Thank you for a job well done.

I have been a trial lawyer for 20 years. Like you, I have been privileged to represent injured workers, consumers hurt by defective products, and older Americans defrauded of their life savings. I am so proud to represent people injured through no fault of their own.

I conclude my service as your president by thanking all of you for your increasing involvement in our common efforts to save the civil justice system and the right to trial by jury. You stand for the voiceless, the powerless, and those who otherwise would have no champion. I am so grateful to you and to the fine ATLA staff for contributing to our accomplishments on behalf of American families.

A year ago, I outlined my five-point agenda. Here's what we have accomplished:

Fight for consumer rights in Congress and the state legislatures. Assault on the civil justice system this year have been unprecedented and unmerciful. United and undaunted, we defeated every proposal that would have closed the courthouse doors to seriously injured people.

Just after our 2002 Annual Convention, we defeated the medical malpractice bill in the Senate. When the November elections meant that power had shifted to those committed to eviscerating Americans' legal rights, we developed, funded, and implemented an action plan to fight the draconian bills that would come.

Thank you to President-Elect Dave Casey, who headed up the fund-raising critical to our success: This effort increased the number of Leaders Forum members to 300. Vice President Todd Smith did an excellent job as head of the fund-raising for the medical malpractice media fund, which was essential to our work in support of patients' rights. Dave and Todd will continue to be great leaders.

You answered the call to help our grassroots effort to convince lawmakers of both parties to stand up for their constituents. Thank you for every phone call, e-mail, and letter you sent to members of Congress.

Support congressional leaders who will protect consumer rights. You supported leaders who care about the civil justice system. Our PAC is stronger than ever, with contributions from members totaling more than $5 million in the last election cycle. ATLA continues to be recognized as one of the most powerful and influential organizations in our nation's capital.

Challenge the erosion of the right to trial by jury in the courts. The Center for Constitutional Litigation continues to win challenges to restrictions on legal rights. Recently, the center won a terrific victory at the U.S. Supreme Court in Jinks v. Richland County, when it persuaded all nine justices to reverse a South Carolina Supreme Court decision that shut plaintiffs out of state court because they had first filed in a federal forum. The center's work reminds the courts of what remains fundamental about the civil justice system.

Research on important civil justice issues is supported by the Robert L. Habush ATLA Endowment, which is nearing its goal of raising $20 million in contributions. Heartfelt thanks to retiring Endowment President Bob Habush, as well as all who have participated. If you have not contributed, please consider investing in the future of the trial bar and its clients in this meaningful way.

Strengthen out membership--including minorities, women, and new lawyers--with broader participation. We have strengthened membership, not only by augmenting the Leaders Forum, but also by fulfilling one of my goals for the year: to create new seats on the Executive Committee for representatives of the Minority Caucus, the Women Trial Lawyers Caucus, and the New Lawyers Division. A bylaw change creating those permanent positions was approved at our Winter Convention. It was an important moment for ATLA.

Better educate the public about the civil justice system. Public relations efforts have seen unprecedented success this year. News reports and appearances by ATLA leaders on virtually every broadcast and cable network, as well as articles and editorials in national and local publications, presented our views more effectively than ever before. I ask you to continue this effort: Never remain silent when you hear our clients' rights being attacked. Speak truth to power, knowledge to ignorance.

The Executive Committee has been extraordinary, and I am enormously grateful to each member. In addition to Dave and Todd, thank you to Secretary Ken Suggs, Treasurer Mike Eidson, and Parliamentarian Kathleen Flynn Peterson. These leaders are energetic, passionate, and visionary. ATLA, its members, and our clients' best interests have been and will continue to be in good hands.

Through all the challenges this year, ATLA volunteer lawyers continued to represent the victims of 9/11 through our pro bono project, Trial Lawyers Care--the largest pro bono effort in history. Thank you to Immediate Past President Leo Boyle for his continuing commitment as president of Trial Lawyers Care this year.

Thank you for the privilege of serving as your president. You are the finest bar association in the world and the most committed to preserving the rights of consumers. Congratulations on a great year!

Your friend, Mary Alexander