ACC MN Third Annual Manufacturing Summit Sponsored by Maslon LLP

Maslon and the Minnesota chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC MN) join forces on Thursday, Oct. 29, to present their third annual Manufacturing Summit. This year, the seminar provides in-house counsel from Minnesota’s manufacturing community insight into the topic of nuclear product liability verdicts.

In today’s litigation environment, nuclear (over $10 million) and even thermonuclear (over $100 million) product liability verdicts regularly make headlines. These massive damages awards deal equally devastating blows to bottom lines as they do brands, reputations, and customer relationships. They don’t happen by accident: Long before closing arguments, plaintiffs’ counsel deploy deliberate strategies to build themes and narratives that resonate with jurors and inflate exposure. But savvy defendants know how to stop the chain reaction before it’s too late. At this half-day seminar, in-house counsel at Minnesota’s leading manufacturers will come together to discuss what nuclear verdicts are, why they happen, and how to fight back—from preparing every case with trial in mind to avoiding coverage and indemnification missteps along the way.

To register, go to ACC MN Manufacturing Summit.

LOCATION

The Club at Golden Valley
7001 Golden Valley Road
Golden Valley, MN 55427

Session 1 | The Anatomy of a Nuclear Verdict: What Plaintiffs Do, Why It Works, and How Corporate Defendants Can Avert a Crisis

Plaintiffs’ counsel are typically laser-focused on juror attitudes when positioning product liability cases for a big verdict. Corporate defendants must do the same, and better. In this discussion, a seasoned product liability litigator with experience on both sides of the “v” joins a highly regarded jury consultant to reveal exactly how nuclear verdicts are constructed, with an emphasis on the trends, themes, and attitudes that make them possible. From there, the conversation turns to offense, including strategies for 1) evaluating risk; 2) leveraging and understanding the limits of AI; 3) running smart mock exercises to stress-test trial themes; and 4) spotting the favorable and high-risk jurors before a single voir dire question is asked. The result is a practical blueprint for decommissioning the risk of nuclear verdict.

Presenters: 
Anna Petosky, Partner, Maslon LLP
Alexa Hiley, Senior Jury Consultant, IMS Legal Services 

Session 2 | Insurance Interception: Indemnity Strategies for Future-Proofing Against Nuclear Verdicts

Apart from rigorous claims management and litigation defense, sophisticated manufacturers seeking to hedge against the risk of a big verdict are wise to ensure their indemnification provisions will protect them as expected—and ideally before it’s necessary. In this session, a seasoned coverage attorney will demystify indemnity so that participants are well-positioned to get coverage if a nuclear verdict strikes. We will address when to seek indemnification and what the standards are, what obligations corporate policyholders have in light of a settlement, and who can show up at the negotiating table.

Presenter: Judah Druck, Partner, Maslon LLP

Session 3 | Chain Reaction: Dealing with Insurers When Nuclear Verdicts Loom

When the warning bells of a big verdict are ringing, the same insurance policy that offers peace of mind can become a significant obstacle to navigate, particularly when missteps can be costly. This cross-disciplinary panel brings together the necessary perspectives of seasoned outside and in-house counsel to provide practical tips on dealing with insurers in the face of significant damages claims. Learn the nuances of coverage limits, settlement authority, and how to best control the decision to take an off-ramp or proceed to trial.

Moderator: Erica Holzer, Partner; Co-Chair of the Appellate Practice Group, Maslon LLP
Panelists: Judah Druck, Partner, Maslon LLP, with another panelist to be announced soon 

AGENDA

1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Attendee check-in

1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. | Session 1 - The Anatomy of a Nuclear Verdict: What Plaintiffs Do, Why It Works, and How Corporate Defendants Can Avert a Crisis

2:15 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. | Session 2 - Insurance Interception: Coverage and Indemnity Strategies for Future-Proofing Against Nuclear Verdicts

2:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Break

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Session 3 - Chain Reaction: Dealing with Insurers When Nuclear Verdicts Loom

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Reception