Agenda
Fifth Annual Shades of Mass Conference
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill | October 8-10, 2026
The Fifth Annual Shades of Mass Conference is here. Join the movement to elevate representative leadership in cases that shape the nation.
Agenda subject to change
Thursday, October 8, 2026
Mass Torts 101 - What is Mass Tort?
Introduce the fundamentals of mass tort litigation by defining what qualifies as a mass tort, structuring cases, and clarifying how leaders drive and distribute common benefit compensation.
Mass Torts 201: Strategies for Building a Mass Tort Practice
This session focuses on the operational foundations of a mass tort practice, including client intake, case vetting, communication, and risk mitigation for statute-of-limitations issues.
Mass Torts 301: MDL Leadership & Why It Matters
Explain how leaders take charge of MDLs, fulfill key responsibilities, and strategically guide cases to shape outcomes.
Friday, October 9, 2026
Mass Tort Case Updates (Part I): Chemical Hair Relaxer, Infant Formula NEC, Camp Lejeune, Kratom, and Ultra Processed Foods Litigations
Deliver a timely update on key mass tort dockets, highlighting new developments in chemical exposure, pharmaceutical, and consumer product litigation.
Fireside Chat with MDL Judges
Engage federal judges in a candid discussion, revealing trends in complex litigation, decision-making, and practical tips for attorneys appearing before the bench.
Class Action and Environmental Law MDLs – An Overview
Explore complex MDLs in class action and environmental law by charting how attorneys develop, litigate, and resolve these cases.
Fueling Growth: Intake and Lead Generation in Mass Tort Cases
Explore how firms actively source and qualify cases, energize lead generation strategy, cultivate referral networks, and track marketing performance for impactful results.
Litigating Mass Tort Cases (Part I)
Guide participants through case litigation by creating fact sheets, taking depositions, and using strategies to build strong evidentiary records.
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Mass Tort Settlements, Lien Resolution and Settlement Administration Strategies for Better Client Outcomes
Provide focused strategies for negotiating settlements, resolving liens, and administering claims to secure efficient, effective outcomes for clients.
MDL Judicial Panel
Hear directly from the judges presiding over complex cases, what do they expect in the courtroom, how do they handle case management, and what key insights should every attorney bring to MDL proceedings?
Litigating Mass Tort Cases (Part II)
Take your litigation strategy to the next level with a deep dive into advanced tactics. What challenges and opportunities do expert testimony, depositions, and appellate strategy create for your complex cases?
Legal Funding
Unpack litigation funding by structuring deals, assessing risks, and showing how funding can accelerate case development and law firm expansion.
Mass Tort Case Updates (Part II): Social Media Addiction, Depo-Provera, Talc, GLP-1/Ozempic, and Video Game Addiction Litigations
Present a forward-looking update on emerging mass tort dockets by spotlighting new developments in pharmaceutical, product liability, and technology-related litigation.
Have a Question?
Contact conference@shadesofmass.org if you have any questions.