American Board of Trial Advocates

2008 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
As of Jan. 17, 2008

STANDING COMMITTEES

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE - William C. Callaham, Chair.

William C. Callaham, Chair
Michael T. Callahan
Steven C. Glickman
John L. Holcomb
Craig Lewis
Michael P. Maguire
Gordon R. Rather
Lewis R. Sifford

Charge of the Executive Committee:
The Executive Committee shall have the full power and authority of the National Board over the affairs of the American Board of Trial Advocates between the business meetings of the National Board subject to certain limitations contained in the Bylaws. This committee shall, in addition, have the authority to schedule meetings of the Executive Committee, make recommendations to the National Board, and perform such other duties as may be specified in the Bylaws or specifically authorized by action of the National Board.

CIVIL JUSTICE COMMITTEE – Wayne Hogan/ William R. Sieben

Albert R. Abramson
James M. Hartman
Aubrey B. Harwell
Robert Henderson
R. Ben Hogan, III
Wayne Hogan
Joseph J. Kalbac, Jr.
F. Dulin Kelly
Norman S. London
David B. Lynch
Nicholas Motherway
Ronald H. Rouda
George D. Royster
Fredrick W. Stumpf
Richard N. Watts

Charge of the Civil Justice Committee:
This committee shall recommend resolutions to the Executive Committee and the National Board, pertaining to the civil justice system, when needed or appropriate.

LONG RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE – James R. Kohl/ Craig Lewis

H. Grady Chandler
Cathleen V. Compton
Steven J. Kirsch
Tom E. Mullen
Richard M. Norman
Mark P. Robinson, Jr.
John R. Rodman
Mark P. Poliquin
Gordon E. Tabor
Joshua A. Whitman

Charge of the Long Range Planning Committee:
This committee shall be concerned with looking to the future and setting goals and purposes for 5, 10 and 15 years.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE – David E. Cherry/John R. Rodman

Mark W. Buyck
Andrew C. Bohrnsen
V. Laniel Chapman
Noel M. Ferris
Michael R. Fox
Ricardo A. Garcia
Kristofer Kallman
Mortin R. Kimmel
George A. LaMarca
Bradley R. Larson
Ralph A. Lombardi
Gerry Lowry
William D. McDowall
Mark P. Poliquin
Dennis A. Schoville
Daniel J. Scully, Jr.
N. Denise Taylor
James D. Weakly

Charge of the Membership Committee:
The Membership Committee, which shall aid the National Board in the job of certifying nominees for membership as provided in Article, III, Sections 1 through 5, and Article IV, Section 3 of the Constitution. The National Board shall give consideration to, but shall not be bound by, the recommendations of the Membership Committee. The affirmative vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the National Board shall be necessary to certify a nominee to membership in the Association except where otherwise specifically provided in these Bylaws or by the Constitution.

SPECIAL COMMITTEES

ABOTA INITIATIVE COMMITTEE – Lewis R. Sifford/Thomas H. Fain

Phillip A. Baker
Charles H. Baumberger
Andrew C. Bohrnsen
Richard A. Bonner
Al Ellis
Michael R. Fox
Dicky Grigg
Wayne Hogan
Don C. Keenan
William D. Keith
Gunther H. Kilsch
Robert G. Lyons
Michael P. Maguire
Donna D. Melby
Ron J. Perey
Gerald F. Richman
Thomas G. Stolpman
W. Scott Welch, III
Reece Williams

Charge of the ABOTA Initiative Committee:
The ABOTA Initiative Committee is charged with the development and implementation of a national program to provide continuing education to the public of the importance of the Seventh Amendment and to enhance the public's perception of the role of trial lawyers in the administration of justice. It is also charged with the implementation of ABOTA's Grassroots Program approved by the National Board of Directors.

AMICUS CURIAE COMMITTEE – Thomas P. Grace/ Alice Oliver-Parrott

Bruce J. Alverson
William H. Ginsburg
Alice Oliver-Parrott
Bruce R. Pfaff
Richard A. Sayles
Gracella Simmons
Harry T. Widmann

Charge of the Amicus Curiae Committee:
This committee is responsible for monitoring litigation in the state and federal courts and for recommending to the Executive Committee involvement in cases important to the development of law. When the Executive Committee approves such involvement it shall be the responsibility of this committee to oversee the preparation and timely filing of amicus curiae briefs on behalf of ABOTA.

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING COMMITTEE – H. Grady Chandler/ A. Russell Blank

Phillip A. Baker
David B. Casselman
Casey L. Dobson
Al Ellis
Tom Harkness
Aubrey B. Harwell, Jr.
R. Ben Hogan III
F. Dulin Kelly
Moses Lebovits
Richard J. O’Keeffe
Dennis J. Sinclitico
Don A. Weitinger
W. Scott Welch, III

Charge of the Attorney Advertising Committee:
ABOTA recognizes attorneys’ and the public’s right to advertise, but at the same time believes that State Bar and trial bar organizations should establish minimum standards and guidelines and encourage attorneys’ adherence to those standards. This committee shall study the issue of attorney advertising and related issues and make recommendations to the National Board for adoption of a set of advertising guidelines that attempts to balance the public’s right to be informed with truthful, ethical and professional practices by attorneys and law firms.

