D. Davis, US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and the Honorable Richard C. Wesley, US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Before practicing law, Rachel worked as a molecular biologist in a breast cancer research lab at the University of Pennsylvania while simultaneously earning a Master of Bioethics degree. Rachel’s research into the genetic underpinnings of cancer has been published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Her background in science helps Rachel understand her clients’ business and litigation needs.

 

Speaker_Megan KinneyMegan Kinney | DLA Piper

Megan Kinney is a litigator who defends high-profile brands in consumer class actions. She represents clients in cases involving claims alleging false advertising and unfair, unlawful and fraudulent business practices concerning the manufacture and sale of over-the-counter consumer goods, including those brought under California’s UCL, FAL, CLRA and other consumer protection statutes. She has defended prominent companies in multidistrict litigation involving industrywide manufacturers and sellers of OTC consumer products.

Megan is an alumnus of DLA Piper’s Krantz Fellowship, which allowed her to spend her first year as an associate working exclusively on pro bono matters. She maintains an active pro bono practice that includes obtaining discharge upgrades and disability ratings for veterans. She also supports DLA Piper’s commitment to pro bono as a member of the North American Pro Bono Committee.

Agenda

I. Defining and narrowing mass tort claims at the pleading stage | 1:00pm – 1:30pm

II. Designing affirmative discovery to balance the disclosure obligations on both sides | 1:30pm – 2:00pm

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

III. Identifying dispositive legal, expert, and other issues and getting them heard early | 2:10pm – 2:30pm

IV. Bellwether case selection and trial strategies | 2:30pm – 2:50pm

V. Federal, state, and global coordination | 2:50pm – 3:10pm

Credits

Alaska

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through Alaska’s recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity.
Alabama

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Arkansas

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Arizona

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

California

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Colorado

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Connecticut

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

District of Columbia

No MCLE Required
2 CLE Hour(s)

Delaware

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Florida

Approved via Attorney Submission
2.5 General Hours

Receive CLE credit in Florida via attorney submission.
Georgia

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Hawaii

Approved for CLE Credits
2.4 General

Iowa

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Idaho

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Illinois

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Indiana

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Kansas

Pending CLE Approval
2 Substantive

Kentucky

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Louisiana

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Massachusetts

No MCLE Required
2 CLE Hour(s)

Maryland

No MCLE Required
2 CLE Hour(s)

Maine

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Michigan

No MCLE Required
2 CLE Hour(s)

Minnesota

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Missouri

Approved for CLE Credits
2.4 General

Mississippi

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Montana

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

North Carolina

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

North Dakota

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through North Dakota’s recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity. Section 1, Policy 1.14
Nebraska

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

myLawCLE reports attendance to Nebraska on each attorney’s behalf for all programs. Please do not self-report.
New Hampshire

Approved for CLE Credits
120 General minutes

As of July 1, 2014, the NHMCLE Board no longer provides pre- or post-approval of courses. Attendees must self-determine whether a program is eligible for credit, and self-report their attendance online at www.nhbar.org, based on qualification provisions of Rule 53.
New Jersey

Approved for CLE Credits
2.4 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through New Jersey’s recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity, except for the courses required under BCLE Reg. 201:2
New Mexico

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Nevada

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

New York

Approved for CLE Credits
2.4 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through New York’s Approved Jurisdiction Group “B”.
Ohio

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Oklahoma

Pending CLE Approval
2.5 General

Oregon

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Pennsylvania

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Rhode Island

Pending CLE Approval
2.5 General

South Carolina

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

South Dakota

No MCLE Required
2 CLE Hour(s)

Tennessee

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Texas

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Utah

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Virginia

Not Eligible
2 General Hours

Vermont

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Washington

Approved via Attorney Submission
2 Law & Legal Hours

Receive CLE credit in Washington via attorney submission.
Wisconsin

Pending CLE Approval
2.4 General

West Virginia

Pending CLE Approval
2.4 General

Wyoming

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

#1 CLE Access Program

  • Over 1,000 Live CLE Webinars each year
  • All CLE webinars broadcasted in last 12 months
  • Programs covering over 35 practice areas
  • Hot topics & changes in the law
  • All formats: Live, Replay, and On-demand
  • Accreditation in every state

Access every CLE webinar,
every format, all year long!

myLawCLE All-Access Pass

only $395 yearly


Register Now

#1 CLE Access Program

  • Over 1,000 Live CLE Webinars each year
  • All CLE webinars broadcasted in last 12 months
  • Programs covering over 35 practice areas
  • Hot topics & changes in the law
  • All formats: Live, Replay, and On-demand
  • Accreditation in every state

Access every CLE webinar,
every format, all year long!

myLawCLE All-Access Pass

only $395 yearly


More CLE Webinars
Upcoming CLE Webinars
Sketching Legacies: A guide to drafting wills and trusts
Sketching Legacies: A guide to drafting wills and trusts Tue, June 3, 2025
On-Demand
Live Replay
Obtaining and Using Social Media Evidence (2025 Edition)
Obtaining and Using Social Media Evidence (2025 Edition) Wed, June 4, 2025
On-Demand
Live Replay
Mastering Storytelling in Law in the AI Era
Mastering Storytelling in Law in the AI Era Thu, June 5, 2025
On-Demand
Live Replay
Microsoft Copilot 365 AI tool for Lawyers (Part 1)
Microsoft Copilot 365 AI tool for Lawyers (Part 1) Fri, June 6, 2025
On-Demand
Live Replay
Gun Trust 101 (2025 Edition)
Gun Trust 101 (2025 Edition) Mon, June 9, 2025
On-Demand
Live Replay
Abating Tax Penalties (2025 Edition)
Abating Tax Penalties (2025 Edition) Thu, June 12, 2025
On-Demand
Live Replay
Inherited IRAs in Estate Planning (2025 Edition)
Inherited IRAs in Estate Planning (2025 Edition) Tue, June 17, 2025
On-Demand
Live Replay