Gerard McDermott KC to speak at American Bar Association’s 2024 ILS Fall Conference in London

The International Law Section of the ABA have invited Gerard McDermott KC to join a panel discussing “Tradition, Innovation, and Influence in Class Action and Mass Tort Litigation: The English, Canadian, and American Experiences (CLE)” at their Fall Conference on 15th November.

The 2024 ILS Fall Conference, in conjunction with Middle Temple and Inner Temple, takes place between 13th – 15th November. It features speakers from the US and the UK, who will address multiple global issues to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first ABA meeting in the U.K.

The theme of the fall conference is “100 years of the ABA in the United Kingdom: Tradition, Innovation and Influence.”

Among the timely issues to be addressed during the conference are business law, competition, dispute resolution, intellectual property, legal ethics, practice of law, private wealth management and trade/sanctions. Delegates are invited to attend talks on their track of choice.

Gerard will join fellow panellists for a talk as part of the Dispute Resolution Track on Friday morning.

Tradition, Innovation, and Influence in Class Action and Mass Tort Litigation: The English, Canadian, and American Experiences (CLE)

Canada and the US have rich and well-established traditions in the handling of class actions and mass tort claims. The UK has seen a steady rise in collective litigation, in the form of representative actions, group litigation orders, and collective proceedings. That litigation has spanned competition, product liability, ESG, and other areas. Mass tort claims have increasingly been grouped for innovative resolution processes. Examples include the Grenfell Towers claims in the UK and the Surfside Condominium claims in the US.

This session, Tradition, Innovation, and Influence in Class Action and Mass Tort Litigation: The English, Canadian, and American Experiences (CLE), will examine the influence each jurisdiction has had on the others and look to the road ahead in each context.

Sponsoring Committees: Canada

Co-Sponsoring Committee: International Antitrust Law

Program Co-Chairs:

• Gannon Beaulne (Partner, Bennett Jones LLP, Toronto)
• Michael Bowsher KC (Monckton Chambers, London)
• Palmer G. (Gene) Vance II (Member, Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC, Lexington, KY)

Moderator: The Rt. Hon. Lord David Neuberger of Abbotsbury (One Essex Court, London)

Speakers:

• Hilarie Bass (President, Bass Institute for Diversity & Inclusion, Miami),
• Sandra A. Forbes (Partner, Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, Toronto)
• Gerard McDermott KC (Barrister at Outer Temple Chambers, London & Manchester)
• Professor Rachael Mulheron KC (Professor of Tort Law and Civil Justice, Queen Mary University of London)

The full agenda for the conference is here.

More about ABA and ILS

The ABA is the largest voluntary association of lawyers in the world. It is committed to serving members, improving the legal profession, eliminating bias and enhancing diversity, and advancing the rule of law. Their International Law Section serves as a gateway between international legal practitioners in the U.S. and those practicing around the globe.

This ILS event is by registration only and will play host to some of the most prominent legal names in the world including ABA President Bill Bay, Lord Lloyd-Jones, retired justice, U.K. Supreme Court; Lord John Thomas, Lord Chief Justice of England & Wales, also retired; Diane P. Wood, retired chief judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit; and Barbara M.G. Lynn, chief judge, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.

Find out more and see the full agenda here: Welcome – 2024 ILS Fall Conference

Find out more

Gerard and the rest of our team would be delighted to host our international counterparts during this conference. If you would like to arrange a coffee or visit Chambers to discuss opportunities please contact Paul Barton on +44 (0)207 427 4907.

News 13 Nov, 2024