DTCI Award Recipients Named
The DTCI is honored to announce the 2020 outstanding defense lawyers of the year.
Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana
Articles
DTCI: Risk assessment and hazard analysis: making products defendable
Manufacturers operating in an international market must be prepared to defend their products in any venue. Risk assessment and hazard analysis is a “prepackaged” tool the manufacturer can use in defending product liability lawsuits; it shows how the manufacturer considered and accounted for risk at every stage of the design process.
DTCI: Looking forward to simple pleasures whenever we return to normal
As I write this article, my thoughts are focusing on the future and what I anticipate doing again when we return to normal — whatever that normal may be. Some who know me — and especially my wife — know that I am more of a “half-empty glass” than a “half-full glass” person. However, with an optimistic eye, I will look forward to what the future may be when we return to normal.
DTCI: Flipping the Paradigm: Presenting Subsequent Remedial Measures as a Defense to Punitive Damage Claims against Motor Carriers
The legendary Green Bay Packers coach, Vince Lombardi, is credited with saying, “Hope is not a strategy.” The trucking industry and those who defend it need to move beyond merely hoping that the jury will be convinced that the plaintiffs have failed to carry their burden of proof on punitives. Recent verdict history shows that arguing that the conduct at issue “wasn’t that bad” often fails.
DTCI: Working while sick? It’s different in the COVID-19 era
In the age of COVID-19, having a system that incentivizes employees to work while sick is not tenable. Most of the symptoms of COVID-19 overlap with the symptoms of illnesses such as strep throat, bronchitis, sinus infection and other viruses that are so common when the weather turns cold. As we well know, if an employee’s illness turns out to be COVID-19, working while sick could be a medical calamity or worse for a vulnerable coworker.
DTCI: COVID-19 Immunity … But Not the Immunity You’re Thinking Of
Before the 2004 presidential election, very few people were discussing tort reform. However, George W. Bush made it a central aspect of his successful campaign for governor of Texas in 1995, and it remains part of the Republican Party platform. Tort reform in the manner of healthcare provider liability immunity has gained a new foothold due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
DTCI Annual Meeting — Virtual & Free
The DTCI Board of Directors voted to host the Annual Conference virtually this year at no charge to our members. Virtual section breakouts will be offered on different dates during the three weeks leading up to the main conference, which remains scheduled for November 19-20.
DTCI: 3 insights for retaining and supporting women lawyers
I genuinely believe that law firms and organizations are committed to retaining and supporting women. To that end, I offer the following insight to individuals seeking to support the success of their women colleagues.
DTCI: Blaiklock and Lee on Developing New Practice Areas within a Firm
How do you grow a commercial law practice within a traditional defense firm? That’s the question I posed Rich Blaiklock and Jason Lee of Lewis Wagner, LLP.
DTCI: Young Lawyer Spotlight
Get to know a new lawyer through this occasional feature from Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana.
DTCI: A few estate planning strategies for peace of mind
Most people don’t want to think of their own mortality or the possibility that they may become incapacitated and incapable of expressing their health care wishes. Having an estate plan as well as a plan in place for end-of-life decisions will provide peace of mind for you and your family.
DTCI: Spotlight on New Defense Lawyers
The DTCI resumes its popular feature, “Young Lawyer Spotlight,” introducing a few of its new members to the Indiana legal community at large. DTCI members are encouraged to submit the names of their new associates for inclusion in future Spotlight features.
DTCI: Finding gratitude for the practice of law in difficult times
Practicing law occupies your mind. Being a lawyer has been described as a thinking job and not just a doing job. Lately the news around us has been horrible, and the decisions we face about tasks as simple as buying groceries have been daunting. In these times, I have found my law practice to be a welcome respite from the world around me.
DTCI: COVID-19 and Worker’s Compensation
As more employees are able to leave home and return to their traditional workplace with peers, exposure increases by default. Given the increased interaction, Indiana worker’s compensation defense attorneys may be seeing just the beginning of their indirect battle with COVID-19. This article sheds light on Indiana’s treatment of diseases in the worker’s compensation setting and describes what an employer, its insurer, and its defense attorney should expect if faced with a COVID-19 claim.
DTCI: Award Nominations Invited
The Defense Trial Counsel’s Annual Meeting will be held November 19-20 at French Lick Resort. One of the highlights of the meeting is the presentation of the “Defense Lawyer of the Year,” the “Diplomat of the Indiana Defense Trial Counsel,” and the “Outstanding Young Lawyer” awards. The DTCI’s Awards Committee is now accepting nominations for this year’s awards.
DTCI: Let’s meet in Washington this fall for the DRI Summit
What a stressful year this has been! I think you now deserve to have some fun with your colleagues. That is why I hope you will join us at the DRI Annual Meeting in October.
DTCI: Avoiding Trial By Ambush
This article looks at the practice of disclosing treating physicians as experts and the law underlying the reasons that treating physicians and their opinions should be disclosed in the course of discovery.
DTCI: A Federal Law Refresher on Marital Privilege
This article is part two of a two-part series exploring marital privilege at the Indiana state and federal levels.
DTCI: Practical lessons learned from social distancing
The somewhat solitary experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic have revealed several lessons that directly affect the practice of law, the ripple effects of which we may feel for a long time.
DTCI: Construction is Essential Infrastructure During the COVID-19 Pandemic
While many Hoosiers have been ordered by Gov. Holcomb to shelter in place and practice social distancing when necessary, others are on the front lines of essential businesses, taking care of the critical needs of the sick and healthy. One group that may appear less obviously “essential” comprises men and women in the construction workforce.