The Voice^TM

1. Change Must Be Intentional and Empathetic

Change is inevitable. People with mindsets of adaptability embrace change as opportunities and are more likely to learn and experience growth and success than those who see change as obstacles and become stifled by it. Even better, organizations that create change, rather than react to it, thrive. As Sarah put it, successful organizations don’t just talk about change; they plan for it. They ask: “What change is needed and why? Why now? How are we going to work together to make it happen?”

That doesn’t mean everyone will move at the same pace. Within any organization, there will be those eager to evolve and others who are more cautious. The key is empathy. Leaders must understand that people bring different perspectives to the table, and each of these perspectives can be a contributing strength to the collaborative goal. When we engage people in problem solving, innovation, and dialogue, rather than moving unilaterally, we build trust and forward momentum.

2. Breaking Down Generational Silos Is Critical

Gen Z now outnumbers Baby Boomers in the workforce. Every generation has something to offer, whether it is wisdom, energy, perspective, innovation, or other positive attributes unique to each generation. Leadership today requires breaking down silos that divide people by generation, department, or role.

At DRI, we see this as a call to action. Programs like the Leadership Conference, which helps kick off DRI’s Annual Meeting, are designed to foster cross-generational collaboration, spark conversation, and create space for shared learning. It’s not just about inviting new voices in; it’s about making sure all of our voices are heard. Building multi-generational teams, inviting different ages into the conversation, and encouraging connection are essential strategies for engaging people across any organization.

3. Engagement Requires Community and Purpose

Disengagement is a universal concern. Everyone wants to feel like they belong, and they want to know their contributions matter. Young members seek representation and a voice. Experienced members want to be valued and included. If those needs aren’t met, we lose people.

The solution? Be intentional. Engage the disengaged and embrace the newly joined. Invite young lawyers into meaningful roles on committees, task forces, and boards. Consider, for example, setting a goal of at least 30% representation under age 35, and ensure they have a meaningful seat at the table. At the same time, don’t overlook the value of past leaders. Ask them to engage in purposeful roles involving mentorship, advisory positions, outreach, or development that leverage their wisdom and keep them connected.

We also need to recognize how engagement has changed – the inevitable change. Today’s members are balancing limited time with a desire for impact and immediacy. Clear tasks, short-term wins, and visible outcomes are key motivators. But even more important, people become engaged for the connection and desire to be a part of something that matters.

At DRI, we invest in community through the DRI Foundation, with community partnerships like Blessings in a Backpack and our wellness initiatives with the Institute for Well-Being in Law. These initiatives represent our shared values that help shape the DRI culture and bring us together. They help define us and connect us.

How Can I Engage?

At DRI, members have opportunities to engage year-round, including through DRI’s 30 substantive law committees, activities of The Foundation, or projects of The Center for Law and Public Policy. There are innumerable ways to engage and leverage your membership.

But now is an especially important time to help set the tone for the next year. Join us for our 2025 Annual Meeting, where lawyers like you representing business are shaping the future of the defense bar.

You also can participate in DRI’s annual election process by learning more in the DRI Election Hub. Join us in fostering a vibrant and engaged community, where every member has the opportunity to influence the direction of DRI.

Our Strength Lies in Our Community

Sarah reminded me, and I hope all of us, that building community is the most powerful leadership tool we have. Whether navigating change, bridging generational divides, or fostering engagement, we must lead with intentionality, empathy, and a commitment to bringing people together. That’s how we grow—not just as an organization, but as a community.

DRI First Vice President Jill Cranston Rice is a Partner at Dinsmore & Shohl.

Sip. Savor. Socialize. Delight in a curated open bar featuring premium selections and indulge in gourmet appetizers specially crafted for this special evening.

Make Meaningful Connections. Mingle in a one-of-a-kind setting where lawyers defending business gather beneath the glow of aquatic habitats.

Explore the Extraordinary. Marvel at mesmerizing penguins as you peer into coral reefs teeming with color during exclusive animal encounters.

