ATLA officers for 2005-2006.

PRESIDENT

KENNETH M. SUGGS

"We must remember our obligation to those who fought so hard to achieve the right for the injured to seek justice," says Mr. Suggs, who as ATLA's new president vows to continue the fight to preserve civil justice and equal access to the courts for all Americans. The last few years have been difficult ones for attorneys who represent consumers and families, but he praises trial lawyers for their persistence, urging them to avoid giving in to "fatigue, frustration, and fear." He says: "What matters is where we are at the end of the fight."

Mr. Suggs is a partner with Janet, Jenner & Suggs in its Columbia, South Carolina, office. He served as ATLA president-elect in 2004-05, vice president in 2003-04, secretary in 2002-03, treasurer in 2001-02, and parliamentarian in 2000-01. A member of the Board of Governors since 1988, he chaired the Judicial Independence Committee and cochaired the Public Affairs and Legal Affairs committees. He is a past president of the South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association.

Mr. Suggs graduated from Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina, in 1968 and received his J.D. from the University of South Carolina Law Center in 1975.

PRESIDENT-ELECT

MIKE EIDSON

"Standing pat with the status quo is not acceptable," says Mr. Eidson. Trial lawyers, he says, need "a smart, tough public-outreach campaign to reframe the broad debate" about civil justice and to begin turning around the public's image of trial lawyers.

"People want a strong, smart lawyer to represent them and ensure that they get a fair shake in court, even when taking on the most powerful interests," he says. "Why, then, are we so belittled, disliked, and disrespected?" Mr. Eidson believes trial lawyers must deliver a positive message, noting that "while current attitudes are broadly negative, they are not deeply rooted, and change is achievable."

A partner at Colson Hicks Eidson in Coral Gables, Florida, Mr. Eidson served as ATLA's vice president in 2004-05, secretary in 2003-04, treasurer in 2002-03, and parliamentarian in 2001-02. A member of the Board of Governors from 1991 to 2001, he cochaired the Legal Affairs and Judicial Independence committees. He received the Stephen Sharp award in 2001.

Mr. Eidson graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1968, studied at Warwick University in England, and earned his J.D. in 1971 from Emory University Law School.

VICE PRESIDENT

KATHLEEN FLYNN PETERSON

Ms. Peterson says she's proud of what ATLA has accomplished. "Despite an opposition that is larger, more powerful, and better financed, we have stood strong to speak for those who do not have a voice in this battle: the American family and consumer," she says. She believes ATLA's top priority is to improve trial lawyers' public image and educate the public about trial lawyers' true role in society. To that end, she has worked with ATLA staff, leadership, and members to "develop new strategies to fight back and provide the financial resources for ATLA to continue this offensive position."

A partner with Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi in Minneapolis, Ms. Peterson served as ATLA secretary in 2004-05, treasurer in 2003-04, and parliamentarian in 2002-03. She was on the Board of Governors from 1995 to 2002. She has been a member of the National College of Advocacy Board of Trustees, the Habush ATLA Endowment Board of Directors, and the Executive, Leaders Forum, Public Affairs, and Judicial Independence committees.

Ms. Peterson received her B.A. in 1976 from the College of Saint Catherine and her J.D. in 1981 from the William Mitchell College of Law, both in St. Paul, Minnesota.

SECRETARY

LEE WEISBROD

Describing his recent dual tenure as ATLA treasurer and chair of the Membership Oversight Committee, Mr. Weisbrod is "pleased to report my missions were accomplished: Both the treasury and the membership are up!" He says he'll continue to work hard as ATLA secretary to "continue our fight for victims' rights and preservation of our civil justice system."

Mr. Weisbrod says ATLA "staff, members, and our clients are to me the greatest people in the world. We stick to our principles. We try to maintain our sense of humor. I am hanging tough with the rest of you."

A partner at Morgan & Weisbrod in Dallas, Mr. Weisbrod served as treasurer in 2004-05, as parliamentarian in 2003-04, and as a member of the Executive Committee from 2001 to 2005. He has chaired the President's Task Force on Medical Malpractice and was a founding cochair of the Birth Trauma Litigation Group. He received the Weideman/Wysocki Award in 1999 and 2002 through 2005.

Mr. Weisbrod received his B.A. in 1975 from Claremont Men's College in Claremont, California, and his J.D. in 1978 from Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

TREASURER

ANTHONY TARRICONE

"Our challenge is to educate the public, restore dignity to our profession, and ensure that Americans have access to justice unfettered by the selfish demands of corporate interests. Already the work has begun, and I am proud to have been part of this effort," says Mr. Tarricone, who points with pride to ATLA's new media campaign, the Leaders Forum, and the Seventh Amendment Project as examples of how ATLA members are rising to the challenge.

There is reason for optimism: "Our research reveals good news," he says. "The public has a vastly different perception when told the truth about civil justice and trial lawyers."

A partner with Sarrouf, Tarricone & Flemming in Boston, Mr. Tarricone served as parliamentarian in 2004-05, on the Executive Committee from 2000 to 2004, and on the Board of Governors from 1988 to 2004. A trustee of the Roscoe Pound Institute and the ATLA-PAC Board of Trustees, he has chaired the Exchange Advisory Committee and cochaired the Partnership for Progress.

Mr. Tarricone graduated from Suffolk University in Boston in 1975 and earned his J.D. from Suffolk University Law School in 1977.

PARLIAMENTARIAN

C. GIBSON VANCE

Mr. Vance has home-turf experience in the fight for civil justice: "For 30 years, Alabama trial lawyers have battled efforts to close our judicial system to ordinary citizens. After each battle, our association has pulled together to focus on the next struggle."

He plans to apply this hard-earned knowledge to ATLA's national outreach efforts. Among other things, "I want to continue to reach across the aisle to our moderate Republican friends who are appalled at how their party is being subverted." He also stresses cooperation with state trial lawyer associations.

Mr. Vance served as a state delegate in 2004-05 and has been a member of the Public Affairs Committee, Leaders Forum Committee, and Seventh Amendment Campaign Fund. He is an ATLA-PAC Eagle Member and has been active in ATLA fund-raising efforts. He has served as treasurer and Executive Committee chair of the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association.

A partner with Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles in Montgomery, Alabama, Mr. Vance graduated from Troy State University in Alabama in 1987 and earned his J.D. in 1992 from Thomas Goode Jones School of Law at Faulkner University in Montgomery.