WASHINGTON, DC (August 1, 2005) – The International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), one of the oldest international organizations comprised of senior counsel representing many of the world’s largest corporations and insurers has named Venable LLP litigation partner Bruce Parker as President-Elect for 2005-2006. Mr. Parker will assume the presidency of the invitation-only organization in July 2006.
“It is an honor to be able to serve as head of one of the most prestigious associations of defense trial counsel,” said Mr. Parker, who has previously served as the Director of the IADC’s Trial Academy, as well as served a three-year term on the IADC’s Board of Directors. “It is a testament to Venable’s commitment to public and professional service that I have been given the time and encouragement to pursue this wonderful opportunity.”
The IADC has 2400 members in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Mexico and several European countries. The association is an invitation-only, peer-selected organization. The attorneys are from a broad mix of private law firms and in-house counsel from many large corporations and insurers.
Mr. Parker noted that due to the high proportion of pre-trial settlements, there are fewer attorneys with trial experience. “Trial advocacy is becoming a lost art among associates and junior partners. The IADC, through its programs such as the Trial Academy, is one of the few organizations committed to ensuring that young attorneys have the proper skills to represent clients in the courtroom.”
“We are very proud of the firm’s leadership role in the legal community,” said Venable’s Managing Partner James Shea. “We are glad to see that Bruce, who our clients can attest is a top trial practitioner, will be able to provide leadership and guidance to others.”
Mr. Parker’s own practice is focused on product liability and toxic tort litigation, especially in the pharmaceutical and health care industries, including defense of medical device liability claims.
Mr. Parker has been a member of the national trial teams in both the breast implant and latex glove litigations, and he has tried numerous cases to verdict in both litigations. He currently serves as national counsel in litigation involving diesel exhaust claims.
He has published 30 papers in a number of journals including the IADC’s Defense Counsel Journal and has given 35 presentations on a variety of complex scientific issues including epidemiology, immunology and statistics as well as trial strategy and tactics.
Mr. Parker graduated first in his class from the Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law in 1978 and received his B.A., with honors, from Johns Hopkins University in 1975. He is a member of the Maryland and District of Columbia bars.
One of the American Lawyer’s top 100 law firms, Venable LLP has attorneys practicing in all areas of corporate and business law, complex litigation, intellectual property and government affairs. Venable serves corporate, institutional, governmental, nonprofit and individual clients throughout the U.S. and around the world from its headquarters in Washington, D.C. and offices in California, Maryland, New York and Virginia.