Civil Rights Icon Ben Crump, 16 Sitting Federal Judges to Speak at Western Alliance Bank’s 6th Annual Class Action Law Forum

SAN DIEGO – Famed civil rights and plaintiffs’ attorney Ben Crump will be a keynote speaker for the Sixth Annual Western Alliance Bank Class Action Law Forum. The forum, held in collaboration with University of San Diego School of Law, will take place March 12-14, 2024. As the preeminent forum in the class action and mass torts space, this event will feature an outstanding group of 16 sitting federal judges. These distinguished judges have collectively presided over some of the most critical cases in recent history and will contribute to multiple panel sessions.

“We are so excited for this year’s Class Action Law Forum, which features true legends such as Ben Crump; and 16 leaders from the judiciary, including Judge Edward Davila, who has issued rulings in class action cases involving Apple and Facebook; and Judge Dana Sabraw, who recently approved the settlement in a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of migrant families separated under the previous presidential administration’s border enforcement policy,” said Francesca Castagnola, Senior Managing Director, Juris Banking Group at Western Alliance Bank and the producer of CALF. “And as always, this year’s conference will offer attendees the chance to hear from their peers, network with each other and contribute to a great cause, since CALF registration and sponsorship proceeds directly benefit the Western Alliance Bank Scholarship Fund.”

Crump has built a storied career dedicated to justice, representing the families of George Floyd, Trayvon Martin, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and many others who have been victims of injustice. His work extends to numerous high-profile class actions and personal injury cases, such as representing families in Flint, Michigan, over contaminated drinking water and filing a class action lawsuit last year against the City of Beverly Hills (Calif.) for racial profiling of Black drivers. He has also filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, alleging the company marketed products with talcum powder specifically to Black women, despite links between talc and ovarian cancer. 

"I am honored to be part of this distinguished gathering and excited to share my insights at Western Alliance Bank's 6th Annual Class Action Law Forum,” said Crump. “It is paramount that we continue to create these opportunities for dialogue and growth in the field of law, particularly concerning civil rights and mass torts. I look forward to contributing to these important conversations. My hope is that we can collectively work towards a more just and equitable legal system for all." 

Among the confirmed judges for the Sixth Annual Class Action Law Forum: 

• Hon. Roger Benitez, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
• Hon. André Birotte, Jr., U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
• Hon. Karen K. Caldwell, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky
• Hon. Edward M. Chen, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
• Hon. Jacqueline Scott Corley, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
• Hon. Edward J. Davila, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
• Hon. James Donato, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
• Hon. Philip S. Gutierrez, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
• Hon. Wes Hsu, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
• Hon. Jinsook Ohta, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
• Hon. Fernando M. Olguin, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
• Hon. John B. Owens, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• Hon. Troy Nunley, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
• Hon. Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
• Hon. Dana M. Sabraw, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
• Hon. Richard Seeborg, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

The event will be hosted at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, part of the University of San Diego. Students from USD School of Law, who are welcome to attend for free, will play an integral role in the event. “CALF is a particularly important event,” said Shawn Miller, Professor in Residence at USD School of Law and a Class Action Law Forum Steering Committee Member. “Not only do our students get to attend and participate, they have the opportunity to learn from some of the most important judges, attorneys and others involved in class actions and mass torts. We are looking forward to another wonderfully successful event.” 

Visit the event website to learn more, see sponsorship opportunities and register.