With over 32,000 aquatic residents, the Shedd Aquarium sets the stage for an exhilarating mix of professional networking and natural beauty. And all against the stunning backdrop of Lake Michigan.

This event is included with your DRI Annual Meeting registration, but don’t wait: Secure your spot by September 2 to save up to $700. Plus, be sure to book your hotel early before rooms swim away! See you in Chicago, the home of DRI, October 15-17!

DRI Center, APCIA, Launch TPLF Survey

The DRI Center for Law and Public Policy and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) have created a brief survey to help better understand—and to increase the level of awareness among defense litigators about—the prevalence and impact of third-party litigation funding. Through this survey, we hope to learn:

• Whether and how often counsel are seeking TPLF information through disclosure, discovery, or motions to compel;
• The extent to which counsel have been able to obtain litigation funding agreements;
• How knowledge of TPLF affects case evaluation and potential strategy;
• Suggestions for how the defense bar may counter opposition to disclosure; and
• The effect of those court rules and state statutes expressly requiring or allowing TPLF disclosure.

We very much appreciate your support of this important TPLF joint initiative as well as your participation in this survey.

Center Supports CDL, Stresses Importance of Depositions in Litigation Practice

On June 16, 2025, the DRI Center for Law and Public Policy submitted a letter in response to the Ontario Civil Rules Review Working Group’s Phase 2 Consultation Paper (CRR Consultation Paper) on behalf of its members both in Canada and the United States and in support of the Canadian Defence Lawyers’ (CDL) response to the CRR Consultation Paper. Of great importance is CDL’s commentary regarding the preservation of the system of oral examination for discovery (depositions), which has been a hallmark of the civil litigation process for over 100 years.

The Center wholeheartedly agrees with and adopts the well-stated objections and recommendations submitted in response to the CRR Consultation Paper. The Center believes it is extremely detrimental to the “search for truth” in civil litigation to simply remove the process which permits a party to conduct necessary examinations for discovery. Discovery is a hallmark of our respective judicial systems.

Center Expertise on Display

Mariel Taylor, Chris Turney

During the 2025 Law Firm Leaders and Managing Partners Conference held June 5 in Chicago, Center Social Inflation Task Force members Mariel Taylor (Kamykowski & Taylor, PC, St. Louis, MO) and Chris Turney (Turney LG-Midwest Litigators, Kansas City, MO) presented on “Combatting Social Inflation and Its Effects on Both Litigation and Law Firm Finances.” In this session, Mariel and Chris examined the economic model and, specifically, how it can contribute to the dramatic increase in settlement values and jury verdicts. To push back against the rising settlement demands, they emphasized the need to engage clients and create a more cohesive team among the defense stakeholders and discussed strategies for engaging clients in this discussion and encouraging much-needed change in the insurer–outside counsel relationship.

The Center thanks the DRI Law Practice Management Committee for the opportunity to present before this important audience within the DRI Community!

Bruce Barze, John Stringfield, Lois Yamaguchi

New Task Force Appointments

The Center for Law and Public Policy continues to grow and is pleased to announce the appointment of three more DRI members to its State Legislation and Rules Task Force. Bruce Barze (Barze Taylor Noles Lowther LLC – Birmingham) now serves as the task force representative for Alabama; John Stringfield (Clendening Johnson & Bohrer - Indianapolis) is the new representative for Indiana; and Lois Yamaguchi (Roeca Luria Shin LLP - Honolulu) will provide the task force with representation for Hawaii.

“I was a regional director on the DRI Board from 2011 to 2014, was chair of the Center’s Public Policy Committee when the Center was formed under then-DRI President Henry Sneath’s leadership, and served as a Center committee member until 2018,” said Barze. “I’ve been away for a bit, but I’ve enjoyed watching the Center grow from an idea into the robust think tank and collaborative entity Henry envisioned back in 2011. It’s great to be back involved, and I look forward to working with everyone.”

