Release date: Jan. 30, 2004
Contact: Elaine Justice, Associate Director, University Media Relations,
at 404-727-0643 or ejustic@emory.edu

Thrower Symposium Examines Tort Reform

Judges, attorneys and top scholars will explore the future of tort reform and its effects on victims seeking compensation during the 2004 Randolph W. Thrower Symposium, to be held 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19 at Emory Law School.

The symposium, free and open to the public, will provide a forum for nationally-known scholars and practitioners to discuss: potential changes to the current tort system; the myths and reality behind large-scale jury awards; the impact of tort reform on women; the justifications for a no-fault system; and possible lessons from the World Trade Center Victims' Compensation Fund.

"One of the major issues in tort reform is the further erosion of the role of the common law jury in deciding important civil law issues," says Paul Zwier, director of Emory Law School's advocacy and dispute resolution training. He will deliver closing remarks at the event.

Featured speakers include:
• Stephen Daniels, and Joanne Martin, both senior research fellows at the American Bar Foundation and faculty associates in the Center for Legal Studies, Northwestern University, "The 'Strange' Success of Tort Reform";
• Linda S. Mullenix, Rita and Morris Atlas Chair in Advocacy at the University of Texas School of Law, "The Future of Tort Reform: Possible Lessons from the World Trade Center Victims' Compensation Fund";
• Lucinda M. Finley, Frank Raichle Professor of Law, University of Buffalo, State University of New York, "The Hidden Victims of Tort Reform: Women Children and the Elderly";
• Jeffrey O'Connell, Samuel H. McCoy II Professor of Law, University of Virginia, "Why Do So Many Experts Flunk Torts?"
• Neil Vidmar, Russell M. Robinson II Professor of Law, Duke Law School, "Punitive Damages in Practice"; and
• W. Kip Viscusi, John F. Cogan Jr. Professor of Law and Economics, Harvard Law School, "The Blockbuster Punitive Damage Awards."

The Thrower Symposium is part of an endowed lecture series sponsored by the family of law school alumnus Randolph W. Thrower, and hosted by the school and the Emory Law Journal.

For more information or to register for the symposium, call the Emory Law Journal at 404-727-6831. CLE credits will be offered at $5 per hour.

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