For The Defense, December 2011 - DRI Today

Whenever I go to a conference, reception, or similar event,
I set a simple goal: learn one new idea and meet one new
friend. Sounds simple, right? As lawyers, we are all busy.
In fact, we pride ourselves on being busy. When you ask
someone how they are doing, the common
response is “I’m really busy,” to which we
generally reply by telling them how busy
we are as well. It is as if the busiest person
wins. Well, 2012 is the perfect time for you
to slow down and focus on learning one
new idea and making one new friend in the
Trucking Law Committee.
Speaking of new ideas, the Trucking Law
Committee has been hard at work planning
the 2012 Trucking Law Seminar: Road
Warriors 2012—Reshaping Trucking Litigation,
to take place February 16–17 at the
fabulous Westin Kierland Resort in Scottsdale,
Arizona. M.J. Dobbs, Program Chair,
and Brett Ross, Program Vice Chair, and
their steering committee have put together
an incredible, not-to-be-missed program.
The 2012 seminar features a keynote
speech by David Osiecki of the American
Trucking Associations about the upcoming
legislative and regulatory agenda affecting
the trucking industry. In addition, there
are practical segments on voir dire in a
trucking case, handling the nontraditional
trucking case, handling damages after stipulating
to liability, and defending the driver’s
history. There are breakout sessions
for new- to- trucking attorneys on medical
issues and advanced sessions on loading/
unloading, trucking employment issues,
and the ever- evolving CSA. Finally, the
seminar will introduce two live features: a
driving simulation and a live independent
medical exam (IME). This is truly a seminar
where you will learn much more than
just one new idea.
On the “meet one new person” goal,
the 2012 seminar offers numerous opportunities
to network with trucking attorneys
from around the country at breakfast
gatherings, cocktail receptions, and the
ever- popular dine-arounds. The last seminar
hosted nearly 650 attendees, including
numerous industry representatives, and
the up- coming seminar expects to be even
grander. If you cannot meet one new per-
son in this venue, you are not trying very
hard.
The Trucking Law Committee offers
many more opportunities to learn new
ideas from our quarterly newsletter, In
Transit, and this issue of For The Defense.
Thanks to Publications Chair Stephen
Pesarchick and Publications Vice Chair
John Lomax Anderson for their efforts in
putting these materials together. The committee
publications offer an excellent way
to get involved in the committee and share
your knowledge and experiences. If you
have an article or an idea, let us know and
we will work to get you published.
Combining new ideas and new friends,
2012 will continue the development of
the Trucking Law Specialized Litigation
Groups (SLGs). These subgroups include
Biomechanics/Accident Reconstruction,
Cargo Claims, Insurance Coverage,
Logistics, New Trucking Attorney/Young
Lawyers, and Regulatory/Governmental
Affairs. SLG Chair Pat Sweeney and
SLG Vice Chair Sara Turner are recruiting
members to each of these groups to
get more people involved in the committee
and we hope you will join one or more of
the SLGs. The more people get involved the
more productive these groups will become,
leading to more new ideas and more new
friends.
As you read through the following pages
of excellent articles, written by experienced
trucking practitioners, strive to learn one
new idea that you can put into your practice
today. And as you prepare for 2012,
strive to make the one new friend in the
Trucking Law Committee. In the end, you
will find that the new idea/new friend idea
is a way to grow your practice professionally
and personally. Good luck, and I look
forward to making many new friends at the
2012 seminar in Scottsdale.
For The Defense ■ December 2011 ■ 49