The State Legislation and Rules Task Force assists, upon request, state and local defense organization (SLDOs) concerned about a legislative or rule issue in their state. With a goal of full jurisdictional representation, the task force is still seeking DRI members from Alaska, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, and Virginia. If you are interested in participating, please email TheCenter@dri.org.

Membership includes:

• Complimentary registration to all DRI seminars and Annual Meeting.
• Access to up to 8 hours of continuing legal education (CLE) credit at no additional cost with DRI's Free Webinar Series—that's a savings of $900!
• Access to all 30 DRI Committees, including the Young Lawyers Committee.
• Subscriptions to DRI's publications: The Voice, For the Defense, The Brief Case, and Court & Counsel: The DRI Blog.

Program Eligibility 

To qualify for the 2025 Summer Associates/Judicial Interns Free Membership Program, Summer Associates and Judicial Interns must:

• Been a 2025 Summer Associate/Judicial Intern of a current DRI member.
• Not a current member of DRI. 
• Currently registered as a full time or evening student pursuing a J.D. degree.
• Submit a Summer Associate /Judicial Intern Free Membership Program online membership application before August 31, 2025.

If your firm has Summer Associates or Judicial Interns this year, show them your appreciation with a FREE Law Student membership!

In July, the DRI Foundation will turn its attention to another important initiative, supporting The National Foundation for Judicial Excellence (NFJE). The NFJE supports a strong, independent, responsive judiciary by providing officers of the courts with educational programs and other tools to enable them to perform at their highest level. The NFJE's annual Judicial Symposium will be held this month and will be attended by appellate judges from around the country. DRI's longstanding support of NFJE helps make this crucial programming possible. Coinciding with the Judicial Symposium, the DRI Foundation will host the annual SLC Challenge in July. This Challenge asks the SLCs to help raise funds for NFJE by engaging in a little friendly competition! All DRI SLCs are divided into 3 groups based on size, and the SLC in each group that raises the most for NFJE during the month of July wins! The winning SLCs will be recognized at the DRI Leadership Conference with a highly sought-after trophy, a congratulatory ad in For the Defense, and a committee surprise valued at up to $1,000.00. This year, the DRI Foundation has published a Best Practices for Successful Fundraising packet for the SLCs to assist with their efforts in the Challenge. We hope 2025 will be our best year yet!

DRI Foundation also continues to be excited about our partnership with the Institute for Well-Being in Law, in our ongoing commitment to providing programming and resources to our members to promote attorney wellness and mental health. In June, we were proud to promote IWIL's Speaker Series, which featured a fireside chat with Manar Morales, President & CEO of the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance, in conversation with IWIL founder Tara Antonipillai. This engaging conversation looked at what the future of hybrid work may be and shared insights on how legal workplaces can thrive in hybrid environments.

The fourth annual International Day of Service applications also open this summer. This initiative asks our SLDOs and NDOs (National, State and Local Defense Organizations) to partner with DRI in performing a service project during the month of September. In 2024, twenty-six SLDOs joined us in this initiative, and our goal is to exceed this number in 2025. Participation in our International Day of Service gives SLDOs/NDOs the opportunity to give back to their community and strengthen relationships with their members and DRI members. DRI Foundation wants to highlight and publicize the efforts of our partner SLDOs/NDOs in their philanthropic and charitable efforts. Please be sure to fill out the short form on the Foundation's web page if your SLDO/NDO is participating, so we can ensure that we follow up to get photos and a write-up to share!

And finally, summer is also the time that many of us take a few days away from work for much-needed vacation time. Vacations can be an important tool in our wellbeing toolbox. Time away from the office can help to de-stress, to strengthen relationships with family and friends, to get better sleep, and to avoid burnout at work. I recently spent time on the gorgeous white sandy beaches of the gulf coast of Alabama with my family. I hope each of our DRI members gets an opportunity this summer to step away from the emails, put your toes in the sand, and recharge!

Cate Dugan is a Partner at Peterson White and is the Vice President of the DRI Foundation.

