The Voice^TM

Second Vice President

• Ricardo A. Woods, Burr & Forman, Mobile, Alabama

Secretary-Treasurer

• Michael D. Carter, Hall Booth Smith, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

New National Directors

• Imoh E. Akpan, Goldberg Segalla, Baltimore, Maryland
• Fred E. (Trey) Bourn III, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, Jackson, Mississippi
• J. Richard Moore, Bleeke Dillon Crandall, Indianapolis, Indiana
• James E. Weatherholtz, Womble Bond Dickinson (US), Charleston, South Carolina

New Regional Directors

• Mid-Atlantic Region – David A. Anderson
• Northeast Region – Stephen P. Cooney
• Mid Region – Brandon P. Hull
• Pacific Region – Heather L. Mills

New State Representatives

• Arizona – Brian Rubin
• California – Ed Tugade
• Colorado – Hillary Patterson
• District of Columbia – Ben Peoples
• Iowa – Brenda Wallrichs
• Kansas – Ryan Meyer
• Louisiana – Amber Barlow Garcia
• Missouri – Brian Kuhlmann
• Nevada – Michael Lowry
• North Dakota – Courtney Presthus
• Ohio – David Orlandini
• South Carolina – Jennifer Nutter
• South Dakota – Tyler Haigh
• Utah – Dennis Flynn

Lisa Baird Honored for Leadership

On October 16, Lisa Baird was presented with an award “In acknowledgement of service as Chair of the Center for Law and Public Policy Amicus Committee.” As of last month’s DRI Annual Meeting in Chicago, Baird, a partner of Reed Smith LLP in Miami, concluded her two-year term as chair of the Amicus Committee, following two years as vice chair. As chair of the committee, she served as a member of the Center Management Council, and she is also a past chair of the DRI Appellate Advocacy Committee.

Lisa represents manufacturers of medical devices, prescription drugs, and OTC drugs in product liability and complex litigation. She has more than 20 years of experience defending corporate clients in appellate and trial courts throughout the country, and is admitted in both Florida and California. Her work has a particular emphasis on issues that regularly recur in medical device and pharmaceutical product liability litigation, including preemption, as well as other types of complex litigation, such as class issues, consumer fraud claims, third-party payor claims, and punitive damages.

“Lisa was a fantastic chair of the Amicus Committee,” said Center Chair John Guttmann. “But beyond that, she made meaningful contributions to the Management Council by offering sound judgment on the broad range of issues on which the Center works to advance the interests of the defense bar and our clients.”

New Amicus Leadership

The Center is pleased to announce that, after two years of service as vice chair, Melinda Kollross has ascended to the position of Amicus Committee Chair and will take a seat on the Center’s Management Council. Melinda is an AV-rated Preeminent shareholder and chair of Clausen Miller PC’s Appellate & Trial Monitoring Practice Group, handling post-trial and appellate litigation for savvy clients nationwide.

Rob Wise, a partner in the Richmond, Virginia, office of Nelson Mullins, has accepted an appointment to serve as the Amicus Committee Vice Chair. Rob focuses his practice on appeals and advanced motions, product liability defense, and complex commercial litigation, including class and mass actions. He is also a member of the Center’s Class Action and MDL Task Force.

New Appointments

The DRI Center for Law and Public Policy continues to grow and is pleased to announce the appointments of three more DRI members to its task forces.

Rachel Tallon Reynolds is now a member of the Center’s Social Inflation Task Force. She is the regional managing partner of Wilson Elser’s Seattle office and an accomplished first-chair trial attorney, veteran, and former prosecutor. Rachel is known for her innovative approach to complex litigation and her commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for her clients. She currently serves as DRI’s Northwest Region Director.

New to the Center’s Climate Change and Sustainability Task Force is Patrick J. Paul, a partner in the Phoenix office of Snell & Wilmer. With notable land use, environmental due diligence, zoning, regulatory, renewable energy and litigation experience, Patrick assists both large and small clients in traditional and developing industries manage regulatory compliance issues associated with the construction and development of manufacturing, distribution, renewable and fossil fuel power production facilities, hospitality venues, and the management of related complex land use, environmental and regulatory issues.

