ATLA officers for 2000-2001.

Frederick M. Baron

New president Frederick M. Baron believes the primary responsibility of all ATLA officers is to protect open access to the courts. He describes the upcoming presidential election as "one of the most important federal elections of our generation," and he promises ATLA PAC will support candidates who preserve the Seventh Amendment. In his term of office, Mr. Baron will focus on membership recruitment, particularly attracting new, younger members. He will also work with the Legal Affairs team to challenge laws depriving victims of the right to full recompense for their injuries.

A partner at Baron & Budd in Dallas, Mr. Baron served as ATLA's president-elect in 1999-2000 and vice president in 1998-99. He has been a member of the ATLA PAC Committee and ATLA's List Committee. He has served as chair of the Public Affairs Committee and the Section on Toxic, Environmental, and Pharmaceutical Torts. Mr. Baron is a trustee of the Civil Justice Foundation and also a trustee and fellow of the Roscoe Pound Institute.

Mr. Baron earned his B.A. in 1968 and his J.D. in 1971 from the University of Texas.

Leo V. Boyle

As president-elect, Leo V. Boyle will continue to fight against forces seeking to take away the right to trial by jury. In this election year, he encourages trial lawyers to elect representatives who will defend the civil justice system. Mr. Boyle believes our "strength is in numbers," and he will work to increase ATLA's membership. He also predicts ATLA Online will develop into a crucial tool for members.

Mr. Boyle is a partner at Meehan, Boyle & Cohen in Boston. He served as ATLA's vice president in 1999-2000, secretary in 1998-99, treasurer in 1997-98, and parliamentarian in 1996-97. He has held positions on the Executive Committee, the Board of Governors, the ALI Relations and Study Committee, and the Public Education Coordinating Committee. He co-chaired the Legal Affairs Committee, the 50th Anniversary Committee, the Habitat for Humanity House Committee, and the Bar Liaison Committee. Mr. Boyle is a former trustee of the Civil Justice Foundation and a trustee and fellow of the Roscoe Pound Institute.

Mr. Boyle earned his B.A. in 1968 at Harvard College and his J.D. in 1971 at Boston College Law School.

Mary E. Alexander

Mary E. Alexander will fulfill her duties as vice president by protecting the right to a fair trial and battling tort "reform." She believes trial lawyers must "fight in the halls of Congress to keep the courthouse doors open to all." Ms. Alexander supports ATLA's public education efforts to educate citizens about the importance of the civil justice system and trial by jury. Also, during her term of office she will work to strengthen the Exchange as a tool members can use to obtain justice for clients.

Ms. Alexander is a partner with Cartwright & Alexander in San Francisco. She served as ATLA's secretary in 1999-2000, treasurer in 1998-99, and parliamentarian in 1997-98. She is a former trustee of ATLA PAC and has cochaired Partners for Progress and the ATLA PAC Task Force Committee. Ms. Alexander also served as chair of State Delegates, the Council of Presidents, and the Membership Committee. She is a trustee and fellow of the Roscoe Pound Institute.

Ms. Alexander earned her B.A. in 1969 at the University of Iowa, her M.P.H. in 1975 at the University of California at Berkeley, and her J.D. in 1982 at the University of Santa Clara.

David S. Casey Jr.

As secretary, David S. Casey Jr. plans to work with members to combat propagandists seeking to limit consumers' rights. He credits ATLA's legal team with helping the states win court challenges to unconstitutional statutes, and he predicts ATLA Online will become "the most sophisticated legal Web site in the country." Mr. Casey believes the combined efforts of ATLA's staff and leadership will protect the civil justice system and adapt members to changing times.

Mr. Casey is a partner with Casey, Gerry, Reed & Schenk in San Diego. He served as ATLA's treasurer in 1999-2000 and parliamentarian in 1998-99. He has been a member of the Board of Governors since 1984 and cochaired the Public Education Committee from 1994 to 2000. He is a former member of the ATLA's List Advisory Committee, ATLA PAC Task Force Committee, Fundraising Coordinating Committee, Political Action Management Advisory Committee, and State Affairs Committee. He is a trustee and fellow of the Roscoe Pound Institute.

Mr. Casey earned his B.A. in 1972 at Trinity College and a J.D. in 1974 at the University of San Diego.

Todd A. Smith

Todd A. Smith, the new treasurer, is dedicated to maintaining a strong civil justice system. He believes ATLA is "the essential ingredient" for defeating tort "reform" efforts. Mr. Smith is proud of the challenges ATLA's Legal Affairs staff has mounted against opponents of the civil justice system. He promises to emphasize "who we really are and what we are about"--representing injured victims of negligence and protecting the rights of future victims.

A partner with Power, Rogers & Smith in Chicago, Mr. Smith served as ATLA's parliamentarian in 1999-2000 and has been on the Board of Governors since 1989. He has chaired the Legal Affairs Committee, served on the Membership Oversight Committee and the Judicial Independence Committee, and chaired the Constitutional Litigation and Amicus Curiae Committees. He is a trustee of the Civil Justice Foundation and a trustee and fellow of the Roscoe Pound Institute.

Mr. Smith earned his B.S.B. in 1971 at the University of Kansas, his M.B.A. in 1973 at Northwestern University, Kellogg Graduate School of Management, and his J.D. in 1976 at Loyola University of Chicago School of Law.

Kenneth M. Suggs

Kenneth M. Suggs, ATLA's new parliamentarian, is proud to "represent the right people, on the right side, for the right reasons."

Mr. Suggs believes ATLA makes each member a better attorney through networking and educational opportunities. He hopes to prepare ATLA to meet the challenges posed by technological advances. He believes that the association's publications, research, and affinity programs are invaluable to members.

Mr. Suggs is the founding shareholder at Suggs & Kelly with offices in Columbia, Florence, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He has served on ATLA's Board of Governors since 1988. He has been a member of the Budget Committee, the Legal Affairs Committee, and the Technology Task Force Committee.

Mr. Suggs has also served as chair of the Judicial Independence Committee and cochair of the Legal Affairs Committee and Public Affairs Committee. He is a supporting fellow of the Roscoe Pound Institute.

Mr. Suggs received his B.A. in 1968 from Clemson University and his J.D. in 1975 from the University of South Carolina Law School.