The Voice^TM

For $100 you will have a chance to win:

• Registration for the 2025 Annual Meeting (Value $2,095)
  The 2025 Annual Meeting is guaranteed to be in a great city that we will announce in the coming weeks. Win an annual meeting registration and start planning for next year!
• Registration for One DRI Seminar (Value $1,995)
  DRI has lined up a great 2025 schedule of seminars (PDF). Win a free seminar registration for any DRI seminar in 2025.
• Christian Louboutin Gift Card (Value $500)
  The Lightfoot Louboutins are back by popular demand! This year we have a $500 gift card, which will help add a little sizzle to any wardrobe. Donated by Women of Lightfoot Franklin (“WOLF”).
• reMarkable Tablet (Value $450)
  Replace your notebooks and printouts with the only tablet that feels like paper. Don’t you feel more efficient already?
• Vizio Sound Bar (Value $200)
  Whether it is your favorite sporting event or movie night, create the ultimate home-theater experience with this audio-enhancing speaker.
• Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ Combination Espresso and Coffee Maker with Milk Frother (Value $180)
  There is coffee and then there is Nespresso. Be your own barista and create caffeinated (or decaffeinated) beverages at home.

At 2 p.m., the Center will be sponsoring a mainstage CLE session: “Social Inflation and Nuclear Verdicts: Practical Tips and Sound Strategies from Lawyers and Clients.” In 2023, the Center published a white paper discussing some of the root causes of the social inflation phenomenon and providing suggestions for how the drivers of nuclear verdicts can be combatted, both in and outside of the courtroom. Moderated by John C.S. Pierce, Chair of the Center’s Public Policy Committee and lead author of the white paper, this panel will provide an overview of the factors that influence these issues and offer up-to-date strategies and tips to help create and maintain a level playing field in the courtroom. Attendees will leave with a toolkit of practical ideas to help their clients, buttressed with knowledge of national trends, and return to their practices with an appreciation for what’s coming next.

Finally, at 4 p.m., you can learn more about everything that the Center has going on when the Center’s Management Council hosts a meeting that is open to all Annual Meeting registrants. Part of that meeting will be dedicated to open discussion on the topics of artificial intelligence in the law and how the defense bar may take advantage of this year’s decision from the Supreme Court striking down Chevron deference. We hope as many Annual Meeting attendees as possible can come to this meeting and share their thoughts on these topics and others, which will help the Center set its focus for the coming year.

Center Members Showcased at Recent ABOTA/WDC Meetings

During the annual roundtable summit of the American Board of Trial Advocates, September 13, 2024, in Washington, D.C., three Center members participated in presentations at the event that addressed “The Effect of AI on the American Civil Trial Bar.” In a session that included members of from both sides of the “v.,” Sean Griffin (Robinson & Cole LLP) and Brent Arnold (Gowling WLG LLP) provided the voice of the defense bar as the panelists discussed AI and how it’s currently being used in civil trial practice and what may be in store for the future. Their presentation was followed by another that included Laura Clark Fey (Fey LLC) on “Ethical and Security Issues with AI.”

Fey and Arnold are both members of the Center’s Artificial Intelligence Task Force. Fey also chairs the Center’s Data Privacy and Protection Working Group, for which Griffin serves as vice chair.

Also, for their annual meeting held in August in the Wisconsin Dells, the Wisconsin Defense Counsel invited Chris Turney (Turney LG) and Amy Wilkinson (Secura Insurance Co.) to discuss anchoring, including when trial counsel should consult with and insurer for permission to anchor, how trial counsel should anchor effectively, and how the tactic has worked and not worked at trial.

Turney serves as chair of the Center’s Social Inflation Task Force, of which Wilkinson is also a member.

New Appointments

The Center continues to grow and is pleased to announce the recent appointment of three DRI members to its Federal Rules Task Force: Cristina Cambo, Ryan Clark, and Jessica Mullen.

Cambo is a Partner and Founding Member at Cambo Ferry PLLC in Maitland, Florida. She has focused her career in the areas of first-party property coverage and defense for residential and commercial carriers. Clark is a shareholder in the Nashville office of Lewis Thomason King Kreig & Waldrop PC, where he focuses his practice on the defense of automobile manufacturers in product liability claims pending in Tennessee and throughout the United States. Mullen is a partner in the Highland, Indiana, office of Lewis Brisbois, where she has extensive experience handling professional liability matters involving architects, engineers, and lawyers as well as physicians, nurses, and hospitals in medical malpractice claims.

The Federal Rules Task Force evaluates issues involving the federal appellate, civil, and evidence rules. It drafts appropriate changes to rules and drafts comments on proposed changes to rules and, through the Legislation and Rules Committee, recommends action on those to the Center Management Council.

