2025 Annual Meeting

500+ DRI Members Are Heading to Chicago! Will You Be Among Them?

If your trial just wrapped or your calendar suddenly opened up, there’s still time to say yes to the upcoming 2025 DRI Annual Meeting in Chicago.

This isn’t your average legal gathering. It’s the heartbeat of the defense bar, where strategy meets community and inspiration fuels action.

What will make headlines at this year’s event:

  • Bob Woodward Keynote A legendary voice delivering bold insights that will shape the tone of the entire week.
  • Insight from Attorneys General Hear directly from leading attorneys general on the legal challenges and opportunities ahead.
  • Networking Reception at the Shedd Aquarium A stunning venue where introductions turn into collaborations, and referrals are born over cocktails.

Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills, reconnect with peers, or simply enjoy Chicago with the best in civil defense litigation, this is your chance to step into the room where it all happens.

Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. The defense bar is gathering: come be part of the momentum.

Plus, register now and you can still save up to $500!


Center News

Join the Center at DRI’s Annual Meeting!

The Center for Law and Public Policy is presenting and participating in main stage and other events during the 2025 DRI Annual Meeting, October 15–17, in Chicago.

See below for full schedule.


DRI Foundation

Gratitude, Mental Health and Wellness

By Lori O'Tool

Studies of attorneys have consistently shown that lawyers report higher-than-average rates of stress, anxiety, and depression. Gratitude, defined as the recognition and appreciation of the positive aspects of life, has been found to be a powerful anecdote.  More than a fleeting emotion, gratitude can be a transformative mindset that significantly enhances mental health and overall well-being.

Research has consistently shown that practicing gratitude significantly improves psychological well-being, including increased life satisfaction and happiness. Gratitude activates brain regions associated with reward and emotional regulation, and expressing gratitude stimulates the release of dopamine and serotonin—linked to pleasure and relaxation—while reducing cortisol, the stress hormone.

By encouraging appreciation and positive interactions, gratitude fosters empathy, reduces feelings of isolation, and enhances relationship satisfaction. This social reinforcement contributes to a sense of belonging and emotional support while protecting against depression and anxiety. Associated physical benefits of gratitude are improved sleep, lower blood pressure, and better heart health that indirectly support mental well-being.

Incorporating gratitude into daily life doesn’t require grand gestures. Journaling, expressing thanks, or reflecting on positive experiences can cultivate a grateful mindset. Over time, these habits reshape thought patterns, promote optimism, and build emotional strength.

As I step away from my role on the DRI Foundation board during this year’s DRI Annual Meeting, I feel deeply grateful. Thank you to DRI leadership, our incredible member volunteers, and the dedicated DRI staff for your unwavering support and for all we’ve accomplished together—from the many DRI Cares service projects and DRI for Life wellness initiatives, to the scholarships we've awarded to law students and the fundraising efforts for NFJE. I’m also truly thankful to my firm for fostering a culture that has valued my service—to DRI, the DRI Foundation, and the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers. It’s been an honor to serve, and I feel truly blessed by the experience.

One last request is to encourage our DRI members to celebrate World Mental Health Day on October 10. It is an important reminder that mental health matters for everyone, everywhere. It encourages open conversations, reduces stigma, and promotes access to support—especially during crises and emergencies. This year’s theme emphasizes the need for accessible mental health services in challenging times, reinforcing that good mental health is a right, not a privilege. Celebrating this day helps raise awareness, foster empathy, and inspire action toward a world where mental well-being is prioritized and protected for all.  For information on World Mental Health Day, see https://wmhdofficial.com/

Ready to engage with your community at DRI’s 2025 Annual Meeting?
Check out our DRI Foundation programming and volunteer opportunities.

Lori O'ToolLori K. O'Tool of Preg O'Donnell & Gillett PLLC is the President of the DRI Foundation.


Hot Topics

From Pro Bono to Public Impact: Lawyers Engaging for Change

By Delaney Beier and Sean Ferrito

In today’s world, there are so many ways in which lawyers, and their law firms, can give back beyond their day-to-day work. From pro bono cases and mentoring young lawyers to volunteering in the community, this article looks at the different ways legal professionals can make a positive impact.

