Defense Counsel Journal

President's Page - Volume 92, Number 2

June 25, 2025

Donna Lamontagne

Donna Lamontagne

Donna Lamontagne is IADC President, 2024-2025.

Strengthening Community in Turbulent Times – June 17, 2025

As I write this last President’s message to accompany our IADC Defense Counsel Journal, there are bombs exploding in Israel and Iran; the war in Ukraine continues; and two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses were shot, one of them killed along with her husband last weekend. I learned last evening that Stuart Clark, a long-time IADC member, former Board Member, amazing advocate for the organization, and one of the kindest souls to ever grace this organization passed away at the age of 69. So why does all of this pertain to the IADC Defense Counsel Journal? Because the pursuit of intellectual excellence is an uplifting common bond that will strengthen us when the news of the day will not. 

The work of the DCJ this year has been a bright spot. A few years ago, we were not certain the DCJ would continue. It has not continued; it has thrived. Once again, these articles are born out of presentations by our members and have given rise to presentations by our members, some of which were the most well-attended Committee meetings and seminars of the year. The depth of thought and preparation that goes into a DCJ article is something that our members value and have promoted. The success of the journal is due in no small measure to the enormous contributions of Editor Peter Pizzi. Peter will roll-off as Editor this year, but he has left his mark and made the DCJ Board of Editors and IADC community stronger with his efforts.

A large part of this edition is devoted to ESG, the acronym that stands for Environmental, Social and Governance policies within all manner of organizations. We have several ESG experts within the IADC, predominantly among our international members, and they have shared their wisdom within these pages. At a time when many in the United States are asking, is ESG dead? Our authors are here with global answers. As usual, IADC members are thought-leaders. 

We hope you enjoy reading this volume and if you see Peter Pizzi at the Annual Meeting in Québec City, please thank him for preserving the intellectual tradition of the DCJ. 

- Donna Lamontagne, IADC President 2024-2025

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