ACA Member Webinar: 2024 Litigation Strategy Updates – Rule 702 Amendments, Third-Party Litigation Funding, and MDL Rule 16.1 Proposal

Hollingsworth LLP partners Eric Lasker, Robert Johnston, and Brett Clements will present a free webinar on emerging issues shaping complex litigation in 2024. The webinar will re-cap the 2023 amendments to Fed. R. Evid. 702, provide updates on the proliferation of third-party litigation funding, and explore recent trends in Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) including the proposed changes to Rule 16.1(b).

Companies must develop thoughtful strategies to address the mix of both positive and negative developments in litigation over the past year. On the one hand, the amendments to Rule 702 clarify the standard for the admissibility of expert opinions and give defendants a better opportunity to challenge so-called “junk science.” On the other hand, third-party litigation funding continues to increase exponentially. Defendants and some policy makers have pushed for greater transparency, but few courts require discovery into who may be funding a litigation or driving overall strategy. Finally, 2025 may bring incremental reforms to the MDL process under the new proposed Rule 16.1(b). Plaintiffs may continue to maintain the upper hand, but defendants must develop a coherent game plan to streamline mass tort litigation given these procedural changes.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing instructions for joining the webinar.