Thank you to our sponsors for supporting diversity in MDL leadership.

Agenda

Fourth Annual Shades of Mass Conference

JW Marriott L.A. Live | Los Angeles, CA | September 4-6, 2025

The Fourth Annual Shades of Mass Conference is here. Join the movement to elevate representative leadership in cases that shape the nation.

Thursday, September 4, 2025

Registration Open

Time: 11:00am - 8:30pm
Location: Gold Ballroom Foyer

Shades of Mass Board Meeting (Private)

Time: 2:00pm - 3:00pm

SOM Board Members

Sponsor & SOM Board Reception - Invitation Only

Time: 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: Gold Lobby

From Individual Cases to Bellwethers - The Art of Winning at Trial

Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Location: Gold Ballroom 1-2

Moderator
Khaldoun Baghdadi, Khaldoun Baghdadi - Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger

Speaker
Rahul Ravipudi, Panish Shea Ravipudi

Fundraiser in Support of Raúl Torrez for Governor of New Mexico

Time: 5:00pm - 5:45pm
Location: Gold Lobby

Fireside Chat with Judges'

Time: 5:45pm - 7:15pm
Location: Gold Ballroom 1-2

Moderator
Larry Taylor, The Cochran Firm

Speaker
Senior District Judge William H. Orrick, United States District Court, Northern California
Honorable J. Michelle Childs, United States Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit
Honorable David Cunningham, Superior Court of Los Angeles County
Honorable Philip S. Gutierrez (Ret.), JAMS

Opening Reception & Sponsor Networking

Time: 7:30pm - 8:30pm
Location: Gold Ballroom Foyer 1-3

Spades for Justice Tournament - The Mixing Room (TMR) at the JW Marriott LA Live

Shades of Mass proudly supports the KIS Foundation. Play cards, talk smack, do good—every hand at Spades of Justice helps uplift families living with Sickle Cell Disease.

You can register to play by clicking this link https://milestoneseventh.com/spades-for-justice

Time: 9:30pm - 12:00am
Location: The Mixing Room

Friday, September 5, 2025

Breakfast

Time: 8:30am - 10:00am
Location: Gold Ballroom 3-4

Sponsor Networking

Time: 9:00am - 9:50am
Location: Gold Ballroom 1-2

Welcome Video from Minority Leader Jeffries

Time: 9:50am - 10:00am
Location: Gold Ballroom 1-2

Speaker
Marlon Kimpson, Motley Rice

Litigating Sexual Assault Claims En Masse

Time: 10:00am - 10:45am
Location: Gold Ballroom 1-2

Moderator
Ben Crump, Ben Crump Law PLLC

Speaker
Jessica Pride, The Pride Firm
Mary Liu, Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz, PLLC
Courtney M. Thom, Manly, Stewart & Finaldi

Mass Tort Overview I: Hair Relaxer, NEC, Heavy Metal Baby Food and Ozempic/ GLP-1

Get up to speed on some of the most active dockets in mass tort litigation, including Hair Relaxer, NEC, Heavy Metal Baby Food, and Ozempic/GLP-1. This session will cover recent developments, legal strategies, and key considerations for firms navigating these high-impact cases.

Time: 10:45am - 11:30am
Location: Gold Ballroom 1-2

Moderator
Tricia "CK" Hoffler, The CK Hoffler Firm

Speaker
Diandra "Fu" Debrosse, DiCello Levitt
José Rojas, Levin, Rojas, Camassar & Reck LLC
Navan Ward, Beasley Allen Law Firm

Experts, Experts, Experts - Recent Wins and Challenges

Top litigators will unpack the strategic development and hurdles of high-stakes mass tort trials-from GLP-1/Ozempic and Elmiron product liability leadership to bellwether verdicts in earplug and testosterone therapy cases-delivering real-world insights on expert witness deployment and courtroom tactics.

