• 2019 FETTI Conference

    September 25 – 27, 2019
    Chicago, IL

    Registration Open!

  • Experience Chicago’s Skyline

    Join us and enjoy this year’s Odyssey River Cruise. September 26, 2019 at 4pm.

    Registration Open!

  • Network with FETTI Friends and Colleagues

    Enjoy ample networking events throughout the conference

    Registration Open!
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ABOUT THE FETTI CONFERENCE

Each year FETTI convenes in the Chicago area to host a world-class seminar on a broad range of environmental issues with nationally recognized speakers. At our seminar, professionals who are recognized experts in their fields offer informative and provocative programs to enhance our members’ understanding of the ever-changing environmental and toxic tort issues they face in their professions.

The National FETTI Annual Conference is September 25 – 27, 2019. All of the conference events are located in the Main Lounge of the Union League Club of Chicago (ULCC) at 65 W. Jackson Street in Chicago, Illinois.

The Annual FETTI Conference provides Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for insurance claims handlers, Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits for attorneys and networking opportunities for vendors in an elegant Downtown Chicago setting.

FETTI ANNUAL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Wednesday, September 25, 2019
5:00 – 7:00 pm Networking Reception Sponsored by:

Thursday, September 26, 2019
7:00 – 8:00 am Continental Breakfast Sponsored by:
8:00 – 9:00 am Environmental Updates

  • Update on Federal and State Environmental Litigation
 Michael F. Aylward
Morrison Mahoney, LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
9:00 – 10:00 am Glyphosate: Getting into the Weeds on the Science, the Litigation and the Analysis of Future Claim Risk

  • Glyphosate’s Connection to Disease Processes and Conditions
  • Analysis of Verdicts, Pending Claims, New Claims
  • Where Glyphosate-based Claims May Head
 Joseph Cagnoli, Esq.
Goldberg Segalla, LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Andrew Scholz, Esq.
Goldberg Segalla, LLP
New York, New York

Marc Scarcella
Roux Associates, Inc.
Arlington, Virginia
10:00 – 10:15 am Break Sponsored by:
10:15 – 10:45 am Diminishing Wetlands: Are They Beginning to Erode Policy Limits?

  • Wetlands Law
  • Duty to Defend vs. Duty to Indemnify
  • Insurance Policy Provisions
 Sidney Degan
Degan, Blanchard & Nash
New Orleans, Louisiana
10:45 – 11:45 am The Re-emergence of a Persistent, Festering and Static Chemical Compound-PFAS

  • Per- & Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Regulation
  • Environmental Threats Posed by PFAS and PFOA
  • Risk Management and How Insurance Can Help Transfer Risk
 Jennifer Martin
Hepler Broom, LLC
Springfield, Illinois

Rodger Anderson
Hanson Professional Services Inc.
Illinois

Jamie Langes
Tokyo Marine Specialty Insurance Co.
Cynwyd, Pennsylvania
11:45 – 12:15 pm Trade Journal Information for Asbestos Litigation

  • How Plaintiffs and Defendants Can Use Trade Journals
  • Trade Journals State-of-the-Art Different Today
  • Trade Journals Suggest Less Widespread Knowledge of Dangers of Asbestos
 Edward A. Miller
Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
Canonsburg, Pennsylvania

James J.A. Mulhall
Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
Bridgeport, West Virginia
12:15 – 1:00 pm Lunch Sponsored by:
1:00 – 1:30 pm  The Fear of All Sums

  • All Sums vs. Pro Rata Allocation
  • The Pros and Cons of Allocation Frameworks
  • Hybrid True Up Model for Allocation
 Richard M. Garner
Collins Roche Utley & Garner
Columbus, Ohio
1:30 – 2:00 pm Privatized Remediation: Giving the Consultant the Regulator’s Pen

  • NJ LSRP Perspective on Privatized Remediation
  • Attorney Perspective on Privatized Remediation
 Steve Barnett
Connell Foley LLP
Roseland, New Jersey

