Insurance Defense Litigation: Defending Against the Reptile Theory Utilized by Plaintiffs
Preparing Deponents and Witnesses, Conducting Voir Dire, Opening and Closing Arguments, and Direct and Cross-Exam
Recording of a 90-minute CLE webinar with Q&A
This CLE course will provide guidance to insurance defense litigators on combating the trial strategy commonly known as the “reptile theory.” The panel will discuss the increased use of reptilian tactics by plaintiffs’ attorneys throughout the life of the case and how defense counsel can strategically confront the strategy.
Outline
- Reptilian tactics in litigation—history of theory, current trends
- Defense strategies—from discovery through closing argument
Benefits
The panel will review these and other key issues:
- What is the underlying basis for the strategy often described as reptilian?
- How are plaintiffs’ attorneys leveraging so-called reptile tactics to influence jurors’ view of their cases?
- How can defense attorneys counter the increasing use of reptilian tactics?
Faculty
Jedidiah M. Bernstein
Hinshaw & Culbertson
Mr. Bernstein focuses his practice on defending manufacturers, suppliers and distributors against product liability... | Read More
Mr. Bernstein focuses his practice on defending manufacturers, suppliers and distributors against product liability claims. He defends companies located internationally and in the United States against a wide range of personal injury and property damage claims. He has successfully defended clients against allegations of manufacturing and design defects, strict liability, failure to warn and breach of warranties. He also litigates class-action lawsuits arising from products subject to national and international recalls. He co-authored an article on defending against the reptile theory, published in The Transportation Lawyer.
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Noelle M. Natoli
Partner
Foley & Mansfield
Ms. Natoli chairs the firm's Elder Law and Transportation Practice Groups and has extensive experience from service... | Read More
Ms. Natoli chairs the firm's Elder Law and Transportation Practice Groups and has extensive experience from service to trial in both areas. Her clients include long-term care facilities, nursing homes, adult family homes, residential care facilities, hospitals, doctors, nurses, and employees of nursing facilities. Ms. Natoli’s transportation clients include owner-operators, independent contractors, and both large and small trucking companies. She has served as national counsel for a transportation insurance company, and currently provides consultancy for a national long-term care risk retention group.
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