Time: 11:30am - 12:15pm
Location: Gold Ballroom 1-2

Moderator
Juan Martinez, Morgan & Morgan

Speaker
Kenzo Kawanabe, Olson Grimsley Kawanabe Hinchcliff & Murray LLC
Kendra Y. Goldhirsch, Chaffin Lahuna, LLP
Carasusana Wall, Bullock Legal Group
Ibiere Seck, Seck Law Trial Lawyers

The State of Democracy Luncheon Panel - Opening Remarks from Julia Duncan

Time: 12:15pm - 1:45pm
Location: Gold Ballroom 3-4

Speaker
Julia Duncan, American Association for Justice
Ben Crump, Shades of Mass, President
Raúl Torrez, Attorney General of New Mexico
Aaron Ford, Attorney General of Nevada

Settlement! - Lien Resolution & Distribution Realities

From navigating complex lien negotiations to managing client expectations, this session breaks down the critical final steps of mass tort resolution. Experts will share practical guidance on distribution logistics, ethical obligations, and the often-overlooked challenges post-settlement.

Time: 1:45pm - 2:30pm
Location: Gold Ballroom 1-2

Moderator
Navan Ward, Beasley Allen Law Firm

Speaker
Shery Ramezanian, LitPRO
Brooke West Blake, EisnerAmper
Sindhu Daniel, Scott + Scott
Joel Caldwell, Cory Watson, P.C.

Building Bridges: Coalition Advocacy for Underrepresented Communities

ICE enforcement continues to disproportionately target Black and Brown communities through raids, detentions, and deportations. This session examines how legal and grassroots coalitions are confronting these practices, pushing back on unconstitutional tactics and working toward lasting immigration reform.

Time: 2:30pm - 3:15pm
Location: Gold Ballroom 1-2

Moderator
Shane Harris, Director of Communications & Partnerships Gomez Trial Attorneys San Diego

Speaker
John Gomez,
Gomez Trial Attorneys
Najee Ali, Operation H.O.P.E
Jessica Manriquez Jewell, California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc.

15-Minute Break

Environmental Justice Mass Litigation - An Overview & Pending Cases

This session highlights mass tort cases at the intersection of ecological harm and community impact, focusing on equity, access, and accountability issues. Learn how environmental justice shapes litigation strategies and drives new waves of advocacy and legal action.

Time: 3:30pm - 4:15pm
Location: Gold Ballroom 1-2

Moderator
Gregory Cade, Environmental Litigation Group

Speaker
Emily Acosta, Wagstaff Law Firm
Daniel R. Flynn, DiCello Levitt
Verónica N. Vázquez, NSPR Law Services, LLC
Shreedhar Patel, Simon Greenstone Panatier
Simona Farrise Best, Farrise Firm, P.C.

Mass Tort Overview II: Depo Provera, Camp Lejeune, Social Media, CPAP, Ultra Processed Foods

An in-depth look at several active and emerging mass torts-including Depo Provera, Camp Lejeune, Social Media addiction claims, CPAP devices, and ultra-processed food litigation. Panelists will examine current legal theories, challenges, and what's on the horizon for each docket.

Time: 4:15pm - 5:00pm
Location: Gold Ballroom 1-2

Moderator
Previn Warren, Motley Rice LLC

Speaker
Ava Marie Cavaco, Nigh Goldenberg Raso & Vaughn
Carl Solomon, Solomon Law Group, LLC
Ron Austin, Ron Austin Law
Clinton Richardson, Beasley Allen

Sponsor Networking & Evening Reception

Time: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Location: Gold Ballroom Foyer

Fundraiser in Support of Aaron Ford for Governor of Nevada

Time: 5:45pm - 6:45pm
Location: Gold Lobby

Buffet Dinner
Keynote / State of the Union

Time: 6:45pm - 8:15pm
Location: Gold Ballroom 3-4

Keynote
Ebony M. Thompson, City Solicitor, Baltimore City Department of Law

An Evening with Miguel Sponsored by LitPro

We told you this year would be different. This isn't just a party. It is an unforgettable night in L.A. with a private performance by Grammy-winning artist Miguel.

Time: 8:30pm - 10:30pm

Saturday, September 6, 2025

Breakfast

Time: 8:00am - 9:00am
Location: Gold Ballroom 3-4

The High Cost of Cheap Leads and the Other Barriers to Paying for Them

This session explores the evolving landscape of third-party litigation funding, including emerging regulations, ethical considerations, and practical realities for plaintiffs and firms. Hear from experts navigating the fine line between financial opportunity and professional responsibility.

