FLORIDA LAWYER TO RECEIVE 2004 EDMUND MUSKIE PRO BONO SERVICE AWARD

CHICAGO, May 17, 2004— The American Bar Association Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section today announced that it will present the 2004 Edmund Muskie Pro Bono Service Award to Florida lawyer David L. Deehl, of Deehl & Carlson, P.A. The award will be presented during the 2004 ABA Annual Meeting at the TIPS Annual Section luncheon on Saturday, Aug. 7, at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.

The Edmund Muskie Pro Bono Service award is given annually to recognize TIPS members who exemplify the attributes of Sen. Muskie, including his dedication to justice for all citizens and to public service, and his role as a lawyer and distinguished leader of TIPS.

"The Muskie Award recognizes TIPS lawyers who go far to assure that all can find justice regardless of their ability to pay," said TIPS Chair Linda Klein. "We salute lawyers like David, who donate countless hours in this important work."

Deehl practices law in the Miami area and is an adjunct professor at the University of Miami School of Law. He is a frequent lecturer on trial practice, insurance and personal injury issues, and is active in pro bono work, representing victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks through the Trial Lawyers Care program, and serving as a guardian ad litem for children. He is also involved with the Put Something Back program, sponsored by the Eleventh Judicial Circuit and the Dade County Bar Association.

An active member of TIPS, Deehl chairs Trial Techniques Committee. He served as president of the Dade County Trial Lawyers Association in 1993-94. Deehl earned a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University in 1978 and a J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law in 1982.

The ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section is the only national professional group to bring together plaintiffs’ lawyers, defense lawyers and insurance and corporate counsel for the exchange of information and ideas. The section more than 25,000 members and 37 general committees that focus on substantive and procedural matters in areas including aviation and space law, fidelity and surety law, medical malpractice, transportation law and others.

The American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership association in the world. With more than 400,000 members, the ABA provides law school accreditation, continuing legal education, information about the law, programs to assist lawyers and judges in their work, and initiatives to improve the legal system for the public.