Porzio Principal Diane Averell Elected a National Director of DRI

Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C. (Porzio) Principal, Diane Averell was elected as one of four new National Directors of Defense Research Institute (DRI), for a three-year term, effective October 18, 2019.  

DRI is the nation’s leading organization for defense attorneys and in-house counsel. It is also the world’s largest organization of attorneys defending the interests of businesses and individuals in civil litigation. Founded as the Defense Research Institute in 1960, the organization provides members with access to CLEs, over 65,000 experts, and over 22,000 like-minded defense practitioners. As the leading organization of its kind, DRI enhances the skills and professionalism of defense attorneys, addressing issues relevant to the legal system, promoting defense attorneys, and improving the civil justice system.

As a National Director, Ms. Averell will work to craft and implement a "DRI for All" campaign that communicates the organization's culture, values, and core services; and will attract, promote, and retain long-term diverse members. Ms. Averell believes that "Through a diverse and inclusive membership, DRI can leverage its unique talents to identify and respond to the needs of the twenty-first-century consumers of legal services."

Ms. Averell’s appointment results from over 19 years of experience practicing law and defending publicly-traded companies, privately-held corporations, and family-owned enterprises in commercial, product liability, and personal injury actions.  Ms. Averell is a longtime member of the DRI and chaired the Women in the Law Committee.  Ms. Averell has held numerous leadership positions within DRI, including, 2020 DRI Summit steering committee (present); Annual Meeting steering committee (2018–2019); Corporate Counsel Roundtable steering committee (2018–2019); Law in Transition Committee Vice-Chair (2015–2017), and Toxic Tort & Environmental Law committee.  She also is a member of the IADC and The Network of Trial Law Firms.  Ms. Averell is a graduate of the Villanova University School of Law and is licensed to practice in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.