News Archive

The Indiana Law Review (ILR) at IU McKinney will present the symposium, “Liability, Rights and Remedies in Toxic Torts: Local, National and International Responses in the Age of Globalization,” on September 23 at Inlow Hall. The event marks the first time that a U.S. law school has partnered with the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences Institute of State and Law for an event. In addition, Bart Peterson, senior vice president of corporate affairs and communications at Eli Lilly and Company and former mayor of Indianapolis, will address event attendees during lunch.

In his role as a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Advisory Council, Peterson has insight into the area. He was appointed to the group by the U.S. Department of State. The group’s goal is to support sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, by championing free and open trade and investment, promoting and accelerating regional economic integration, encouraging economic and technical cooperation, enhancing human security, and facilitating a favorable and sustainable business environment.

“We are particularly pleased and honored to have Bart Peterson as our luncheon speaker because of his great prominence in both local and global affairs,” said IU McKinney Dean Andy Klein, who also will present during the symposium. “In particular, his being one of the three American members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Advisory Council equips him to speak from a perspective that will be of particular interest and relevance to all participants in the symposium.”

From 2000 to 2007, Peterson served two terms as mayor of Indianapolis, and in 2007 was president of the National League of Cities. In conjunction with Indiana University, Purdue University, Lilly, and the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, he championed the creation of BioCrossroads, the Indiana life-sciences initiative. Prior to running for office, he was a member of then-Indiana Governor Evan Bayh’s leadership team, first as his advisor for environmental affairs and later as chief of staff. He also was an attorney with IceMiller in Indianapolis.

The Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences is the foremost government agency within Vietnam that undertakes studies of fundamental issues in the fields of social sciences, providing scientific evidence for the government of Vietnam in developing guidelines, strategies, plans, and policies to serve Vietnam’s dynamic development. The academy also provides post-graduate education and training in the social sciences, which includes law.

The ILR Symposium’s panel discussions and presentations will address local, national and international responses to issues involving toxic torts. The first panel, “Toxic Torts Liability,” will examine the latest developments in torts law in the United States and abroad. The second panel, “Environmental Justice Responses to Toxic Torts,” will focus on the various forms of responses from scholars and community organizations in addressing the impact of toxic torts. The third panel, “Human Rights Responses to Toxic Torts,” will broaden the discussion on various projects organized at several levels to address the international human rights dimension.

In addition to Peterson and Dean Klein, the symposium will feature:

• Charles Bailey, Director, Agent Orange in Vietnam Program, The Aspen Institute
• Eric Dannenmaier, Professor of Law, Dean's Fellow and Grimes Fellow; Director, Environmental, Energy and Natural Resources Law Program, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
• George Edwards, Carl M. Gray Professor of Law and Director, Program in International Human Rights Law, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
• Leigh Evans, Chief Executive Officer Leigh R. Evans Mapleton - Fall Creek Development Corporation
• Kim Ferraro, Staff Attorney and Director of Water Policy, Hoosier Environmental Council
• Steven C. Gold, Professor of Law and Judge Raymond J. Dearie Scholar, Rutgers School of Law-Newark
• Michael D. Green, Bess and Walter Williams Distinguished Chair, Wake Forrest University School of Law 
• Susan Hammond, Director, War Legacies Project
• Dr. Nguyen Bich Thao, Vietnam National University Faculty of Law, Interpreter
• Professor Dr. Nguyễn Như Phát, Director, Institute of State and Law, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences
• Fran Quigley, Clinical Professor and Director, Health and Human Rights Clinic, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
• Eduardo Rhodes, Professor Emeritus, IU School of Public & Environmental Affairs
•  Carlton Waterhouse, Professor of Law and Dean's Fellow, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law

To learn more about the event, and to register, visit the IU McKinney website.