Most of the time, pro bono work is done in partnership with local legal aid organizations that serve low-income individuals and families. These organizations rely heavily on volunteer lawyers to help meet the overwhelming demand for legal services in certain areas of the law, such as family law, housing law, and immigration law. Because these organizations often have robust training programs, the barriers to entry are low for volunteer lawyers, such that volunteer lawyers can quickly get up to speed on a particular area of law.

However, law firms do not have to rely solely on existing legal aid organizations—they can also create and lead their own pro bono initiatives. From launching a legal clinic or partnering with nonprofits, law firms have the flexibility to design initiatives that reflect their capabilities and strengths. For example, a law firm may offer monthly legal clinics for a variety of groups, including minority-owned businesses or veterans or tenants facing eviction. Alternatively, a law firm may offer legal education workshops or know-your-rights seminars for underserved communities.

Another way law firms can strengthen their commitment to pro bono work is by hiring dedicated pro bono counsel. These professionals help coordinate efforts, build partnerships, and ensure that pro bono work is integrated into the law firm’s overall mission and practice.

In addition to supporting communities through offering their services, lawyers can also give back by focusing on future and emerging legal professionals and providing opportunities for education and mentorship. Having successfully traversed the complex pathway to licensure, lawyers are positioned to offer critical information to those navigating this often-intimidating trajectory. Educating and mentoring can be beneficial to all ages and experience levels, from middle school to beyond law school.

A relatively easy way for a lawyer to help future lawyers is to simply educate individuals regarding the legal profession. This could involve attending a career day at a local public school to discuss daily life and work, or hosting a “field trip” at a law firm’s office. Students who receive high-level information on the profession from an early age have ample opportunity to explore their interests and plan for the future. Since many people have a limited understanding of the vast opportunities available within the profession, it can be eye-opening for many to learn of the multitude of directions a lawyer can take.

More specifically, lawyers can also be of great value to law students in their communities by providing mentorship and participating in panel discussions, practice-focused lectures, and advocacy competitions. Law schools are constantly looking for lawyers to volunteer as seminar speakers, moot court judges, and advocacy team coaches. While the benefit to students is readily apparent in that they receive constructive feedback from a seasoned expert, any lawyer who is hesitant to offer up their time should bear in mind these events give them a chance to exercise their own legal muscles, as well as scout potential talent.

Lastly, lawyers can mentor more junior lawyers, through their local bar organization or otherwise. Lawyers receive formal mentorship in their roles from the supervisors, who are almost always more experienced lawyers. That said, there are certain questions and topics that a young lawyer may not feel comfortable discussing with a member of their respective organization. There are many topics that may fall into this category, including career path changes, negotiating terms of employment, and ethics, for example.

Delaney Beier of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP helps clients mitigate and manage their environmental liabilities, responsibilities, and risks. In doing so, Delaney advises clients in a wide variety of matters arising out of agency proceedings, enforcement actions, citizen suits, permitting, compliance and due diligence matters, transactions, brownfield redevelopment and site remediation, and litigation.

Sean Ferrito is a member of the Harris Beach Murtha Medical and Life Sciences Industry Team, which has earned a national reputation for defense of successful product liability matters, with emphasis on FDA-regulated companies. In addition to products liability, Sean assists in litigating a variety of complex matters facing healthcare organizations, luxury coops/condos and restaurants in NYC.



DRI Cares

Support Open Books at DRI’s Annual Meeting

DRI Foundation, DRI Cares logoOpen Books logo

Join us as we support Open Books, a Chicago-based literacy organization that helps transform lives through reading, writing, and the unlimited power of books.

Please bring your favorite children’s books (for 0-12 years old) to the DRI HUB at DRI’s 2025 Annual Meeting and support this great cause!

Can’t make it to Chicago? Donate online.