John Reeves Appointed to Center Amicus Committee

DRI is pleased to announce that John Reeves of Reeves Law LLC in Saint Louis has been appointed to the Amicus Committee within the Center for Law and Public Policy.

Reeves is an appellate specialist. After serving as an Assistant Missouri Attorney General for over six years, he entered private practice in 2015 and opened his own firm in 2019. He has personally authored over 270 appellate briefs and has conducted oral arguments in all three districts of the Missouri Court of Appeals, the Missouri Supreme Court, and the federal Eighth Circuit. In addition, Reeves has personally authored both certiorari petitions and applications for extraordinary relief before the Supreme Court of the United States. He has also written numerous dispositive motions in both federal and state court.

Center Files Brief Advocating for FAA Primacy

The DRI Center for Law and Public Policy recently filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court of the United States supporting the cert petition in Live Nation Entertainment, Inc., et al. v. Heckman, et al. The brief argued that the Court should grant certiorari to restore the Federal Arbitration Act’s primacy over modern arbitration procedures and that the FAA should receive uniform application across federal circuits. This ensures arbitration achieves its basic purpose of enforcing arbitration agreements and resolving disputes efficiently, predictably, and at minimal cost.

The brief was authored by Center Amicus Committee member Charlie Frazier of Alexander Dubose & Jefferson LLP in Dallas.

The Center’s amicus participation was featured in a related Law360 article, “Live Nation Arbitration Firm Defense Its ‘Flexible’ Approach.” The article spotlighted the Center’s brief’s arguments that the parties "agreed to arbitration procedures tailored for mass arbitration," procedures that include batching claims together and selecting bellwethers to provide guiding precedent. "The Ninth Circuit's holding that the FAA does not apply to the parties' agreement because the act protects only traditional, bilateral arbitrations, violates the court's core interpretative principles and upends federal arbitration proceedings," the Center’s brief said. The article also quotes Frazier, who told Law360 that it should be enough that Congress "chose to leave arbitration undefined" in the FAA, even if lawmakers may have "envisioned" just bilateral arbitration when passing the law. "The Ninth Circuit in its opinion has taken statements regarding what type of arbitration Congress may have envisioned to cobble together a nonexistent precedent," Frazier said.

Read the full Law360 article here (subscription may be required).

Center Joins Brief to PA Supreme Court to Address “No-Safe-Threshold” Expert Opinions

The DRI Center for Law and Public Policy joined the Product Liability Advisory Council in its brief to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in Gill v. Exxon Mobil Corp., et al., arguing that the court should reinforce its prior decisions disapproving of lax expert opinions. The brief contended that the opinions at issue in this matter—so called “no-safe-threshold” opinions—are not grounded in scientific consensus or the facts of the particular case and invite juries to ignore the exposure evidence presented. Opinions that do not comport with Pennsylvania’s general acceptance standard for expert testimony are legally insufficient to establish causation, the brief stated, and settled Pennsylvania law holds that such theories are not generally accepted science in toxic tort or product liability litigation.

The coalition brief—authored by DRI member Jim Beck, along with fellow Reed Smith LLP partner Jamie Lanphear—was also joined by the Pennsylvania Defense Institute, the Federation for Defense and Corporate Counsel, and the National Association of Manufacturers.

We are asking SLCs to help raise funds to support NFJE. Each SLC is placed into one of three groups (organized by size) that will compete against each other to raise the most funds. The winning SLC from each group will be recognized at the Leadership Conference, receive a congratulatory ad in the For The Defense, and get a committee surprise valued at up to $1,000.

Last year’s winners were the Insurance Law Committee, the Construction Law Committee, and the Life, Health, and Disability Committee. Who will be victorious this year?

To participate in this friendly SLC competition, committee members can donate to the DRI Foundation using the QR code below or by clicking this donation link. Each committee has a “SLC Challenge” option in the dropdown menu. Please encourage your committees to support the SLC Challenge for NFJE and donate by July 31, 2025. Thank you for your support!

