DRI’s Annual Professional Achievement and Service Awards celebrate and honor outstanding performance by state, local, and national defense organizations (SLDOs/NDOs), DRI law firms, and individual members.
These awards identify peers who deserve recognition either for their professional contributions to, and achievements on behalf of, the defense bar and the civil justice system or their involvement in community and public service activities that have a positive impact on society at large. Recognition enhances members’ personal growth and accomplishments, provides us all with role models and strengthens members’ images in the legal and business communities and with the general public.
Winners will be recognized at the 2024 DRI Annual Meeting closing reception on Friday, October 18 in Seattle.
The 2024 award recipients are as follows:
ALBERT H. PARNELL OUTSTANDING PROGRAM CHAIR AWARD
Nick A. Rauch, Larson King | 2024 Litigation Skills Seminar
DAVIS CARR OUTSTANDING COMMITTEE CHAIR AWARD
Michelle Thurber Czapski, Bodman | Life, Health and Disability Committee
DRI FOUNDATION COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Jodi V. Terranova, Wilson Elser | DRI Foundation President
DRI LAW FIRM/CORPORATE LEGAL DEPARTMENT DIVERSITY AWARD
The Hartford
DRI SLDO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AWARD
Ana Ramos, Florida Defense Lawyers Association
FRED H. SIEVERT AWARD
Heather A. Sanderson, Canadian Defence Lawyers
G. DUFFIELD SMITH OUTSTANDING PUBLICATION AWARD
Afam I. Okeke, InfoLawGroup
"Deepfakes: Navigating Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Risks,” September 2023 For The Defense
KEVIN DRISKILL OUTSTANDING STATE REPRESENTATIVE AWARD
Juan M. Marquez, Jr., Rodey Law Firm | New Mexico
LOUIS B. POTTER LIFETIME PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AWARD
Kathy J. Maus, Butler Weihmuller Katz Craig
RICHARD H. KROCHOCK AWARD
Brett A. Mason, Troutman Pepper | Young Lawyers Committee Immediate Past Chair
RUDOLPH A. JANATA AWARD
Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association
SLDO DIVERSITY AWARD
Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana
TOM SEGALLA EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AWARD
Lawrence S. Ebner, Capital Appellate Advocacy
VETERANS NETWORK MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD
David A. Anderson, Richardson, Plowden & Robinson