“What Can the AADC Do For Me?”

During my tenure as a member of the AADC, I have often been asked, “Why should I join the AADC?” or, “How does being an AADC member help me and my firm?” Both are excellent questions, and cannot be answered in a single sentence, so I would like to take this opportunity to review the numerous benefits that membership in the AADC provides:

NETWORKING: In our daily practice, we deal with the opposing side much more frequently than we do with our fellow members of the Defense Bar. The AADC allows interaction with members through our many CLEs, social and charitable functions, as well as idea-sharing through our list serve.

INTERACTION WITH THE JUDICIARY: Due to the advancement of technology and budgetary issues, attorneys do not interact with the Judiciary the way they used to. To counter this trend, the AADC regularly invites members of the Judiciary to its functions. We sponsor two Judicial Receptions, one in Phoenix and the other in Tucson, providing an opportunity to meet with the judges outside of the courtroom. We also regularly feature both current and retired judges as guest speakers.

CLIENT DEVELOPMENT: As a result of its 46-year history of service, the AADC is well known to most defense clients. I have found that most civil-defense clients not only expect their law firms to be AADC members, but that they also request that the AADC address or assist with issues that are of mutual concern.

DIVERSE MEMBERSHIP: The AADC is a statewide organization, and therefore represents the interests of all defense attorneys from Yuma to Chinle and Douglas to Chloride. Furthermore, membership is not made up only of large firms, but sole practitioners, multi-state firms, state, county and municipal entities, as well as in-house counsel. This membership base gives the AADC significant leverage when dealing with issues of concern to the Defense Bar.

CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION: The AADC provides both free and low-cost CLE to its members, which can comprise a minimum of 24 CLE hours per year. Unlike other CLE’s, the AADC CLE seminars are specifically tailored to address issues of concern to the Defense Bar. This amount of CLE, in and of itself, more than pays for the cost of a membership.

AADC WEB SITE: We have an active Web site located at http://www.azadc.org/. This Web site is updated regularly and provides not only a list of upcoming AADC events, but access to our members-only expert witness and special interest group data base and list serve.
E-COMMON DEFENSE NEWSLETTER: The AADC produces a bi-annual print magazine which not only covers AADC activities, but also contains articles dealing with issues of importance to the Defense Bar.

PRO BONO PROGRAM: The AADC offers this program to provide a free initial consultation for attorneys contacted by the State Bar to respond to a disciplinary charge. The AADC provides this service not only to members, but to all members of the Bar as well.

INTERACTION WITH THE DRI: Both the AADC and the DRI (Defense Research Institute) are committed to being involved with one another. Most AADC members are also DRI members, and in fact, two of our Past-Presidents, Patrick Paul and Pete Kelly, serve as the Pacific Regional Director and DRI State Representative for Arizona respectively. Furthermore, Lori Berke, another former AADC board member, is currently serving as a DRI National Director.

YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISON: The AADC sponsors a Young Lawyers Division for newer attorneys from member firms. The AADC-YLD has its own board, and sponsors its own CLE seminars dealing with issues of interest to younger attorneys. The YLD also sponsors its own charity softball tournament in February, the proceeds of which benefit Devereaux Arizona.

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS: The AADC has established specialized practice area committees in the following areas: Construction Defect; Medical Malpractice; Governmental Liability; and Auto Negligence. These committees allow attorneys to interface with their peers and stay current and informed in their specific practice areas.

AMICUS SECTION: The AADC an active Amicus section, which regularly drafts briefs in support of issues of concern to the Defense Bar. The AADC actively encourages its membership to bring to the AADC’s attention issues that may be of concern in an appellate matter.

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE: The AADC regularly monitors legislation affecting the Defense Bar, and takes formal positions with regard to legislation that is either supported or opposed by the board. The Board also envisions hiring a lobbyist in the near future to allow for even more effective representation.

COMMUNITY SERVICE: The AADC signature charity event is the Barry Fish Memorial Golf Tournament, which benefits the ALS Association. The AADC also sponsors the Oplinger Final Argument Competition at the ASU College of Law, as well as the Final Argument Competition at the University of Arizona. In addition, the AADC provides scholarship awards each year for the state high school mock trial championships.

MEET THE 20011-2012 AADC BOARD: Of course, none of this can be done without significant contribution from the various board members and these individuals are:

Mike Ludwig, Jones Skelton & Hochuli: President-Elect, Membership Chair;

Barry Markson, Thomas Thomas & Markson: Treasurer, Annual Membership Meeting Chair;

Holly Davies, Lorber Greenfield & Polito: Secretary, Newsletter Co-Chair;

Rick Righi, Righi Law Group: Immediate Past-President, Golf Tournament Co-Chair;

Debbie Hanson, AMA: Association Manager;

Lee Blake, Lee Hernandez Landrum Garfolo & Blake: ASU Oplinger Closing Argument Competition/Construction Defect SIG Co-Chair;

Charlie Callahan, Holloway Odegard Forrest & Kelly: Amicus Section Chair;

