DRI sets ambitious agenda.

• Author: Rice, Jr., Edward J.
• Position: Defense Research Institute - President's Page

ONE OF the many accomplishments of the International Association of Defense Counsel was the formation in 1960 of the Defense Research Institute. Today, DRI boasts 20,000 members in the United States and Canada. Over the years, many of the leaders of the IADC have become directors and officers of the Defense Research Institute, and many of DRI's officers have served as leaders not only of the IADC, but also of other major national defense organizations.

The DRI's mandate, as set forth in its mission statement, is to enhance the skills, effectiveness and professionalism of defense lawyers; anticipate and address issues germane to defense lawyers in the civil justice system; promote public appreciation of the role of the defense lawyer; and work to improve and preserve our civil justice system.

Five significant goals

DRI's leadership has established an ambitious agenda for the next several years. Its officers have adopted five significant goals to enable it to fulfill its mission. DRI is committed to education, and in that regard it is dedicated to produce legal education programs of the highest quality and to publish papers and articles in areas of substantive interest to the defense bar.

DRI's Board of Directors is constantly seeking ways to strive for improvements in the civil justice system by participating in the American Law Institute, with Lawyers for Civil Justice, and by working with national and state legislators on tort reform and procedural issues. DRI also has recognized an obligation to maintain balance in the judicial system, acting as a counterpoint to the plaintiffs' bar.

During the past several years, more and more defense counsel have become aware of the economic realities of the practice of law. DRI is committed to providing the necessary services and education to make its membership more efficient and to enable them to compete more effectively in the marketplace for legal services.

DRI also has recognized its obligation to promote professionalism and civility in the civil justice system.

With these goals in mind, DRI has formed a Law Institute Committee that plans and produces approximately 25 seminars annually, educating approximately 5,000 defense lawyers and their clients.

For the Defense is a monthly magazine published and furnished to all DRI members, and many of the substantive law committees also publish newsletters and articles.

Many projects under way

In furtherance of its goals, the Defense Research Institute is...