Hot Topics

Part 2: Burnout in Defense Litigation | Defense Attorneys Must Treat Burnout as a Litigation Risk

By Chris Casaleggio

Litigation is often cast as a marathon. However, consider a runner dealing with dehydration, an untied shoelace and rain in their face. They're still moving forward, yet every step becomes a struggle, and winning the race is no longer the goal; survival is. That’s burnout for defense attorneys. They remain in the courtroom and at the negotiation table, but they’re no longer operating at their best. 

In Part 1 of this series, we looked at how burnout acts like a hidden co-counsel, quietly influencing arguments and outcomes. Now, it’s time to talk about the culture that silences burnout and how to transform that vulnerability into strength.

The Culture Hides the Pain

Law firms have a reputation for gritting your teeth and getting through a 60-hour week with a stiff upper lip. Admitting fatigue isn't celebrated; it’s seen as a ticket off the path to partner. Unfortunately, this stoicism breeds vulnerability.

A recent North Carolina Bar initiative, co-sponsored with the ABA and behavioral health researchers, aims to break that silence by surveying lawyers anonymously to better understand burnout, anxiety, and mental health hurdles. This is a transformative shift, but we still haven’t normalized the conversation.

Silence Hurts Everyone

Avoiding talk about burnout doesn’t protect yourself; it exposes your firm and clients to risk:

  • Strategic flatlining: Attorneys understaffed with mental energy stop innovating. Mediations and trial prep become rote performances.
  • Escalating mistakes: Missed deadlines, overlooked evidence, or burnout-driven errors can cost far more than a late fee or reputational harm.
  • Retention risk: Vault’s 2025 report highlights that burnout and declining mental health remain widespread among associates. If firms don’t address stigma, they risk losing institutional knowledge as associates walk out the door.
  • Erosion of trust: A fatigued attorney can’t reassure clients. The signs of burnout (slow responses, curt emails, fewer ideas) are read as disengagement.

Why Wellness Is Strategic, Not Soft

Wellness in law is often misunderstood as feel-good fluff. In reality, well states of mind are foundational to litigators (like endurance training for the marathoner). Consider this:

  • An ALM study found depression rose from 31% in 2019 to about 38% by 2023–24, while anxiety climbed from 64% in 2019 to a peak of 71% in 2023 before settling around 69% in 2024. Emotional exhaustion has remained persistently high. These aren't morale issues; they're business issues.
  • Firms with strong well-being programs report better retention and are more attractive to new talent. As GPSolo noted in 2024, well-being is increasingly viewed as a market differentiator in recruitment.

Steps to Withstand the Burnout Marathon

  1. Lead by Example
    If senior attorneys show boundaries (leaving on time, unplugging evenings) it signals that well-being is valued. It’s not weakness, it’s modeling an endurable pace.
  2. Meaningful Workload Design
    Equity in caseload is more than count, it’s complexity, cycle time, and mental load. Some firms now use intake forms that help match files to capacity.
  3. Safe Conversations
    Blade-sharp reviews focus only on performance metrics. Open with: “How’s your caseload?” Make wellness part of every check-in.
  4. Built-in Coverage Systems
    Borrowing from claims adjuster practices, some leading firms now have on-call associates who cover cases when regular counsel is overloaded, parental leave, or stepping away. The workload doesn't pile up, and stress doesn't turn into mistakes.

Voices From the Field

One mid-level attorney admitted, “I used to try pushing through. Then during a critical deposition, I blanked and froze. That freeze cost me the case.”

A partner recently told me she lost a big client after a series of terse, late-night emails revealed a lawyer under strain, not a strategist on point.

Those stories are warnings, not confessions.

The Generational Imperative

Attorneys under 40 are walking away. Vault’s data shows three out of four associates report burnout, and more than 60% say their mental health has declined. If firms dismiss it as “millennial fragility,” they’ll lose the next generation of trial talent, and clients who demand excellence, not exhaustion.

The Marathon Runner Finishes Stronger

We began this article by imagining a marathon runner starting under difficult circumstances. If they keep pretending nothing’s wrong, they may limp across the line, but at what cost? When the approach acknowledges fatigue, rest, and pacing, performance becomes sustainable.

