Douglas K. Burrell, partner at Drew Eckl & Farnham, has been sworn in as president of DRI – known as “Lawyers Representing Business” – for the 2021-2022 term. Burrell, who has been an active member of DRI for the past 15 years, began his tenure as president at DRI’s annual meeting on Oct. 15 in Boston. DRI is the leading organization of civil defense attorneys and in-house counsel in the country. Burrell is the third African-American to lead the organization since its founding in 1960.
“I am honored to lead an organization that, for 61 years, has provided world-class legal education, resources and networking opportunities to facilitate career and law firm growth,” said Burrell. “Diversity is a core value of DRI and is fundamental to its success, and as the organization’s third Black leader, I hope to inspire other minority attorneys to advance in their careers and pursue leadership roles – despite the challenges they may encounter along the way.”
With over 26 years of experience as a practicing trial lawyer, Burrell joined DRI in 2006. Over the years, he has contributed to several of the organization’s committees, serving as a member of the planning committee for DRI’s Diversity For Success Seminar & Corporate Expo, as well as chair of DRI’s Diversity Steering Committee. Burrell joined the National Board of Directors before being elected twice as secretary-treasurer and then as second vice president to oversee strategy, public policy and educational initiatives for the organization. He has been the recipient of several awards within the organization, such as the Davis Carr Outstanding Committee Chair Award in 2013 and the Richard H. Krochock Award in 2016 for providing exemplary leadership to DRI’s Young Lawyers.
“As DRI’s president, I look forward to helping DRI members enhance their business development skills as well as championing policies that facilitate the recruitment, retention and promotion of minority attorneys at a time when people of color remain tremendously underrepresented in the legal profession,” said Burrell.
In addition to his involvement with DRI, Burrell serves as general counsel for the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Counsel, providing legal and strategic business advice through contract review, negotiation and employment matters, among other services. Within Drew Eckl & Farnham, Burrell also serves as co-chair of the firm’s Diversity Committee.
As partner at Drew Eckl & Farnham, Burrell believes that his primary focus is to be a strategic partner with his clients. Burrell’s practice consists of civil defense litigation with an emphasis on wrongful death and catastrophic injury, construction law, premises liability, transportation and trucking law and product liability. He developed comprehensive experience while serving as first chair on more than 40 jury trials and more than 100 bench trials.
DRI is a national organization for civil defense attorneys, in-house counsel, and insurance companies. DRI aims to provide access to resources and tools that help attorneys provide high-quality, balanced service to their clients and corporations. DRI offers 29 substantive committees dedicated to developing an ongoing and critical dialogue around several areas of practice. The organization has served the defense bar for more than 60 years and focuses on education, justice, balance, economics, professionalism and service of its members. For more information, visit www.dri.org