The Voice^TM

The 2026 award recipients are as follows:

ALBERT H. PARNELL OUTSTANDING PROGRAM CHAIR AWARD
Peter Bredin, Dillon Eustace LLP

DAVIS CARR OUTSTANDING COMMITTEE CHAIR AWARD
Ryan M. Hathcock, Burke Moore Law Group

DRI FOUNDATION COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Lori K. O'Tool, Preg O'Donnell & Gillett

DRI LAW FIRM/CORPORATE LEGAL DEPARTMENT DIVERSITY AWARD
Perez Morris, Perez Morris (Founding Partners Troy B. Morris and Juan Jose Perez)

DRI SLDO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AWARD
Michelle Barrus, Utah Defense Lawyers Association

FRED H. SIEVERT OUTSTANDING DEFENSE BAR LEADER AWARD
George L. Simpson IV, Simpson Law Firm

G. DUFFIELD SMITH OUTSTANDING PUBLICATION AWARD
Henry M. Sneath, Houston Harbaugh; Christopher M. Jacobs, Houston Harbaugh; Acacia Perko, Homer City Redevelopment

“Defending the Algorithm: A Bayesian Analysis of AI Litigation and Law in Legal Practice Benefits, Considerations, and Best Practices” January 2026 For The Defense

JOHN R. KOURIS PRESIDENTIAL AWARD
R. Matthew Cairns, Textron Inc.

KEVIN DRISKILL OUTSTANDING STATE REPRESENTATIVE AWARD
Elliott I. Pinkie, Amundsen Davis

LOUIS B. POTTER LIFETIME PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AWARD
John E. Cuttino, Gallivan White & Boyd

RUDOLPH A. JANATA OUTSTANDING DEFENSE BAR ASSOCIATION AWARD
Georgia Defense Lawyers Association

SLDO DIVERSITY AWARD
Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association

TOM SEGALLA EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AWARD
Mark E. Schmidtke, Ogletree Deakins

RICHARD H. KROCHOCK YOUNG LAWYER AWARD
Andrew T. Smith, Collins and Lacy

Consistency is more important than perfection. In the thick of trial, most attorneys will revert to their habits and routines. Rather than making dramatic lifestyle changes, focus on implementing a few sustainable habits now. Build routines that can survive the realities of litigation practice and long workdays.

During trial preparation and trial, when there are not enough hours in the day, sleep is often the first thing attorneys sacrifice. Even the most prepared attorney will struggle to perform at a high level while sleep deprived. Adequate sleep improves concentration, decision-making, memory, emotional regulation, and resilience under stress. Conversely, chronic sleep deprivation can impair cognitive performance and increase the likelihood of mistakes. Sleep is not optional, but a key tool for peak performance.

Consider creating a consistent sleep schedule. Aim to go to bed and wake up at approximately the same time each day, even during trial. Resist the temptation to rely on late-night preparation sessions as a substitute for rest. Experienced litigators frequently report that maintaining sleep during trial enhances performance more than squeezing in a few additional hours of preparation.

After a long, stressful day of trial, attorneys often turn to a drink or two to relieve stress. While there is nothing inherently wrong with enjoying a drink, attorneys should be mindful of the cumulative effects alcohol can have on sleep quality, recovery, hydration, and next-day performance. Alcohol may make it easier to fall asleep, but it can negatively affect overall sleep quality and leave individuals feeling less rested the following day. Maintaining peak performance requires making intentional choices.

Those intentional choices should also extend to your diet during trial. The demands of trial often lead to skipped meals, excessive caffeine, vending-machine snacks, or fast-food choices that may substantially impact energy and clarity throughout the day. Planning meals in advance may help you maintain focus and avoid poor food choices during demanding trial schedules.

Before a trial, consider spending a few minutes planning lunches. This planning may be as simple as identifying healthy restaurant options near the courthouse and stocking portable snacks such as nuts, fruit, or protein bars. A small amount of preparation can help reduce stress and improve energy throughout the day.

