MARSH EXITS POST

Dear NONE,

David Marsh's term as President of the Alabama Trial Lawyers has ended.  David turned over the reins of the organization to Tom Edwards of Wetumpka at the annual ATLA summer conference over the June 19th weekend.

David's term certainly saw its share of challenges.  First, he had to grapple with a serious shortfall in the state's budget for the court system.  The spectre of losing civil jury sessions and access to the courts around the state loomed large.  David dug into the issues and came to believe the fiscal crisis for the courts was very real.  As the legislature considered an increase in civil fees, he led the organization's fight to ensure the increase did not fall on those least able to pay for it.  By the end of the legislative session, a bill increasing fees emerged that exempted domestic relation filings, child support enforcement, civil cases under $50,000 and workers compensation cases, and included counter-claimants and intervenors.  David came to feel it wasn't a perfect measure but it was a necessary one.

Then, he had to navigate the organization's way through the primary season for the judicial races.  David encouraged ATLA members to play an expanded role in the Republican primaries.  David believes trial lawyers have to face up to the realities of a two-party system in this state and build bridges to both parties.

And while it was a privilege to serve as ATLA President, David says he looks forward to returning to the day-to-day business of Marsh, Rickard & Bryan.  As the firm's senior partner, David says he is approaching his caseload with renewed vigor and commitment.  He's already thrown himself back into the trucking cases, product liablity cases, medical malpractice and other personal injury cases that make up the firm's practice.