All Articles

Career Development

Creating Community Among Defense Attorneys

Sean Dolan, executive vice president of operations and general counsel for DRI, discusses what the organization is doing to support its members during these difficult times – and beyond.

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Career Development

A New Voice for the Voice of the Defense Bar

  DRI President Toyja Kelley's path to leadership started with an issue he was passionate about and continues to champion: diversity. CCBJ: How did you become involved with DRI?  Toyja Kelley: My first law firm required all of its associates to become members of...

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Career Development

Increased Benefits of Membership

An interview with DRI's new president, John Kuppens, a litigation partner in Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP's Columbia, South Carolina office. His remarks have been edited for length and style. CCBJ: John, congratulations on being named DRI’s president. When, how and why...

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New DRI President Focuses on Next Generation: “Voice of the Defense Bar” readies new voices for future

Introduction: DRI, founded in 1960 as the Defense Research Institute, bills itself as the “leading organization of defense attorneys and in-house counsel” and the “Voice of the Defense Bar.” With 22,000-plus members, it serves as a hefty counterweight to the well-heeled...

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DRI Members Elect New President: First in-house counsel president focuses on advancing the careers of fellow corporate counsel

“I’m a homegrown DRI girl,” says Laura E. Proctor, the third woman and first in-house lawyer to lead the DRI – The Voice of the Defense Bar. What the associate GC of Louisiana-Pacific Corporation means is she is the first person to start with DRI’s Young Lawyers and...

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New DRI President Reaffirms Defense Bar’s Commitment to Business Community

Editor: Congratulations on being named DRI’s president. Tell us about your practice. When did you become involved with DRI? Sweeney: My practice focuses on defense of product liability and toxic tort claims, including especially class actions and mass tort consolidations. I first became...

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Litigation

DRI: A Strong Voice For The Defense Bar

Editor: Mike, tell us about your practice and the locations of your firm’s offices. Weston: I defend product liability, commercial litigation, professional liability, torts, insurance disputes, bad faith litigation and insurance coverage. Our firm has offices in Des Moines and Cedar...

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