Amicus Committee

US Supreme Court Authority of Law Statue

The DRI Center for Law and Public Policy (the Center), at the recommendation of its Amicus Committee, files amicus curiae briefs in carefully selected cases that present issues of extraordinary importance to civil litigation defense lawyers, their clients, and the civil justice system. The Center may participate as amicus curiae at either the certiorari stage or the merits stage in cases pending before the U.S. Supreme Court, but only rarely files in federal court of appeals cases. Amicus support in state appellate courts will be considered only after consultation with the relevant state and local defense organization (SLDO).

The Center usually files amicus briefs in its name only. Generally, a case is considered eligible for Center participation if (i) the Center can make a meaningful and original contribution to an appeal by presenting arguments, perspectives, or information that supplements rather than duplicates the supported parties’ briefs, or the briefs of other amici curiae; (ii) the case or issues are of exceptional significance to civil litigation defense lawyers, their clients, and the civil justice system; and (iii) the positions to be advocated by the Center are consistent with DRI’s mission statement and goals.

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Leadership

Lisa M. Baird headshot Amicus Chair Lisa M. Baird Reed Smith LLP Miami, Florida
Melinda S. Kollross headshot Amicus Vice Chair Melinda S. Kollross Clausen Miller PC Chicago, Illinois

Members

David M. Axelrad headshot David M. Axelrad Horvitz & Levy LLP Burbank, California
Larry Ebner headshot Larry Ebner Capital Appellate Advocacy PLLC Washington, D.C.
Charlie T. Frazier headshot Charlie T. Frazier Alexander Dubose & Jefferson LLP Dallas, Texas
Lorie Gildea headshot Lorie Gildea Greenberg Traurig, LLP Minneapolis, Minnesota
Mary Massaron headshot Mary Massaron Plunkett Cooney PC Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Matt Nelson headshot Matt Nelson Warner Norcross + Judd LLP Grand Rapids, Michigan
Susan R. Snowden headshot Susan R. Snowden Jackson Kelly LLP Martinsburg, West Virginia
Sarah E. Spencer headshot Sarah E. Spencer Spencer Willson PLLC Salt Lake City, Utah
Hillary A. Taylor headshot Hillary A. Taylor Keating Jones Hughes Portland, Oregon
Robert L. Wise headshot Robert L. Wise Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP Richmond, Virginia