Mission, Vision, and Values

Strategic Plan

The major components of the IADC Strategic Plan are:

Mission Statement

The IADC dedicates itself to serving and benefiting our members, the legal profession, and the civil justice system by enhancing the development of skills, professionalism, diversity, and camaraderie in the practice of law. The organization's mission includes a commitment to ensuring equal opportunity in the legal profession and creating a pipeline of future leaders in the field that reflect the diversity of the communities and clients we serve.

Core Values

The IADC is committed to:

  • Developing and expanding personal and professional relationships among our members
  • Respecting the rule of law and improving civil justice
  • Enhancing diversity and inclusion initiatives for the legal profession
  • Maintaining integrity and civility
  • Professional and business development

Vision Statement

To be recognized as the preeminent organization of lawyers providing litigation services and counsel to corporations and insurers throughout the world.

Strategic Goals

  • Enhance the prestige and diversity of membership; provide enhanced member benefits
  • Improve business development opportunities for members
  • Provide exceptional quality professional development opportunities  
  • Increase IADC’s impact on positive reform of the civil justice system
  • Strengthen community (personal and professional relationships) among membership

Tenets of Professionalism

The IADC is aware that applicable rules or codes of professional responsibility generally provide only minimum standards of acceptable conduct. Since we aspire to the highest ideals of professionalism, we hereby adopt these tenets and agree to abide by them in the performance of our professional services for clients.

  1. We will conduct ourselves before the court in a manner which demonstrates respect for the law and preserves the decorum and integrity of the judicial process.
  2. We recognize that professional courtesy is consistent with zealous advocacy. We will be civil and courteous to all with whom we come in contact and will endeavor to maintain a collegial relationship with our adversaries.
  3. We will cooperate with opposing counsel when scheduling conflicts arise and calendar changes become necessary. We will also agree to opposing counsel’s request for reasonable extensions of time when the legitimate interests of our clients will not be adversely affected.
  4. We will keep our clients well informed and involved in making the decisions that affect their interests, while, at the same time, avoiding emotional attachment to our clients and their activities which might impair our ability to render objective and independent advice.
  5. We will counsel our clients, in appropriate cases, that initiating or engaging in settlement discussions is consistent with zealous and effective representation.
  6. We will attempt to resolve matters as expeditiously and economically as possible.
  7. We will honor all promises or commitments, whether oral or in writing, and strive to build a reputation for dignity, honesty, and integrity.
  8. We will not make groundless accusations of impropriety or attribute bad motives to other attorneys without good cause.
  9. We will not engage in discovery practices or any other course of conduct designed to harass the opposing party or cause needless delay.
  10. We will seek sanctions against another attorney only when fully justified by the circumstances and necessary to protect a client’s lawful interests, and never for mere tactical advantage.
  11. We will not permit business concerns to undermine or corrupt our professional obligations.
  12. We will strive to expand our knowledge of the law, achieve and maintain proficiency in our areas of practice, and support lawful and positive change to ensure equal opportunity in the legal profession.
  13. We are aware of the need to preserve the image of the legal profession in the eyes of the public and will support programs and activities, including those of diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, which educate the public about the law and the legal system.
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