Originally established in 1968 via federal statute—Title 28 of U.S. Code Section 1407—multidistrict litigation is now a dominant force in reshaping the legal landscape in the United States. According to a recent study, as of the end of 2018, multidistrict litigation (MDLs) made up approximately 52% of the civil caseload at the federal level. On paper, MDLs are not class actions, but the reality is that they give a lot of power to a small groups of lawyers.   This panel will discuss what the “new normal” of MDLs looks like from the perspective of defendants, plaintiffs, and their lawyers. Is the new normal sustainable? If so, can our current approach to legal ethics handle this new world, or does something have to change?   Panelists are leaders in their field and will take questions from the audience after their presentations. The panel will run 5:30 - 7:00 p.m., reception to follow.   Panelists: Elizabeth Chamblee Burch, Fuller E. Callaway Chair of Law, University of Georgia School of Law, and author of Mass Tort Deals: Backroom Bargaining in Multidistrict Litigation (Cambridge University Press 2019) Sheila Birnbaum, Partner, Dechert LLP; Co-Chair of Dechert's Product Liability and Mass Torts Practice Howard Erichson, Professor of Law, Fordham University School of Law Chris Seeger, Founding Partner, Seeger Weiss LLP; Cardozo Law JD '90; Cardozo Distinguished Alumnus of the Year 2009 Moderated by Anthony Sebok, Professor of Law, Cardozo School of Law   This event is open to the public, but please register in order to attend.   Please email maura.gingerich@yu.edu with any questions about this event.

CrimFest is a conference of criminal law scholars from around the country.