The Daily Journal, a legal industry print and online publication, recently featured partner Dennis LaRochelle in a front-page article entitled, “New CAL-ABOTA President to Push Merits of Jury Service, Civility.”
The article, written by Y. Peter Kang, covered LaRochelle’s installation as the new president of CAL-ABOTA, the state chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, a national association of plaintiff and defense jury trial lawyers working to preserve the right to a jury trial in civil cases and to enhance civility, integrity and dignity among litigators. Members include judges and an equal number of attorneys for plaintiffs and defendants. CAL-ABOTA has about 1,700 members.
LaRochelle is the first statewide president from Ventura County since the local California Coast Chapter (which covers Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties) was formed in 1988. LaRochelle previously served as president of the California Coast chapter. His new term is for one year.
CAL-ABOTA hosts seminars called “Civility Matters” to pass on the civility message to trial lawyers. LaRochelle was quoted in the Daily Journal article as saying, “At the end of the day, the whole profession will be better off and enhanced with the return to a professional atmosphere of common courtesy and respect.”
Congratulations to LaRochelle and thanks to the Daily Journal.