2024 Manufacturing Legal Summit

Join the NAM Legal Center this November for the third annual Manufacturing Legal Summit—the preeminent conference for manufacturing lawyers addressing the latest pressing challenges across the legal and regulatory landscape.

  Featured 2024 Topics

Engage and learn through CLE-accredited educational content, a keynote election debrief, and unique opportunities to network with manufacturing peers.

• Managing PFAS and Related Greenwashing Issues
• ESG and Supply Chain Integrity
• Labor Law
• FTC Trends and Enforcement Priorities  
• Product Liability
• AI Advancements and Ethical Implications
• Navigating the Shifting Regulatory Environment post-Chevron

What to Expect at the Manufacturing Legal Summit: Knowledge. Insights. Relationships.

• Earn CLE credits with educational content focused on the ever-changing landscape for manufacturing lawyers.
• Gain insights from the best and brightest minds from top law firms alongside seasoned in-house counsel sharing practical advice and strategies.
• Hear from speakers offering unique perspectives on law and policy in the Nation’s capital just one week after the 2024 Presidential election.
• Enjoy unparalleled networking opportunities with colleagues across the industry

The programming exceeded my expectations. The legal topics covered were relevant and timely and the presenters were high-caliber experts in their respective fields. Not only did I gain invaluable insights from these experts, I also had exceptional networking opportunities with my peers. Attending the Summit was a rich and rewarding experience. I highly recommend it for in-house legal professionals who are responsible for navigating today’s ever-evolving legal landscape.”
– Terry Link, General Counsel, Seaman Corporation

Kudos to the NAM team for putting on such a fantastic event. Thanks to you, I now have a problem on my hands because so many of my lawyers are disappointed that they did not get to attend. It is already on our calendar for next year.”
– Jason Brown, Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary, GE Appliances

Tuesday, November 12

2:00 p.m. – Registration Opens

3:00 p.m. – 3:10 p.m. – Welcome Remarks
Linda Kelly, Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary, NAM

3:10 p.m. – 4:10 p.m. – Antitrust in the New Administration
In recent years, we have witnessed significant changes in antitrust enforcement and, more broadly, evolving views on what antitrust enforcement can and should accomplish. Congress and antitrust enforcers at both the state and federal levels have played an active role in this debate and will continue to drive change.

This panel will examine the potential implications of the new administration by addressing the following questions: Are the federal antitrust agencies likely to continue their aggressive stance against mergers? What types of business conduct likely will be under the microscope? How willing should companies be to litigate against the agencies? Is Congress likely to continue its active oversight of the agencies, and especially the FTC? What legislation can we expect? Former FTC, DOJ, and Hill personnel will tackle these questions and more.

Presenters:
Christine Wilson, Head of U.S. Antitrust, Competition and Trade, Freshfields
Andy Dockham, Partner, Freshfields
Eric Mahr, Partner, Freshfields
La-Toya Hackney, Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary, Saint-Gobain North America

4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. – Managing Supply Chain Regulatory Risk: Understanding and Implementing ESG and Supply Chain Integrity Goals
Regulators around the world are sending a consistent message that companies that operate or source internationally must take ownership of their supply chains. In addition, multinational companies face increasing pressure from stakeholders, including investors, customers, and regulators, to align their operations with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, especially in the areas of forced labor, human trafficking, modern slavery, and environmental regulations. These demands for supply chain transparency and integrity require that multinational companies develop robust know-your-supplier and due diligence strategies across their entire supply chain.

This presentation will provide a comprehensive guide to understanding and implementing ESG and supply chain integrity principles for companies that operate in or source from foreign sources. The presentation will focus on providing a basic understanding of how ESG requirements impact typical multinational supply chains and how to use risk-based principles to meet increasingly rigorous supply chain integrity and transparency requirements.

Presenters:
Kate Wegrzyn, Partner, Foley & Lardner LLP
Greg Husisian, Partner, Foley & Lardner LLP
Dottie Watson, Partner, Foley & Lardner LLP
Susan Cass, Corporate Import/Export Compliance Manager, Pelican Products, Inc.

5:15 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Welcome Reception

Wednesday, November 13

8:00 a.m. – Breakfast

8:45 a.m. – 8:55 a.m. – NAM Litigation Update
Presenters:
Erica Klenicki, Deputy General Counsel, Litigation, NAM
Michael Tilghman, Litigation Counsel, NAM

8:55 a.m. – 9:55 a.m. – Managing PFAS and Related Greenwashing Issues: Tailoring Your Response
This panel will delve into the pressing issues surrounding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and environmental marketing more generally (e.g. greenwashing), examining their implications for regulatory and litigation risk, corporate strategy, and consumer trust. As concerns about these issues develop, it is crucial for companies to understand how to right-size their response to the developing regulatory landscape, ways to mitigate risks, and create comprehensive strategies to address these issues.