Finally, R. Mark Cosimini, supervising partner of Rusin Law’s Champaign, Illinois, office, has joined the Center’s State Legislation and Rules Task Force. Mark’s practice is focused on representing employers and insurance carriers in workers’ compensation matters as well as defending liability cases throughout Central Illinois.

The 2025 Law Student Diversity Scholarship recipients include:

• $10,000 Scholarship: Quiana Snowden, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
• $5,000 Scholarship: Nico Bethea, Suffolk University School of Law
• $5,000 Scholarship: Carolyn Vaca, Duke University School of Law

The law students attended the DRI Annual Meeting and were recognized at the Diversity/Women in the Law Luncheon. The recipients and all scholarship applicants receive a complimentary year of DRI law student membership.

The Law Student Diversity Scholarship Selection Committee included DRI Foundation President Lori O'Tool, DRI Foundation Vice President Cate Dugan, DRI Board member Stacy Douglas, Diversity and Inclusion Chair Imoh Akpan and Diversity and Inclusion Vice Chair Atoyia Scott Harris.

One meaningful way firms can engage is through targeted hiring initiatives. Develop partnerships with veteran job placement programs, participate in career fairs hosted by law schools with veteran populations, and ensure job postings explicitly welcome candidates with military service. Beyond just hiring veterans as lawyers, veterans are also exemplary in non-attorney roles: bringing reliability, mission focus, and adaptability as administrators, IT professionals, and human resources managers, where their backgrounds ensure dependable support and effective problem-solving for law firms of all sizes.

Law firms can also support veteran populations by encouraging lawyers to volunteer their time staffing veterans’ legal help desks, supporting law school veteran clinics, or joining local bar association initiatives that provide pro bono representation in VA disability claims or discharge upgrades. Further, many veterans face complex legal issues that, left unresolved, can jeopardize housing or employment stability. Even a few hours of service can have a lasting impact.

Another avenue of support is mentorship. Pairing a veteran law student or new associate with a seasoned attorney can ease the cultural shift into the legal profession. Mentorship offers veterans a place to translate their military experiences into civilian professional growth, and firms benefit from the leadership veterans bring to their teams.

Whether your involvement begins by hiring a veteran, volunteering for a help desk, or simply advocating for veterans in your community, your participation strengthens both our profession and the civic fabric we serve.

DRI offers a community for veterans, called the DRI Veterans Network. We meet and share stories during the DRI Annual Meeting but would like to grow this group and expand our reach. If you are a veteran and would like to join the Veterans Network, please email DRI Customer Service (custservice@dri.org) and ask to be added to the group. There is no cost, and it’s no additional work to add to your already heavy workload, but it offers the chance to connect with men and women who share your commitment to our country, our practice and DRI.

This November, and throughout the year, let’s honor veterans not only in words, but through action grounded in service to the ideals of justice, service, and respect for those who have defended them.

Clint Speegle of Lightfoot, Franklin & White and Rachel Reynolds of Wilson Elser are the Chair and Vice Chair, respectively, of the DRI Veterans Network Committee.

The four-month process begins with each candidate submitting a written Declaration of Candidacy. In the Declaration I was asked to answer questions such as (1) “Describe the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for DRI over the next five+ years,” (2) “What suggestions would you make to move the organization forward,” and (3) “Describe one transformational/defining experience in your professional life you have been involved with and what you learned from that experience.” Responding to these and similar questions afforded me the opportunity reflect on my 53-year legal career and to do a deep dive into my thoughts about DRI, where I have held a progression of appointed leadership positions during the past 15 years. Writing about what I see as DRI’s future challenges and opportunities, and the role that I might be able to play in helping DRI address them, reinforced my continuing commitment to the organization.

The Nominating Committee, consisting of three former DRI Presidents and two at-large members, encouraged candidates to reach out to DRI members, and even non-members, who could provide the committee with insights about a candidate’s leadership skills and other important competencies. So, from mid-August through mid-October, I initiated about 35 half-hour Zoom sessions with several former DRI Presidents, most of the Board members, leaders of the DRI Center for Law and Public Policy (where I am immediate past chair), Appellate Advocacy and other committee chairs, and even each of the other five National Director candidates.