AWARDS COMMITTEE -- Alan I. Dunst/William W. Weathers

Edward D. Chapin
Winfred L. Dunn, Jr.
Noel M. Ferris
John C. Hepworth
Homer H. Humphries, Jr.
Walker W. Jones, III
Brad Morin
Richard M. Norman

Charge of the Awards Committee:
This committee shall review and identify all existing awards and criteria for them. It shall make recommendations to the Executive Committee and National Board establishing procedures in determining and awarding such awards. It shall recommend persons who meet the criteria for awards in 2002.

CHAPTER RELATIONS AND REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE – Timothy L. Barnes/Robert J. Stolt

Charles H. Baumberger
David E. Cherry
Christopher J. Day
Jim Dines
Thomas P. Grace
Richard H. Honaker
William D. Keith
Morton R. Kimmel
Ralph A. Lombardi
Michael P. Maguire
James S. Oliphant
John V. Phelps
Richard A. Sayles
Gordon E. Tabor

Charge of the Chapter Relations and Revitalization Committee:
This committee shall be responsible for maintaining regular contact with existing chapters to monitor their activities, give specific attention to chapters which are too small for their location or which are less active than they should be, making specific suggestions for improvement and, if appropriate, recommend new chapter locations.

CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS COMMITTEE –Gilbert A. Dickinson/ Lish Whitson

James M. Hartman
Kristofer Kallman
William D. McDowall
Leonard Robbins
Robert J. Stolt
James D. Weakley

Charge of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee:
This committee is charged with oversight of our Constitution and Bylaws. The committee is to report any changes that they deem necessary and appropriate to the Executive Committee, National Board of Directors, and the membership.

DIVERSITY OF MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE –Carlyle H. Chapman/N. Denise Taylor

Edward D. Chapin
V. Laniel Chapman
Joel W. Collins, Jr.
Cathleen V. Compton
J. Lewis Cromer
Thomas B. Cummings
Casey L. Dobson
Noel M. Ferris
Ricardo A. Garcia
Gerry Lowry
Donna D. Melby
Edward J. Nevin
Larry D. Ottaway
Kathryn Snapka

Charge of the Diversity of Membership Committee:
ABOTA recognizes that gender, racial and ethnic diversity is essential to its continued vitality and viability. The mission of this committee is to effect a sustained and efficient process to identify, encourage, recruit, and admit qualified women and minority members who meet the stringent ABOTA eligibility criteria.

EDITORIAL BOARD COMMITTEE – John M. Bickel/ Jack Wurgaft

Christopher J. Day
Jay Harris
James M. Hartman
Steven J. Kirsch
Bruce R. Pfaff
Don Shultz
Harry T. Widmann
Lish Whitson

Charge of the Editorial Board Committee:
The Editorial Board shall be responsible for adopting and publishing the editorial policy statement of the American Board of Trial Advocates governing Voir Dire and The President’s Report. Pursuant to this editorial policy, the Editorial Board shall be responsible for actively assisting the editor of Voir Dire and The President’s Report in producing publications that are consistent with the high quality of ABOTA’s membership. The Editorial Board, in conjunction with the president, president-elect and vice president, shall also be responsible for the final review of each issue of these two national publications.

HISTORY OF ABOTA COMMITTEE – Jeffrey S. Raynes/Hon. Jill Flaskamp Halbrooks

Robert D. Barbagelata
Timothy D. Blue
Henry J. Bogust
J. Lewis Cromer
Christopher J. Day
Cynthia McGuinn
Kermit Morgan
Martin K. Morrissey
Richard J. O’Keeffe
Leonard Robbins
Mark P. Robinson, Jr.
Daniel J. Scully, Jr.
Robert J. Stolt
Robert N. Stone
Robert G. Vial
Joshua A. Whitman
Reece Williams

Charge of the History of ABOTA Committee:
ABOTA recognizes the need to archive and preserve its past. For ABOTA’s fiftieth year anniversary, this committee is specifically charged with the responsibility to videotape interviews with our surviving founders and past presidents and also to oversee the publishing of a book which tells the story of ABOTA’s first fifty years.

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES COMMITTEE– Michael T. Callahan/ Timothy D. Blue

Robert D. Barbagelata
Timothy L. Barnes
John M. Bickel
Andrew C. Bohrnsen
Mark W. Buyck, Jr.
John M. Coleman
Tim D. Dunn
Winfred L. Dunn, Jr.
William D. Keith
Michael A. Kelly
George A. LaMarca
Cynthia McGuinn
Hon. Wendell Mortimer, Jr.
Edward J. Nevin
Richard J. O’Keeffe
Jeffrey S. Raynes
Gerald F. Richman
John T. Rogers

Charge of the International Issues Committee:
This committee shall be responsible to explore opportunities for a demonstration of the jury system and to advance attorney and judicial ethics in other countries and to support lawyers and judges in other countries who struggle to advance the rule of law.

