FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 4, 2005

CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119, lisa.lacher@drake.edu

PLAINTIFF'S ATTORNEY PORTRAYED IN "A CIVIL ACTION"
TO SPEAK AT DRAKE LAW SCHOOL BANQUET MARCH 12

Jan R. Schlichtmann, the plaintiff's attorney about whom the critically acclaimed book "A Civil Action" was written, and later made into a movie, will give the keynote address at Drake University Law School's Supreme Court Day Banquet on Saturday, March 12, at the Downtown Marriott. Schlichtmann's speech is titled "Confessions of an Environmental Lawyer."

"A Civil Action" details a toxic tort case in which Schlichtmann represented eight families in Woburn, Mass., who claimed that W.R. Grace and Beatrice Foods had polluted the city's drinking water with carcinogenic chemicals, causing a variety of health problems, including a dozen cases of childhood leukemia, several resulting in death. The nine-year legal battle ended in an $8 million settlement from W.R. Grace, despite the firm never admitting wrongdoing, and a not-guilty verdict for Beatrice Foods. Later the Environmental Protection Agency announced a $70 million reclamation plan for the area, and W.R. Grace was indicted for and pleaded guilty to lying in statements it made to the EPA.

"The Law School is honored to have one of the country's best known plaintiff's attorneys specializing in complex civil litigation, particularly environmental litigation, give the keynote address at our annual banquet and share his thoughts about how those cases should be approached," said Drake Law School Dean David Walker.

The banquet, which honors the justices of the Iowa Supreme Court as well as the accomplishments of students, faculty and alumni, is the culmination of the Law School's 68th annual Supreme Court Celebration. During the preceding weeks, students argue a predetermined case in a series of oral arguments, with four finalists advancing to the Supreme Court for oral arguments at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 12, in the Iowa Supreme Court Room of the Iowa Judicial Branch Building. The justices determine who among the finalists is the best oral advocate, and the "opinion of the court" is announced at the banquet.

The banquet will begin with a reception at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. Schlichtmann's speech is scheduled to begin at 8:50 p.m. The dinner costs $50 per person or $20 per student. For reservations and more information, call the Drake Law School at (515) 271-1877.

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