Time: 9:00am - 9:45am
Location: Gold Ballroom 3-4

Moderator
LaRuby May, May Jung

Speaker
Andy Rogers, Shield Legal
Ruth Rizkalla, Carlson Law Firm
Michael Kelley, Parker Poe

Class Action and Antitrust MDLs - An Overview

This session provides a practical overview of emerging and ongoing class action and antitrust multidistrict litigation (MDLs), including trends in certification, settlements, and coordination. Attendees will learn how these complex cases are structured and litigated across industries.

Time: 9:45am - 10:30am
Location: Gold Ballroom 1-2

Moderator
Marlon Kimpson, Motley Rice LLC

Speaker
Sabita Soneji, Tycko Zavareei LLP
Phong-Chau G. Nguyen, Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP
George C. Aguilar, Robbins LLP

15-Minute Break

Judicial Panel - Mass Tort Challenges - From First Day Orders to Resolution

Judges with mass tort experience discuss the procedural and practical hurdles that arise throughout the life cycle of a case, from initial filings and pretrial coordination to settlement and resolution. This session provides key insights into judicial expectations, courtroom efficiency, and best practices for case management.

Time: 10:45am - 12:00pm
Location: Gold Ballroom 1-2

Moderator
Honorable Randa M. Trapp (Ret.), JAMS

Speaker
Senior District Judge Edward M. Chen, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
Honorable J. Michelle Childs, United States Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit
Honorable David Cunningham, Superior Court of Los Angeles County
Larry Taylor, The Cochran Firm

Sponsor Networking

Time: 12:00pm - 12:30pm
Location: Gold Ballroom Foyer

Presidential Awards Luncheon

Time: 12:30pm - 1:45pm
Location: Gold Ballroom 3-4

Moderator
Ben Crump, Ben Crump Law PLLC

Speaker
Sharon McGowan, Public Justice

Bellwether Trials - From Selection to Verdict

This session unpacks the lifecycle of bellwether trials, from the selection of cases to the implications of verdicts for broader resolution strategies. Learn how these trials shape mass tort outcomes, influence settlement posture, and impact future litigation.

Time: 1:45pm - 2:30pm
Location: Gold Ballroom 1-2

Moderator
Kimberly Perkins, Perkins Trial Lawyers LLC

Speaker
Shreedhar R. Patel, Simon Greenstone Panatier
José Rojas, Levin, Rojas, Camassar & Reck LLC
Maria Fleming, Napoli Shkolnik PLLC
Aigner Kolom, Beasley Allen

Federal Rules & Supreme Court/Appellate Developments Impacting Mass Tort Cases

Stay ahead with this timely discussion on Supreme Court and appellate developments and proposed amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure affecting mass tort practice. Panelists will break down what is on the table and what it could mean for litigators nationwide.

Time: 2:30pm - 3:45pm
Location: Gold Ballroom 1-2

Moderator
Navan Ward, Beasley Allen Law Firm

Speaker
Deepak Gupta, Gupta Wessler
Sue Steinman, American Association for Justice

15-Minute Break

Special Keynote

Time: 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Location: Gold Ballroom 1-2

Keynote
Rob Bonta, Attorney General of California

State Court / Federal MDL Court Coordination - Lessons Learned & Strategies

Explore the complexities of coordinating parallel litigation across state and federal courts in mass tort cases. This session covers key lessons, communication strategies, and best practices for ensuring consistency and efficiency across jurisdictions.

Time: 4:45pm - 5:30pm
Location: Gold Ballroom 1-2

Moderator
Priscilla Jimenez, Kline & Specter PC

Speaker
Michael Blakely, The Blakely Firm
EricaRae Garcia, Weitz & Luxenberg

California Fires Litigation

Time: 5:30pm - 6:15pm
Location: Gold Ballroom 1-2

Moderator
Diandra "Fu" Debrosse, DiCello Levitt

Speaker
Steven Lopez, GibbsMura
Lyssa A. Roberts, Panish Shea Ravipudi LLP
Anne Andrews, Andrews & Thornton

Closing Ceremony

Time: 6:15pm - 6:45pm
Location: Gold Ballroom 1-2

Shades of Mass Closing Party - Lucky Strike Bowling at L.A. LIVE

Join us Saturday evening for a private event at Lucky Strike Bowling at LA Live to unwind after a great conference; you won't want to miss it!

Time: 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Location: Lucky Strike Bowling at L.A. Live

Have a Question?

Contact conference@shadesofmass.org if you have any questions.