SLC Groups for the 2025 SLC Challenge for NFJE

Group 1

• Commercial Litigation
• Employment and Labor Law
• Insurance Law
• Litigation Skills
• Medical Liability and Health Care Law
• Product Liability
• Trucking Law
• Women in the Law
• Young Lawyers

Group 2

• Appellate Advocacy
• Construction Law
• Corporate Counsel
• Cybersecurity and Data Privacy
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Drug and Medical Device
• Governmental Liability
• Lawyers’ Professionalism and Ethics
• Life, Health, and Disability
• Professional Liability
• Toxic Torts and Environmental Law
  

Group 3

• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Asbestos Litigation
• Aviation Law
• DRI International™
• Fidelity and Surety
• Intellectual Property Litigation
• Internal Investigations, Regulatory, and Enforcement Litigation
• Law Practice Management
• Retail and Hospitality
• Workers’ Compensation

The goal of the Foundation is to better support and bring awareness to the wellness, philanthropic and charitable efforts of defense lawyers across the country. The International Day of Service is one of the steps the DRI Foundation is taking to expand, better coordinate, and streamline the holistic betterment of the civil defense bar.

We welcome you to be a part of the International Day of Service. The Foundation has several resources to assist with your planning, including some suggested charities to help.

Fill out the form below. Don't see the form - click here.

I have been involved in the DRI Senior Living and Long Term Care Litigation Seminar since 2014. Attending the seminar each year has been instrumental in my professional journey, equipping me with timely, strategic insights into the complex and rapidly evolving area of healthcare litigation. Since first engaging with the Senior Living and Long Term Care Committee, I’ve had the opportunity to serve in leadership roles, contribute to programming, speak, and collaborate with some of the most knowledgeable and forward-thinking professionals in this space.

The seminar provides far more than just education—it’s a dynamic forum where real-world challenges are dissected, regulatory trends are analyzed, and defense strategies are refined. The conversations I’ve had during roundtables, breakout sessions, and networking events have directly impacted how I advise clients and prepare cases. It’s not an exaggeration to say that my ability to anticipate emerging issues and defend long term care providers effectively has been significantly strengthened by what I’ve learned at this seminar each year.

Equally important are the relationships I’ve built. The connections I’ve made through this seminar—whether during networking events, or impromptu hallway conversations—have grown into an invaluable network of colleagues, mentors, and friends. These relationships have had a direct impact on my career, including paving the way for my transition to Quintairos Prieto Wood and Boyer in 2019, a move that would not have occurred without the relationships built through DRI. The DRI Senior Living and Long Term Care Litigation Seminar is more than a continuing education event—it’s a cornerstone of my practice and a trusted space for collaboration, mentorship, and career advancement.

Join Whitney and hundreds of your peers at the 2025 Senior Living and Long-Term Care Litigation Seminar. Plus, attend the Medical Liability and Health Care Law Committee business meeting at the seminar to learn about professional development opportunities that can shape your career trajectory.

Whitney Horak is a partner in the Memphis, Tennessee office of Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A., and also practices from the firm's Jackson, Mississippi office. She focuses her practice and has extensive experience in the representation of physicians, hospitals and long-term care providers in medical malpractice matters involving claims of abuse and neglect, negligence, violation of resident's rights, wrongful death and breach of contract. Ms. Horak's practice also involves the defense of general negligence claims, catastrophic personal injury and property damage cases. Please reach her at whitney.horak@qpwblaw.com.

ABA Formal Op. 90-357: "The use of the title "of counsel," or variants of that title, in identifying the relationship of a lawyer or law firm with another lawyer or firm is permissible as long as the relationship between the two is a close, regular, personal relationship and the use of the title is not otherwise false or misleading."

Illinois State Bar. Op. 24-02: "A law firm may use the terms "senior counsel," "special counsel," or "counsel," as well as "of counsel," to designate lawyers with whom a firm has a close, regular, and personal relationship. Where a lawyer is "senior counsel," "special counsel," "counsel," or "of counsel" to more than one law firm, those law firms will generally be considered as a single firm for purposes of attribution of conflicts of interest and disqualification."

