A Debate on the State and Future of Class Actions

Join the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter for a lively debate on the state, role, and future of class action lawsuits. Professors Martin Redish of Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law and Brian Fitzpatrick of Vanderbilt University Law School will share their perspectives in a discussion moderated by The Honorable Robert M. Dow Jr., District Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

This program is sponsored by Simpluris, and lunch will be provided. Featured speakers include Martin R. Redish, Louis and Harriet Ancel Professor of Law and Public Policy at Northwestern University, and Brian Fitzpatrick, Milton R. Underwood Chair in Free Enterprise and Professor of Law at Vanderbilt University. Judge Robert M. Dow Jr will moderate the debate.

About Martin H. Redish

Martin H. Redish, the Louis and Harriet Ancel Professor of Law and Public Policy at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, is widely regarded as one of the nation’s foremost authorities on constitutional law, federal jurisdiction, civil procedure, and the First Amendment. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (AB, highest honors) and Harvard Law School (JD, magna cum laude), he clerked for Judge J. Joseph Smith of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit before joining the Northwestern faculty. Professor Redish has authored or co-authored more than 110 articles and 19 books, including Due Process as American Democracy (Oxford, 2024), Commercial Speech as Free Expression (Cambridge, 2021), and Judicial Independence and the American Constitution (Stanford, 2017). His scholarship has been cited in 22 Supreme Court opinions, and he has been consistently ranked among the 50 most-cited legal scholars of all time.

Recognized for both scholarly impact and teaching excellence, Professor Redish has received numerous honors, including the 2021 Daniel J. Meltzer Award from the Association of American Law Schools and multiple teaching awards at Northwestern. He has delivered the Melville B. Nimmer Memorial Lecture at UCLA, served as an expert witness before Congress, and appeared frequently in national media. Northwestern has celebrated his career with conferences, a special issue of the Northwestern Law Review, and, most recently, by dedicating Redish Hall in his honor.

About Brian Fitzpatrick

Brian Fitzpatrick is the Milton R. Underwood Chair in Free Enterprise and Professor of Law at Vanderbilt University, where his teaching and research focus on complex litigation, federal courts, judicial selection, and constitutional law. He is best known for his award-winning book The Conservative Case for Class Actions (University of Chicago Press, 2019) and his widely cited empirical studies on class action settlements and fee awards. A summa cum laude graduate in chemical engineering from the University of Notre Dame, Fitzpatrick earned his JD from Harvard Law School, graduating first in his class.

After law school, Fitzpatrick clerked for Judge Diarmuid O’Scannlain on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and Justice Antonin Scalia on the U.S. Supreme Court. He later practiced appellate and commercial litigation at Sidley Austin in Washington, D.C., and served as Special Counsel for Supreme Court Nominations to U.S. Senator John Cornyn. Since joining Vanderbilt’s faculty in 2007, he has been recognized for his teaching excellence with the Hall-Hartman Outstanding Professor Award for his courses in Civil Procedure and Federal Courts.

About Judge Robert Michael Dow, Jr.

Judge Robert Michael Dow, Jr. serves as a United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois and as Counselor to Chief Justice John Roberts of the United States Supreme Court. Appointed to the federal bench by President George W. Bush in 2007, Judge Dow has presided over significant cases, including complex commercial disputes and multi-state litigation. In his role as Counselor, which he began in October 2022, Judge Dow acts as the Chief Justice’s Counselor, providing strategic counsel and administrative support.

A distinguished legal scholar, Judge Dow holds degrees from Yale University (B.A.), the University of Oxford (Ph.D.), and Harvard Law School (J.D.). He clerked for Judge Joel Flaum of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit before entering private practice in Chicago. Judge Dow is also an adjunct professor at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, where he teaches complex litigation. His career reflects a blend of judicial excellence, legal expertise, and a commitment to public service.

About Simpluris

Simpluris is an award-winning and trusted legal administrator specializing in class action, mass arbitration, regulatory remediation, and corporate services. For over 15 years, the company has partnered with law firms, financial institutions, government agencies, and businesses to deliver complex project fulfillment with precision, transparency, and accountability. With more than a century of combined leadership experience, Simpluris has administered over 10,000 matters and managed more than $10 billion in funds, establishing itself as a proven leader in the legal administration industry.

What sets Simpluris apart is its consultative, hands-on approach and commitment to technology-driven solutions. Its proprietary platform, Cadence, streamlines administration by enhancing security, accuracy, and collaboration across all stakeholders. Whether overseeing the industry’s largest legal settlements or tailoring cost-efficient services for unique challenges, Simpluris is dedicated to delivering premium results and exceptional client service.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, 375 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, United States