2025 Toxic Torts Conference

 

ADC Toxic Torts Seminar

The ADC Toxic Torts Committee, chaired by Edward Tugade of Demler, Armstrong & Rowland and Yakov Wiegmann of Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker, is pleased to announce this year’s Toxic Torts Seminar, featuring top trial attorneys, key thought leaders, as well as current and emerging specialists in toxic torts from across CA, in an exchange of insights on the most important trends and changes fueling the defense of tomorrow's trials.

Topics will include emerging trends in toxic torts; a new approach to discovery and trial preparation; and tips and lessons learned from recent trials by the attorneys who tried them. Do not miss out on a seminar truly built, “By Defense Attorneys, For Defense Attorneys.”

 

Friday, October 24, 2025
Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP
655 Montgomery St., Ste. 900 | San Francisco, CA

  

Registration Fees

ADCNCN Member $200
Young Lawyer Member*/ Law Student $125
Non-Member $300
Claims Personnel Complimentary
Judicial Officer Complimentary 

*In practice 5 years or less 

Schedule and Speakers

9:00 am – 10:00 am REGISTRATION & BREAKFAST
   
10:00 am – 11:00 am

NEW EXPOSURE AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS FOR ESTABLISHED HAZARDS:  SILICA, TALC, AND ASBESTOS

  • Ania Urban, PhD, MPH, CIH, Stantec
  • Neva Jacobs, PhD, MPH, CIH, J.S. Held
  • Jonathan D. Sayre, Esq., Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP
  • Brooke Simmons, MPH, CIH, Insight Group
 11:00 am – 12:00 pm THE SHERLOCK STRATEGY: A NEW ADVOCACY APPROACH FOR TODAY’S JURIES

This talk will focus on a new investigative approach to help build credibility and increase juror receptivity to case evidence and arguments.

  • Michelle Rey LaRocca, Decision Analysis, Inc.
 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm  LUNCH
   
1:00 pm - 1:30 pm

APPELLATE DECISIONS, RECENT AND PENDING
A discussion on decisions recently made, or under consideration by California appeals courts.

  • Don Willenburg, Esq. Gordon Rees Scully Masukhani, LLP
 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

SILICOSIS TRIALS – SUCCESS FROM THE TRENCHES

  • Khaled Taqi-Eddin, Esq., Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP
  • Peter Strotz, Esq., King and Spalding
  • Bryan King, Esq., King and Spalding
 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm RECENT LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS

A discussion of legislation in Sacramento that may impact toxic tort litigation.

  • Mike Belote, California Advocates, Inc.
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

TOXIC EXPOSURES AND COGNITIVE COMPLAINTS: FORENSIC NEUROPSYCHOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY ASSESSMENT IN TOXIC TORT LITIGATION
This session will examine how forensic neuropsychology and toxicology assessments help evaluate alleged cognitive and emotional complaints in toxic tort cases, with attention to both multi-defendant and multi-plaintiff litigation contexts.

  • Dr. Howard J. Friedman, PhD, ABPP Forensic Psychiatric Associates
  • Dr. Michael Fischman, M.D., MPH, Fischman Occupational & Environmental Medical Group
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

HAPPY HOUR COCKTAIL RECEPTION
Network & Unwind!

  

Sponsorship Opportunities

2025 Toxic Torts Seminar Sponsor - $500

  • One registration to the event
  • Logo printed on signage posted throughout the seminar
  • Logo and company information printed in seminar materials
  • Verbal acknowledgement during the seminar
  • Ad on the ADC website for one month (220 pixels x 220 pixels)
  • Logo and link on event web page

 

Thank You Sponsors

 

Wilson Elser   Spanos Przetak
     
Demler Armstrong & Rowland
     
Judicate West  
Litili
     
Veritext    OraClaim
     
ESi   MC Consultants 

 

 

MCLE Information

This activity has been approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of California in the amount of 5.5 general hours of credit. This activity conforms to the standards for approved education activities prescribed by the rules and regulations of the State Bar of California governing minimum continuing legal education.