New York City Bar Formal Op. 1995-8: "Unaffiliated group of lawyers may not advertise themselves collectively as "The Law Offices at X Square." A law firm may be "of counsel" to another law firm or to individual lawyers. Lawyers or law firms may state in advertisements or on letterhead that they are "associated" or "affiliated" with each other, so long as their relationship is akin to an "of counsel" relationship and the precise nature of the relationship is fully disclosed in communications with specific prospective clients whenever such disclosure could be relevant to the clients."

California State Bar Formal Op. 1993-129: "l. In order to avoid false, deceptive or confusing communications, a principal member or law firm ("principal") may hold out another member or law firm as "of counsel" only where the relationship between them is "close, personal, continuous, and regular." So long as that standard is observed, there is no absolute limit to the number of "of counsel" relationships in which a member or firm may participate as "of counsel." 2. Due to the requirement to maintain a "close, personal, continuous, and regular" relationship within the principal and "of counsel" relationship, neither the principal nor "of counsel" members or law firm may represent adverse or potentially adverse interests except as authorized by rule 3-310 of the California Rules of Professional Conduct."

Colorado Bar Formal Op. 139: "The term "of counsel" refers to a lawyer who has a close, regular, personal relationship with a law firm. "Of counsel" describes a form of association between lawyers in a firm. Because a lawyer who is "of counsel" is considered to be in that firm for purposes of dividing fees, the firm need not comply with the requirements of Rule l.5(d)(l)-(3). A lawyer may be "of counsel" (or otherwise associated) with more than one firm. However, the imputation of conflicts of interest among the firms with which the lawyer is associated present practical limitations on such arrangements."

As always, be sure to check the rules and opinions in your specific jurisdiction before taking action. While all states have adopted the ABA's Model Rules of Professional Conduct, most states have amended the language of one rule or another, as well as having differing interpretations of the Rules.

Should you need advice on this or any other risk management topic, consult with our senior risk management counsel by visiting the Attorneys Risk Management website: Attorneys Risk Management, and click on the "Request a Risk Management Consultation" button.

DTCI Renames Diplomat Award to John C. Trimble Diplomat Award

‌The DTCI Board of Directors shared that, starting in 2025, the organization is renaming the DTCI Diplomat Award to the John C. Trimble Diplomat Award.

DTCI shared the following message in accordance with the change:

“While there are a number of individuals who are responsible for the success of DTCI, John Trimble stands out among them. John embodies the criteria that we emphasize with this award. He is a Past President (1999), Defense Lawyer of the Year (1991) and Diplomat Award recipient (2013), and was the architect of the initial Long-Range Plan that guides DTCI to this day. John has obviously been a leader and active participant in DTCI for decades; he has presented or collaborated and was continuing to do so. This short summary does not truly reflect the leadership he has provided and the role he has played in shaping DTCI for decades. He is a remarkable example of what we as lawyers and members of DTCI should strive to be. I am sure many on this email could attest to his role and impact on them individually and on DTCI. For those reasons, we wish to honor his legacy by adding his name to the Diplomat Award, and to continue to point to John as an example for all of us.”

Leadership Updates

Several State, Local, and National Defense Organizations hosted their Annual Meetings in recent weeks. DRI members assumed new officer roles at the conclusion of the following business meetings.

• Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
  John Mark Debro (DRI member since 2009) – President Elect
• Illinois Defense Counsel
  R. Mark Cosimini (DRI member since 2008) – President
  John F. Watson (DRI member since 2022) – President Elect
• Maryland Defense Counsel
  Rachel Gebhart (DRI member since 2025) – President Elect
• Defense Counsel of Rhode Island
  Kristina I. Hultman (DRI member since 2015) – President-Elect
• Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia
  Jeff Van Volkenburg (DRI member since 2012) – President-Elect

Andrew Ferguson Partner at Coughlin Betke and DRI Construction Law Chair has been named 2025 Massachusetts Defense Lawyer of the Year. Andrew has been a DRI member since 2008.

