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VIDEO AVAILABLE: America's Top Defense Attorneys Discuss Critical Issues Facing Lawyers, Judges And The Public

Over 1,000 defense attorneys are expected to attend the Annual Meeting of DRI - The Voice of the Defense Bar, in Chicago from October 19 - 23, 2005.

The meeting is the defense bar's largest gathering of attorneys in the country and focuses on crucial issues ranging from the effects of corporate wrongdoing on jury perception to preserving the jury trial. The conference will be held at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers downtown.

"Civil litigation has come to dominate the news, affect the economy, and influence legislation," said David E. Dukes, DRI incoming president. "DRI's 22,000 members could not be practicing at a more compelling and critical time. The Annual Meeting provides a forum by which defense lawyers can examine where our profession is going and how we can have a positive impact on its future."

The 2005 Annual Meeting: The Voice for Civil Justice will begin with a much-anticipated speech by Senator Fred Thompson on America's role in the world. A highly respected politician, Senator Thompson has a wealth of knowledge and experience in homeland security, economic opportunity and fiscal responsibility issues. Recently, the former Senator was chosen by President Bush to help guide Judge John Roberts through the Supreme Court nomination process on Capitol Hill.

Special guests at the DRI Annual Meeting include author, journalist, legal commentator and law professor Susan Estrich of Fox News, as well as luminaries such as business expert David Maister, and trial techniques expert James McElhaney.

"Even the most seasoned litigator will find educational programming that is compelling and fresh at DRI's annual meeting," said DRI Executive Director John R. Kouris. "However, I find that year after year, one of the greatest draws seems to be the networking opportunities. For many defense attorneys, the annual meeting is an exceptional gathering to develop relationships with colleagues from around the world."

CLE accredited sessions include:

- The Attorney General in the Boardroom: Guns and Tobacco to Earnings Reports
- View from the Juror, Are They A'Changing?
- You're Not Just a Law Firm: Proactive Ways to Avoid Adding "I Got Sued" to Your List of Accomplishments
- Make Another Human Being Give You What You Want

For event and registration information, visit www.dri.org.

Members of the media with questions should contact Ray Rahmati at rrahmati@levick.com or 202.973.1319.

About DRI

DRI, the voice of the defense bar, is the national organization of over 22,000 defense trial lawyers and corporate counsel. DRI provides numerous educational and informational resources to members and offers many opportunities for liaison among defense trial lawyers, corporate America, and state and local defense organizations.

DRI also has an international presence, seeking to enhance understanding of the law among members of the defense community who have reason to be concerned with the expanding globalization of litigation defense.

The organization can be reached at www.dri.org.