Class action settlement administration is no longer a back-office function - it's a risk management function.

In class action practice, the difference between a smooth settlement that is approved by the court and a problematic one often comes down to the experience of the claims administrator. In the latest episode of Alternative Litigation Strategies, Kevin sat down with Jim Prutsman – veteran class action settlement administrator and CEO of Fidexis.

Jim and Kevin covered:

• "04:30 – What separates a true partner from a low-cost vendor
• "17:08 – Practical strategies to combat fraudulent and abusive claims, including the limits of relying on IP data alone
• "33:28 – Why notice programs need to evolve beyond traditional mail—and how to actually measure effectiveness
• "48:52 – The growing role of AI in claims administration and call center operations
• "1:04:08 – Key ethical and financial considerations, including transparency in billing and handling of settlement funds

If you're litigating or settling class action matters, this is a conversation worth your time.

In the latest episode of the Alternative Litigation Strategies podcast, Kevin had the privilege of interviewing Settlement Counsel and Mediator, Christopher Nolland. They discuss Christopher's career as a pioneer as settlement counsel, including recovering over $800 million for plaintiffs and saving tens of millions on the defense side, along with recognition from The American Lawyer, Texas Lawyer, and the National Law Journal.

They discuss how Christopher's interest in negotiation evolved into a full-time ADR and settlement counsel practice, and what differentiates the role from litigators and mediators, namely, a singular focus on resolution strategy. Christopher explains why litigators often struggle with settlement due to cognitive bias and over-advocacy, and why early involvement of settlement counsel can significantly improve outcomes by shaping strategy and avoiding stalled negotiations.

They also touch on the internal dynamics between litigation and settlement teams, and how a coordinated approach can drive better results, before reflecting on the growing adoption of settlement counsel in high-stakes disputes. You don't want to miss this episode!

In this episode of Alternative Litigation Strategies, host Kevin Skrzysowski is joined by Asim Badaruzzaman, CEO of Certum Legal Solutions, to discuss how managed services organizations are emerging as a critical response to the growing operational complexity of mass tort and personal injury litigation.

Kevin and Asim explore how Certum Legal Solutions was built inside of a working mass torts practice and produced their first go-to-market solution – an end-to-end operational platform for high-volume group claims and single event litigation that was built by trial lawyers for trial lawyers.

Demystifying Multidistrict Litigations with Alex Parkinson of Kellogg Hansen

Kevin Skrzysowski sits down with Alex A. Parkinson, partner at Kellogg Hansen and author of the new Practising Law Institute (PLI) treatise on multidistrict litigation. Alex shares how he became immersed in the world of MDLs, what inspired him to compile decades of JPML decisions, and how lawyers can use this resource to proactively manage complex litigation.

Their conversation covers how MDLs mirror real-time societal and commercial trends, what attorneys need to know before centralization motions are filed, and why this area of law is both highly impactful and surprisingly manageable. Alex also offers a behind-the-scenes look at the process of partnering with PLI and balancing a full-time law practice while writing a comprehensive legal treatise.

AI, IP, and the Future of Litigation Funding

Kevin Skrzysowski spoke with Certum Group colleague Bryce Barcelo, Director of IP Strategy and professor of patent litigation at the University of Houston Law Center, about the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, intellectual property, and litigation funding. They discussed how lawyers are using (and misusing) AI tools, the legal risks tied to data training and copyright, the booming demand for IP funding, and what upcoming changes at the USPTO could mean for patent holders. Whether you're navigating AI adoption, exploring funding options, or just curious about what's next in litigation strategy, this episode offers a fresh look at where the industry is headed.

Settlement Counsel: A Unique and Powerful Asset to Control Litigation Risk. It was a great pleasure to speak with my latest guest, Mike Connery, a Partner in the Philadelphia office of the law firm Maron Marvel and leader of the firm's Settlement Counsel Practice Group. Mike is a trailblazer in redesigning the litigation risk landscape for clients by providing this innovative and transformative service. Don't miss this episode!

In this episode of the Alternative Litigation Strategies podcast, host Kevin Skrzysowski interviews Brian Beckcom, an AI expert, trial lawyer, and computer scientist, about the impact of artificial intelligence on the legal profession and beyond. Brian, who leads VB Attorneys and has earned hundreds of millions of dollars for his clients, shares his insights on AI's evolution from the early 1990s to today. He explains how modern AI, particularly self-learning neural networks, differ fundamentally from earlier technology. Kevin and Brian also discuss current practical applications of AI on the practice of law, including discovery requests, depositions, and brief writing, emphasizing that while AI can process vast amounts of information quickly, human judgment remains crucial in interpreting and applying that information. This episode also covers concerns about AI's potential to create misinformation and the challenges of regulating this rapidly evolving technology.

On Episode #30 of the Alternative Litigation Strategies podcast, host Kevin Skrzysowski sits down with author and technology evangelist W. Curtis Preston to discuss the latest eDiscovery challenges, strategies, and best practices for law firms and in-house legal departments. Kevin and Curtis discuss what surprises lawyers the most about eDiscovery, the challenges of extracting backup information, the increasing complexity of dealing with mobile devices, and best practices for selecting and working with your eDiscovery provider.

In the latest episode of Certum Group's podcast, Alternative Litigation Strategies, host Kevin Skrzysowski had the pleasure of speaking with Drs. Jaine and Bo Fraser of the Trial Psychology Institute. You don't want to miss this episode to learn about the benefits of leveraging trial psychologists when you should engage with them, the critical importance of the research process, voir dire and opening statement phases, and how to turn your case into a winning story.

In the latest episode of the Alternative Litigation Strategy Podcast, I had a fascinating discussion with Professor Tom Baker and Lecturer in Law, Will Marra, about their litigation finance course at the Penn Carey Law School. We explored the history, economics, business practice, law, and social implications of this burgeoning field. We discussed this new asset-class of investor backed litigation finance offered on a non-recourse basis which is transforming law firm behavior and client relationships. Tom and Will stressed the importance of how the course weaves in lessons and experiences of the financial pressures of practicing law and how lawyers must work to not only meet the legal objectives of their clients, but their business and financial objectives as well. Lastly, we discussed the importance of considering liability, damages and collectability when taking on a case and the critical importance of merging ones understanding of the business of law with the practice of law.