23rd Annual Committee on Corporate Counsel to Focus on Complex Issues of Corporate Litigation

CHICAGO, Jan. 19, 2005 — The American Bar Association Section of Litigation will hold its annual Committee on Corporate Counsel Continuing Legal Education Seminar Feb. 17-19 at the Omni Orlando Resort in ChampionsGate, Fla.

On Friday, Feb.18, opening remarks will be given by Section Chair Dennis Drasco, Roseland, N.J.

Throughout the history of the seminar, corporate counsel – both in-house and outside – have assembled to participate in educational programs, share views on litigation management issues and develop relationships with colleagues. This year the programming features sessions designed to provide a comprehensive look at every aspect of litigation from the perspective of corporate counsel and to provide practice advice and assistance on everyday issues.

Sessions will begin Thursday, Feb. 17, and include:

• “Corporate Counsel Best Practices” featuring moderators Carla Herron, Shell Oil Co., Houston; and Karen V. Morton, John Hancock Financial Services, Boston; with speakers Gena L. Ashe, Darden Restaurants, Inc., Orlando, Fla.; Jeffrey Carr, FMC Technologies, Houston; and Albert P. Parker II, Wyeth-Ayerst Pharmaceuticals North America, Collegeville, Pa.
• “Justice Blackmun’s Legacy” with Sally A. Blackmun, Justice Blackmun’s daughter and senior associate general counsel, Darden Restaurants, Inc., Orlando, Fla., who will discuss her father’s legacy.

Sessions on Friday include:

• “Resolving Coverage Disputes: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” featuring moderator Carolyn H. Rosenberg, Chicago; and speakers Heather Fox, National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh (AIG), New York; Tony S. Galban, Chubb & Son, Warren, N.J.; Michelle Jaconski, PricewaterhouseCoopers, New York; and Steve Shappell, AON Financial Services Group, Denver.
• “The New Landscape in Employment Litigation” with moderator Julie Furer, Chicago, and speakers Mary Ulmer-Jones, Bank of America, Atlanta; Yolanda Seals-Coffield, Diageo PLC, Stamford, Conn.; and Brett G. Rawitz, McDonald’s Corp., Oak Brook, Ill.
• “E-Discovery, Document Retention and the Role of the In-House Lawyer” with moderator Jonathan M. Redgrave, Washington, D.C., and speakers Judge Shira A. Sheindlin, New York; Atiba D. Adams, Pfizer Inc., New York; Joseph A. Hanzcor, Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith, New York; Anne Kershaw, Tarrytown, N.Y.; and George J. Socha Jr., Socha Consulting LLC, St. Paul, Minn.
• “Following the Rules: The Proper Method for Preparing the Corporate Defendant as a Witness for a Deposition” featuring moderator Frederick S. Gold, Stamford, Conn., and speakers Jerry W. Blackwell, Minneapolis; Tracy Elise Poole, Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, N.J.; Steve Tuller, DecisionQuest, Washington, D.C.; and Gregory D. Winfree, Phelps Dodge Corp., Phoenix, Ariz.
• “Talking the Talk: Communicating and Understanding Each Other in the Workplace” with moderator Kathleen Havener, Cleveland, and speakers Miriam Bamberger, Washington, D.C.; and Heather Bradley, Washington, D.C.

With more than 76,000 members, the ABA Section of Litigation includes trial lawyers, judges and others involved in all aspects of litigation and the dispute resolution process. The Section of Litigation is dedicated to promoting justice both domestically and internationally, as well as enhancing public understanding of and respect for the legal profession.

With more than 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law in a democratic society.

Editor’s Note: Reporters are invited to cover any or all program sessions for free.