Page 11 - FDCCFlyer_Winter2022

Officer Reports
Craig A. Marvinney Walter & Haverfield LLP Cleveland, OH
As L. Frank Baum wrote his famous 1900 novel, “The Wizard of Oz”, little could he see that
in 39 years it would become an amazing cinema favorite for
As members, we see the incredible things the Federation does, arising from the basic idea of an organization building relationships to better our business to the true culture of the FDCC, promoting knowledge, justice, and fellowship.
relationships to better our business to the true culture of the FDCC, promoting knowledge, justice,
and fellowship. Founded in
’36, just three years before Judy Garland starred as Dorothy, the FDCC recently established its extraordinary Strategic Plan for its own future some 82+ years later as well. The Plan’s six chief goals and stated mission “To be THE inspired community of vetted defense counsel, exceptional leaders, and even better people” seem almost the stuff of long-lasting fantasy as well. But it’s much more.
Behind what we see of our wonderful in-person meetings, the vitality shown with excellent virtual programming throughout the year, and the presence the Federation carries as Defense Lawyers/Defense Leaders throughout the defense legal industry, is the true story. Our FDCC is a horse of a different color. Yet, as the Wizard was just a person – the U.S. President – behind the Federation’s curtain are “just” its people. And they are the magic and
wonder of the FDCC.
The closer to leadership
one becomes, the clearer that real life drama becomes.
Move up in the FDCC? Surely! Remember, the story is deeper than just you. It is about the smarts of service to our members, imbuing oneself with the culture of bonding relationships, and putting oneself “out there” for all to see. Know our “Constitution”
– the Bylaws, be familiar with our “statutes and regs” – the Board Resolutions and know one another. Move beyond cliquishness, and rather find where beats the heart
of this organization...our diverse and talented members across
this nation and around the world looking to participate. Exhibit the courage it takes to show your work --- not that of your secretary or associate. Own it yourself and still, develop other members. Take the time to know what indeed these amazing people are doing as they work selflessly behind the curtain for the Federation. Your peers. Join with us. Don’t fear the water, you won’t melt!
FDCC Defense Counsel Member Craig Marvinney is a Partner with Walter Haverfield in Cleveland, OH and Secretary- Treasurer of the FDCC. Contact him at: cmarvinney@walterhav.com.
folks to enjoy for yet 82 more years beyond that! How could he have known? The tale has flourished all these many years beloved by those who step away from droll daily lives to the fantastical experience that story shows.
But was Baum’s novel really a fantasy? Or was it a testament to
the real life dramas of his era? The Yellow Brick Road, that is, the gold standard? Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers in the movie (to promote the technicolor process of the movie) were really silver (a competing monetary standard) in the book. The Scarecrow? America’s farmers, while the Tin Man represented “heartless” steel companies. The Cowardly Lion? William Jennings Bryan, who later was again parabled in “Inherit the Wind”, while Dorothy herself was the American voter whose eyes were opened. The list goes on, but you get the point.
So too in a sense with our FDCC. As members, we see the incredible things the Federation does, arising
from the basic idea of an organization
building
www.thefederation.org
winter | federation flyer 9