As we enter the 21st century the torts landscape is changing rapidly, not only at the level of doctrine, but in terms of the interplay between the legal institutions of counsel, jury, judge, agency, and legislature. At the center of the storm are state and federal judges. This conference for torts professors approaches from different angles the issue of the judge's institutional role in 21st century tort litigation. We will examine judicial oversight of experts in the courtroom after Daubert and Kumhoe Tire; constitutional limits on tort reform; preemption of state tort law and judicial oversight of damages. In conjunction with civil procedure professors, who will simultaneously be holding their conference at the same location, we also will examine issues of aggregation, settlement, and discovery in the context of mass torts and products liability. There will even be small-group "poster" sessions devoted to discussing the problems posed to those teaching torts by the rapidly changing environment of tort law.

To further enhance the level of our discussions, all the academic panelists have agreed to submit writings on their topic in advance of the Conference. These essays and papers will be available online, in the expectation that conference participants will read them in advance.

This is a conference designed to benefit torts teachers of all levels of experience. Our speakers and panelists will include many of the most prominent and established people in the field, and also a substantial number of newer voices. The AALS 2003 Torts Conference promises to be exciting and thought provoking.