Trying a case also requires attorneys to spend long hours parked motionless at counsel table. Extended sedentary behavior can contribute to fatigue, stiffness, reduced energy, and other health concerns.

Although it may be impossible to schedule a full workout during trial, you can look for other ways to maximize your movement. Effective exercise does not require lengthy gym sessions. Consider incorporating simple practices during trial:

• Walk to the courthouse when possible.
• Use the stairs when possible.
• Stretch during breaks.
• Walk while making phone calls.

Establishing healthy routines such as prioritizing sleep, exercising moderation with alcohol, planning meals, and incorporating movement allows attorneys to maximize their performance in the courtroom while protecting their long-term well-being. The goal is not merely to survive trial, but to perform at your highest level from voir dire to verdict.

Looking for additional resources to support a healthy, balanced life? The DRI Foundation helps promote the work of volunteer-led committees, including:

• DRI Cares, which helps members engage with local communities through fundraising and volunteer activities.
• DRI for Life, which helps members lead healthy, balanced, and productive lives through wellness activities, support programs, and mentoring.

Michael T. Goodin of Zurich Insurance Company is the DRI Foundation’s Corporate Liaison.

Navigate Evolving PFAS Regulation and Litigation

PFAS litigation is moving forward, and the increase in claims and settlements reflects a mounting alarm over environmental and health effects.

Join DRI and the Center for Law and Public Policy on September 22-23 in Chicago for valuable sessions, including:

• PFAS Litigation Update: Defense Trends and Exposure Management
• PFAS Regulatory Update for Defendants and Regulated Companies
• PFAS: Fate and Transport, Remediation Damages, and the Expanding Cost of “Forever Chemical” Litigation
• PFAS Insurance Issues: Coverage, Tender, and Defense Coordination
• PFAS Blood Testing: Science, Experts, and Litigation Implications

PFAS has become a critical area of focus for law firms as the number of lawsuits targeting manufacturers across industries—from automotive and aerospace to pharmaceuticals and pesticides—as well as importers and retailers, continues to grow.

Register now to save $400!

California Supreme Court Sides with DRI Center in Major Products Liability Decision

On Monday, the Supreme Court of California sided with the The DRI Center for Law and Public Policy in rejecting the revolutionary affirmative duty that a California intermediate Court of Appeal created and imposed in Gilead Sciences, Inc. v. Superior Court of the City and County of San Francisco. The Center’s brief argued that the Court of Appeal’s unprecedented expansion of liability would unreasonably burden product development.

In response, DRI Center Amicus Committee member Lisa Baird (Reed Smith LLP) shares that the Court “recognized that decades of products liability precedent have defined a product manufacturer’s duty of reasonable care as being limited to designing, manufacturing, and marketing products that are free from defects, and that there was no basis presented for holding a manufacturer liable for its nondefective product.”

Read the full brief (PDF)

Want to help shape the future of law? Join the Center community and become a part of the advocacy, initiatives, and conversations that have an impact.

Medical Liability and Health Care Law

The Medical Liability and Health Care Law Committee is specifically designed for those representing health care professionals and institutions.

Here’s what you should know about this committee:
Committee membership connects medical liability and health care defense attorneys through a specialized network of knowledgeable, accomplished colleagues. Feel free to contact any of the committee leaders for more information on how you can become involved. Like all DRI committees, this group offers opportunities to build relationships, contribute to publications, help plan programs, and stay informed about emerging topics in the field.

Join the Medical Liability and Health Care Law Committee Today

Product Liability

The Product Liability Committee brings together attorneys and professionals who focus on how product liability law evolves, such as alongside rapidly changing technology, offering a forum to learn, share insights, and connect with leaders in the field.

What this committee focuses on:
"The Product Liability Committee unites the foremost thought leaders in the field with seasoned in-house counsel to tackle the most pressing developments shaping our practice. From artificial intelligence and autonomous systems to smart products and social media platforms, the committee sits at the cutting edge of how product liability law evolves alongside rapidly changing technology, and its members are the ones driving that conversation. Critically, the committee does not simply react to legal developments as they emerge."