In litigation, stigma is that barrier. Only when we bring it out of the shadows and build systems of resilience can we continue to advocate with clarity, courage, and consistency.

Because burnout isn’t a personal burden; it’s a litigation risk. And risk, like any other, can be managed.

Chris Casaleggio is the author of Claims Burnout: Recharge Strategies for Adjusters & Attorneys. He is also a regional vice president at The Vertex Companies.


Free Member Webinar Series

Revolutionize Insurance Defense with AI—Join Our Free Webinar!

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Don't miss out on the upcoming webinar this month: AI-Powered Defense: Better Outcomes, Less Effort, More Profit

Join us on October 29 at 11:00 a.m. Central and discover how to transform your insurance defense practice with cutting-edge artificial intelligence. You'll learn proven strategies to serve your insurance clients better through lightning-fast response times and AI-powered case analysis that uncovers critical details others miss. We'll show you how to leverage data analytics to select winning case strategies, streamline your operations for maximum profitability, and reduce the daily stress that comes with managing complex insurance defense work—all while positioning your firm as the go-to choice for insurance carriers.

This webinar is sponsored by OraClaim and is free for all members and non-members!

Register and reserve your spot today!


Partner Content: LawyerGuard Tip of the Month

Truth and Lies in Negotiations: Model Rule 4.1

QBE North America logoAttorneys Risk Management BNLawyerGuard A Ryan Financial Lines Product

Not all negotiators are lawyers, but all lawyers are negotiators. No matter what your practice, chances are you negotiate the resolution of issues on an almost daily basis. As lawyers, we are responsible to pursue for our client the outcomes they wish. See, Model Rule 1.2. Our pursuit of our clients’ goals is restrained, however, by the requirements of the rules that govern our profession.

One of those rules is Model Rule 4.1:

In the course of representing a client a lawyer shall not knowingly:

  1. make a false statement of material fact or law to a third person; or
  2. fail to disclose a material fact to a third person when disclosure is necessary to avoid assisting a criminal or fraudulent act by a client, unless disclosure is prohibited by Rule 1.6.

While the rule essentially tells us that lawyers should not lie, the application of the rule is much more nuanced. Applied to negotiations, this rule constrains our use of language and assertions of fact and law. For instance, the rule prohibits a lawyer from stating that there is an eyewitness when there is no eyewitness; or from stating that supporting documents exist when no such documents exist.

Puffing, however, is permitted. For instance, the rule does not prohibit a statement that “My client will not settle for less than $200,000,” even though the client has instructed the lawyer that any settlement over $100,000 is acceptable. See, e.g., MR 4.1, Cmt [2]: “Under generally accepted conventions in negotiation, certain types of statements ordinarily are not taken as statements of material fact. Estimates of price or value placed on the subject of a transaction and a party’s intentions as to an acceptable settlement of a claim are ordinarily in this category….” For an expanded discussion and illustrations of this guidance, see, Cal. State Bar Form. Opn. 2015-194 (“Issue: When an attorney is engaged in negotiations on behalf of a client, are there ethical limitations on the statements the attorney may make to third parties, including statements that may be considered “puffing” or posturing?”)

Other statements made in negotiation are not as easily categorized, and should be used only after careful consideration and study of your jurisdiction’s application of Model Rule 4.1 and related case law and ethics opinions. Making a false statement of material fact can open the door for not just disciplinary complaints by opposing parties, but also civil claims by both opposing parties and clients. (See, e.g., Medallion Film LLC. V. Loeb & Loeb LLP 100 Cal.App.5th 1272 (2024); Vega v. Jones Day, 121 Cal.App.4th 282 (2004); and Cicone v. URS Corp., 183 Cal.App.3d 194 (1986).) If you have questions about your strategy in negotiations and the application of Model Rule 4.1, visit our website and seek a consultation with our senior risk management counsel.

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.


My Communities

DRI Hub Happenings

Join your fellow DRI Members in the DRI Hub online community and engage in a variety of conversations. This past month, several members have posted about fun topics like sharing a photo of your pet or what your favorite meal was this summer. Members are also seeking experts on various topics.

