LEGAL
In an organization with more than 20,000 smart, aggressive law firm attorneys, one would imagine it would take a special kind of lawyer to become the very first in-house counsel President in the nearly 55-year history of the Defense Research Institute (DRI). Laura Proctor is just that lawyer. Her passion for the law, dedication to supporting colleagues regardless of career pursuits, and ability to see the importance of collaboration will serve her well as she navigates being the premier in-house counsel to serve in this leadership role. While her term does not begin until 2015, her commitment to DRI and ensuring the place of corporate counsel in this organization comprised primarily of outside counsel has already spanned nearly two decades. Corporate Counsel Connect had the chance to speak with Laura about her many accomplishments, the DRI, and her upcoming role as President.
Founded in 1960, DRI is the leading organization for defense attorneys and in-house counsel. The organization helps shape policy by representing the interest of the defense bar before rule-making and legislative bodies and through research and public education programs. DRI also supports its members by providing business development and networking for civil defense attorneys. DRI's 22,000 members work as lawyers in firms of all sizes, as in-house counsel, and as claims professionals.
"Every professional accomplishment I have enjoyed for the last 18 years can be traced back to DRI," shares Laura. Her "career" with the organization started in 1996, while she was in her third year of practice and working as an associate in a small defense firm in Alabama. She immediately became involved in the organization as a member of the Young Lawyers Committee. She states, "Because I started off so early in my career, DRI was instrumental in my development as a lawyer."
Laura will be serving as the first in-house counsel President of DRI – and only the third woman. With a career that spans practice in small and large law firms, as well as in-house, Laura has unique insight. "Because I understand firsthand the struggles and benefits of each type of practice, I believe I can bring perspective on ways to solve the problems, promote benefits, and move forward with the solutions," she states. "Often what outside counsel thinks their clients want and what their clients really want are not the same. Having a corporate counsel at the table can help provide insight into what corporate counsel really wants and needs."
It's obvious that the perspectives from in-house counsel are valued; the participation of the 1,000+ in-house counsel members in DRI is highly encouraged. All corporate counsel are invited to attend educational events for free, and they are often invited as guest speakers to provide the "in-house" perspective. In addition, they are invited to host panel counsel meetings at DRI Seminars, which allows in-house counsel the chance to bring together all their outside counsel in one place to discuss goals and expectations. In-house counsel also can hold their own networking events at DRI seminars. Finally, all in-house counsel are invited to join the Corporate Counsel Committee – which leads us back to Laura, who just happens to be the founding member of that particular committee.
Laura has a lineage of impressive contributions to DRI. Laura shares, "I believe in its mission and know firsthand what it can do for a person's career and for the profession." Laura's talents were evident to the DRI leadership. Once she transitioned to her in-house position, the DRI executive committee tasked her with starting the Corporate Counsel Committee.
"As an outside counsel, I had been a very active member of DRI and had worked with in-house members from various committees encouraging them to get involved in DRI," says Laura. "But while DRI provided excellent opportunities for in-house counsel in the existing substantive committees, what it was missing was a place where in-house counsel could talk among themselves about issues unique to the in-house practitioner," she explains.
The goal of the committee is to give in-house counsel a forum to talk in-house to in-house. "Currently we have 'Let's Talk' calls once a month where our members can call in and listen to a topic focused on a hot issue of interest to our members," Laura shares. There is also a career forum where one can get advice from peers on how to handle issues that come up in everyday practice. The Annual Meeting is host to an in-house only committee meeting and program followed by a cocktail reception to network with in-house attendees. Laura has reason to be proud as she shares that "the committee has grown and succeeded at providing resources and networking opportunities for in-house counsel."
While Laura readily attributes her career success to DRI, it is fair to say some of DRI's success can be attributed to Laura's dedication. It is certainly a reciprocal relationship. Explains Laura, "People often ask me why my company is so supportive of my involvement in DRI when most companies are pulling back. Not only does DRI provide me with the high quality CLE and with opportunities to meet and work with outside counsel from around the country, but it gives me on-the-job leadership training.
"If you looked at any syllabus for an executive MBA or leadership school, many of the things they are teaching academically, I am learning in actually doing them. Leadership opportunities are available at DRI, and in-house counsel who take advantage of these opportunities will see a direct benefit to their current job," states Laura.
"The practice of law is changing," explains Laura, and it is vital to have both in-house counsel and outside counsel at the table. Corporate counsel don't always understand the needs of outside lawyers, either. Ensuring an open conversation can "lead to opportunities to facilitate a path for solutions and victories," says Laura.
"I believe that having both in-house and outside counsel working together to plot our course is vital and I am proud to be a part of it," states Laura. "Having the opportunity to give back to this organization and help navigate it in the 21st Century is why I sought the President's office."
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