For over 30 years, asbestos litigation has occupied a dominant role in the American court system. To chronicle, understand, and forecast the dynamic and evolving world of asbestos litigation, Perrin Conferences held this conference in San Francisco on 19-21 September 2011. During the event, NERA Vice President Mary Elizabeth C. Stern participated in the session, "Litigating Asbestos Cases in 2011: National Trends Driving the Litigation," in which she discussed current trends in claim filings, payments, and other litigation aspects, drawing from the annual NERA study that she co-authors.

Ms. Stern was joined by the industry's top insurance company professionals, in-house counsel, litigators, and other key professionals, who examined issues including the future of the federal MDL; recent verdicts, decisions, and events in key jurisdictions such as California, Madison County, and Philadelphia; emerging issues in industrial hygiene and asbestos medicine; and recent developments in asbestos bankruptcies, insurance coverage, and Medicare reporting.