Press Release - Sedgwick Creates Timeless Honor for Former Chairman Kevin Dunne

November 2007

Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold LLP announces the creation of the Kevin J. Dunne and Sedgwick Trial Advocacy Team Competition Fund at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law to honor Dunne's contributions to Sedgwick, the legal profession and the academic community. Hastings was chosen for its commitment to academic excellence, its reputation for developing premier trial attorneys (including 41 Sedgwick attorneys), and in recognition of the rising costs California's public schools face. With this endowment, Hastings will provide travel funds for the Trial Advocacy Team to attend regional and national competitions in perpetuity. The timing of the endowment marks the conclusion of Dunne's six years as Sedgwick's chairman, his first and only firm since beginning his legal career in 1968. During his term as firm chairman, Sedgwick grew from 285 to more than 350 attorneys, brought on 33 additional Fortune 500 clients, and opened offices in Austin and  Houston and an associated office in Bermuda. 

"Kevin has always served as a mentor to the firm's trial lawyers, so it is only fitting that we honor his legacy by helping future trial attorneys," said Michael Tanenbaum, Sedgwick's new chairman.

"We are so delighted that Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold has chosen to honor Kevin Dunne, a masterful trial attorney, in such an appropriate manner," said Hastings Chancellor and Dean Nell Jessup Newton.  "The fund created to support our Trial Advocacy Team will strengthen this important program that trains some of our best students who will aspire to emulate Kevin for years to come."

A nationally recognized trial attorney, Dunne represents corporations in class actions, price fixing, antitrust, unfair trade practice, products liability and other complex matters. He is a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and past president of the International Association of Defense Counsel, the Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Lawyers for Civil Justice. He has been a visiting lecturer at Hastings College of the Law, a faculty member of the College of Advocacy, Hastings Center for Trial and Appellate Advocacy, a visiting lecturer at Stanford Law School, and an adjunct professor of law at the University of San Francisco.

"I can't imagine a better legacy for myself or for Sedgwick than training and inspiring tomorrow's trial attorneys," said Dunne.  "I am honored by this tribute."