Join the conversation and share your insights today!


DRI Member News

Congratulations to DRI Members for Their Achievements

If you have a recent achievement or recognition that you would like featured, email your news to membership@dri.org. Please note that DRI reserves the right to review all accomplishments to ensure they are adequate for publishing. All submissions will be reviewed for relevance and compliance with DRI’s mission. Submissions may be edited to conform with our standards, and space limitations.

Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice LLC has merged with Wisconsin-based Corneille Law Group, LLC. Mark Budzinski will join Baker Sterchi as an equity Member, along with David Pliner effective Oct. 1, 2025. Mark has been a member of DRI since 2025, and David has been a member of DRI since 1999.

Edward White has joined Hawkins, Parnell & Young as a Partner in the firm's Product Liability and Mass Tort group. Edward has been a member of DRI since 2023.


SLDO News

SLDO 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.

  • Iowa Defense Lawyers Association
    Sean O'Brien (DRI member since 1999) – President
    Jon Vasey (DRI member since 1983) – President-Elect
  • Texas Association of Defense Counsel
    Russell R. Smith (DRI member since 2022) – President
    Darin L. Brooks (DRI member since 2018) – President-Elect

New Members and Advocates

DRI Welcomes the Following Members and Advocates

New Members

  • Jacob Mansfield Abramo
  • Julio C. Acosta
  • Kurt Alexander
  • Juliann M. Alicino
  • Lizzie Baker
  • Walter W Ballew
  • Shawdy Banihashemi
  • Melanie M. Barker
  • Amber Barlow Garcia
  • Benjamin Alba Beasley
  • Jonathon L. Beck
  • Paul Bernstein
  • Allen Thomas Berriault
  • Bernadette Betzler
  • Rachel D. Bishop
  • Mark Andrew Bloomquist
  • Aaron C. Boone
  • Kerri Booth
  • Lisa M. Booth
  • Kevin Marques Boston
  • Anna-Katherine Bowman
  • Anthony E. Brown
  • Caroline Bruenderman
  • Daniel NMN Bullard
  • Davis Capps
  • Erica Caron
  • Daimon LaCour Carter
  • Paul Catalano
  • Mark Shanter Chaparro
  • Lauren Chavez
  • Alice Chen Smith
  • Nathan Ryan Chicoine
  • Darlene Childers
  • Brian Cieniawski
  • Ashley Cleek
  • Charles Coorey
  • Jon M. Cope
  • David Corbett
  • David J. Corey
  • Chris Cullen
  • Kristy Marie D'Ambrosio
  • Africa E. Davidson
  • Stephanie Davis
  • Katherine Decker
  • Douglas M. DeGrave
  • Kaitlin Del Vecchio Motley
  • Edward Denby
  • Regina A. DePumpo
  • Adam Dershowitz
  • Edward Dillon
  • Robert A. Dinkins
  • Brigham Alexander Dixson
  • Carly Dobbs
  • Sarah-Jane Dobson
  • Mindy Dolgoff
  • Neil T. Dombrowski
  • Gerard T. Donnelly
  • Kristina Dukanac
  • Marshall Dworkin
  • Merielle Enriquez Banks
  • Tynetra Evans
  • Lisa G Faden
  • Michael Farley
  • Adrienne Fazio
  • Evan Fear
  • Robert L. Ferguson
  • Bertha Baranko Fitzer
  • William Bains Fleming
  • Shawnette A. Fluitt
  • Markeya Fowler
  • Zachary Fulton
  • Jeffry N Gale
  • John Matthew Garcia
  • Patti Garwood
  • Ilse Manuela Ghent
  • Brian Gibbons
  • Kelly Gillis
  • Mark Giltner
  • Angelina Gingo
  • Colton Givens
  • CJ Gomes
  • Christina Gonsalves
  • Jason Anders Goodman
  • William Goozee
  • Michael Charles Gordon
  • James N. Gore
  • Renee Green
  • Michael Greenfield
  • Hunter A. Gregg
  • R. Joshua Gregory
  • Nicole Grimes
  • Ashley Hall
  • Megan Happe
  • John Hardwick
  • Daniel Harkins
  • Stewart B. Harman