Matt Cates, Jennings Strouss & Salmon: Judicial/State Bar Section Chair;

Alison Christian, Harper Christian Dichter & Sluga: Advocacy Luncheon Co-Chair;

Dustin Christner, Bowman & Brooke, Pro Bono Co-Chair;

Kay Cooper, Scottsdale City Attorney’s Office: Government Liabilities SIG Chair;

Valerie Edwards, Koeller Nebeker Carlson & Haluck: Phoenix Judicial Reception Chair;

Scott Freeman, Fennemore Craig; Legislative Committee Co-Chair;

Jeremy Johnson, Jones Skelton & Hochuli: YLD President;

Mandi Karvis, Sanders & Parks: Medical Malpractice SIG Chair;

Adam Lang, Snell & Wilmer: Legislative Committee Co-Chair;

Hope Kirsch, Kirsch-Goodwin & Kirsch: Construction Defect SIG Co-Chair;

Kara Klima, Geico Staff Counsel: AADC Web Site Co-Chair

Dave Krupski, Lewis & Roca: Barry Fish Memorial Golf Tournament Co-Chair;

Craig McCarthy, Gust Rosenfeld: Sponsorship Co-Chair;

Mike Obert, Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith: Sponsorship Co-Chair:

Bill Phillips, Broening Oberg Woods & Wilson: Advocacy Luncheons Co-Chair;

Johnny Sorenson, Sorenson Law Firm: Pro Bono / Newsletter Co-Chair;

Johnathan Wallack, Bennett Fairbourn Friedman & Balint: Phoenix Closing Argument Competition Co-Chair.

UPCOMING AADC CLE:

September 7, 2011: The medical malpractice special interest group will present CLE on “The Medical Marijuana Act and How it Will Impact Private Physicians” at Fennemore Craig beginning at 4:30 p.m. The speakers will be Thomas Salow and Dr. Kara Christ of the Arizona Department of Health Services.

September 8, 2011: Advocacy Luncheon: “Expert Discovery - - The Intent & Aftermath of Revised Federal Rule 26” will be presented by Jennifer A. Cranston, Esq. of Gallagher & Kennedy. This will take place from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. at Lewis & Roca.

September 29, 2011: Auto Negligence Special Interest Group will be presenting “Chiropractic 101” with Dr. Preston Long. This will begin at 4:30 p.m. at Fennemore Craig.

You may register for these CLEs (as well as others) through the AADC Web site.

Fall Kick-Off:

The AADC will be hosting its annual Fall Kick-Off at the Phoenix Country Club on September 15, 2011 beginning at 5:00 p.m. The AADC invites all of its past presidents to join together with new and current members alike to celebrate the 46th year of the organization. The AADC annually presents its Distinguished Service Award to a deserving attorney or a judge. This year, the board has unanimously voted to present two awards, one to recently retired Judge Edward Burke, and the other to the late Judge Pendleton (“Penny”) Gaines (which will be accepted by Dana Campbell-Saylor on behalf of her late husband). We would ask that you all support Judge Burke and honor the memory of Penny Gaines by attending this event.

Barry Fish Memorial Golf Tournament:

The Barry Fish Memorial Golf Tournament is scheduled for May 5, 2012 (“Cinco de Mayo”) at the McCormick Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale.

Judicial Receptions:

The Tucson Judicial Reception is scheduled for December 8, 2011 beginning at 6:00 p.m. and will take place at the Arizona Inn. The Phoenix Judicial Reception is scheduled for December 15, 2011 beginning at 5:00 p.m. at the Phoenix Country Club.

In closing, I would like to thank not only the members of the board, but all AADC members for their continued support of the organization, as no organization is better than its membership. Furthermore, I would like to thank our immediate past-president, Rick Righi, for his commitment and devotion to the board, which included not only being president, but also co-chairing several committees at once. Under Rick’s stewardship, the board had its most successful year ever in terms of membership, the number of events put on by the AADC, and increased participation in those events. As I stated at the Spring Retreat, the Board is a reflection of its President, and that was never more true than with Rick.

I also want to thank outgoing board member Lloyd Benner for his service to the board by ensuring the continued success of the Advocacy Luncheon Seminars, as well as Elliot Wernick, who was instrumental in the success of the Pro Bono Program. I would also like to welcome our newest board members, Alison Christian, who will co-chair the Advocacy Luncheon CLE section, and Adam Lang, who will co-chair the Legislative Committee.

I hope this overview more than amply demonstrates what the AADC can do for you and your firm. If you are reading this and are not a member of the AADC, I would ask that you please join us so that you and/or your firm can be a part of all the AADC has to offer. If you are already a member, but are aware of someone who is not, I would ask that you please forward this article to them. I would further ask that you continue to stay abreast of the activities of the AADC by regularly logging into the Web site and being involved with the list serve. Not only does the AADC have a lot to offer its members, it also looks to its members for what they have to offer as well.

In the meantime, I look forward to seeing all of you at the Fall Retreat on September 15th!

Chris