International Academy of Trial Lawyers Inducts 29 New Fellows in Nation's Capital; U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts, Assoc. Justice Scalia, Senators Specter, Leahy and Biden Meet with Academy Members at Annual Meeting.

WASHINGTON -- Twenty-nine top trial attorneys achieved one of the biggest honors of their legal careers when they were inducted into the prestigious International Academy of Trial Lawyers (IATL) at its annual meeting in Washington, D.C., April 5-8. (A list of inductees and their hometowns is found below)

During the annual meeting, the new inductees joined IATL fellows at the U.S. Supreme Court for a reception hosted by Associate Justice Antonin Scalia that featured Chief Justice John Roberts. They also heard from three members of the Senate Judiciary Committee: Chairman Arlen Specter, ranking minority member Patrick Leahy and Joseph Biden. Inductees and fellows also attended private receptions at the Russian and Italian embassies.

The invitation to become a lifetime IATL fellow is one of the highest honors in the legal world. Members practice both civil and criminal law on the defendant's and plaintiff's side of the counsel table. Membership within the Academy is limited to 500 active fellows from the United States and 100 fellows from the rest of the world. Inductees must undergo a rigorous membership evaluation process that encompasses legal skills, character, integrity and trial record.

"The elite group of lawyers who have been inducted into the Academy represent the finest lawyers who defend corporate America and those who bring litigation against them," said IATL President Tom Girardi.

Founded in 1954, the IATL cultivates the science of jurisprudence. IATL's mission is to promote reforms in the law, facilitate the administration of justice, promote the rule of law internationally, elevate the standards of integrity, honor and courtesy in the legal profession, and cherish the spirit of brotherhood among the members.

The 2006 inductees include:

--David R. Baradat, Esq. - Tulare, Calif.

--Paul D. Beckman, Esq. - Washington, D.C.

--Thomas R. Burnside, Jr. Esq. - Augusta, Ga.

--Donald W. Carlson, Esq. - San Diego, Calif.

--John W. deGravelles, Esq. - Lafayette, La.

--Donald L. DeVries, Jr. Esq. - Philadelphia, Pa.

--Edward M. Genson, Esq. - Chicago, Ill.

--James M. Goodman, Esq. - Cincinnati, Ohio 

--James D. Green, Sr. Esq. - Berwick, Pa.

--George M. Haley III, Esq. - Downey, Calif.

--Barry M. Hill, Esq. - Wheeling, W.Va.

--Robert F. Hill, Esq. - Clarinda, Iowa 

--Christopher T. Hurley, Esq. - Missoula, Mont.

--Thomas H. Keen, Esq. - Little Rock, Ark.

--Barry A. MacBan, Esq. - Santa Monica, Calif.

--John A. MacFadyen III, Esq. - Bethlehem, Pa.

--Michael James Madigan, Esq. - Washington, D.C.

--Randi McGinn, Esq. - San Benito, Texas 

--W. Michael Moody, Esq. - Sullivan, Mo.

--Chris G. Paliare, Esq. - Toronto, Ontario

--Roger L. Pardieck, Esq. - Seymour, Ind.

--John V. Phelps, Esq. - Brookland, Ark.

--Jeffery S. Raynes Esq. - San Bernardino, Calif.

--Leo A. Roth, Jr. Esq. - Washington, D.C.

--Jacques Soiret, Esq. - Los Angeles, Calif.

--Mark W. Tanner, Esq. - Philadelphia, Pa.

--Michael D. Weisman, Esq. - New York, N.Y.

--Theodore V. Wells, Jr., Esq. -Washington, D.C.

--John Mark White, Esq. - Florence, Ala.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: For more information about the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, please call Forrest Beanum or Robert Gard of Cerrell Associates at [phone].)