Diane Fleming Averell is Principal of Porzio Bromberg & Newman PC in New Jersey and co-chairs the firm's Litigation Practice Group. Diane devotes her practice to general civil litigation, with a focus on commercial, product liability, toxic tort, and mass tort litigation. She serves as Vice-Chair to DRI's Women in the Law Committee.

Koriambanya (Kori) S. Carew, Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP's Director of Strategic Diversity Initiatives, leads efforts related to the firm's primary diversity and inclusion drivers of excellence, education and equity across 12 offices. In addition to scoring a perfect 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index, the firm has consistently ranked among Vault/MCCA's top 10 firms for overall diversity and Working Mother magazine's 50 best law firms for women. The firm has received The Coca-Cola Company's Living the Values Award three times.

Jennifer Morgan DelMonico is the Managing Partner of Murtha Cullina LLP, the New England law firm. For nearly 20 years, she has been a trial lawyer for parties in complex commercial and intellectual property disputes, and defendants in tort and product liability actions. She represents clients in many industries, including healthcare, medical devices, science, technology, aviation, automotive, and manufacturing. Jennifer is very active in the bar and the community, serving on many committees and non-profit boards.

Audra A. Dial is the Managing Partner for Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP's Atlanta office. Ms. Dial is an experienced litigator practicing in Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP's Patent and Complex Litigation Team. She focuses her practice on high-stakes litigation involving trade secrets, patent disputes, and complex business disputes involving intellectual property. In 2014, Ms. Dial was recognized by the Daily Report in its Verdicts Hall of Fame for Intellectual Property litigation.

Heidi B. (Goldstein) Friedman is a partner in the Environmental Practice Group at Thompson Hine LLP in Cleveland, Ohio, where she focuses on providing national environmental, health, and safety counseling to global businesses. Heidi's primary focus is partnering with clients to provide business solutions for every EHS issue. Heidi manages her client relationships utilizing value based pricing, alternative staffing, and legal project management to maximize efficiency and predictability. Heidi is the co-founder of Thompson Hine's Women's Initiative, where she served as Firm-wide chair for six years. She is also very active nationally promoting and supporting professional women through a variety of committees and organizations. Heidi is currently Chair of DRI's Women in the Law Committee.

Ruth Anderson Gates is Senior Counsel in the product liability group at Nissan North America Inc. She regularly advises clients on all issues relating to product liability prevention and defense. In her capacity at Nissan she routinely hires and manages outside counsel in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. She has served as a mentor to a number of younger lawyers both in-house and outside of Nissan. Additionally, she has given numerous speeches on the importance of law firm succession planning. Ruth joined Nissan in 2006 after practicing in Austin, Texas for just over 6 years.

Alton B. Harris is a founding partner of the law firm of Ungaretti & Harris, which is now part of Nixon Peabody LLP. He served for many years as managing partner and then as a member of its Executive and Compensation Committees. Al has mentored and advised women in many career fields, focusing on the communication skills they need to advance despite negative gender stereotypes. Al speaks to women about what male colleagues expect from future leaders, offering creative ideas and useful techniques to be seen as talented leaders. He also speaks to organizations and the men that run them about the negative affect gender bias has on their organizations, providing practical steps to eliminate gender bias. Learn more at www.AndieandAl.com, or follow them on Twitter at @AndieandAl. Al is the co-author of Breaking Through Bias: Communication Techniques for Women to Succeed at Work, which was named one of the best business books of 2016 by Women@Work and "a well-organized, well-thought-out call to action" by Publishers Weekly. Al and his wife Andie are Chicago attorneys speaking on gender stereotypes, unconscious biases, career advancement, compensation and promotion, and communication techniques. They have written over 50 articles and blog posts on promoting diversity and overcoming stereotypes and biases..

C. Meade Hartfield has represented clients nationwide in a variety of industries, including financial services, drug and medical device, automotive, aviation, industrial equipment, insurance, and environmental. Her financial services practice includes representing financial institutions and mortgage companies in defensive litigation matters throughout the country, including alleged violations of the TCPA, TILA, FCRA, FDCPA and state deceptive trade practices laws. She also spearheads regulatory compliance services in response to pending or new legislation. Meade has been admitted to practice before all state and federal courts in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee. She is an active member of the Defense Research Institute (DRI), where she serves on the DRI Publications Board, the Drug & Medical Device Committee and as Annual Meeting Chair of Women in Law.

