Committee Chair

John C. Trimble
Committee Vice Chair
Mary Re Knack

Committee Members

Mark R. Antonelli
Joanne Thomas Blackburn
Sandra L. Corbett
Robert W. Harrison
Christopher A. Kenney

Edwin K. Livingston
Daniel R. McCune
Stephen R. Pennell
Stephen M. Puiszis
Paul A. Rajkowski

Margaret Fonshell Ward
John Willardson

Officer Liason

Henry M. Sneath

Staff Liaison

Nancy Parz
Cheryl Palombizio

With the economy in a downturn, SLDO’s are faced with the strong possibility that firms and other organizations will cut back on professional memberships and attendance at outside seminars and programs.  Faced with this stark reality, it is important for SLDO’s to become creative to keep attendance up at programs and meetings.  SLDO programs and seminars can be a strong tool for recruiting new members and for retaining existing members who may otherwise forgo membership because of the economy.  The purpose of this article is to focus on what SLDO’s can do to attract members to programs and meetings in a down economy.

The CDL has continued its steady pace in the second quarter of 2009, marked by its annual award-winning “boot camps” for younger practitioners in Moncton, New Brunswick, and Halifax, Nova Scotia, on April 2 and 3, 2009, and Vancouver, British Columbia, on April 23, 2009.   The CDL’s Women Litigators’ breakfast on May 28, 2009 in Toronto, Ontario, was also very well attended.  As well, in May, the CDL organized a very successful audio conference on the evidentiary use of information derived from plaintiffs’ Facebook and other social networking websites.  Based on this experience, CDL fully expects to proceed with more such audio conferences in the future.

On April 2, 2009, DCRI held a CLE course titled Civility & Zealous Advocacy—Balancing Competing Interests.  The course was sponsored jointly by the DCRI and the Rhode Island Association for Justice, Rhode Island’s association of plaintiff’s lawyers.  The panelists included a superior court judge, the Honorable Daniel A. Procaccini; two defense attorneys, Brooks R. Magratten and Lauren D. Wilkins; and two plaintiff’s lawyers, Joyce A. Faraone and Vincent D. Morgera.

On September 18–19, 2009, the IADC will hold its 45th Annual Meeting along the picturesque shoreline of Payette Lake at Shore Lodge in scenic McCall, Idaho.  In addition to other CLE activities, this year’s meeting will feature a presentation by Christopher W. Martin, of Martin, Disiere & Jefferson in Houston, Texas, on jury selection in bad-faith cases.  The meeting will also include IADC’s annual golf tournament and several other networking events for members and their guests. 

The IDC’s history can be traced back to late 1964, when a group of dedicated and enthusiastic defense attorneys presented a Defense Tactics Seminar.  Since that time, the IDC has developed an immense corps of volunteers who have given generously of their time and expertise to the benefit of the defense bar and the association. At the 45th Anniversary Awards Banquet, held on June 12 in Chicago, the association installed its next generation of leaders and celebrated the years of hard work and commitment of its many volunteers.

Don’t Miss Larry Pozner at the Iowa Defense Counsel Association (IDCA) Annual Meeting!

Mark your calendar and plan to attend the Iowa Defense Counsel Association’s Annual Meeting, September 17–18, 2009, at the West Des Moines Marriott in West Des Moines, Iowa.  This year’s keynote speaker is Larry Pozner, speaking on killer cross-examinations.  He is speaking all day on September 18!

The KDC joined forces with the plaintiffs’ bar for a second time in presenting Advanced Trials Skills.  The seminar was held on April 17, 2008, in Lexington, and again on April 24, 2008, in Louisville.  With approximately 100 attorneys in attendance both dates, the plaintiff and the defense bar each told, from their perspective, the difference between an adequate presentation and a winning one.

On Tuesday, May 19, 2009, the Associates MDLA squared off with the plaintiffs’ attorneys from the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys (MATA) in the first annual MDLA v. MATA softball game.  The two sides battled it out for six innings, but the game ended in a 13 to 13 tie, with both sides declaring victory.  Afterwards, the teams converged for a social event at Remington’s.  A fantastic time was had by all, and the bar was set extremely high for next year’s rematch.  Perhaps next year we should invite a mediator or judge along to keep score.

On June 12 and 13, 2009, the MDTC held its Summer Meeting at Boyne Highlands.  This year’s focus was on jury research and analyses and was titled, Thinking Outside the (Jury) Box.  Attendees learned what biases might creep into a juror, viewed mock deliberations, learned how to obtain juror feedback on witness credibility, learned how to prepare witnesses based on juror perceptions, and learned how to use jury selection techniques from Susan N. Reiter, Ph.D., president and co-founder of InFocus Research Group, Inc., and John D. Gilleland, Ph.D., a senior trial consultant for TrialGraphix, a national litigation consulting firm that specializes in exhibits, technologies and trial-consulting strategies.