Key Discussion Points:

• The changing definition of PFAS
• The regulatory landscape
• Packaging and recycling
• Environmental claims and greenwashing
• Identifying and Mitigating Risk
• Forming a Comprehensive Strategy

Presenters:
Laura Hammargren, Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Kaitlyn Maxwell, Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Seth Goldberg, Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Darci Ferrer, Assistant Director, Greenburg Traurig, LLP

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Junk Science in the Courtroom – Maneuvering the Perilous Path of Experts and Science in Litigation
Over the past few years, manufacturers of all kinds have been targeted by “independent” labs whose specialty is producing junk scientific theories that plaintiffs’ lawyers use to wage high-stakes litigation. Their scientific theories, though, are often based on dubious methodologies and controversial business practices. Yet, their accusations create headlines and serve as grist for the lawyers’ litigation mill. When exposed, their practices raise eyebrows and prompt concern within the legal, regulatory and scientific communities. When they don’t get exposed, their theories can lead to expensive, unjustified liability affecting manufacturers up and down the supply chain. This panel will feature in-house and outside counsel veterans of high-profile litigations where innovative techniques, including aggressive discovery tactics, were used to expose junk science.

Moderator:
Phil Goldberg, Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP

Panelists:
Patrick Oot, Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP
Kelly Vickers, Associate General Counsel, Global Litigation, Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Aviva Wein, Assistant General Counsel, Johnson & Johnson

11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. – Break

11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – NLRB Update: The Labor Law Landscape Has Shifted…Now What?
New rules and decisions set forth by the NLRB to support an overtly pro-union agenda are bearing proverbial fruit, and manufacturers must take notice. To wit, union election petitions jumped 35% in the first half of Fiscal Year 2024, as compared to the same period in 2023, and unfair labor practice (ULP) charges continue to climb, year-over-year. Manufacturers are experiencing the practical impact of recent Board activities concerning employee handbooks, severance and employment agreements, joint employer and independent contractor rules, secret ballot elections and captive audience considerations. At the same time, the Supreme Court recently overturned the decades-old Chevron doctrine, enabling courts to strike down federal agency rules much more easily and giving employers a powerful tool to fight back against regulatory overreach. Turmoil is in the air, and the results of the November election will go a long way toward determining whether the pendulum remains fixed on the left or begins moving to the right. Attendees will come away from this session with an actionable understanding of how respond to Board activity in ways that protect both strategic business objectives and workforces, while remaining productive and compliant in the face of disruption.

Presenters:
Steve Mitchell, Managing Partner, Fisher Phillips LLP
Brian Balonick, Regional Managing Partner, Fisher Phillips LLP

12:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. – Networking Lunch

1:45 p.m. – 2:35 p.m. – Election 2024: What Happened and What’s Next
Just eight days after the culmination of a historic presidential race, NAM’s Managing Vice President of Government Relations Stef Webb will lead an in-depth discussion on the political outlook for manufacturers in 2025. From the president-elect, to key Congressional races and the implications for policymaking through the lame duck and beyond, Stef will share her insights and predictions, including ample time for Q and A.  Having started her career serving as finance director for several gubernatorial, congressional and U.S. Senate races, and later led the government affairs and political operations teams for multiple companies, Stef’s unique perspective will help attendees cut through the noise and identify new risks and opportunities for the business community. This session is not eligible for CLE credits.

Presenter:
Stef Webb, Managing Vice President of Government Relations, NAM

2:40 p.m. – 3:40 p.m. – Balancing Compliance and Opportunity in a Shifting Regulatory Environment
In the last week of the Supreme Court’s 2023 Term, the Court issued four opinions that overturned settled understandings about the development, validity and enforcement of federal regulations. The ultimate impact of this quartet of cases will not be known for some time, but in the meantime counsel for regulated companies are confronting new questions about compliance strategies, competitive positioning, and participation in regulatory formation and litigation, either as an opponent or supporter of the regulations at issue. This panel will review Loper Bright, Jarkesy, Corner Post and Ohio v. EPA and consider the implications of these cases for corporate policy and legal strategy in the near term.

Moderator:
Brendan Collins, Partner, Ballard Spahr

Panelists:
Magnolia Indira Bernhard, Assistant General Counsel, Global Director of Compliance, Kennametal, Inc.
Brett Slensky, Environmental Counsel, Saint-Gobain Corp.
Timothy Cornetti, Associate General Counsel, Litigation & Environment, United States Steel Corporation

3:40 p.m. – 3:50 p.m. – Break

3:50 p.m. – 4:50 p.m. – The Future of Manufacturing: AI Advancements and Ethical Implications
This is an in-depth look at the future of manufacturing driven by AI advancements. This presentation will highlight how AI is revolutionizing manufacturing processes, from predictive maintenance to intelligent automation. It will also examine the ethical challenges posed by AI, including issues of transparency, accountability, and the ethical treatment of workers affected by automation. Participants will learn about the importance of ethical frameworks in guiding the responsible use of AI in manufacturing to create sustainable and equitable industry practices.