Janet L. Hickson, as one of Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP's Orange County Partners, practices product liability litigation. She has significant experience representing the manufacturers and distributors of automobiles, motorcycles, food products, consumer products, industrial equip-ment, and medical devices. She has also represented entertainment and amusement park venues, in addition to handling a range of commercial litigation matters. Janet has successfully defended and tried cases of all sizes, including catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. This work includes a defense verdict after a two-week jury trial involving a bus rollover in April 2015 that was named among CVN's Top 10 Defense Verdicts of 2015. She has also overseen national and regional defense counsel programs.

Thomas J. Hurney, Jr. is a trial lawyer with Jackson Kelly PLLC in Charleston, West Virginia, with thirty three years' experience in health care, serious injury and wrongful death litigation. He leads the firm's Health Care & Finance Practice Group. A longtime DRI member, Tom is President Elect of the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys and a past President of the Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Tom graduated with honors from the University of Dayton School of Law in 1983.

Jill D. Jacobson is Husqvarna Group's General Counsel, Americas. In that role, Jill leads a team of six professionals who are responsible for all the legal issues involving Husqvarna's operations in North and South America. Before joining Husqvarna, Jill was a trial lawyer whose practice was focused on product liability litigation. The Husqvarna Group is the world's largest producer of outdoor power products including chainsaws, trimmers, lawn mowers, and garden tractors. The Group's products and solutions are sold via dealers and retailers to both consumers and professional users in more than 100 countries. Net sales in 2015 amounted to SEK 36 billion, and the Group had 14,000 employees in more than 40 countries.

Zabrina M. Jenkins is an attorney for Starbucks Coffee Company. In her position as managing director of litigation, Zabrina heads a team responsible for intellectual property, real estate, commercial, and general liability litigation for retail locations in North America. She currently serves as an advisor to the company's Policy Governance Council, and has served on the Diversity Committee for the Law & Corporate Affairs department and as the co-coordinator of the department's summer intern program. Zabrina is an active volunteer in both legal and civic organizations. She currently serves on the advisory boards of the Washington Leadership Institute (WLI), Artist Trust, Girls Can Do, and Central Washington University College of Business, and is a member of the Loren Miller Bar Association. She has also been recognized as a Rising Star by Washington Law & Politics and is a 2011 Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) Leadership Institute Fellow and Graduate.

Jessica C. Kornberg is the CEO of Bet Tzedek, one of the nation's leading providers of free legal assistance and home to the Holocaust Survivor Justice Network, the nation's largest pro bono initiative. Her tenure - the first by a woman - has seen expansion in to low income tax law, HIV/AIDS law and policy, and guardianship for unaccompanied immigrant children. Previously, Ms. Kornberg distinguished herself as the first executive director of Ms. JD, which she helped establish as a national voice on issues concerning women in law.

Andrea S. Kramer is a partner in the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery LLP. She is a founding member of the firm's Diversity Committee and co-chair of its Gender Diversity Subcommittee. She previously served on its Management and Compensation Committees. Among her many honors and awards, Andie was named by the National Law Journal as one of the 50 Most Influential Women Lawyers in America, and ChambersUSA named her the 2014 Gender Diversity Private Practice Lawyer of the Year. Andie is the co-author of Breaking Through Bias: Communication Techniques for Women to Succeed at Work, which was named one of the best business books of 2016 by Women@Work and "a well-organized, well-thought-out call to action" by Publishers Weekly. Andie and her husband Al are Chicago attorneys speaking on gender stereotypes, unconscious biases, career advancement, compensation and promotion, and communication techniques. They have written over 50 articles and blog posts on promoting diversity and overcoming stereotypes and biases.

Pamela Labaj began in private practice as a first chair trial attorney defending international corporations throughout the U S. in product liability, commercial , employment and intellectual property matters. Ms. Labaj then went in-house, first, in the insurance industry handling coverage litigation and writing coverage opinions. Thereafter, Pamela moved into the general counsel's office of a start- up insurance brokerage company and then on to a German equipment manufacturing company wherein she handled all aspects of a general practice including drafting contracts, handling compliance and employment issues and broad general matters. Pamela started at Panasonic (PEWA) almost seven years ago as the sole attorney for a small affiliate where she handled all general matters. After approximately three years PEWA merged into PNA where Pamela now handles product liability litigation, product safety, commercial litigation, insurance coverage and healthcare compliance.

Amy L. Lieberman, Executive Director of Insight Employment Mediation LLC, has been a mediator and arbitrator for over 15 years, recognized for 10+ years in "Best Lawyers in America" and "Southwest SuperLawyers." Amy has resolved over 1500 lawsuits and pre-litigation claims. Distinctions include National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, American College of Civil Trial Mediators, and Advanced Practitioner status in Workplace Mediation and Arbitration by the Association for Conflict Resolution. Amy is the author of the book, Mediation Success: Get it Out, Get it Over, and Get Back to Business.

