The Voice^TM

I was able to connect with DRI Member Scott Kelly, a trial attorney and partner with Fulcher Hagler LLC in Augusta, GA. He also serves as County Attorney for a small, rural county in East Central Georgia. Mr. Kelly has been a DRI member for 23 years, and a member of multiple DRI Committees. He noted several ways that DRI has helped him over the years. “I’ve have especially enjoyed working on the Governmental Liability Steering Committee because it allows you to contribute in a meaningful way and build friendships with colleagues from all over the country.”  

Mr. Kelly noted that DRI is a great, active source for client referrals in other jurisdictions, but he also appreciates the countless resources DRI has to offer. “The greatest value of my involvement in DRI has been the professional friendships I have made while on the Steering Committee. Simply put, it’s made me a better lawyer. DRI offers an arsenal of resources to help me provide my clients with the kind of high-quality representation they deserve.”

Mr. Kelly referred Alexander Merrill, an associate at his firm and first-time DRI Member, who is eager to get engaged in DRI. “As I became a member of a new law firm with a notable reputation for litigation defense, and based on Scott’s involvement and recommendation, DRI seemed an excellent avenue for honing my knowledge and improving my craft.”

I asked Alexander what he was looking forward to most with DRI and he noted the connections to the DRI community. “The opportunity to connect with a host of other defense-oriented attorneys with years of accumulated experience and knowledge, not to mention the established resources.”

I was also able to catch up with Jade Avant, an associate with Bienvenu, Bonnecaze, Foco, & Viator in Baton Rouge, LA. Ms. Avant joined DRI last May and has been making the most of her membership.  “My first year of membership in DRI has been exciting and rewarding. I thoroughly enjoyed attending the DRI Diversity for Success Seminar and Expo in June 2021. It was enlightening, informative, and a terrific networking opportunity.”

One thing I regularly hear from members is how connections through DRI quickly become friends, and Jade noted that as well. “Following the Diversity for Success Seminar and Expo, I’ve remained in contact with some of the fellow DRI members, who are now friends, and am looking forward to participating in additional seminars this year.” In terms of advice for those joining DRI today, she encourages you to take advantage of all that DRI organization and our members have to offer. “Not only are the committees a wonderful way to engage with other successful attorneys in your field, but they are a perfect opportunity to sharpen your skills in your area of practice, while also making lifelong connections.”

Speaking to members like Jade, Scott and Alexander, I’m regularly reminded of the value of the DRI community, both personally and professionally. Whether you joined to build your network, build your book of business or to engage with our high-quality CLE, we appreciate you being a member. As we all get back on the road to DRI seminars, I look forward to connecting with members like these three. In the meantime, I encourage you to make the most of your membership, get engaged and help us share the DRI secret to make the organization even bigger and stronger for the future! 

Tom Foley is Vice President of Engagement at DRI.

As we continue to emerge from the twenty-four-month COVID fog that disrupted our practice, our health, our friends and most importantly our family, it is easy to forget to reconnect with our DRI family.  On behalf of the DRI Veterans’ Network, we wanted to reach out and introduce or re-introduce ourselves.

We are in-house attorneys, private practice defense attorneys, we cover the entire range of substantive law practice areas, we come from every background and are united by the common bond of military service (even the Marines)!  Our mission within DRI is unique in that is primarily limited to three functions: (1) to serve as a mechanism to allow Veterans to network with each other; (2) to support a Veteran-based service organization in the city hosting our annual meeting each year; and (3) to meet and swap stories (truth optional) at our annual meeting gathering.

Each year at the DRI Annual Meeting we recognize a member from each branch of the service to be profiled at our meeting and select a DRI member who has demonstrated support for Veteran-based organizations for the annual Veterans Network Meritorious Service Award. If you are a Veteran and would like to join the Veterans Network Community, please email DRI Customer Service (custservice@dri.org) and ask to be added to the group. There is no cost, no additional work to add to your already heavy workload, just the chance to connect with men and women who share your commitment to our country, our practice and DRI.

Thanks for the consideration, and we look forward to seeing you in Philadelphia. 