Di Renzo was hired by Freude to pursue the worker’s comp claim, and later entered into a separate fee agreement to represent Freude with respect to a social security disability claim. Di Renzo withdrew from representing Freude in the worker’s comp claim, and Freude hired another attorney, who settled that matter. Later, Freude filed a complaint against Di Renzo alleging that the lawyers knew “that third-party claims could be made” against the defendants but negligently failed to advise Freude that he might be able to assert those claims, and of the statute of limitations for such claims. The trial court dismissed the complaint, and the appellate court affirmed the dismissal, because the engagement agreement limited Di Renzo’s scope of representation.

In addition to specifying the particular claim for which Di Renzo agreed to represent Freude, the agreement expressly described what the firm would not do:

I understand that the firm is being employed solely to prosecute a worker’s compensation claim on my behalf and that the firm has not been employed to bring actions against third parties as a result of my injury, the date of which is set forth above, nor is the firm being employed to prosecute any employment related claims arising under state or federal law. I acknowledge and understand that if the firm was to be employed to provide representation as to nonworker’s compensation claims that a separate fee arrangement shall need [to] be agreed upon to compensate the firm for prosecution of such other claims.

This language carried the day for the court, which reasoned that a mere limitation describing what the firm would do, without a description of what was NOT covered by the agreement, might be sufficiently vague to provide support for the plaintiff’s argument. Here, however, the lawyer took pains to specifically identify the services that the lawyer would not provide. In doing so, the firm protected itself against later claims that it committed malpractice by not advising about those other issues.

It’s best practice to take a few extra minutes at the beginning of an engagement to carefully consider limiting the scope of retention and describing what will be the lawyer’s job, and what will not be the lawyer’s job. Those few minutes can save a lot of time and money. Keep in mind that most states’ ethics rules require that you obtain informed consent from the client and prohibit limitations in scope that are unreasonable. See, e.g., ABA Model Rule 1.2(c).

If you have questions about limiting the scope of your engagements, contact Attorneys Risk Management to talk with one of our senior risk management attorneys.

To obtain a consultation, you should log in to Attorneys Risk Management, and click on the “Request a Risk Management Consultation” button.

Kim G. Bueno has joined King & Spalding as a Partner located in Austin, TX. She serves as lead counsel for jury trials across the country and is a member of her firm’s product liability and mass torts practice group. Kim has been a DRI member since 2018.

Annie M. Hardin has joined Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman PLC as an Attorney located in Cedar Rapids, IA. She is a litigation attorney practicing in business and commercial litigation, insurance defense and coverage, and personal injury defense. Annie has been a DRI member since 2023.

Daniel Kelley has joined Womble Bond Dickinson as Counsel located in Charlotte, NC. He focuses on defending premises owners, manufacturers, and distributors in complex litigation cases. Daniel has been a DRI member since 2019.

Nancy McDonald has joined MG+M (Manning Gross + Massenburg) as a Partner located in Basking Ridge, NJ. She is a seasoned litigator with experience representing companies in various industries in complex multi-party toxic tort and mass tort litigation. Nancy has been a DRI member since 2008.

Brendon C. Pashia has joined Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani as an Associate located in Franklin, TN. His practice primarily focuses on commercial litigation and general liability matters for clients throughout the United States. Brendon has been a DRI member since 2024.

Ashley Saferight has joined Baker Hostetler as an Associate located in Cleveland, OH. She has a broad commercial litigation practice that allows her to work with clients in various industries and participate in all aspects of litigation. Ashley has been a DRI member since 2022.

Michael Scaljon joined Chartwell Law and its trucking practice group. This expansion reflects the firm’s commitment to clients in the transportation industry. He is an Associate located in Atlanta, GA with a background in defense of trucking companies in high-exposure cases. Michael has been a DRI member since 2024.

Katherine L. Vojas has joined Armstrong Teasdale as an Associate located in St. Louis, MO. She focuses on litigation and defending major hospitals, doctors, nurses and other professionals against medical malpractice claims. Katherine has been a DRI member since 2022.

• Florida
• William Peterfriend (DRI members since 2003) – President Elect
• Jacqueline Ambrose (DRI member since 2024) – Secretary-Treasurer 

• Minnesota
• Elizabeth Brotten (DRI member since 2009) – President
• Stephanie Angolkar (DRI member since 2019) – President-Elect
• Cally Kjellberg-Nelson (DRI member since 2018) – Treasurer
• Rachel Beauchamp (DRI member since 2022) – Secretary 

• New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association
• Jeffrey Mitchell (DRI member since 2022) – President
• Taryn Kaselonis (DRI member since 2018) – President-Elect
• Drew A. Larkin (DRI members since 2020) – Secretary-Treasurer 

• Texas
• Michael Shipman (DRI member since 1998) – President

2024 DRI Annual Meeting
October 16–18 | Seattle, Washington

Meet us in the Emerald City: where relationships build business. Join hundreds of civil defense attorneys and in-house counsel from across the country to build your book of business, enjoy networking events, reach your professional goals with cutting-edge education, and more! Hear from keynote speakers including two-time NBA champion and former U.S. Senator, Bill Bradley and popular public television host, best-selling author, and activist, Rick Steves.

