Plans for the future.

• Author: Parker, Bruce R.
• Position: Part 2 - President's page

In my first President's Page (October 2006 DCJ), I suggested that a correlation exists between the probability of an organization achieving its goals and the degree to which its leaders effectively communicate those goals to the membership. Proceeding on this belief, I shared with you the IADC's ultimate goal of being widely recognized as the preeminent organization of experienced civil defense trial lawyers and six strategic goals that, when achieved, will move us closer to our ultimate goal. I described the first three goals and promised to discuss the remaining three in this message.

By way of background, the Board of Directors has established the following six strategic goals:

1. Enhance the prestige and diversity of our membership.

2. Improve business opportunities for members.

3. Provide exceptional professional development opportunities.

4. Increase our impact on civil justice reform.

5. Strengthen committees (relationships among our members).

6. Insure sound administrative and financial management of our resources.

Civil Justice Reform

As one of the founders of the Lawyers for Civil Justice ("LCJ"), IADC has a long history of promoting civil justice reform. The LCJ promotes rule changes at both the state and federal level and helps mobilize support on legislative issues that affect reform initiatives. The IADC has continuously supported the annual budget of the LCJ and its officers serving on the LCJ Board of Directors. Every third year, a Past President of the IADC also serves a one-year term as President of the LCJ.

Through its Legislative Committee, the IADC circulates alerts of state legislative proposals that either advance or undermine civil justice reform. IADC members have been very active in testifying before state and federal judicial rules committees and legislative subcommittees on these pressing issues. By way of example, in January, 2007, IADC members and I will testify before the Federal Judicial Conference Advisory Committee on Evidence Rules regarding proposed new Federal Rule of Evidence 502.

Amicus briefs provide another avenue by which we seek reform. This year, the Board allocated funds to expand this program. Our goals are to file three amicus briefs this year and expand this activity in future years. Indeed, the first amicus brief for this year is being drafted as I write this message.

The National Jury Trial Innovations Project sponsored by the IADC Foundation constitutes another longstanding IADC project that...