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DRI--The Voice of the Defense Bar Recognizes Leading Defense Attorneys for Community Involvement and Contributions to Legal Profession

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 4, 2004--

Lawyers and Legal Interest Groups in California, Minnesota and Alabama Among Those Cited for Outstanding Skill and Service to their Profession

Lawyers from around the country were honored recently for their professional achievements and exemplary public service by DRI - The Voice of the Defense Bar. At DRI's 2004 annual meeting in New Orleans, a number of civil defense attorneys and legal associations received professional achievement and service awards, which recognize individuals for contributions to the defense bar, the civil justice system and their involvement in public service activities.

"We work in a high-stakes business where clients demand excellence at all times. The lawyers DRI has honored have managed to balance pressing practice demands with a calling to advance the integrity and commitment to service of the legal profession," said John R. Kouris, Executive Director of DRI.

The DRI Community Service Award was presented to Ronald R. Robinson, a partner at the Los Angeles law firm of Berkes Crane Robinson & Seal, LLP. Robinson, a defense attorney who specializes in complex and multi-district litigation, arbitration, insurance coverage and general liability, was honored for his tireless and generous efforts in the area of terrorism. Robinson participated in a project to examine the implications of terrorism on the civil justice system and voluntarily helped develop a new model for terrorism risk insurance.

The Louis B. Potter Lifetime Professional Service Award was presented to Albert H. Parnell of the Atlanta law firm of Hawkins & Parnell, LLP. Parnell, who has served DRI for more than two decades, was recognized for his exemplary reputation for excellence, commitment and professionalism in upholding the integrity of the judicial process.

The Outstanding Committee Chair Award was presented to Linda M. Lawson an insurance and disability lawyer at the Los Angeles firm of Meserve, Mumper & Hughes LLP. Lawson, who served as chair of DRI's committee on life, health and disability, was cited for her engaging and steadfast support of the committee. Under her direction, the committee seminar realized record-setting attendance and growth.

The Rich Krochock Award was presented to Charles A. Stewart III, a partner at the Montgomery, Ala., law firm of Bradley Arant Rose & White LLP. Stewart was recognized for providing exemplary leadership and support to the DRI Young Lawyers Committee (YLC) through a variety of programs including the Law School Initiative, which has allowed DRI to expand its reach to law students and form DRI chapters within law schools.

The G. Duffield Smith Outstanding Publication Award was presented to Bradley D. Honnold, a partner at Shook Hardy & Bacon in Kansas City, Mo. Honnold was honored for authoring an outstanding feature article titled "Class Actions in Products Liability and Litigation" in the April 2003 issue of For the Defense.

The Rudolph A. Janata Award was presented to the Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association (MDLA). Debra Oberlander, Executive Director of MDLA, and MDLA's President Steven Schwegman, a lawyer at the St. Cloud, Minn., law firm of Quinlivan & Hughes, P.A., accepted the award on behalf of MDLA. MDLA was recognized for improving the quality of defense practice in Minnesota by upgrading its information resources in a manner that has allowed for a seamless electronic flow of important information in matters of litigation, court rules and a wide range of legal and administrative procedures.

The Fred H. Sievert Award was presented to Stephen R. Pennell of the law firm of Stuart & Branigin LLP in Lafayette, Ind. As president of the Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana (DTCI), Pennell was recognized as an outstanding defense bar leader for his vision and dynamic efforts to promote the state organization. Among his accomplishments, Pennell developed a scholarly publication, the Indiana Civil Litigation Review, a statewide writing contest for law students sponsored by the Review and for helping establish a scholarship fund for DTCI.

The DRI State and Local Defense Organization (SLDO) Diversity Award was presented to the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association (ADLA) whose executive director Edwin Livingston, and its president Jack Torbert, Jr. a lawyer at the Gasden, Ala. firm of Torbert & Torbert accepted on the organization's behalf. ADLA was recognized for achieving significant success in demonstrating a commitment to diversity within and outside the organization. Last year, ADLA established several minority scholarship and student support programs, and its board of director's adopted the goal of increasing its minority membership by 100 percent and its female membership to 200 over the next three years.

The DRI Law Firm Diversity Award was presented to the San Francisco law firm of Thelen Reid & Priest LLP. The law firm was recognized for demonstrating a commitment to diversity, whereby the firm has focused on programs within its diversity committee including developing a Women's Forum and expanding pro bono and charitable activities in each of its offices.

The Outstanding State Representative Award was presented to William S. Davies, Jr., a partner at the law firm of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP in Columbia, S.C. Davies was recognized for making significant contributions toward the promotion and increase of DRI membership in South Carolina.

DRI -- The Voice of the Defense Bar, is the national organization of more than 21,500 defense trial lawyers and corporate counsel. DRI provides numerous educational and informational resources to members and offers many opportunities for liaison among defense trial lawyers, Corporate America, and state and local defense organizations. DRI also has an international presence seeking to enhance understanding of the law among members of the defense community who have reason to be concerned with the expanding globalization of litigation defense. The organization can be reached at www.dri.org.

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