Dan Worthington
DRI Veterans Network Chair

David Anderson 
DRI Veterans Network Vice Chair

Mark your calendars – DRI’s 2022 Annual Meeting will be held on October 26th through 29th in historic Philadelphia. The City of Brotherly Love provides a phenomenal backdrop for our Meeting, one that offers one-of-a-kind opportunities to explore the historic sites central to America’s foundation but also offers first-rate dining, cultural, and shopping experiences in a very walkable, family-friendly environment.   

The Meeting will take place at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, which overlooks City Hall (a.k.a, William Penn’s perch), and is adjacent to the world-famous Reading Terminal Market (local food, fun, and more food), and just blocks from the Historic District and the city’s best restaurants. Pack comfortable walking shoes – this year’s Annual Meeting has been designed to encourage our members to really experience Philadelphia while enjoying DRI’s signature CLE and networking events. 

Join DRI for Life for two quintessential Philadelphia experiences:   
On the morning of Thursday, October 27th, join your DRI colleagues for a walk or run through the city and up the famous “Rocky Steps” at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Rocky costumes (grey sweats and a black skull cap) encouraged but not required!  And then on the morning of Friday, October 28th, join DRI for Life for another walk or run along the Schuylkill (“skoo – kull”) River Trail, one of the most spectacular scenic routes in the city that takes you beyond the Philadelphia Museum of Art and through the famous Boathouse Row along the riverfront.    

Don’t miss DRI’s inaugural offering of “CLE on the Go” on the afternoons of Thursday, October 27th and Friday, October 28th.   
These walking tours of Philadelphia landmarks combine the best of DRI CLE and networking into an outstanding experience hosted by various DRI Substantive Law Committees. *CLE on the GO will be available for on-demand credit only. Advance registration will be required.   

Check out the various DRI Cares service projects that will be offered throughout the Annual Meeting in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC) of the Philadelphia Region.
RMHC of the Philadelphia Region supports families of seriously ill children by creating a community of comfort and hope, and their two programs provide temporary lodging, transportation, meals, and vital supportive services to families who travel to Philadelphia for pediatric care. If you have 5 minutes or 50 minutes to spare while in Philadelphia, we hope you will participate in one of the DRI Cares projects. 

Perhaps THE must-attend event of the Annual Meeting – DRI’s Networking Reception will be held on Thursday, October 28th from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The National Constitution Center.   
As the “Museum of We the People,” the Center brings the Constitution to life through interactive programs and immersive exhibits that engage visitors with the history of America’s founding document and explore timely Constitutional topics. Featured exhibits that will be open to all attendees include “Civil War and Reconstruction: The Battle for Freedom and Equality” and “The 19th Amendment: How Women Won the Vote.” Join your DRI colleagues for an evening of lively networking in one of Philadelphia’s most “phantastic” venues.  https://constitutioncenter.org

And as always, DRI will offer formal CLE programming on the mainstage that will cover hot topics of interest for our members on wide-ranging issues that relate to all aspects of the practice and business of law:   

• Cryptocurrency – It’s Here. What Industry Insiders Think You Now Need to Know 

• Tackling ESG—Best Practices and Successes in Implementing Your ESG Program and Reporting  

• The Art of Jury Selection – A Murder Trial Revisited 

• The Invisible Woman:  The Trials, Tribulations, and Triumphs of the Black Woman Judge in America 

• The Supreme Court: Big Cases, Developing Trends, a New Justice, and What It All Might Mean for 2023 

• No License? No Problem: Why We Should Care that Non-Lawyers are Providing Legal Services and Owning Law Firms 

• Finding Happiness in Life & Law 

• The New Normal and how innovation can help organizations meet the challenges of the post-pandemic world. 

It has been truly rewarding to plan DRI’s 2022 Annual Meeting in a city that provides so many unique historic and cultural experiences for our members.  We hope to see you in October! 

On Tuesday, June 7—in alignment with the comment that was filed by the DRI Center for Law and Public Policy—the Judicial Conference of the United States’ Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure voted unanimously to approve an amendment to Rule 702 of the Federal Rules of Evidence. The DRI Center for Law and Public Policy commends the Committee for their action to protect DRI members’ clients by expressly stating the proponent’s burden in admitting expert evidence and ensuring that courts will be the gatekeepers of reliability.  In addition to the Center’s comment, DRI leaders, including President Douglas Burrell and Center President Toyja Kelley, along with Gardner Duvall, then-Chair of the Center’s Legislation and Rules Committee, provided testimony before the Advisory Committee in support of the proposed amendments. They expressed the belief that the proposed amendments would help lawyers present qualified experts, as well as oppose witnesses whose qualifications or testimony do not meet clear requirements.  

