Ogletree Deakins’ Mark Schmidtke Elected National Director of the Defense Research Institute

CHICAGO, IL – November 1, 2010 – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. (Ogletree Deakins), one of the nation’s largest labor and employment law firms, announced today that Mark Schmidtke, a shareholder in the firm’s Chicago office, was elected to a 3-year term as National Director for the Defense Research Institute (DRI) during DRI’s annual meeting in San Diego. 

With nearly three decades of experience as a defense attorney, Schmidtke concentrates his practice in the areas of pension, life, health, disability, employee benefits law and related matters.  He serves as National ERISA Counsel for several large life, health and disability insurers, consulting with in-house counsel and outside counsel on litigation matters and advising clients on document drafting and policy issues.  Schmidtke has also authored several briefs and petitions at the United States Supreme Court, including amicus curiae briefs in important ERISA cases such as Black & Decker v. Nord and Yates v. Hendon.

Schmidtke has authored  several books, including ERISA Case Digest and ERISA Litigation Form Book.  He has also authored several books and articles on behalf of DRI, such as the ERISA Litigation Primer and the ERISA Update column of the DRI Life, Health and Disability News quarterly newsletter.   

About Ogletree Deakins

Ogletree Deakins is the nation’s third-largest labor and employment law firm, representing management in all types of employment-related legal matters.  The firm has more than 500 lawyers located in 40 offices across the United States.  In addition to handling labor and employment law matters, the firm has thriving practices focused on business immigration, construction, employee benefits, environmental, and workplace safety and health law.  Ogletree Deakins represents a diverse range of clients, including more than half of the Fortune 50 corporations in the United States. For more information, please contact Ryan King, public relations manager, at (404) 870-1742.     

About DRI

DRI is the international organization of attorneys defending the interests of business and individuals in civil litigation. DRI provides numerous educational and informational resources to DRI members and offers many opportunities for liaison among defense trial lawyers, Corporate America, and state and local defense organizations. DRI also has an international presence, seeking to enhance understanding of the law among members of the defense community who have reason to be concerned with the expanding globalization of litigation defense.  www.dri.org