A PSA For DRI

Posted on Jul 10, 2012

The Defense Research Institute (DRI) is seeking new members and I promised to do my part with this public service announcement.* 

I’ve belonged to DRI since my first year of practice and I have found it to be a great resource and, at times, a lot of fun.  Over the years, I’ve belonged to the Young Lawyers, Products Liability, Trial Tactics, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Commercial Litigation and Employment and Labor Law Committees.  With a few exceptions, I’ve tried to hit at least one conference every year, often in Chicago, but sometimes in really exotic destinations like Scottsdale or Las Vegas.

The benefits of membership  include well-planned, well-executed conferences, a monthly print magazine, For the Defense, which generally has focused and relevant articles, and multiple online e-newsletters.  There are expert witness databases and certain substantive law committees have very active listservs.  There’s also a blawg, DRI Today.  The real benefit from my perspective, though, is the opportunity to belong to an (inter)national** network of thousands of practitioners who can serve as both referral sources and substantive law resources.  I met some great people at the conferences and I’ve kept in touch and tried to refer business to many of them over the years. 

Take a look at DRI.  There’s a discounted membership for lawyers practicing 5 years or less.  And if you’re interested in joining, let me know and I’ll hook you up.

*With guitar!
** Including Canada.