Join the Product Liability Committee Today

Professional Liability

The Professional Liability Committee brings together attorneys and professionals who focus on the legal responsibilities of licensed professionals and the consequences that arise when those duties are not met.

At its core, professional liability involves complex questions of duty, ethics, risk management, and evolving industry standards. Lawyers practicing in this area handle matters ranging from malpractice claims and disciplinary proceedings to risk mitigation counseling, insurance coverage disputes, and regulatory compliance.

Join the Professional Liability Committee Today

Retail and Hospitality

Joining any of DRI’s 29 substantive law committees is a great way to engage with the broader DRI community, enhance your career, and collaborate with attorneys across the country. The Retail and Hospitality Committee is specifically designed for those practicing in or interested in the retail and hospitality industries.

Here’s what you should know about this committee:
"The mission of the Retail and Hospitality Committee is to provide preeminent legal education and professional development, while delivering first-class networking opportunities specific to the retail and hospitality industries. The members of this committee include outside counsel, in-house counsel, human resource professionals, and claims specialists – all working within the retail and hospitality industries."

Like all DRI committees, this group offers opportunities to build relationships, contribute to publications, help plan programs, and stay informed about emerging topics in the field.

Join the Retail and Hospitality Committee Today

John Bergquist has joined Wilmer & Lee at their Birmingham, AL office. Bergquist has been a member of DRI since 1997.

Elliot Pinkie has joined Amundsen Davis, LLC as Partner at their Indianapolis, IN office. Pinkie has been a member of DRI since 2000.

Gerard Fazio has joined Mehaffy Weber as Shareholder at their Dallas, TX office. Fazio has been a member of DRI since 2004.

Andrew Wilson has joined Chafe McCall as Partner at their New Orleans, LA office. Wilson has been a member of DRI since 2005.

Cody Rogers has joined Kemp Smith as Partner at their Las Cruces, NM office. Rogers has been a DRI member since 2013.

Paul DeMarco has joined Wilmer & Lee at their Huntsville, AL office. DeMarco has been a member of DRI since 2014.

Kaylee Chabarek has joined Trenam Law as Senior Counsel at their Tampa, FL office. Chabarek has been a member of DRI since 2019.

Sunny Rehsi has joined Wilson Elser as Of Counsel at their Detroit, MI office. Rehsi has been a member of DRI since 2020.

Ryan Hathcock has joined Burke Moore Law Group as Partner at their Atlanta, GA office. Hathcock has been a member of DRI since 2022.

James Wilson has joined Hall Booth Smith P.C. as an Attorney at their Little Rock, AR office. Wilson has been a member of DRI since 2023.

Thomas Lurie has joined Dykema Gossett PLLC as a Senior Attorney at their Bloomfield Hills, MI office. Lurie has been a member of DRI since 2023.

Lauren Birnbaum has joined Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP as Senior Counsel as their Boston, MA office. Birnbaum has been a member of DRI since 2024.

Laura Martinez has joined Quintairos Prieto Wood & Boyer as Partner at their Denver, CO office. Martinez has been a member of DRI since 2025.

Mackenzie Brockmyre has joined Segal McCambridge as an Associate at their Boston, MA office. Brockmyre has been a member of DRI since 2026.

Lauren Woods has joined Richardson Plowden & Robinson as an Associate at their Columbia, SC office. Woods has been a member of DRI since 2026.

2026 Law Firm Leaders and Managing Partners Conference
September 9–10, 2026 | Chicago, Illinois

Defense firms are under more pressure than ever - from insurers demanding greater efficiency and transparency to rapid advances in AI that are reshaping how legal work gets done. At the same time, law firm leaders are tackling succession planning, employment compliance, and the challenge of leading teams across generational and technological divides. At this year’s Managing Partners and Law Firm Leaders Seminar, you’ll gain practical, real-world strategies tailored to defense firms—how to thoughtfully integrate AI into your practice, communicate more effectively as a leader, and address the business and operational issues that keep you up at night—all while positioning your firm to meet the evolving expectations of clients and carriers. Save up to $400 when you register by September 8!

