I am writing this column on President’s Day, sort of appropriate for something called The President’s Page, is it not? In modern times we celebrate all the U.S. Presidents on this one day, but as a child I remember we had Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday on February 12th and George Washington’s birthday on February 22nd. Through the celebrations of these two heroes’ birthdays, I learned about the Civil War, the American Revolution, and of course, to never tell a lie about chopping down a cherry tree. I’m sure you have similar memories.

Unless you are a glutton for punishment or are lucky enough to have generous friends with tropical guesthouses, you’ve likely been stuck inside during our polar conditions. I realized I had plumbed the depths of Netflix once I found myself watching “Dynasty--the next generation.” Time to turn off the tv and play with the laptop.

I’ve been meaning to check out some of the AI apps since their rocky launch last May. I downloaded an AI app and asked it to write this column, noting the seasonal aspect. Let me know what you think!

Happy New Year! 

Don’t you love the New Year, with all the anticipation and hope that it brings? I admit that I am biased toward New Year’s. My birthday is New Year’s Eve, and I spent my first 10 years thinking all the hoopla was in my honor. OK, maybe I still secretly think that, but I’m willing to share.

Why doesn’t ITLA……...?

I admit I am a regular lurker on the list-serve. It’s often the quickest way to hear about a great verdict, a new opinion, get the scoop on our new judges, and pick up practice tips. It’s also tremendously reassuring to read a series of posts that tells me I’m not the only one who doesn’t understand something.  

Maybe it’s all too simple
For our brains to figure it out
What if the hokey pokey
Is all it really is about?

    Jimmy Buffett. It seems fitting that this sailor of tropical beaches, flip flops, boat drinks and endless vacations slipped away from this world at the very last weekend of summer. He was a poet, a musician, a philosopher whose words touched something in listeners across all stratums of society. 

My Fellow Trial Lawyers- 

A few weeks ago, when I stood before you at our annual convention, I stole the words of a late mentor of mine, Ron Motley, who said, “I stand for my clients rights. I am a trial lawyer.” That simple sentence describes the reason for this organization’s existence. 

REFLECTIONS ON THE LAST YEAR

As I reflect on the last year as ITLA’s President, I am incredibly humbled. The people, past and present, are the ones that have made this organization what it is. 

I was joined by an outstanding Executive Committee, which did not miss a beat when I was on trial during the first three months of my presidency. 
 

What is ITLA?

As we approach the end of the school year and the beginning of summer, recent law school graduates and new lawyers will be entering the next phase of their careers. For those who have chosen, or are considering, to be a plaintiff’s lawyer, we should ask ourselves as members of the organization: what benefits would these folks derive from joining ITLA?

We are a community. Through our listserv, social events, and meetings, plaintiff’s lawyers interact with others who, frequently, are the only people that truly understand our professional experiences. 

In Memoriam - a Remembrance of JOHN D. COONEY

by Patrick A. Salvi II

John D. Cooney: Titan of the Plaintiff's Bar

I am saddened to be writing consecutive Vested Interest President Pages celebrating the lives of two of our greatest stalwarts. Our organization recently lost John Cooney. John was ITLA’s president from 2014-2015. 

In Memoriam - a Remembrance of Larry R. Rogers, Sr.

by Patrick A. Salvi II

Larry Rogers Sr.: we stand on your shoulders

“To have been chosen as president allowed me to stand on the shoulders of trial lawyers whose great work I both observed and was fortunate to have learned about from others.”