Stephen Pasarow at Knapp Peterson Clarke has been named Association of Southern California Defense Counsel’s 2025 Trial Lawyer of the Year. Stephen has been a DRI member since 2005.

DRI North America
August 20–21, 2025 | Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Recent evolving trade policies within North America will have significant legal and financial implications. Join DRI and the Canadian Defence Lawyers (CDL) for a discussion about the renegotiated United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and its broader implications for the legal and business communities. Hear from legal experts in Canada, Mexico and the United States who will prepare you and your clients for the new normal under a renegotiated USMCA Trade Agreement.

2025 Fire Science and Litigation Seminar
September 10–12, 2025 | Austin, Texas

This seminar offers a unique, immersive learning experience for professionals in fire investigation, litigation, and product liability. Over three action-packed days, attendees will engage with industry experts through live burn demonstrations, interactive panels, and hands-on case studies. Topics range from the latest technologies in fire investigation, such as drones and smart devices, to defending complex claims involving propane fires, lithium-ion batteries, and wildfire litigation. Participants will also hone their trial skills through mock expert examinations and interactive legal ethics scenarios. With ample networking opportunities and practical insights, this seminar is designed to equip you with the tools and connections needed to succeed in navigating the complexities of fire-related legal matters. Save up to $700 when you register by July 28!

2025 Senior Living and Long-Term Care Litigation Seminar
September 10–12, 2025 | Austin, Texas

Join us in Austin, Texas, for the 2025 Senior Living and Long-Term Care Litigation Seminar, taking place September 10–12 at the Austin Marriott Downtown! This annual seminar promises an engaging experience with panel counsel meetings, varied networking opportunities, and educational sessions from top industry experts covering the latest legal and operational trends affecting the senior living and long-term care sectors. This year's conference will include multiple opportunities to network as well as the ability to earn up to 10 hours of CLE credit, including 2 hours of Ethics credit! Register today to reserve your spot and make the most of these exclusive opportunities! Save up to $700 when you register by July 28!

2025 Renewable Energy Seminar
September 17–18, 2025 | Chicago, Illinois

The national energy landscape is rapidly evolving, demonstrated by the increasing emergence of renewable energy projects and recent change in administration. Attendees will gain an in-depth understanding about the renewable energy sector from experienced attorneys and directly from the industry itself. Join DRI and its Center for Law and Public Policy to learn how legal experts anticipate these renewable energy projects may unfold and how it will impact you and your clients. Save up to $400 when you register by September 16!

2025 DRI Annual Meeting
October 15–17, 2025 | Chicago, Illinois

The legal landscape for defense attorneys is transforming, and your participation can make a meaningful impact. That’s why Built for Business: The Future of the Defense Bar isn’t just a theme—it’s a rallying cry. As a lawyer representing business, you must anticipate emerging challenges, adapt to evolving demands, and champion innovation. Be part of this transformation at the 2025 DRI Annual Meeting. Save up to $700 when you register by September 2!

2025 Asbestos Medicine Seminar
November 12–14, 2025 | Tampa, Florida

Join us in sunny Tampa for DRI’s premier Asbestos Medicine Seminar, where top-tier defense litigators, leading medical and scientific experts, and timely topics come together in one unforgettable event. Set along Florida’s stunning Gulf Coast, Tampa offers the ideal backdrop for learning, networking, and recharging. This must-attend seminar features cutting edge content that allows attendees to dive into key issues, explore evolving strategies, discover new defense tactics, gain insights from nationally recognized faculty, and engage in meaningful discussions with peers and experts. The best news? You’ll be within walking distance of the Tampa Riverwalk, fresh seafood spots, and the famous Florida sunshine! Don’t miss your chance to be part of the conversation in one of the most vibrant and welcoming cities in the Southeast! Save up to $700 when you register by September 29!