JUDICIAL LIASON COMMITTEE – Hon. Wendell Mortimer/ Richard H. Honaker

Bruce J. Alverson
Hon. William E. Burby
John C. Cherundolo
Hon. Lawrence W. Crispo
William E. Hahn
C. Vernon Hartline, Jr.
Robert A. Henderson
Margaret M. Holm
Joseph J. Kalbac, Jr.
Moses Lebovits
David B. Lynch
Hon. Ronald T. Moon
Albert F. Pagni
Alice Oliver-Parrott
Ron J. Perey
Fredrick W. Stumpf

Charge of the Judicial Liason Committee:
This committee is responsible for furthering the independence of the judiciary in the United States. It shall support the appointment of qualified judges or lawyers to the federal court, the prompt filling of judicial vacancies, and the identification of judicial nominees whom ABOTA members might support. The committee shall also recommend methods by which to promote ABOTA’s Juror Bill of Rights, reduce court congestion, reduce the cost of litigation, avoid delay in dispute resolution and encourage the increase of courtroom security throughout the federal and state systems.

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE – Tom Harkness/Frederick H. Ebey

Albert R. Abramson
Wylie A. Aitken
Mary E. Alexander
Charles R. Baumberger
Daniel W. Bishop, II
Michael F. Colley
Thomas V. Girardi
Stuart Z. Grossman
James M. Hartman
Aubrey B. Harwell, Jr.
Wayne Hogan
Richard H. Middleton, Jr.
Nicholas Motherway
Gordon S. Rather, Jr.
Archie S. Robinson
Ronald H. Rouda
William R. Sieben
Claude H. Smart, Jr.
Jerry F. Taylor
Grady F. Tollison
Harry T. Widmann
William A. Wilson

Charge of the Legislative Committee:
This committee will interface with the Civil Justice Committee, the Legislative Analysis Fund trustees (LAF) and the Executive Committee to monitor proposed federal legislation and, when as directed by the Board, work with Civil Justice to prepare testimony to be given to the congress.

LEGISLATIVE ANALYSIS FUND TRUSTEES – Albert R. Abramson/Charles H. Baumberger

David B. Lynch
George E. Bunnell
Tom Harkness
James M. Hartman

MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS COMMITTEE – Patrick C. Simek/John V. Phelps

Robert C. Baker
Craig Lewis
Dennis J. Sinclitico
Robert N. Stone

Charge of the Meetings and Conventions Committee :
This committee shall work under the direction of the National Officers and with the Meetings and Events Coordinator to assist with the scheduling, planning and coordination of national meetings and events.

PROFESSIONALISM, ETHICS & CIVILITY COMMITTEE – David B. Casselman

Luther J. Battiste, III
A. Russell Blank
Thomas B. Cummings
Joseph S. Daly
Jim Dines
Robert A. Henderson
John C. Hepworth
James R. Kohl
Kevin T. Martin
Kermit J. Morgan
Ron J. Perey
Gordon S. Rather, Jr.
Ronald H. Rouda
Patrick C. Simek
Kathryn Snapka
Thomas G. Stolpman
Donald R. Wilson
Donald J. Winder
Jack Wurgaft

Charge of the Professionalism, Ethics & Civility Committee:
This committee is responsible for elevating the standards of integrity, honor, ethics, civility, and courtesy in the legal profession. This committee shall cultivate a spirit of camaraderie and fellowship among ABOTA members and work to encourage and advance members of ABOTA professionally. “It is the further responsibility of this committee to make recommendations regarding the use and distribution of the ABOTA Civility Video produced under the supervision of this committee.”

SEVENTH AMENDMENT & JURY INNOVATIONS COMMITTEE – Harry T. Widmann/Bill Hahn

Luther J. Battiste, III
Timothy D. Blue
Richard A. Bonner
Carlyle H. Chapman, Jr.
Gilbert A. Dickinson
Jim Dines
Frederick H. Ebey
Thomas H. Fain
Dicky Grigg
Jay Harris
C. Vernon Hartline
Aubrey B. Harwell, Jr.
Richard H. Honaker
Gunther H. Kilsch
Kevin T. Martin
Hon. Ronald T. Moon
Tom E. Mullen
Alice Oliver-Parrot
John T. Rogers
Richard N. Watts
Donald R.Wilson
Donald J. Winder

Charge of the Seventh Amendment & Jury Innovations Committee:
This committee is charged with the responsibility of making recommendations to the National Board consistent with ABOTA’s covenant to preserve and protect our jury system. It will further work with other organizations such as the National Center for State Courts in studying and recommending jury innovations designed to improve jury service and jurors’ ability to participate and appreciate the importance of their role in the judicial process.

WEBSITE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE – Patrick B. Curran/ Steven C. Glickman

Alan I. Dunst
Bradley R. Larson
Craig Lewis
Robert G. Lyons
Brad Morin
Herman Russomanno
William W. Weathers
Joshua A. Whitman

Charge of the Website and Technology Committee:
This committee shall oversee the ABOTA website and make recommendations to the Executive Committee and the National Board regarding improvement in the design, content and functionality of the website.