  • Raymond P. Harris
  • Justin Harrison
  • Eugene Stetson Hatcher
  • Julie Lewis Hauf
  • Laura Hawes Young
  • Frederic C. Hayer
  • Maeve Healy
  • Lyssa Henderson
  • James D. Hicks
  • Jennifer Hoffman
  • Franklin Hoffmann
  • Emily Holt
  • Brian Hooper
  • Kami Hoskins
  • Karen Hubbard
  • Kristina Hulsey
  • Ryan Tyler Hurst
  • Christina Huston
  • Michael W. Irving
  • Jesse W. Isom
  • Lindsey Jay
  • Jessica Johnson
  • Ryan B. Johnson
  • Zapora Johnson
  • Dilcia Jones
  • Elizabeth Ann Jones
  • Gregory D. Jones
  • Robert J. Kaler
  • Zachary Drew Karetsky
  • Robert S. Keith
  • Stephen J. Kelley
  • Michelle Kerrigan
  • Ryan Kitzul
  • Jerry D. Kizer
  • Allison Knerr
  • Arthur Krafft
  • Katherine Sarah Kral
  • John Kubis
  • Nicolas Kuonen
  • Josh R. Ladwig
  • James Landry
  • Virginia Leeper
  • Erin Leffler
  • J.K. Leonard
  • Andrew Lesko
  • Brittany D. Levine
  • Ilana Lauren Linder
  • Ayla Gabrielle Luers Connor
  • Veronica Lynch
  • Brooke C. Madonna
  • Doris Magsayo
  • Margaret Lynette Manns
  • Carin L Marcussen
  • Vernon Marsh
  • Nina Rae Marsuin
  • Rolfe M. Martin
  • Maureen M. McBride
  • Steve E. McCain
  • Jared McCauley
  • Erin McGonigle
  • Taylor Nichole McGown
  • Timothy Michael McKercher
  • Joseph Edward Meadows
  • Michael A. Meadows
  • Walter Gregory Merritt
  • Anna Mills
  • Ronnie M. Mitchell
  • Kelsey Moe
  • Julie Ann Moore
  • Nathaniel D. Moore
  • Wayne Morse
  • James A. Muldoon
  • Ashley Nagrodski
  • Morgan S. Nance
  • John J. Neal
  • Jordan K Gibson Neiderland
  • Scott A. Neilson
  • John K. Nelson
  • Matthew Nevaranta
  • Cameron Nieters
  • Charles J. Noel
  • Stephen Novakidis
  • Jacob M. O'Brien
  • Thomas F. Ochs
  • Beverly G. O'Hearn
  • Dana K. Oium
  • Uzochukwu Edwin Okonkwo
  • Jason J. O'Rourke
  • Jeffrey Oster
  • Anna Pancioli
  • Thomas Panter
  • Fred S. Papalardo
  • Matthew Paradowski
  • Stephen Park
  • Stephen Parker
  • Lisa M. Pascarella
  • Michael Paterson
  • Magda Patitsas
  • Joseph Pickels
  • Dana Pikowitz
  • David J. Pliner
  • John F. Pontin
  • Scot Vanderver Pool
  • T. Lowndes Pope
  • Chase Pumford
  • Abhishek Ramaswami
  • Carolyn Rankin
  • Richard J. Reynolds
  • Jack Richardson
  • Peter M. Ritchie
  • Aurora Rosado
  • Marshall G. Rosenberg
  • David Rosinsky
  • Shana E. Russo
  • Craig Salner
  • Emmanuel Sanders
  • Ana Sarmento
  • Phillip M. Sarnowski
  • Jane Marie Savard
  • Michael Court Scanlon
  • James Scarbrough
  • Tarin Schalow
  • Jessica Seares
  • Sara R. Shapland
  • Nathaniel Sherman
  • Laura Sitar
  • Rylie Mackenzie Slone
  • Kristine Snyder
  • Jennifer Anne Sorensen
  • Kasper Sorensen
  • Martha L. Steele
  • Ashley Jean Stephens
  • Brie A. Stewart
  • Katherine Stewart
  • Lyndy Chang Stewart
  • Nicole Marie Stewart
  • Renee Levay Stewart
  • Orrin Stivers
  • Michael Strickland
  • David P. Strup
  • Timothy Sullivan
  • J. Scott Sweeney
  • Gregory Szydlowski
  • Robert Taylor
  • Danny Thankachan
  • Erin Ann Therrian
  • Sarah Thomas
  • Adam L. Towe
  • Taryn Marie Vender
  • Shyne Victoria
  • Jacob Vogt
  • Heather von Sternberg
  • Jovana Vujovic
  • Alistair M. Ward
  • Margarita Warren
  • Mary Elizabeth Watkins
  • James Watson
  • Mark D. Watson
  • Michaela Noel Weaver
  • Joshua S. Whitley
  • Kelli Kristin Williams
  • Robert (Woodie) Woodrow Williams
  • Brock L. Wimberley
  • Deborah Yue
  • Christy Zahradnik-Mitchell

