ATLA officers for 2006-2007.

PRESIDENT

MIKE EIDSON

"Trial lawyers need to reframe the public debate on the civil justice system so people understand the significance of the right to justice as guaranteed by our founding fathers--that it's not just for the rich and powerful, but for every member of our society," says Mr. Eidson.

The association must "show the legal profession in a positive light, emphasizing the contributions that attorneys make to the public good every day by ensuring that Americans receive fair treatment in court when they have suffered from the wrongful conduct of others. It's also essential to show the other positive contributions lawyers make to their communities."

A partner at Colson Hicks Eidson in Coral Gables, Florida, Mr. Eidson served as ATLA's president-elect in 2005-06, 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 2001 Stephen Sharp award.

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.

PRESIDENT-ELECT

KATHLEEN FLYNN PETERSON

"In mywork at ATLA, I never forget that representing you is a privilege. I pledge my commitment to do what must be done, no matter how great the challenge; to make sure that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's definition of trial lawyers is not what defines the work that we do," says Ms. Peterson.

She promises to work with the ATLA leadership team to fulfill the association's mission to preserve a strong civil justice system with equal access for all and to uphold the honor and dignity of the profession.

A partner at Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi in Minneapolis, Ms. Peterson served as ATLA vice president in 2005-06, secretary in 2004-05, treasurer in 2003-04, and parliamentarian in 2002-03. She was on the Board of Governors from 1995 to 2002. Ms. Peterson 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.

VICE PRESIDENT

LEE WEISBROD

"We have done much this last year," says Mr. Weisbrod, noting that the activity is rejuvenating the association. "We are making progress on our long-term goal, favorably repositioning public opinion about what we do--secure civil justice for our clients. Better understanding and appreciation for what we do will eventually lead to more appreciation of who we will always be: trial lawyers."

Mr. Weisbrod is hopeful that the change in the public's opinion of trial lawyers will be reflected at the polls. The November 2006 elections are a priority, he says: "We can pick up seats in both the U.S. House and Senate with pro-civil-justice candidates."

A partner at Morgan & Weisbrod in Dallas, Mr. Weisbrod served as ATLA secretary in 2005-06, treasurer in 2004-05, and parliamentarian in 2003-04, and he was 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.

He 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.

SECRETARY

ANTHONY TARRICONE

"This year has witnessed the transformation of association headquarters into an aggressive, intelligent, resourceful, and creative communications operation that frames and delivers our message to the public and lawmakers alike," says Mr. Tarricone. He predicts that the new communications campaign will counteract the ongoing assault on the integrity of trial lawyers and their clients and the relentless tort "reform" drumbeat of corporate and insurance interests.

"The public education campaign has only just begun, [and] I am proud to be part of this effort and to work for you, your clients, and the greatest system of justice on the planet," Mr. Tarricone says.

A partner with Sarrouf, Tarricone & Flemming in Boston, Mr. Tarricone served as ATLA treasurer in 2005-06 and parliamentarian in 2004-05. He was a member of the Executive Committee from 2000 to 2004 and the Board of Governors from 1988 to 2004. A trustee of the Roscoe Pound Institute and the ATLA-PAC Board of Trustees, he is chair of the National Finance Council and the Public Affairs Committee.

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

TREASURER

C. GIBSON VANCE

Mr. Vance sees himself at the vanguard of ATLA's work to preserve and protect the civil justice system: "I want to be on the frontline in expanding the association's fund-raising efforts. I want to continue to reach across the aisle to our moderate Republican friends who are appalled at how their party is being subverted. I want to expand our public research and relations efforts to effectively communicate our values of justice and fairness to the public."

Mr. Vance urges ATLA members to hang tough in the battle against forces bent on dismantling the civil justice system. "The fight ahead of us is long, but not futile," he says. "Our successes and our failures along the way are not as important as our willingness to stay in the fight."

A partner with Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles in Montgomery, Alabama, Mr. Vance served as ATLA parliamentarian in 2005-06. He was a state delegate in 2004-05 and has been a member of the Public Affairs and Leaders Forum committees.

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.

PARLIAMENTARIAN

GARY M. PAUL

Mr. Paul believes that ATLA's efforts to protect the rights of injury victims is a battle that cannot be lost. "We must prevail, not for our careers or our families but for those people who will not have a voice without us. And that requires a powerful, energetic, and well-financed association," he says.

Mr. Paul speaks from experience: "For over 30 years I have been a proud member of trial lawyer boards of governors. First in Los Angeles, then for the state of California, and now for this association. The outstanding officers this year are dynamic, intelligent, and dedicated. I am pleased to join them and support them."

Mr. Paul is on the ATLA PAC Board of Trustees and has been on the Board of Governors since 2001. He is president of the Roscoe Pound Civil Justice Institute. He is chair of the Convention Planning Committee and vice chair of the National Finance Council, has chaired the Public Education Committee, and has served on many ATLA committees.

Mr. Paul is of counsel at Waters & Kraus in the El Segundo, California, office. He graduated from Arizona State University in 1965 and received a graduate degree from the University of California in Los Angeles in 1969. He earned his J.D. at Loyola Law School in 1974.