Ephedra Litigation Conference
May 11, 2004
The San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina, San Diego

Conference Chaired by
Annesley H. DeGaris, Esq., Cory, Watson, Crowder & DeGaris, P.C., Birmingham, AL

Conference Agenda

Tuesday, May 11, 2004

8:00
Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00
Introduction and Opening Remarks
Annesley DeGaris, Cory Watson Crowder & Degaris

9:15
Cardiovascular Effect of Ephedra and “Ephedra-Free” Supplements
Richard A. Cytryn, MD, FACC, Clinical Associate Professor, Director of Non-Invasive Services, St. Peter’s University Hospital, Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine

10:15
Morning Break

10:30
Expert Admissibility and Other Discovery Issues Update
• Analysis of the Daubert issues that are important in the Ephedra litigation: What has been going on in recent hearings? What testimony is being admitted, what is being kept out and why?
• Is there sufficient reliable evidence to withstand challenges that Ephedra use causes ischemic strokes?
• What documents have been produced in the Ephedra litigation and what do they say?
• What important information has been learned from the documents and deposition testimony?
Speaker to be announced

11:30
Status of the MDL Filing and State Coordination
• This session will address the February MDL Petition and the impact on the ruling of the filing on the future of the litigation
• Lower court's handling of the Daubert analysis in McClain v. Metabolife
• Whether the adverse event reports from Metabolife were properly admitted in evidence
• Whether the punitive damages were awarded properly
• Update on the California Coordination
Anne Andrews, Andrews & Thornton
Robert Roden, Shelby.Roden

12:15
Lunch (on your own)

1:45
Impact of the FDA Ban On the Litigation
• What will be the impact of the FDA’s pronouncement that Ephedra causes potential health risks including high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, nerve damage, insomnia, tremors, headaches, seizures, heart attack, strokes and death?
• Will there be a rise in litigation as a result of the ban?
• Has this ban opened the door to bans on other dietary supplements?
Suzanne Parisian, MD, President, Medical Device Assistance, Inc.
Christopher Grell, Law Offices of Christopher Grell

2:45
Case Evaluations and Science Update
• Science and communication issues involved with case evaluations
• Update on the latest science and legislative news
Ed Blonz, PhD, FACN

3:30
Afternoon Break

3:45
Ephedra Bankruptcies and The Current Status and Future of the Litigation
• Trying cases in bankruptcies
• Twin Labs
• Nutraquest (Cytodyne)
• Insurance Issues
• Metabolife coupon settlement class in California state court
• Possible global Metabolife settlement
• Current status of the litigation over Ephedra
Paul Rheingold, Rheingold Valet Rheingold Shkolnik & McCartney
Anne Andrews, Andrews & Thornton
Robert Roden, Shelby.Roden
Allan Armstrong, Gulas & Stuckey

5:15
Adjourn

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Registration Fee
The registration fee includes continental breakfast, attendance at all conference sessions, a copy of the conference handbook on CD and coffee breaks. The registration fee is $795 for the first attendee.

How to Register
Fax is the best way to enroll, allowing us to attend to your registration immediately. Please fax this form to (610)768-0303, call 1-800-MEALEYS, (610)768-7800, e-mail mealeyseminars@lexisnexis.com or mail this form with payment to Mealey Publications, P.O. Box 62090, King of Prussia, PA 19406-0230. Receipt of payment guarantees your registration.

Special Discounts
• Corporate discount — $200 off — $595
• Additional registrants from the same firm or company — $150 off — $645
• Government employees — one-third off — $530
• Sitting judges — attend free
• Paralegals — two-thirds off — $265

Special Needs
Should you have any special needs, please contact Mealey’s at least three weeks prior to the conference, to allow us time to make reasonable accommodations.

Hotel Accommodations
The San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina is located at 333 West Harbor Drive, just 5 minutes from San Diego International Airport. Attendees should make reservations directly with the hotel by calling 619-234-1500. When making reservations, indicate that you are attending Mealey’s Ephedra Litigation Conference, May 11, 2004. A block of rooms has been reserved for attendees at a rate of $185 a night for a single or double room. The cut-off date for this rate is April 19. After that date, this rate will be offered based on space availability. Please note, there are a limited number of rooms in our room block so make your reservations early. For alternative hotels and rates, please call us at (610) 768-7800.

Cancellation Policy
Registrants who cancel on or before April 27 will receive a full refund. Registrants cancelling from April 28 - May 5 will receive a full credit towards another Mealey’s conference. Cancellations made after May 5 will be subject to a 25% administrative fee; the remaining amount will be credited towards another Mealey’s conference. Credits must be used within one year of the date of issuance. Substitutions may be made at any time.

Conference on Audiotape
If you cannot attend this conference, take advantage of our new audiotape conference service. For more information call 1-800-MEALEYS or e-mail mealeyseminars@lexisnexis.com.

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