Advocates

  • John Alan Doran
  • Renée Welze Livingston
  • Beth A. Lochmiller
  • Nicole Marklein
  • Matthew G. Moffett
  • Denise Smith Motta
  • Ilana B. Olman
  • Alejandro R. Perkins
  • Jill Rice
  • Aleksandra Zivanovic

DRI Education

Upcoming Seminars

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 $500 when you register by October 14!

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 $500 when you register by November 11!

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 $700 when you register by October 20!

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 $700 when you register by October 20!


DRI Education

Upcoming Webinars

AI-Powered Defense (Part 2): Better Outcomes, Less Effort, More Profit
October 29, 2025 | 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Central

Sponsored by OraClaim

Join us for the 2nd session in the webinar series on AI and discover how to transform your insurance defense practice with cutting-edge artificial intelligence. You'll learn proven strategies to serve your insurance clients better through lightning-fast response times and AI-powered case analysis that uncovers critical details others miss. We'll show you how to leverage data analytics to select winning case strategies, streamline your operations for maximum profitability, and reduce the daily stress that comes with managing complex insurance defense work—all while positioning your firm as the go-to choice for insurance carriers.

The Federal Rulemaking Process: Present and Future
November 4, 2025 | 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Central

This webinar will cover changes to the federal rules that will take effect in December 2025 absent Congressional action and proposed rules that were recently published for public comment. Among the changes that will be discussed are current and proposed changes to the rules concerning remote appearances at both deposition and trial and changes to address evidence created by artificial intelligence.

Best Practices for Hiring New and Experienced Attorneys in a Defense Firm
November 5, 2025 | 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Central

Sponsored by LawyerGuard

Hiring lateral attorneys can bring valuable experience and new clients—but it can also introduce serious risk. This webinar will explore how law firms can protect themselves when onboarding attorneys who bring existing casework and client relationships from prior firms.

The Resourced Lawyer: Thriving in Law Without Carrying It All Home
November 6, 2025 | 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Central

This workshop equips lawyers to understand, identify, and manage both vicarious and secondary trauma. Through practical, trauma-informed strategies, participants will learn how to set boundaries that protect their nervous system, sustain resilience, and support ethical lawyering.

Managing the Future of MDLs: Understanding the New FRCP Amendment
November 19, 2025 | 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Central

On December 1, 2025, FRCP 16.1 will take effect dramatically changing the ways that multidistrict litigations (MDLs) are litigated. The new rules aim to provide uniformity in procedure for how MDLs proceed in an effort to moderate leadership disputes, meritless claims, and inconsistent privilege handling. Critically, the new rule requires an early management conference with preconference reports involving leadership, prior orders, and the relation of cases. Finally, the rule creates uniform requirements for early factual disclosures, such as fact sheets and discovery, consolidated pleadings, and early motions practice.


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