Every one of these conversations was enjoyable. I was able to catch up with many DRI members with whom I already was acquainted. Perhaps more importantly, I had the opportunity to meet many DRI leaders whom I did not know at all. I made these conversations more about them than me. This enabled me—a full-time appellate specialist—to learn about some substantive practice areas about which I knew little, to listen to other current and former DRI leaders’ constructive ideas about the organization, and to develop new DRI friendships.

As part of the election process, I also requested about a dozen DRI colleagues and non-members who know me well to support my candidacy by sending insightful letters and emails to the Nominating Committee. My head was swollen after reading their comments. Other DRI members told me at the Annual Meeting that they met with the committee and sang my praises. I honestly did not realize that I have so many fans.

At the Annual Meeting, each candidate was invited to meet with the Nominating Committee for about half an hour. Like the entire election process, I found this to be another exceedingly worthwhile experience. For me, speaking face-to-face with the committee members was like a cross between a colloquy with a panel of very smart appellate judges and an interview with a sophisticated prospective client. The Nominating Committee members asked me a series of probing questions. The conversation was serious but friendly and actually a lot of fun.

I do not know why my candidacy was unsuccessful. But after the Nominating Committee provided their recommendations to the full Board of Directors and the election results were announced, three of the committee members separately approached me. Each could not have been more cordial and upbeat, emphasizing that the committee’s decision was quite difficult; that the numerous letters, emails and in-person comments supporting my candidacy were impressive and persuasive; and that they hope I will continue in some capacity as a DRI leader. Some of my supporters urged me to consider running again. Although I will not be a member of the Board this year, I always will view my candidacy as a memorable and positive experience.

Larry Ebner, founding member of Capital Appellate Advocacy LLP in Washington, D.C., and Executive Vice President & General Counsel of the Atlantic Legal Foundation, is immediate past chair of the DRI Center for Law and Public Policy and a past chair and emeritus member of the DRI Amicus Committee. In 2024 he received DRI’s Tom Segalla Excellence in Education Award.

The specifics of that responsibility varies by state. For example, California - by ethics opinion - establishes lawyers' obligations to engage in an assessment of whether their practice requires a succession plan to protect their clients' interests.

California Formal Opinion 2024-209 explains:

Lawyers have an ethical obligation to protect their clients' interests throughout the representation, including in the event they are unable to continue practicing law on a temporary or permanent basis. The duty applies to all lawyers, regardless of firm size. To meet these obligations, lawyers must engage in an assessment of whether their professional responsibility obligations, including, but not limited to, the duties of competence, diligence, and communication, require a succession plan. Factors to be considered in this assessment include, but are not limited to, firm size, practice area coverage, the nature of the practice, and the lawyer's age and health. Depending on this assessment, a lawyer may be required to take reasonable steps to plan for an interruption or cessation of practice, including engaging in fonnal succession planning, since a lawyer is unable to anticipate an inability to practice law.

Because requirements vary, you should consult your jurisdiction's rules, ethics opinions, and case law. The American Bar Association maintains a very useful page on this topic. Here you will find a fifty-state survey listing every state's attorney succession requirements. Some states have no rule at all, some recommend succession planning by comment to Rule 1.3 or bar opinion, while in other states, succession planning is mandatory. See, e.g., ABA Formal Opinion 369; Arizona Ethics Op. 04-05; Maine Bd of Overseers Ethics Op. 143; Oregon Ethics Op. 2005-129; Philadelphia Bar Association Ethics Op. 2014-100.

If you have questions about this or any other rule, ethical, risk management, or claim avoidance issue, please contact the senior risk management counsel at Attorneys Risk Management, and click on the “Request a Risk Management Consultation” button.

