2023 Webinar: PFAS — ‘Forever Chemicals’ — Regulatory and Litigation Risks for Product Manufacturers

The Product Liability & Complex Torts Practice Group presented a complimentary webinar on July 19, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. Central Time titled, “PFAS — ‘Forever Chemicals’ — Regulatory and Litigation Risks for Product Manufacturers.” CLE credit can be acquired in most states for this webinar.

Webinar Materials:

• Webinar PowerPoint
• Webinar Agenda

About the Webinar:

Are PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in the products manufactured or sold by your company or your client? The answer to this question is of crucial importance to the company’s regulatory and litigation risk profile. PFAS, the so-called “forever chemicals,” are the focus of rapidly evolving regulatory scrutiny by the US EPA and dozens of state legislatures, which in turn is driving new theories of liability against product manufacturers. This webinar will provide you with critical knowledge of the scientific and legal issues associated with PFAS. The panelists bring in-house, regulatory, and litigation expertise to offer a primer on the science of PFAS, lay out the current and anticipated regulatory and litigation landscape concerning these chemicals, and advise on proactive steps your company or client can make to address the presence of PFAS in your products.

Moderator:

TODD WEILER is a shareholder of Christensen & Jensen, P.C., ALFA International’s member firm in Salt Lake City, Utah. Todd’s practice focuses on business law, domestic and family law and general litigation. Prior to joining Christensen & Jensen, Todd was senior vice president. & general counsel of an international consulting company. He previously practiced law in Salt Lake City with Dorsey & Whitney, Parry Anderson & Gardiner and Scalley & Reading. He is an adjunct professor at J. Reuben Clark Law School and has presented numerous CLE seminars and conferences. Since 2012, Todd has also served as an elected member of the Utah Senate.

Panelists:

ANN CATINO is a partner with Halloran Sage, the ALFA International member firm in Hartford, Connecticut. Ann provides legal advice to businesses from a wide range of industries and public sector entities in every type of environmental law matter, whether it is in the field of air, water discharge, water diversion and water supply, or solid waste. She counsels clients in all matters of land use, real estate development, the purchase, sale and lease of contaminated property, regulatory compliance, and property remediation. She routinely negotiates the nuances for compliance with the brownfield and contaminated property redevelopment and allocating liability for remediation costs. Ann regularly appears before federal and state environmental and siting agencies, local regulatory boards and all courts in environmental enforcement actions, private cost recovery claims, and commercial disputes regarding environmental issues. Recently, she has been involved in evaluating PFAS issues associated with water supply sources, as well as steps taken by the regulatory agencies relative to the cleanup of soil and groundwater impacted by PFAS releases.

ALLISON LANGE GARRISON is senior counsel with Nilan Johnson Lewis PA, ALFA International’s member firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is an experienced litigator who represents business clients in product liability, toxic exposure, commercial disputes, and complex litigation. Her practice focuses primarily on clients in the manufacturing, healthcare, and recreational equipment industries. A skilled writer with a passion for science and medicine, Allison is highly adept at leveraging the technical aspects of the client’s business to produce persuasive defense positions in the courtroom.

CHRIS SCHILDER is chief counsel at Pactiv Evergreen, one of the largest manufacturers of fresh food and beverage packaging in North America. In his role, Chris is responsible for overseeing the commercial contracts, innovation, regulatory and government affairs teams. Prior to joining Pactiv Evergreen in 2022, Chris spent 15 years with BrandSafway, serving as deputy general counsel & vice president of risk management to the world’s leading access and industrial services provider. Before beginning his in-house career, Chris spent seven years in private practice as a litigator in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Chris received his BA from the University of Wisconsin and his JD from the University of Michigan.