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President's Message

Stephen P. Miller, TDLA President 2009-10

            On behalf of the Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association, I am pleased to serve as your President for 2009-2010.  I am honored to serve our organization in this role and I am grateful for the excellent Officers and Directors who serve with me.  Our immediate past President is C. Douglas Dooley.  Melanie M. Stewart is our President-Elect and Robert A. Crawford was elected Secretary-Treasurer. Directors are Sarah Reisner, Bradford D. Box and D. Scott Bennett.  Vice Presidents are John W. Barringer, Jr., James H. Tucker, Jr. and Cate Cunningham.  Kathi C. McKeown is our Executive Director, and I want to thank her for the excellent work she does for our organization and the tireless effort she provides.

            The Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association is a group of lawyers primarily engaged in civil defense litigation and provides our members with the opportunity to exchange ideas and information on civil defense practice in Tennessee.  The law firm of Adams and Reese provides legislative advocacy on behalf of our membership through Gif Thornton.  There are many issues each year that effect members of the Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association before the Tennessee General Assembly.  Please feel free to contact Gif with any legislative issues or questions you may have.  Additionally, the Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association has representation on the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Counsel, the IOLTA Committee, the Bench/Bar Committee as well as an appointment of a State Representative to the Defense Research Institute.  If you are not already a member of the Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association, I would encourage you to download an application for membership from our website and join. 

            Our annual meeting and seminar was held at the Marriott Griffin Gate Resort and Spa in Lexington, Kentucky from October 22 – 24, 2009.  A good time was had by all.  In addition to an excellent CLE program, attendees enjoyed a great afternoon at Keeneland for the horse races, tours of various horse farms and wonderful meals and entertainment.

            The DRI Southern Regional Meeting is scheduled for June 10-13, 2010 in Orlando, Florida at the Marriott World Center.  More information can be found under the EVENTS page and Registration information will be posted soon.  You need to reserve your room now to take advantage of the great rate DRI has obtained.

            The Board has been working on short term initiatives and long term goals throughout the past year and will do the same in the coming year.  President-Elect Melanie Stewart, along with Michael Mansfield, has started a law student membership for the Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association at the University of Memphis law school.  The students have elected their leadership and are off to a great start.  We have instituted a “shadowing” program to pair local defense attorneys with law students so they can attend various trials, motions, hearings or depositions.  Additionally the Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association recently sponsored a “Wine and Cheese CLE” in Memphis.  Thanks to the many law firms who contributed their support.

            In the coming months, we will expand the “Lunch and Learn CLE” programs for Nashville, Chattanooga and Knoxville and continue to present them in Memphis.  This is an excellent way to get quick and informative CLE in your community and an opportunity to introduce younger attorneys to the benefits of TDLA.  We encourage you to attend these events.  As you know, participation and membership is the lifeblood of any successful organization and we need you to encourage others within your firms to apply for membership, benefit from all the TDLA has to offer and have some fun along the way.  There are MANY opportunities to serve the Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association.  If you have the desire to serve, please contact me. 

            Finally, I look forward to serving as your President and working with your Board and Officers.  Please do not hesitate to contact me with any comments, questions or concerns you may have.