The Defense Research Institute will be holding its Annual Meeting in San Francisco at the Marriot this year from October 2^nd to October 6^th. The DRI focuses on defense, insurance and corporate counsel and is a national organization. Their main offices are located in Chicago.

Planned highlights include an opening session featuring Erin Brockovich and a session with Jerry Sears, author of Making Rain. Also of interest to our readers would be the panel presentation entitled, "Inclusion in the Workforce: Looking Inward, Looking Outward," which will deal with diversity programs and features a panel made up of Randall Heldt (Shell Oil), Gloria Johnson (Cingular Wireless), Reginald Jones (former EEOC Commissioner 1996-2000) and Sally Narey (CNA). A new Job Fair feature will also be included at the meeting for the first time.

For more information or to register for the Meeting/ Conference, please go to www.dri.org or send e-mail inquiries to dri@dri.org.

The Illinois Defense Counsel (IDC) has set the date for its annual "Rookie Seminar" and will be hosting this popular event at the John Marshall Law School on November 16, 2002. For information on the specific programming available, or to register, please go to www.iadtc.org or send e-mail inquiries to IL-Defense-Trial Counsel-Office@iadtc.org.