McCrystal to Lead Legislation and Rules Committee 

James L. McCrystal, Jr., has been appointed Chair of the Legislation and Rules Committee, announced DRI’s Center for Law and Public Policy. This role includes a seat on the Center’s Management Council. The Legislation and Rules Committee joins the Amicus and Public Policy Committees to form the three primary pillars of the Center. Task forces and working groups that will report to Jim include the Class Actions Task Force, the Federal Rules Task Force (on which Jim previously served as chair), the MSP Task Force, the Data Privacy and Protection Working Group, and the Globalization Working Group.

“Shaping rules and laws to align with the just, speedy, and cost-conscious goals of members and their clients is the crucial task of this committee,” states Jim. “I look forward to this role and encourage you all to contact me with suggestions or to volunteer for these essential projects.”

Of Counsel with Sutter O’Connell in Cleveland, Jim has spent four decades representing and trying product liability cases for manufacturers and component suppliers of automobiles, trucks, farm equipment, industrial products, and power systems, as well as handled construction litigation and commercial disputes. Jim is a past member of the DRI Board of Directors.

To learn more about the Legislation and Rules Committee or how to get involved in any of its task forces or working groups, please email drilawpubpolicy@dri.org

Bassford Remele Shareholder David Camarotto and DRI Vice Chair of the Young Lawyers Publications Steering Committee Tal Bakke obtained a defense verdict in a personal injury jury trial venued in Swift County District Court, Minnesota. Plaintiffs alleged that the firm’s client, a regional propane service provider, negligently performed service work at a residential property, resulting in a propane explosion approximately eight years later. Plaintiffs asserted claims of personal injury, lost income and loss of consortium, and sought damages in excess of $13 million dollars. The jury made a finding of no liability, returned a verdict in favor of Bassford Remele’s client on all counts, and further awarded Plaintiffs $0 in damages.

David Camarotto litigates and consults on construction, products liability, and general liability disputes, including catastrophic injury, wrongful death, and commercial and motor vehicle claims. He serves on Bassford Remele's Board of Directors.



Tal Bakke is a litigator who focuses his practice in the areas of commercial litigation, products liability, employment law, and professional liability. He takes pride in being an advocate for his clients and helping navigate the stress of litigation. 



Bassford Remele proudly serves as local and national counsel for many major corporations and Fortune 500 Companies and is a go-to litigation firm representing local, national, and international clients in state and federal courts across the region. 

On May 18, 2022, a jury in Raleigh, North Carolina, returned a defense verdict in favor of USA Swimming in a sexual abuse case involving a coach at a Raleigh area swim club. DRI member Will Kronenberg represented USA Swimming, the National Governing Body for the sport of swimming. The lawsuit sought to hold USA Swimming liable for the conduct of the swim coach despite the fact that he was not an employee of USA Swimming and had received all of the mandatory training in the prevention of athlete abuse. The claims at trial were based on USA Swimming’s voluntary abuse prevention training for swimmers and parents, which the Wake County jury rejected in a unanimous defense verdict following 3 hours of deliberation. This is the second defense verdict received by Will Kronenberg in sexual abuse trials against USA Swimming. 


Kronenberg Law specializes in the defense of catastrophic injury, wrongful death, sexual abuse and professional liability cases. In addition to his regular litigation practice, Will Kronenberg is often brought into cases throughout the U.S. to serve as lead trial counsel. He has tried cases to verdict in both the Federal and State courts throughout California, as well as in Montana, South Carolina, Texas, Arizona, and North Carolina.

Keep The Defense Wins Coming!

Please send 250–500-word summaries of your “wins,” including the case name, your firm name, your firm position, city of practice, and email address, in Word format, along with a recent color photo as an attachment (.jpg or .tiff), highest resolution file possible, to DefenseWins@dri.org. Please note that DRI membership is a prerequisite to be listed in “And the Defense Wins,” and it may take several weeks for The Voice to publish your win.

DRI member Stephen Bell has accepted an invitation to join IR Global, a leading international organization ranked as a “Band-1” global legal network by Chambers and Partners. Stephen has been a DRI member since 2021 and now serves as one of IR Global’s exclusive U.S. advisors for White Collar Crime for North Carolina.   
  