2025 Insurance Coverage and Practice Symposium
December 3–5, 2025 | New York City, New York

DRI's Insurance Coverage and Practice Symposium is the flagship educational and networking program for insurance executives, claims professionals, and outside counsel who specialize in insurance coverage. This year's symposium will offer an unparalleled opportunity to engage with a distinguished faculty of insurance industry leaders and coverage lawyers on emerging and relevant issues facing the industry. We’ll cover topics from mass tort litigation to practical tips and strategies for handling excess exposure and reinsurance issues impacting claims. This symposium will also provide numerous exceptional networking opportunities for attendees to interact with industry and outside counsel colleagues and to build relationships with other professionals. Save up to $500 when you register by December 2!

2025 Professional Liability Seminar
December 3–5, 2025 | New York City, New York

In an era defined by rapid technological advancement and evolving workplace dynamics, the professional liability landscape is transforming dramatically. This seminar explores how legal professionals, insurers, and brokers must adapt to emerging risks—from artificial intelligence-driven decision-making and remote work challenges to generational workforce changes and expanding Errors and Omissions (E&O) exposures. Through expert-led sessions and interactive discussions, attendees will gain the tools to stay agile, informed, and ethically grounded in a profession that’s constantly in motion. Save up to $500 when you register by December 2!

2026 Civil Rights and Governmental Tort Liability Seminar
February 18–20, 2026 | Orlando, Florida

DRI is proud to announce the 39th annual Civil Rights and Governmental Tort Liability Seminar in Orlando, Florida. This seminar will provide you with invaluable information and tools to represent government entities from intake through appeal. This year’s faculty includes a renowned Supreme Court advocate, legal scholars, seasoned litigators, in-house government lawyers, and a qualified immunity expert, alongside law enforcement, employment, land use, and education experts from across the United States. Session topics will cover national trends and developments in the realm of civil rights and governmental tort liability litigation. Attendees will learn practical tips and strategies for addressing issues in the areas of qualified immunity, Monell claims, Amicus briefing, law enforcement defense, education, employment, land use, and more. The 2026 program also offers the opportunity to network, exchange ideas, and develop winning strategies with experienced litigators, insurance professionals, government lawyers, and other experts in the field. Save up to $700 when you register by January 12!

2026 Women in the Law Seminar
February 18–20, 2026 | Orlando, Florida

Join us in Orlando–the city where dreams come true–for a transformative seminar designed to help women in the legal field build the skills needed to achieve both professional and personal success! When women in law unite, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish! This event brings together an inspiring lineup of psychologists, top trial litigators, businesswomen, and in-house counsel, all sharing their expertise and insights. From leadership strategies to self-care techniques, you’ll walk away with practical tools to reignite your passion and grow stronger, healthier, and more empowered in your career. Together, we will experience the magic of Women in the Law. Let’s build, grow, and lead in a profession that is stronger when we rise together! Save up to $700 when you register by January 12!

2026 Product Liability Conference
February 18–20, 2026 | San Antonio, Texas

The 2026 DRI Product Liability Conference offers fresh insights into the rapidly evolving field of product liability law. Through interactive sessions, case studies, and technology-focused programming, participants will explore strategies for defending claims, addressing regulatory expectations, and responding to the use of AI in litigation. Attendees will also gain practical tools for improving communication across generations and strengthening trial strategies through innovation. Alongside the education, the conference provides rich opportunities to connect with manufacturers, experts, and peers to build lasting professional relationships. Save up to $700 when you register by January 12!

2026 Medical Liability and Health Care Law Seminar
March 25–27, 2026 | Nashville, Tennessee

The premier DRI Medical Liability and Health Care Law Seminar is returning to Nashville, TN! Join us at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel, just a short walk from the heart of the city, for an event tailored by defense counsel, in-house counsel, and claims professionals. At this year’s event, you’ll gain access to unparalleled insights, unique networking opportunities, CLE credit, and so much more! The 2026 seminar is complete with exceptional faculty, including a urologist, ophthalmologist, jury consultant, and the attorney who defended the high-profile Kowalski v. Johns Hopkins case ("Take Care of Maya"). Plus, hear from experts on HIPAA, life care planning, damages, "wearable" tracking devices, and finally, an obstetrician/attorney birth trauma specialist. Join us to reconnect with clients and colleagues at on- and off-site networking events and explore all that Nashville has to offer. We look forward to seeing you in March! Save up to $700 when you register by February 9!