The Honorable Steven P. Logan is a United States District Judge for the District of Arizona. He presides over a trial court responsible for civil and criminal cases in the federal system. Judge Logan has also served as a United States Magistrate Judge. One of his many important roles as a United States Magistrate Judge was conducting settlement conferences. Judge Logan has also served as a United States Immigration Judge, Assistant United States Attorney and he is retired from the United States Marine Corps.

Natalie H. Mantell is a Director in Gibbons PC's Newark, New Jersey office. In addition to her products liability practice, Ms. Mantell represents corporate clients and amicus curiae in appellate matters involving constitutional law, zoning, employment, clinical laboratory defense, and franchise and distribution litigation. Ms. Mantell is currently the President-Elect of the New Jersey Defense Association, DRI's SLDO, Chair of its Appellate Practice Committee, and Vice Chair of its Products Liability Committee.

Laurie K. Miller is an attorney in the Charleston, West Virginia, office of Jackson Kelly PLLC. She practices in the firm's health care practice group where she represents hospitals, doctors, nursing homes and other health care providers in litigation matters. Ms. Miller is a member of DRI's Law Institute.

Deborah Stupi Okey was the first woman Associate General Counsel for The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. since its founding in 1898. In 2010, she was the first woman on the leadership team of the largest strategic business unit of Goodyear – North America. Deborah joined the leadership team in achieving a stunning turnaround of the business unit from a $300 million loss in 2009 to nearly $1 billion in segment operating income in 2014. In each of these roles, Deborah has learned valuable insights and gives practical tips and tools for success and for advancing and managing a career path. She has long been committed to motivating and mentoring people at all levels to achieve success and advancement in their careers. She has been a keynote speaker in areas such as Developing Your Professional Presence, Demonstrating Strategic Thinking, Creating Relationships, Managing Your Own Career and Being Aware of Your Brand.

Elizabeth R. Salib, Ph.D. is a Director of Research at Catalyst, Inc. Dr. Salib works to develop inclusion in the middle layers of an organization by researching how leaders and men in particular can foster inclusion on a work team. Dr. Salib joined Catalyst in 2010 to work on the Engaging Men in Gender Initiatives series, and she is an active member of the MARC team. Recently, she co-authored a chapter on engaging men through inclusive leadership that was published in Gender In Organizations: Are Men Allies or Adversaries to Women's Career Advancement? Dr. Salib completed her doctorate in Social Psychology at Rutgers University, where she conducted research on inclusive leadership as well as prejudice and discrimination against understudied groups. Some of her work has been featured in the book Social Judgment and Decision Making, the Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, and at professional conferences such as the Society for Personality and Social Psychology and the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues. She holds a Master's degree in Psychology from Rutgers University, a graduate certificate in Political Psychology from George Washington University, and a BA in psychology and philosophy from Northeastern University.

Sheila M. M. Schiffman joined the global law department of Continental after playing a key role in the successful $1.9 billion divestiture of Veyance Technologies, Inc. from Carlyle Group to ContiTech in 2015. As Senior Counsel, Sheila serves on the executive leadership team at the company's ContiTech NAFTA headquarters and also provides counsel to the company's Automotive and Tire divisions, particularly in respect to M&A and JV activities. She wears many hats, but finds her strategic and sound counsel to the business to be her most valuable contribution.

Edward P. Schwartz, PhD, MSL, is a Consultant in our Boston office. In his role, Dr. Schwartz provides quantitative and qualitative analysis of pretrial jury behavior – from interviews and focus group studies to mock trials and large-scale statistical analyses – to provide clients with feedback on case themes, strategies, evidence, witnesses, and presentation style. Further, he consults on case evaluation, provides advice on trial strategies, and assists with jury selection as well as post-verdict juror surveys and interviews. Dr. Schwartz is a nationally recognized jury consultant with excellent analytical acumen and strong market research skills who is noted for his ability to blend the strategic focus of game theory and decision theory with the real-world insights of social psychology to gain a complete picture of how people absorb, analyze, and process information. Dr. Schwartz has conducted jury behavior research, aided with witness preparation, consulted on trial strategy, and assisted with jury selection on dozens of cases, including several high-profile criminal trials. Dr. Schwartz is regularly asked to provide insight on jury trials in the news, having been interviewed by CNN, the Associated Press, the New York Times and countless regional media outlets. In addition to his consulting experience, Dr. Schwartz has an impressive history and background in higher education, teaching, and academic research. He has published numerous articles about the American jury system in law reviews and peer-reviewed journals as well as taught about juries and jury trials to undergraduates and law students at Harvard, Yale, and Boston University.