2026 Senior Living and Long-Term Care Litigation Seminar
September 16–18, 2026 | San Antonio, Texas

Join us in San Antonio for the 2026 Senior Living and Long-Term Care Litigation Seminar, September 16-18 at the Marriott River Center. This high-energy program blends meaningful connections with cutting-edge insights from top industry leaders covering the legal and operational issues shaping the future of senior living and long-term care. Expect dynamic counsel meetings, interactive networking (with a little Texas flair), and up to 10 hours of CLE, including an hour of ethics credit. This year’s seminar is designed to help you connect faster and more effectively—with a first-time attendee meet-up, curated small-group networking, and expanded opportunities to engage with peers and clients. You’ll also have time to enjoy San Antonio, give back through a DRI Cares community project, and connect over a complimentary lunch and coveted networking reception. Save up to $500 when you register by September 15!

2026 Strictly Automotive Seminar
September 16–18, 2026 | San Antonio, Texas

Connect with peers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) along the San Antonio Riverwalk at this year’s Strictly Automotive Seminar. Expand your knowledge with the latest tools for your practice, including technical skills from a crash demonstration, an Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) vehicle simulation, and even more interactive sessions. This year’s seminar topics will build on interactive experiences and focus on implications from the latest rulings on the following topics: emerging automotive technologies, navigating tariffs, ethical AI use, and collaboration required to manage high-stakes crises. Plus, enjoy opportunities to build contacts and cultivate relationships. Save up to $500 when you register by September 15!

2026 PFAS Seminar
September 22–23, 2026 | Chicago, Illinois

Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) litigation and regulation continue to present complex and rapidly evolving challenges for defense counsel, corporate legal departments, insurers, manufacturers, retailers, and regulated businesses. This one-day seminar provides a practical, defense-focused overview of the current PFAS landscape, covering legal, scientific, regulatory, and insurance issues driving claims and compliance obligations. Five substantive sessions will address key developments in federal and state litigation, including Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) multidistrict litigation, personal injury, property damage, water contamination, natural resource damages, medical monitoring, and emerging liability theories. The program will also examine changing state and federal regulatory requirements, product reporting obligations, supply chain diligence, disclosure risks, and enforcement trends. Attendees will gain insight into PFAS science, testing, remediation, causation, expert evidence, damages, insurance coverage, class certification, settlement strategies, and risk management. The seminar will equip participants to assess exposure, advise clients, preserve defenses, and navigate future PFAS-related claims and compliance challenges. Save up to $400 when you register by September 20!

2026 DRI Annual Meeting
October 21–23, 2026 | Washington, D.C.

As our nation marks its 250th anniversary, gather with DRI, the Association of Lawyers Defending Business, in Washington, D.C., for a dynamic 2026 Annual Meeting focused on connections, timely insights, and the advancement of the profession. Save up to $700 when you register by September 9!

2026 Asbestos Medicine Seminar
November 18–20, 2026 | Nashville, Tennessee

Join us in Nashville for DRI's Asbestos Medicine Seminar, where cutting-edge science, high-stakes litigation strategy, and the future of law converge. This year we are shaking up the traditional conference format with a fully immersive, human and AI-powered mock trial. Following educational primers, we will present a complete asbestos case: opening statements, direct and cross-examinations of key witnesses, and closing arguments. A live jury will hear the case alongside the audience. You will then watch them deliberate via real-time stream, then hear directly from the jurors on what persuaded them and what did not. AI experts from Stanford University and Viewpoints.ai then reveal how an AI jury evaluated the same facts, offering a direct comparison between human and artificial decision-making. All of it in the heart of Nashville, steps from live music and award-winning restaurants. Save up to $700 when you register by October 5!