All-Star Panel to Discuss Ethics Involving the Press in Exciting Multi-Media Program
Press Release, 07/23/2001Some of the country’s top trial attorneys and judges will discuss how to handle the media involving high-profile cases in a panel discussion involving mock newscasts, press "ambushes" and spot interviews in an American Bar Association Section of Litigation program entitled "Ethics in the Media: Are You Crossing the Line?"
The four stages of a major case involving a fictitious commercial airline jet crash will be examined with an an-star panel. They will evaluate, through taped "news segments" when a plane first goes down, when the first lawsuit is filed, the first day of trial and the verdict announcement.
Trial attorneys Robert A. Clifford of Chicago’s Clifford Law Offices will address the issues from a plaintiff’s attorney’s perspective and Desmond P. Barry of New York’s Condon & Forsyth will deal with the press ethics issues from a defendant’s standpoint. Also participating is attorney and news documentarian Bill Kurtis as well as the Honorable Nancy Atlas, U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Texas; the Honorable Jacqueline P. Cox, presiding Judge of the First Municipal District of the Circuit Court of Cook County; and Professor Ronald D. Rotunda, of the University of Illinois College of Law, Champaign-Urbana, a well-noted author on the subject.
WGN News anchor Steve Sanders also participated in the taped questioning of the lawyers which will include allegations of negligence as well as the criminal prosecution of defendants involved in an alleged cover-up. Also to be discussed are ways to handle out-of-control clients as well as the involvement of a public relations firm and the problems associated with protecting confidential communications.
The "right" and "wrong" ways of presenting a client’s position in the best light will be presented as well as the do’s and don’ts in inflluencing public opinion and how far a lawyer can go in speaking to the press in pending litigation all will be part of this exciting, fast-paced program.
Moderating the program will be Kevin P. Durkin, partner at Clifford Law Offices, and Diane Westwood Wilson, partner at New York’s Condon & Forsyth, who are co-chairs of the Aviation Litigation Committee, sponsors of the program.
