“If you are resolutely determined to make a lawyer of yourself, the thing is more than half done already.” Abraham Lincoln, 1855

Over the last week, members of our firm attended the DRI Annual Meeting held in Washington, D.C. This was my first DRI event, with the fortunate exception of being a guest at a reception in San Diego a few years ago (held on the deck of the USS Midway!) The experience was inspiring, enlightening, and a whole lot of fun!

DRI is an international organization of defense attorneys and in-house counsel. Member attorneys defend the interests of business and individuals in civil litigation, and DRI provides access to resources and tools to those members, thereby facilitating high-quality, balanced and excellent service to their clients. The educational seminars are top-notch, with presenters who excel in their fields. Networking opportunities abound, and continuous sharing of information through various field-specific committees and online forums provides an endless wealth of information and inspiration.

This year’s Annual Meeting, held with the backdrop of our nation’s capital, proved to be no exception to the usual outstanding fare, according to those who had previously attended. For me, a newcomer to the organization, I frankly could not have been more impressed. With speakers such as General Colin Powell and Secretary of State Madeline Albright, who chatted with us about their years of experience negotiating for our country, and Robert O’Neill, the Navy Seal from the elite Seal Team Six that took down Osama bin Laden, who has become a masterful motivational speaker, it’s hard to imagine a more captivating line-up.

I look forward to next year’s meeting, to be held in our backyard of Historic Boston. It is sure to be a first-class event!