Kirsten E. Small is a Member in the Greenville, South Carolina office of Nexsen Pruet LLC, where she focuses her practice on appeals and complex federal litigation. In her appellate practice, in addition to briefing and arguing cases in state and federal appellate courts, Kirsten frequently works with trial counsel to protect their clients' appellate rights through strategic issue framing, critical motions practice, and error preservation. Kirsten's trial-level work focuses on high-stakes, high-complexity federal proceedings, including civil and criminal RICO, antitrust, and qui tam actions under the federal False Claims Act. In addition to serving as Program Chair for the 2017 Women in the Law Seminar, Kirsten is an active member of DRI's Appellate Advocacy Committee (she coordinates the monthly "Writers' Corner" column that appears in DRI's monthly magazine, For The Defense). She is also a member of the Board of Directors for the National Foundation for Judicial Excellence.

Sharon D. Stuart is a partner in the Litigation practice group of Christian & Small LLP. She handles complex and class action business, insurance, and product liability cases in the state and federal courts and in arbitration. Sharon has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America, the Top 25 Alabama Women Super Lawyers, and Benchmark Litigation's Top 250 Women in Litigation. She is active in the International Association of Defense Counsel, the Defense Research Institute, and the American Inns of Court. Sharon is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and the Alabama Law Foundation, and she is President-Elect of the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association.

Ernest A. Tuckett is General Counsel Americas for AkzoNobel, a global leader in the paint, coatings and specialty chemicals markets. He is Chief Legal Officer, Corporate Secretary, and Compliance Leader in North and Central America. He is a member of AkzoNobel's North American Management Team Mr. Tuckett previously spent 9 years with DuPont Legal, and before that, 10 years with the law firm of Arent Fox in Washington DC. He is on the Board of Directors of the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) and Street Law, Inc. He is a native New Yorker (Bronx).

Paula-Marie Uscilla is Associate General Counsel, Litigation for United Technologies Corp. located in Farmington, Connecticut. She manages significant litigation and e-discovery across the enterprise and serves on the company's product safety team.

Susan V. Vargas is Counsel at King & Spalding in Los Angeles, California. She concentrates her practice on defense of product liability lawsuits and has tried numerous high-exposure cases, including an import automotive manufacturer's first asbestos case to a defense verdict. She is a member of DRI, the International Association of Defense Counsel, and the ABA where she served as a Vice Chair for the Products General Liability and Consumer Law Committee for 2011-2012 and 2014-2015.

Erica L. Visokey is a corporate counsel with Stryker Corp. She is responsible for defending the company's products liability suits across the divisions, as well as providing products liability litigation avoidance and responsible counseling to her clients. Erica is admitted to practice in Massachusetts and New York, as well as the United States District Courts for the Eastern, Western, Southern, and Northern Districts of New York. Erica joined Stryker in 2004. Prior to 2004, she was an associate at Goodwin Procter, in New York, New York, where she practiced corporate, employment and products liability litigation law.

Bethany N. White is a partner at the Chicago firm of Arnett Law Group where she manages the firm's workers' compensation practice group as well as represents clients in a variety of civil matters, from transactional work to tort defense litigation. In these roles, she is actively engaged and has significant responsibility related to firm marketing endeavors, client communication, and management of client expectations in addition to underlying legal work. Ms. White is an active member, including the Women In the Law, Workers' Compensation, and Trial Tactics committees. She is also a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and CLM.

Marc E. Williams is the Office Managing Partner of the West Virginia office of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, where he also serves as a Team Leader and as Co-Chair of the firm's Consumer, Mechanical and Products Practice Group. His practice focuses on class actions, mass torts, products liability and commercial litigation. He has had primary responsibility for over 100 trials and appeals during his career. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He has served as President of DRI, Lawyers for Civil Justice and the National Foundation for Judicial Excellence.

Sandra J. Wunderlich is a partner in the law firm of Stinson Leonard Street LLP in St. Louis, Missouri. She is a trial attorney with significant courtroom experience. She has served as lead trial counsel in numerous jury and bench trials, and handled appeals in the highest appellate courts in both state and federal court. She focuses her practice on commercial litigation including financial services litigation, pharmaceutical defense, and intellectual property.