For The Defense, October 2010 - DRI Today

A F F I L I AT E S I N A C T I O N2010 Updates from Oregon, Rhode Island Defense OrgsOR EG ONThe Oregon Association of Defense Counsel(OADC) held its annual convention inJune in scenic Sunriver, Oregon. The conventionwas a great success, drawing 145attorneys from around the state. MultnomahCounty Judge Michael McShane’spresentation on tips for conducting crossexaminationat trial began the program,followed by an Oregon appellate law updateoffered by Oregon Court of Appeals JudgeDavid Brewer and Dan Lindahl of the LindahlLaw Firm. Bruce Schafer of the OregonState Bar Liability Fund providedinsight for attorneys on navigating the linebetween non-disclosure at trial and conductconstituting misrepresentation. U.S.District Court Magistrate Judge AndrewWistrich of California’s Central Districtexamined decision-making by judges, lawyersand litigants in light of contemporarypsychological research and Judge Wistrich’sown empirical evidence. A panelof Oregon Circuit Court Judges (MichaelMcShane, Janice Wilson, Henry Kantorand Karsten Rasmussen) then offered alocal perspective on this topic. Breakoutsessions included a discussion on the “vanishing”civil jury trial, defense of productliability cases, cross-examination ofexperts, mediating employment disputes,and arguing motions in limine, as well as apresentation by local design firm on understandingdesign drawings and constructioncontracts encountered in litigation.This year’s annual convention alsoincluded OADC’s first Past Presidents’meeting, as well as its first meeting of practicegroup leaders. The weekend’s entertainmentincluded a golf tournament, a funrun for attendees and family members, andkaraoke on Saturday night.On July 21, 2010, the OADC offered atwo-hour webinar titled “Handling theCase Involving a Medicare Beneficiary:Legal Nuts & Bolts—Case Resolution,Negotiation & Settlement.” The webinarwas presented by Mary Re Knack of WilliamsKastner & Gibbs. Over 30 attorneysattended. The OADC held its 2010 DefensePractice Academy on September 24, 2010,in Portland. Chairs for this year’s program8 n For The Defense n October 2010Oregon Defense Lawyers Association pastpresidents met this year as a part of the organization’sannual convention. Among thepast leaders attending were Stephen Rickles(2002), Frank E. Lagesen (1995) and StevenBlackhurst (2001).Outgoing Defense Counsel of Rhode Islandpresident Robert J. Quigley, Jr. and Brooks R.Magratten, incoming DCRI president and DRINortheast Regional Director.were Gordon Welborn of Hoffman Hart &Wagner (Redmond) and Dan Schanz ofSpooner & Much (Salem). The programwas designed for attorneys with minimaltrial experience. Trial and appellate judgesexplained the nuts and bolts of trial, andexperienced trial lawyers demonstratedbasic skills, from jury selection to closing.The OADC’s fall seminar will take placeon November 5, 2010, in Portland, chairedby David Auxier, Yturri Rose LLP (Ontario).Finally, at its April meeting, the OADCBoard of Directors voted to approve aDiversity Statement asserting the organization’scommitment to fostering diversityin the Oregon defense bar.R HODE ISL A N DThe Defense Counsel of Rhode Island(DCRI) held its Annual Meeting on June23, 2010, at the University Club in Providence,Rhode Island. The featured speakerwas Presiding Justice of the Rhode IslandSuperior Court Alice B. Gibney, who spokeabout issues facing the superior court andthe judiciary.Brooks R. Magratten, incoming DCRIpresident and DRI Northeast RegionalDirector, extended his congratulations tooutgoing president Robert J. Quigley, Jr.,on his successful tenure in office. A plaqueexpressing appreciation to Mr. Quigley wasalso presented by DCRI Executive CirectorMichael B. Isaacs.The officers for 2010–2011 are PresidentBrooks R. Magratten of Pierce Atwood LLP,President-Elect Howard A. Merten of PartridgeSnow & Hahn LLP, Vice PresidentFaith A. LaSalle of the Law Offices of FaithA. LaSalle, Secretary Rebecca McSweeneyof Jackson Lewis LLP, and Treasurer AmyBeretta of the Law Offices of Amy Beretta.New directors include Bruce J. Balon of theLaw Office of Michael D. Lynch, ThomasR. Bender of Hanson Curran LLP, Katy A.Hynes of Adler Pollock & Sheehan P.C.,John F. Kelleher of Higgins, Cavanagh &Cooney, LLP, Holly R. Rao of Olenn &Penza, LLP, and Michael J. Reed, Jr. of theLaw Offices of Michael J. Reed, Jr. Continuingon the board of directors are RobertJ. Quigley, Jr. of McKenney, Quigley, Izzo& Clarkin (Past President), Kelly MichelsSweeney (DRI State Representative), RobertP. Corrigan of Hines & Corrigan, Inc., JoelK. Gerstenblatt of Gerstenblatt Law Offices,Ltd., James V. Murray of the Law Offices ofJames V. Murray, and William F. White ofWhite, Carlin & Kelly, P.C.On August 16, 2010, the Defense Counselof Rhode Island hosted a “Night at thePawtucket Red Sox” for DCRI members,families, friends and colleagues. This is thethird year that DCRI has held this socialevent for the membership. The evening featureda barbeque and tickets to the game.