On June 12, 2009, the MDLA held the 7th Annual Golf and CLE Event at the StoneRidge Golf Club in Stillwater, Minnesota.  The event included a two-hour CLE program in the morning during which featured speaker Roger Kramer, of Kramer & Short, presented on the modern issues regarding application of the Nuremburg Principles.  With a shotgun start at noon, 12 teams of 50 golfers of all skill levels enjoyed a beautiful, sunny 75-degree summer day with friends, clients, vendors and colleagues.  The scores ranged from 57 (14 under par) to 85 (14 over par).  The winning score of 14 under par was achieved by two teams, requiring a tiebreaker.  For the first year, the MDLA invited vendors and law firms to sponsor the event and  contest holes, and donate prizes, which made the event and awards ceremony profitable for many.  The StoneRidge Pro Shop also donated gift certificates.  Prizes were awarded to the first-, second-, third- and last-place teams, as well as for the longest drive, closest T-shot to the pin and longest putt.  There were also several additional door prizes.

In early February, the MDLA held the 44th Annual Mid-Winter Conference at the Edgewater Resort and Waterpark in Duluth, Minnesota.  The conference achieved a record attendance.  The CLE and education program kicked off on Friday afternoon and concluded Sunday morning.  The program included a superior, first-class speakers and agenda.  The family-themed entertainment was enjoyed by all ages.  The Mardi Gras themed entertainment included a Friday night dance with music by the Blue Volcano, harmonica lessons by Judge David Higgs, caricature drawings, fortune telling and Wii games.  The interactive events included Lawyer Feud and an Amazing Race.  Fun was had by all, and we look forward to our summer annual event in August 2009.

The MDLA recently held its Annual Meeting in the state capitol of Jackson, Mississippi. In addition to its annual board meeting, new officers were inducted and several awards presented. The 2009 MDLA Executive Committee includes W. Wright Hill Jr, President; Goodloe Lewis, President-elect; and Ewin Henson, Secretary/Treasurer.  Lucius Dabney was presented with the MDLA Lifetime Achievement Award, and for the first time, an additional Lifetime Achievement Award was given to former Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice James Smith.  Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Phil Bryant was the guest speaker.

NDCA held its 2009 Annual Meeting at the Wilderness Ridge Golf Club in Lincoln, Nebraska, on May 8, 2009.  The meeting highlighted was guest speaker Dr. Tom Osborne.  Many of the members enjoyed an afternoon of golf following the meeting.  James W. Ellison received the DRI Exceptional Performance Award as outgoing President for the NDCA.  Robert W. Shively also received an Excellent Performance Award for his years of contribution to the NDCA.

Summer is here! There's a lot going on with the Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys (OACTA)!

OACTA's Appellate Advocacy Committee, co-chaired by Dan Richard and J.H. Huebert, presented a well-received seminar on Friday, June 5, 2009, hosted at the newly expanded facility of Grange Mutual Insurance Company in Columbus.  "The Art of Personal Defense" seminar planned by the Personal Injury Defense Committee, co-chaired by Brian Kerns and Jamey Pregon, will be held August 28, 2009, at State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company in Columbus.  A sneak preview indicates there's a special guest speaker for our luncheon that day, to be held at the Columbus Museum of Art, next door to State Auto.  Stay tuned for details!

The SCDTAA Executive Committee held its annual long-range planning retreat at Reynolds Plantation, Lake Oconee, Georgia, in January 2009. While discussing topics such as revamping its website, increasing participation of corporate counsel, sponsorships and increasing diversity, the group also considered the site as a possible location for a future annual meeting.  This meeting gave rise to the inaugural Corporate Counsel Seminar in Columbia, South Carolina, in April, which was a free seminar directed to existing corporate counsel members and possible future members. Following the seminar, SCDTAA sponsored its annual Legislative Reception, where attendees discussed legislative issues of concern in an informal setting.  In May, the SCDTAA held its first judicial reception of the year, in Charleston, for South Carolina Circuit Court and United States District Court judges.

TDLA members Cate Cunningham and Lynn Lawyer are co-chairs for the 2009, TDLA Annual Meeting and Seminar, which will be held October 22–25, 2009, at the Marriott Griffin Gate Resort in Lexington, Kentucky.  A minimum of 6.0 hours of CLE will be provided.  Friday afternoon options include a golf tournament or a tour of local horse farms.  On the afternoon of Saturday, October 24, club-level seating for races at Keeneland will be available, followed by a “tailgate” party in the hospitality suite for the Alabama v. Tennessee football game.  A Past Presidents’ dinner will be held on Thursday, October 22.  The dinner for all attendees will be held on Friday, October 23, at The Mansion.   Speakers at this time include:  Honorable Hamilton Gayden, Dr. Jeffrey Hazelwood, Samantha Holmes, Senator Mark Norris and Jerry Potter.

