US defence lawyers' body spreads to EU

DRI, a national membership organisation that represents more than 22,000 defence trial lawyers and corporate counsel in the US, has launched a European arm.

DRI Europe has been established as a direct response to the increasing concerns among international businesses about the influence of US trends on European litigation.

Lovells product liability partner Rod Freeman is to become the first chair of DRI Europe.

"DRI has recognised that there's US influence in Europe, but also realised that the changes that are taking place are distinctly European, which is why a dedicated arm to Europe was seen as desired," said Freeman.

DRI Europe, which will initially act as networking body, ;launched ;with ;a membership of 100 EU-based lawyers across 15 countries, with the association's headquarters based in London.