Dan Lattanzi
First Environment, Inc.
Boonton, New Jersey
2:00 – 2:30 pm BAP-1: Red Herring, Eggshell, or Silver Bullet

  • Asbestos and Mesothelioma Connection
  • BAP-1 Genetic Condition
  • How the Courts Treat BAP-1 Arguments
 S. Christopher Collier
Hawkins Parnell & Young, LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
2:30– 3:00 pm Relatively “Exclusive”: A National Overview of Employer Liability for Toxic Torts

  • Workers’ Compensation Exclusive Remedy
  • Occupational Injury Caused by Exposure to Toxic Torts
  • Challenges to Exclusivity
 Michael D. Martinez
Matushek Nilles, LLC
Chicago, Illinois
Boarding between 3:30 – 4:00 pm

Departs at 4:00 pm

Returns to dock at 6:00 pm

 FETTI  ODYSSEY RIVER CRUISE RECEPTION
455 N Cityfront Plaza Drive, Chicago
(Business Casual Attire)		 Sponsored by:

Friday, September 27, 2019
7:00 – 8:00 am Continental Breakfast Sponsored by:
8:00 – 9:00 am Asbestos Update

  • Update on Federal and State Asbestos Litigation
 Mark A. Behrens
Shook, Hardy & Bacon, LLP
Washington, D.C.

Mary Margaret Gay
Gay Jones & Kuhn PLLC
Jackson, Mississippi
9:00 – 9:30 am The Kids Aren’t Alright

  • US Climate Change Litigation
  • Impact of Climate Change
  • The Insurance Perspective
 Lind Stapley
Soha & Lang PS
Seattle, Washington

Gregory Kelder
Great American Insurance Group
9:30 – 10:00 am Risky Business: Regulatory Risk Assessment in the Courtroom

  • Regulatory vs. Legal Causation
  • Linear No Threshold (LNT) Regulatory Model
  • Current Reassessment of LNT
 Oded Burger
Goldberg Segalla
New York, New York

Amanda Burns
Cardno Chemrisk
Brooklyn, New York
10:00 – 10:15 am Break Sponsored by:
10:15 – 11:15 am Cutting-Edge Techniques in Resolution of Natural Resource Damages Claims at Complex Superfund Sediment Sites

  • NRD Liability Scheme Under CERCLA and State Laws
  • Emerging Techniques for NRD Resolution
 Peter Mintzer
Selman Breitman, LLP
Seattle, Washington

Scott Lockert
RestorCap, LLC
Seattle, Washington

David C. Weber
Beveridge & Diamond PC
Seattle, Washington
11:15 am – 11:45 am Navigating Talc Litigation: A View from the Mine to Bankruptcy

  • Talc History: Industrial Talc vs. Cosmetic Use
  • Regulatory Issues Associated With Talc
  • Causation and Source Tracking
 John McMeekon
Rawle & Henderson LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
11:45 am – 12:15 pm Turning Up the Heat on Historic Policies: How and Why Policyholders Facing Climate Change Suits Will Try to Access Coverage Under Historic Policies

  • Coverages Under Historic Policies For Climate Change
  • Coverage Defenses to Climate Change Suits
 Carl Pernicone
WilsonElser, LLP
White Plains, New York
12:30 pm – 1:00 pm Business Meeting
This is a Business Casual Event

Business Casual Attire or better is permitted throughout the clubhouse with the exception of specific events for which a higher mode of dress (such as business Dress Attire, Black Tie or White Tie) is specified.

Business Casual Attire is defined as, for men, a collared shirt (including turtleneck) and slacks (without jacket or necktie).  For women, Business Casual Attire includes slacks or skirt with a blouse or sweater.

The following are specifically prohibited (except on floors 10 and above and when checking in or out of the Club guestrooms):

Overalls, tee-shirts, trading jackets, cut-offs, sweatshirts, denim jackets and any clothing that is tattered or contains inappropriate messages.  Blue jeans are not permitted in the clubhouse except on Saturdays before 6:00 pm, on Sundays and on Holidays.