The beautiful new facilities at the Boar’s Head Inn in Charlottesville were the scene for this year’s VADA Spring Section Meeting:  two days of specialty law section meetings, with an afternoon of captain’s choice golf on the Old Course to liven up the proceedings.

More than 140 gathered during the two days to listen to colleagues, academics and experts discuss legal theory and practical applications in medical malpractice, product liability, policy coverage, auto & premises and workers’ compensation.  Highlighting the event was Professor Timothy P. Terrell of the Emory Law School, a featured speaker at the 2008 DRI annual meeting, who gave an energizing presentation on “Writing to Win.”  Thanks go to DRI for helping to bring Professor Terrell to Virginia.

In Nolan v. Weil-McLain (Docket No. 103137), the Illinois Supreme Court on April 16, 2009, reversed the trial and appellate courts, holding that the defendant should not have been precluded at trial from presenting evidence of the decedent's other exposures to asbestos during his 38 years as a millwright, plumber, pipefitter and boilermaker.  John D. Wendler, Noel L. Smith, Jr., and Carolyn M. Husmann, of HeplerBroom LLC, wrote the amicus brief on behalf of the IDC in support of the defendant-appellant.

The IDC Amicus Committee, led by Chair Michael Resis, of SmithAmundsen LLC, is one of our most active committees.  Special thanks to the committee for their work on behalf of the association.

C. William Busse, Jr., received the 2009 IDC President’s Award at the association’s annual meeting on June 12 in Chicago.  Mr. Busse was recognized by 2008–2009 President Gregory Cochran for helping to raise the profile of the IDC with the state legislature.

President Cochran commented that the IDC must continue to support legislation and case law, which promotes a level playing field for both sides in civil litigation, and as an association,  must continue to resist attempts to tilt the playing field against defendants.

IDC named Edwardsville, Illinois attorney Patrick W. Stufflebeam as the IDC 2009 Rising Star.

Mr. Stufflebeam received the award at the association’s annual meeting in Chicago.  A litigation attorney with the Madison County office of HeplerBroom LLC, Mr. Stufflebeam  concentrates his practice in the defense of toxic tort cases.

Alton, Illinois attorney Alphonse “Al” J. Pranaitis is the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel’s 2009 Volunteer of the Year.  Mr. Pranaitis served as editor of the IDC Quarterly and won extensive praise from members for his professionalism and attention to detail.

A partner in the firm of Hoagland, Fitzgerald, Smith & Pranaitis, Mr. Pranaitis is an active civil jury trial litigator. He concentrates his practice in product liability, medical malpractice, employment discrimination and civil rights law.

The MDTC held its Awards Banquet on the evening of June 13.  The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Excellence in Defense Award and Golden Gavel Award.  Lansing attorney James E. Lozier was selected to receive the Seventeenth Annual Excellence in Defense Award.  The award was established by MDTC to honor the most prominent of civil defense counsel who have throughout their careers demonstrated superior professionalism and advocacy skills and contributed significantly to his or her community and the defense trial bar.  Mr. Lozier has been a member of the MDTC since its inception.  He has served as its president, a member of its officer's executive committee, a board member and a regional chairperson.  He is also a long-time member of DRI, where he served as a board member, Michigan state representative and Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee chairperson.  Mr. Lozier has also been a member of the Michigan State Bar Association's Ethics Committee and is a long- time member of the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC), International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) and the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel (NARTC).

The MDTC’s Fifth Annual Young Lawyers Section Golden Gavel Award was presented to Emily M. Ballenberger and Nicole L. Proulx.  A member of Plunkett Cooney's medical liability practice group, Emily M. Ballenberger focuses her practice primarily on the defense of physicians, physician assistants, hospitals and other health-care professionals involved in medical malpractice or section 1983 litigation.  Ms. Ballenberger has assisted in the successful defense of multimillion dollar medical liability cases, including matters involving catastrophic injuries and deaths. She is a member of several professional organizations, including the State Bar of Michigan Health Care Law Section.  Ms. Ballenberger is also an active supporter of the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD). 

In honor of its former Executive Director Deb Oberlander, who lost her battle with cancer in 2007, the MDLA has created the Deb Oberlander New Lawyer Award.  The award will be granted to a MDLA new lawyer member (practicing eight years or less) nominated by his/her peers who meet certain criteria.  The nomination process is currently in progress.  The successful candidate will be presented with the award at the MDLA Annual Convention in August 2009.

The OADC started the year with the election of new directors Heidi Mandt, of Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt, and Dan Schanz, of Spooner & Much PC, who join existing board members Lindsey Hughes, Susan Marmaduke, Sam Sandmire, Dan Skerritt and Brian Talcott.  The officers include President Julie Elkins, of Zipse Elkins & Mitchell, President-Elect Drake Hood, of Brisbee & Stockton LLC, Secretary/Treasurer Jeanne Loftis, of Bullivant Houser Bailey PC , and Secretary/Treasurer-Elect Greg Lusby, of Arnold Gallagher Saydack Percell Roberts & Potter.