2024 Asbestos Medicine Seminar
November 6–8 | Las Vegas, Nevada

This year’s seminar in fabulous Las Vegas will bring together a superb lineup of medical and scientific experts, top-tier litigators, and timely topics. Plus, enjoy unforgettable events designed to promote insightful discussions and meaningful networking opportunities.

2024 Appellate Advocacy Seminar
November 6–8 | Las Vegas, Nevada

Join us in fabulous Las Vegas for a program that will benefit all attorneys involved in appeals. Sessions will include discussions on building an appellate practice, practical advice for presenting a persuasive appellate brief, and insights into judicial decision-making. Experienced appellate advocates from across the country, along with federal and state court judges, serve as speakers. Additionally, the committee collaborates with the Asbestos Medicine Committee for joint sessions on product liability and failure to warn, as well as the diversity initiative. Receptions and networking opportunities with other appellate attorneys and conference attendees are also part of the event.

2024 Insurance Coverage and Practice Symposium
December 4–6 | New York City, New York

Join us at DRI’s Insurance Coverage and Practice Symposium, the premier event for insurance executives, claims professionals, and outside counsel specializing in insurance coverage. This year’s symposium promises unparalleled engagement with top insurance industry leaders and coverage lawyers, focusing on emerging and cutting-edge issues. Don’t miss out on exceptional networking events and the chance to build valuable relationships with like-minded professionals. Register online through October 21 and save up to $700!

2024 Professional Liability Seminar
December 4–6 | New York City, New York

Professional practice standards are changing daily. From Artificial Intelligence to Zoom meetings, trials and everything in between, keeping up competencies can seem overwhelming. Join us for practical tips, refreshers on skills, thought provoking views from experts, and opportunities to network with professional colleagues. Register online through October 21 and save up to $700!

2025 Product Liability Conference
February 19–21 | Miami, Florida

Product liability is an ever-changing world. How can we continue to be good litigators, and at the same time keep our own heads and wits about us? Immerse yourself in the dynamic world of product liability in sunny Miami, where you’ll engage with judges, industry leaders, and top lawyers from across the nation. Uncover strategies to stay composed under pressure, master the use of digital evidence and litigation technology, and effectively incorporate visuals in trials. Plus, find opportunities to explore the psychology behind successful mediations, understand and address social inflation, and keep up with the latest regulatory changes. Don’t miss DRI’s great opportunity to expand your network and enhance your expertise. Register online through January 6, 2025 and save up to $700!

2025 Civil Rights and Governmental Tort Liability Seminar
February 26–28 | San Antonio, Texas

Click on the seminar title to sign up for updates about the upcoming seminar including early registration rates, programming highlights, networking events, and more!

2025 Women in the Law Seminar
February 26–28 | San Antonio, Texas

As women in the legal field, we have spent an inordinate amount of time and energy trying to fit into a profession that was not historically built for us. What if, instead, we focused our time and energy on the things we value and that make us valuable to our profession? DRI’s Women in the Law Seminar hopes to achieve just that with programming and networking events focused on issues and topics meant to explore women’s unique strengths and challenges, celebrating all of our victories and defeats, and leaning into our true selves to ultimately find the joy and strength in our authenticity instead of trying to fit the outdated mold originally created by and for men. Register online through January 13, 2025 and save up to $700!

A Young Lawyer's Guide to Arbitration
November 20 | 11:00 a.m. CDT

This program will provide attendees with the prior case materials, along with select rules from CPR, AAA and other arbitration processes. The program will provide a discussion on what makes arbitration different from trial, and how young lawyers in particular can have an expanded role in Arbitration (per the rules, themselves). After the lecture, attendees will have the opportunity to discuss what it’s like taking an arbitration from start to finish and ask questions of fellow young lawyers who have done so. The registration is $75 for DRI members and $100 for non-members.

Ethics and Risk Management in Generative AI and Cyber
Sponsored by LawyerGuard
November 21 | 11:00 a.m. CDT

For better or worse, technology continues to evolve. We'll address the risks and obligations of both. Generative AI offers tremendous upside, but with it comes risk, both financial and ethical. Cyber fraud and social engineering continue to plague lawyers; the introduction of generative AI will make it worse, not better. We'll review the latest claims trends and defenses. This webinar is free for DRI members and non-members.