DTCI: Philadelphia and lawyers representing business

Philadelphia was founded in 1682 by William Penn and served as the capital of Pennsylvania during the British colonial era. It went on to play a historic and vital role in the 18th century as the central meeting place for our nation’s Founding Fathers. Philadelphia hosted the First and Second Continental Congresses, was where our Founders signed the Declaration of Independence, and was where the U.S. Constitution was written. This fall, it will also serve as the location for DRI’s annual meeting.

For those of you unfamiliar, or mildly familiar, with DRI, it is an international organization of 16,000-plus defense attorneys and in-house counsel. It is the largest international membership organization of attorneys defending the interests of business and individuals in civil litigation. Membership in DRI provides access to resources and tools for attorneys who strive to provide high-quality, balanced and excellent service to their clients and corporations. These resources include publications offering insight to help civil defense lawyers with pressing litigation matters, in-person seminars, webinars, podcasts, legal resources and expert databases. DRI members can also join 29 substantive law committees whose focus is to develop ongoing and critical dialogue and training about areas of practice. Most importantly, DRI helps attorneys build their brand, provides incredible business development opportunities, and helps develop and foster relationships and friendships.

I have had the pleasure of serving on DRI’s Young Lawyers Executive Committee, chairing its Litigation Skills Committee and serving as DRI’s Indiana state representative for the Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana and can attest to the many, many benefits of DRI membership. If you are not currently a member, I would encourage you to sign up and get involved. And one of the best ways to become involved is to attend DRI’s flagship seminar, its annual meeting.

DRI’s 2022 Annual Meeting will be held at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown on Oct. 25-28, and will provide attendees with an entirely new way to learn, connect and engage. It will provide expanded opportunities to make meaningful connections and enhance your knowledge base. The program features top-notch speakers discussing relevant legal issues such as the art of jury selection, cryptocurrency and the law, ESG metrics gathering in companies and the effect of nonlawyer-owned law firms on the legal landscape. It will also feature a keynote opening session by Gretchen Rubin and Debbie Epstein Henry titled, “Finding Happiness in Life & Law,” which will explore how it is possible to practice law and happiness in a post-pandemic world. You won’t want to miss this conversation that will enlighten and inspire each of us to work and live with more purpose, satisfaction and success.

In addition to excellent education and programming, DRI’s annual meeting will feature breakout meetings of its substantive law committees. Joining any of DRI’s 29 committees is a great way to engage with the DRI community, enhance your career and grow your network. As a committee member, you will receive the most up-to-date legal information and interact with some of the leading defense lawyers in your areas of practice. DRI substantive law committees offer numerous opportunities to network, exchange ideas, offer and receive client referrals, collaborate with other members with similar interests, and keep informed about key issues within the practice. If you are interested in leadership opportunities, DRI committees are the place to find them.

Finally, DRI’s annual meeting provides amazing networking receptions, including this year an evening at the National Constitution Center, where attendees will have the opportunity to eat, drink and socialize while having unlimited access to many wonderful interactive exhibits such as “American Treasures: Documenting the Nation’s Founding”; “Civil War and Reconstruction: The Battle for Freedom and Equality”; and “The 19th Amendment: How Women Won the Vote.”

Registration is now open and I encourage all my fellow defense practitioners and in-house counsel to consider attending. Additional information, including the program brochure, can be found at www.dri.org. I hope to see you in the City of Brotherly Love this October!•

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Kyle Lansberry is an associate in the Indianapolis firm of Lewis Wagner and member of DTCI. He is the Indiana representative to DRI. Opinions expressed are those of the author.