Presenter:
Eran Kahana, Counsel, Malson LLP

5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – Closing Reception

CLE Credits

We have partnered with a premier CLE accreditation vendor to handle accreditation for the Summit. We estimate our program constituting 7 credit hours, including 1 hour of Ethics credit (in most jurisdictions). We will seek accreditation in any state requested by a registrant. Be sure to take advantage of this great opportunity by filling out the CLE section during your registration.

Willard InterContinental
1401 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004

We’re excited to welcome you back to the historic Willard InterContinental – regarded as one of the most iconic hotels in the United States, the Willard is a true Washington landmark, having served as the focal point for prominent political meetings, dinners, and social events for over 200 years. Its location next to the White House offers easy access to monuments, museums and the Hill

Hotel Booking Information

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Willard InterContinental Washington D.C. ($379/night, plus taxes and fees). To make reservations, call the Willard InterContinental Washington D.C. at (800) 424-6835 or (202) 628-9100 and reference the group code “2024 NAM Legal Summit” for the group rate.

You can also make reservations online by clicking here. The cut-off date for reservations is Tuesday, October 22, 2024, however once the room block is filled (which may be before cut-off) room rate and availability are not guaranteed.

Registration Fees

Member Rate: $699

Non-Member Rate: $899

This fee covers all Summit sessions, receptions and materials for 1 person.

Sending multiple attorneys from the same company?  Contact Jiae Kim for a discounted group rate at [email protected] or at (202) 637-3103

Cancellation policy: Registration is fully refundable until October 11.

The Manufacturing Legal Summit registration is designed for in-house manufacturing counsel. If your organization is a vendor or law firm, the association would be pleased to discuss a sponsorship package.

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities for this exclusive event, please contact Dani Gorman, NAM Director of Strategic Partnerships at [email protected] or 773-243-8314.

2024 Gold Level Sponsors

With more than 500 attorneys in 37 offices across the United States, Fisher Phillips is one of the largest firms in the country representing management exclusively in labor and employment law. Through our technology‐driven approach, commitment to diversity and inclusion, and ability to serve as a trusted business partner, we provide employers with innovative solutions to their most challenging workplace matters.

Meritas is a global alliance of leading independent law firms dedicated to helping manufacturing clients access top-tier legal expertise anywhere in the U.S. and across the world. Through its market-leading member firms, Meritas provides access to 7500+ lawyers with 190 independent law firms globally and local representation in 108 U.S. markets, empowering you to do business anywhere in the world.

2024 Silver Level Sponsors

Ballard Goes Beyond: We provide strategic legal services and business solutions of the highest quality, delivered with uncommon efficiency. With more than 600 lawyers in 15 U.S. offices, we bring industry knowledge augmented by tenacity, initiative, and a drive for results- creating an outsized advantage for clients in litigation, transactions, and regulatory compliance.

Foley & Lardner LLP is a preeminent law firm that stands at the nexus of the Energy, Health Care & Life Sciences, Innovative Technology, and Manufacturing Sectors. We look beyond the law to focus on the constantly evolving demands facing our clients and act as trusted business advisors to deliver creative, practical, and effective solutions. Our 1,100 lawyers across 26 offices worldwide partner on the full range of engagements from corporate counsel to intellectual property work and litigation support, providing our clients with a one-team solution to all their needs. For nearly two centuries, Foley has maintained its commitment to the highest level of innovative legal services and to the stewardship of our people, firm, clients, and the communities we serve.

Freshfields is a global law firm with a long track record of successfully advising the world’s leading national and multinational corporations and financial institutions on ground-breaking and business-critical challenges. Our team of more than 2,800 lawyers and other legal professionals delivers global results from our 28 offices worldwide. Our commitment, local and multinational expertise and business know-how means our clients can rely on us when it matters most.

Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) is a global, multi-practice law firm with more than 2,750 attorneys serving clients from 47 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT’s Manufacturing & Supply Chain Industry Group, comprising attorneys from over 20 practice areas, provides thoughtful and strategic advice to clients with manufacturing operations, equipping them with the ability to effectively navigate unexpected issues, grow their business, and innovate for the future. 

Founded in 1889, Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. has 19 offices in the United States and London, with more than 500 attorneys serving manufacturing clients in the health, science and technology sectors ranging from product liability defense and commercial litigation to intellectual property prosecution and litigation, environmental and toxic tort, privacy and data security, and public policy.

2024 Event Sponsors