DRI member Marie Trimble Holvick has transitioned into the role of Managing Partner, Bay Area offices of Gordon & Rees Scully Mansukhani, which specializes in employment and retail hospitality.  Ms. Holvick is an experienced trial attorney with expertise in handling employment matters involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination. Marie has been a member of DRI since 2017.    

New DRI member, Lindsey Mack Romano, has assumed the role as Assistant Office Managing Partner, Bay Area offices of Gordon and Rees Scully Mansukhani. Ms. Romano’s health care practice focuses on representing nationwide industry health care clients who serve the most vulnerable patient populations.  
  

New DRI member Melicent B. Thompson has been elected as Gfeller Laurie, LLP’s Managing Partner. Her insurance coverage practice encompasses all areas of coverage advice in both the first- and third- party contexts and related litigation services, including declaratory judgment actions, defense of bad faith claims and reinsurance matters.  She also has broad litigation experience in state and federal courts in the areas of business disputes, professional and executive liability claims, defense of educational and financial institutions, employment law and general liability issues.  

If you have a recent achievement or recognition, 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. 

2022 Cannabis Law Seminar 

September 6–7, 2022 - Nashville, Tennessee 

The 2022 DRI Cannabis Law Seminar will provide you with the opportunity to enhance your knowledge on cannabis law while expanding your professional network in this exciting industry. Earn multiple CLE credit hours and learn about current trends in the developing field of cannabis law. Expect interesting presentations and panel discussions on the state of cannabis law, insurance coverage concerns, industry insights, products liability in cannabis, cannabis M&A, diversity/social justice in the industry, and so much more! 

In anticipation of the gathering, here’s what our members are most looking forward to: 

Best-In-Class Education 
 
Program Vice Chair Patrick Price of King & Spalding LLP said he values being able to gain a broader understanding of developments in the space that will help inform his specific practice. “To me,” he elaborated, “one of the most interesting topics right now involves Delta 8 and CBD regulation, because it's constantly changing, and even the Georgia Supreme Court is looking at a case on this right now.” 

2022 Retail and Hospitality Litigation Seminar

September 6–7, 2022 - Nashville, Tennessee 

Don’t miss a beat in Music City! Join us in the heart of downtown Nashville for the 2022 DRI Senior Living and Long-Term Care Litigation Seminar, September 7–9, at the Omni Nashville Hotel. The annual seminar includes two days of learning and networking for healthcare providers, defense attorneys, in-house counsel, claims specialists, insurance brokers and other professionals involved in the defense of senior housing providers across the country. Not only will the seminar cover the latest topics and trends affecting the senior living industry, but also this year’s seminar will hit the right note with numerous networking opportunities such as: a First Timers/Young Lawyers networking reception, three networking receptions (one of which is an off-site event at Ole Smoky), dine-arounds, a Women in the Law Lunch (open to all), a DRI Cares service project, and a DRI for Life yoga session. 

Building Relationships 

Program Chair Jennifer Strange, Senior Counsel, Risk Management at Eskenazi Health, said she’s excited to be back in-person this year, with more networking opportunities, including a Premier Networking Event at Ole Smoky, available at this year’s seminar. “Networking is key for the event,” she said. 

2022 Diversity for Success Seminar  

May 11-13, 2022 - Denver, Colorado  

Congratulations to John Cuttino of Gallivan White & Boyd PA for being awarded the Sheryl J. Willert Pioneer Diversity Award at the 2022 Diversity for Success Seminar! The award is presented annually to acknowledge outstanding individual accomplishments that demonstrate pioneering efforts which foster greater appreciation, advancement, and celebration of diversity and inclusiveness in the legal profession's culture and environment.  

Pictured, L to R: DRI President Douglas Burrell, John Cuttino, DRI Past President Toyja Kelley  

2022 Employment & Labor Law Seminar  

May 11-13, 2022 - Denver, Colorado  

In a session titled “Ethics and Advocacy: Lessons from Clarence Darrow,” Judge Sandy Brook of Judicial Arbiter Group, Inc., drew from a series of vignettes from “Clarence Darrow: A One-Man Play,” revealing Darrow’s innovative and effective advocacy and then evaluates the ethical considerations arising from each tactic or situation.   

