Pittsburg, Pa. lawyer named president of defense bar organization

Henry M. Sneath, a Pittsburg, Pa.-based trial attorney, was recently installed as the new president of DRI – The Voice of the Defense Bar, a 22,000-member national lawyer association, the group announced in a Nov. 7 news release.

Sneath, a principal shareholder at Picadio Sneath & Norton, P.C. in Pittsburg, formerly held various positions with DRI, including serving on its board of directors and chairing the organization’s Commercial Litigation and Public Policy Committees.

The attorney, who speaks regularly at various lawyer and business gatherings, and serves as a regular commentator for local news media, will also serve as the principal spokesman for DRI’s Center for Law and Public Policy, the news release states.

In a statement, the new DRI president said he is “honored” to serve as the group’s leader, especially during a time when DRI is “poised for growth as we enter 2012.”

“DRI will focus on creating and enhancing new products and services to facilitate professional growth by our members,” Sneath said in the statement. “We also plan to enhance our brand, public relations, amicus curiae and advocacy efforts with increased focus and attention on the issues that matter most to our members and the defense bar.”

Sneath has experience in commercial and intellectual property litigation, pharmaceutical and products liability defense and insurance coverage litigation, and has tried more than 90 cases to verdict in federal and state courts, the news release states.

Sneath has been recognized in both “Pennsylvania Super Lawyers” and “Best Lawyers in America” for his work with commercial litigation, patent litigation, intellectual property litigation, personal injury defense and legal malpractice.

DRI – The Voice of the Defense Bar, which is represented both nationally and internationally, is considered an advocate for the defense bar the world over.

The group provides its members and their clients with access to educational and legal resources, as well as with marketing and networking opportunities to help facilitate career and law firm growth, the organization states in its news release.

DRI is expected to host more than 20 legal seminars and webcasts throughout the country during the upcoming year that will focus on a variety of legal topics.