If you must enter or exit the Club in Athletic Attire, please use the Athletic Entrance, located on Federal Street just south of the revolving-door entrance.  To leave the club, take the elevator to the first floor and follow the signs marked “Athletic Exit.”

 

 

Download Agenda Here

CE/CLE CREDITS

The conference is typically approved for 10-12 CE/CLE credit hours depending on the state.

TESTIMONIALS

“FETTI is an affordable national conference featuring world class experts in the fields of environmental and toxic torts. From my first conference in 2005, I learned so much and made life-long friendships. I feel fortunate to be able to give back to FETTI by helping organize this year’s conference.  Please join us this year to celebrate FETTI’s twenty-sixth anniversary aboard the Odyssey Chicago River.”

Suzanne KarapashevComplex Claims Analyst

“The FETTI organization continues to be on the cutting edge every year with the wonderful topics and esteemed speakers that present at the annual conference.”

Pamela R. GamblePartner

“The FETTI conference provides a high quality setting to expand my professional network, enhance lasting relationships and to interact with forward thinking leaders in the industry.”

Christopher S. AbelProgram Development Manager

“The National FETTI Conference provides a terrific exchange of ideas for people engaged in the insurance, legal and technical aspects of environmental matters.”

James HoganPresident & CEO

“The annual FETTI conference provides outstanding speakers and content on important legal issues so attorneys, insurers and other risk professionals are up to speed on the latest emerging litigation trends.”

Peter KelsoPrincipal

“I have attended numerous Fetti conferences and have learned something new every time.  Knowledge gained maybe legal, science and other.  Need not forget the excellent opportunity to mix and mingle with carriers attorneys and experts.”

Guy HollingsworthClaims Handler

HOTEL

Union League Club of Chicago (ULCC)

65 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60604

Call the ULCC (312) 427-7800 and reference the FETTI Conference to receive a special rate. There is a limited number of rooms so book early!

EVENT SPONSORS

Become a 2019 Sponsor

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

EVENT FAQS

Does registration include a hotel room?

No, the hotel reservation is not included with the conference registration. You may make a reservation at the Union League Club of Chicago (ULCC) separately by calling (312) 427-7800 . Mention FETTI for our special rate.

When and where is this year’s FETTI conference?

The National FETTI Annual Conference is September 25 – 27, 2019. All of the conference events are located in the Main Lounge of the Union League Club of Chicago (ULCC) at 65 W. Jackson Street in Chicago, Illinois.

Who should attend this year’s FETTI conference?

FETTI’s audience generally consists of insurance professionals, attorneys and supporting consultants. FETTI is designed to provide environmental insurance industry professionals with updates and education on the latest trends associated with environmental and toxic tort issues. Our conference provides continuing education units (CEUs) and continuing legal education (CLE) credits for insurance representatives and counsel, respectively.

How do I register and pay for this year’s FETTI conference?

You can Register Online & Pay Online OR Register & Mail in a Check.

If you choose to pay by check, pick Register Online & Mail Check to register online and then send a check or money order made out to “The National Forum for Environmental and Toxic Tort Issues” to:
FETTI
c/o Anthony Goldner
Wilson Elser 55 West Monroe
Suite 3800
Chicago, IL 60602

Insurance company representatives and in-house counsel pay $150.00 per person. All others pay $400.00 per person.
For our out-of-towners, don’t forget to complete the registration process by reserving a room at the Union League Club of Chicago. Mention the FETTI Conference to get our special rate!

Can my company sponsor FETTI’s conference?

Yes! FETTI allows for online sponsorship registration and payment for Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsorship levels, each of which include their own set of benefits. For details regarding sponsoring, please click here or contact Board Member Jack McCants at jack.mccants@fetti.org.

Does this qualify for CLE and/or CE?

The conference is typically approved for 10-12 CE/CLE credit hours depending on the state.

Can I speak at a FETTI conference?

Yes! Following each year’s conference, the FETTI board will post a speaker application on our website, http://www.fetti.org. The deadline for completing the application is usually May 1st, and speaker slots are typically awarded by mid-June.