2022 Life, Health, Disability, and ERISA Seminar  

May 18-20, 2022 - Nashville, Tennessee  

The seminar saw DRI lawyers participating in DRI Foundation activities, including DRI Cares projects to support the Oasis Center through Hands-On Nashville (read more below in our DRI Cares spotlight section of The Voice). Personal hygiene kits were assembled, along with short notes of encouragement for at-risk youth.  

DRI for Life activities included a Book Club based on a real-life Nashville murder mystery and learning country line dancing - Nashville-style!  

In connection with our annual meeting, UDLA encouraged our members to donate to help Utah's refugee population. We collected diapers, sanitary napkins and formula to donate to a local site, as well as set up this link to take monetary donations. Feel free to donate to this worthwhile cause!  

https://givebutter.com/UtahDefenseLawyers 

Utah Refugee Connection creates meaningful connections between refugees, the community, and public and private organizations, that support refugees in developing self-sufficient and fulfilling lives. 
https://serverefugees.org 

 

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DRI’s Civil Rights and Torts Liability Seminar

April 6-8, 2022, Minneapolis hosted DRI’s Civil Rights and Torts Liability Seminar. The designated beneficiary was Emma Norton Services. Emma Norton Services is based in the Twin Cities and is known for its work assisting women and families out of homelessness. Emma Norton provides not just transformational housing, but also wrap-around supportive services to help clients determine and meet their individualized goals. Emma Norton has two physical locations for residents; Emma Norton Residence in downtown St. Paul houses up to 50 individuals in a dorm-style setting, and Emma's Place in Maplewood provides townhomes for 13 families with 3 or more children. In addition, the Supportive Housing Program helps formerly homeless people secure their own apartments throughout the Twin Cities, while continuing case manager support. Every year the DRI Foundation chooses a charity local to the area the Civil Rights and Torts Liability Seminar is being held in to support. This year Emma Norton Services was selected; this organization has been providing housing to underserved demographics in the Twin Cities for over 100 years and is currently growing faster than ever.  
  
DRI members assisted in assembling welcome baskets for families to include sheets, toiletries, blankets, pillows, towels and other items. In addition to purchasing items for the baskets and assembling them, DRI members also contributed $1,305 in donations. Emma Norton indicated it would earmark the funds for kids’ summer camps. Photo shows from left to right DRI members Michael Carter of Phillips Murrah, Alex Ivan of Kennedy & Graven, and Andrew Spica of Henn Lesperance. DRI member Jessica Schwie of Kennedy & Graven based in Minneapolis collected the Amazon purchased donations sent in from DRI members prior to the conference and arranged for their delivery.   

 

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Medical Liability and Health Care Law Seminar Attendees Feed Local Vegas Community 

By Sydney Goodhand

At the beginning of February 2022, members of DRI came together at the Medical Liability and Health Care Law Seminar in Las Vegas, NV. This year, the Seminar wanted not only to collect donations, but also volunteer in the local community and work on the ground floor. Prior to and during the seminar, monetary and food donations were collected for Three Square Food Bank. Three Square works to bring wholesome food to its local community and fights to end hunger, acting with compassion and urgency for those in need. Three Square works with a network of local businesses, organizations, and schools to reach and assist struggling families and those affected by hunger. For just a $1 donation, Three Square provides three meals to hungry community members of Las Vegas. 

On February 2, 2022, prior to the beginning of the seminar, attendees also volunteered at Three Square. Volunteers split their time among two activities. First, volunteers assembled over 900 bags of a variety of produce for direct distribution to the community. Second, volunteers sorted over 1,500 pounds of canned and dried food into different categories to allow for better organization and dissemination to those in need. DRI Cares and the Medical Liability and Health Care Law Seminar are proud to give back to such a great and deserving community. Thank you to all those that donated and participated! We look forward to another great event next year. 

To learn more about Three Square, visit https://www.threesquare.org/learn/about-us 
To donate to Three Square, visit https://tinyurl.com/2mx5fz9t 

 

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Oasis National Event

During the 2022 DRI Life, Health, Disability, and ERISA Seminar, DRI was delighted to support the Oasis Center through Hands-On Nashville, which strives to help at-risk youth. DRI lawyers participated in an engaging, on-site service project to help assemble personal hygiene kits and write short notes of encouragement for at-risk youth.