Silica Medicine Conference
Expert Issues in Silicosis Litigation
April 19-20, 2004
The Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel & Spa, Pasadena, CA

Conference Chaired by
Richard O. Faulk, Esq., Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP, Houston
James M. Hughes, J.D., Ph.D., Motley Rice LLC, Mt. Pleasant, SC

Conference Agenda

Monday, April 19, 2004

8:00
Conference Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00
Introduction and Opening Remarks
Richard Faulk, Gardere Wynne & Sewell
James Hughes, Motley Rice

9:15
What Is Silicosis?
• This session will include an in-depth look at the disease of silicosis, analyzing what the disease is, what functions are impaired, treatment and medical conditions associated with silica exposure
Howard Sandler, MD, President, Sandler Occupational Medicine Associates

10:30
Morning Break

10:45
Diagnostic Techniques: Radiographic Interpretation
• Terminology involved in reading, analyzing and understanding x-rays
• Understanding the different impairments
• X-ray screenings
Gary Friedman, MD, Texas Occupational Medicine Institute

12:00
Networking Luncheon

1:15
Distinguishing Silica-Related Diseases From Other Diseases
• Analyzing whether your case is a pure silica-related case or a mixed dust case
• It is not always black and white – how do you handle causation issues in mixed dust cases
Kevin Colbert, Gardere Wynne & Sewell
Stacie Taylor, Motley Rice

2:30
Afternoon Break

2:45
State of the Art: Who Knew What and When
• Historical overview of what was known and when
• Regulatory history of silicosis
• Analysis of the historical and current levels of appropriate exposure, standards for appropriate and effective equipment and acceptable duration of exposure
Herbert Abrams, M.D., MP.H., Professor Emeritus, The University of Arizona, College of Medicine

4:00
The Sophisticated User Defense: A Point-Counterpoint Debate
• Do the manufacturers owe any duty to a sophisticated employer?
Moderator: Richard Faulk, Gardere Wynne & Sewell
Lance Lubel, Heard, Robins, Cloud, Lubel & Greenwood
Cathy Gordon, Swartz Campbell

5:15
Networking Reception

Tuesday, April 20, 2004

8:30
Continental Breakfast

9:00
Substantive Law Survey of Expert Admissibility and Legal Sufficiency Standards: A Panel Discussion
• Analysis of the federal standards versus the standards in some key states for silica litigation, including California, Texas, New York, South Carolina and Illinois
• What is going on regarding expert admissibility in state courts?
• How are the lawyers dealing with their standards? Are they being applied? If so, How?
Guy Fisher, Provost & Umphrey
Richard Faulk, Gardere Wynne & Sewell
Gregory Coolidge, Law Offices of Raphael Metzger

10:15
Morning Break

10:30
Techniques for Challenging Your Opponent’s Expert and Defending Your Expert
Robert Scott, Abrams Scott & Bickley
Thomas Hart III, Richardson Patrick Westbrook & Brickman

11:30
Emerging Issues in Silica Litigation
• Hear about the latest information to develop up to the time of the conference
• Status on state-wide MDL’s being set up
• Status on the National MDL – what will happen next
James Hughes, Motley Rice
Stephen Tipps, Baker Botts

12:15
Adjourn

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Registration Fee
The registration fee includes continental breakfast each day, one luncheon, attendance at all conference sessions, a copy of the conference handbook on CD, networking cocktail reception, and coffee breaks. The registration fee is $1095 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 — $895
• Additional registrants from the same firm or company — $150 off — $945
• Government employees — one-third off — $730
• Sitting judges — attend free
• Paralegals — two-thirds off — $365

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 Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel & Spa is located at 1401 South Oak Knoll Avenue, just 45 minutes from the Los Angeles International Airport. Attendees should make reservations directly with the hotel by calling (626) 568-3900 . When making reservations, indicate that you are attending Mealey’s Silica Medicine Conference: Expert Issues in Silica Litigation, April 19-20, 2004. A block of rooms has been reserved for attendees at a rate of $215 a night for a single or double room. The cut-off date for this rate is March 26. 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 5 will receive a full refund. Registrants cancelling from April 6-12 will receive a full credit towards another Mealey’s conference. Cancellations made after April 12 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

CLE Credit
Credits will be available from all states with mandatory requirements.

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