Page 57 - FDCC Flyer Spring 2022

Anglo French word “fundur”, Old French word “fondeor” and the Latin word “fundator” all of which were defined as “original builder of a city, or founder of a country”. However, “founder” when used in the context of a boat or ship means “tobecomewrecked;failutterly”. Thus, depending upon the context, the very same word is its own antonym.
In 1987 the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel along with the DRI, the IADC and a handful of Fortune 500 corporations founded the Lawyers for Civil Justice. The goal of creating this organization was to advocate for improvements to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure in both the rulemaking process and as an amicus curia
in cases involving FRCP rules interpretations. Since that time the LCJ has championed numerous civil justice initiatives at both the state and federal levels.
The FDCC’s stated values
are “Knowledge, Justice and Fellowship” and one can make a solid argument that Justice is the most important pillar of our beloved defense bar organization. The Federation has always supported civil justice reform with its own Amicus briefs and actively engaged in public policy debates about rules and legislative issues. Most recently the FDCC played a major role in defeating the ill-fated Washington State Legislature proposal to allow
FDCC Pillars
Mills Gallivan
Founder or Not to Founder, that is the question? A founder is “a person who founds or establishes something.” It is a derivative of the
For the past 35 years the Lawyers for Civil Justice has grown in size, influence and successful achievements in FRCP reform and civil justice initiatives.
prejudgment interest to run from the date of injury or loss. Also, for the last 35 years the Federation has fully supported the Lawyers for Civil Justice with dedicated resources whichincludedfunding,volunteer support and leadership.
Currently the LCJ is currently working on the following initiatives:
• FRCP 702 – amending the standard for admissibility of experts
• Privilege Logs - modernizing logging procedures for privileged information
• MDLs - improving the transparency and fairness of procedures
• Sealing – maintaining fair and reasonable standards for sealing information
• Third Party Litigation Funding – raising awareness of potential pitfalls
• Requestor Pays – championing a pilot project for sharing production costs
• Amicus- advocating for sound interpretations of key procedural rules
For the past 35 years the Lawyers for Civil Justice has grown in size, influence and successful achievements in FRCP reform and civil justice initiatives. As we
celebrate LCJ’s 35th Anniversary
it is clear to me that our success is due in large part to the long-term commitment of our founders and the support of the FDCC. It has been an honor to serve the last year as the Federation’s representative President of the Lawyers for Civil Justice. I am constantly amazed and proud to see the FDCC’s members respond time and time again with help on the LCJ’s projects and initiatives. The Federation remains more than just a ”founder” it is alongtermbuilder,contributor and partner in the significant achievements of the Lawyers for Civil Justice.
Thank you to the FDCC and all its members for the privilege of serving as the LCJ President this past year. The years of 2021 and 2022 have been challenging as the world has struggled to return to a now normal; however, during this time the LCJ never “foundered” on the shoals of the pandemic nor the sometimes- rocky shoals of civil justice reform. Finally, on behalf of the Lawyers
for Civil Justice let me thank the Federation and its members for everything you do to make the LCJ successful. Please contact me if you are interested in joining the LCJ and further assisting our efforts to improve the administration of our civil justice system. I am confident that the LCJ will never “founder” if it has the FDCC’s leadership and support.
FDCC Defense Counsel and Past President Mills Gallivan is also President of Lawyers for Civil Justice. He is the founding partner and a Senior Partner with Gallivan, White & Boyd in Greenville, SC. Contact him at: mgallivan@gwblawfirm.com.
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