Legal Department

Since 1992, PDRMA’s legal department has directed and administered all facets of the agency's legal defense function. The majority of tort actions directed against our members are personally defended by in-house counsel, with cases involving significant potential liability, particular complexity, or important common law or statutory issues.

Unlike traditional coverage providers, which generally defer to outside legal counsel, PDRMA’s legal staff collaborates with them to maximize positive results while cultivating important outside relationships. This contributes to outside counsel's ability to successfully litigate PDRMA actions, as well as non-PDRMA cases that may impact our members.

PDRMA looks at each lawsuit as a potential avenue to both educate the judiciary and expand the applicability and availability of common law and statutory defenses. In this respect, PDRMA’s legal success remains unparalleled. Since the inception of our legal department in 1992, PDRMA has been instrumental in the development and expansion of Illinois common law and statutory defenses.

Our legal staff is committed to being leaders in the municipal legal community and representing the interests of local public entities. This includes testifying before legislative committees, drafting and reviewing proposed legislation, authoring amicus curiae briefs in appeals concerning matters of broad public concern, and directly conducting appeals in cases involving member agencies.

PDRMA recognizes that proactive intervention is key to minimizing liability for a successful outcome, and that member employment decisions impact the morale, productivity and reputation of the agencies. That's why our in-house counsel is committed to assisting members in balancing the rights of both the employee and the employer, while maintaining the reputation and integrity of the member.

Our legal staff serves as a liaison to PDRMA’s Human Resource Employment Liability (HELP) Program, providing prompt legal consultation and advice through PDRMA’s HELPLine. They understand the issues, challenges, and nuances PDRMA members face and are there to provide confidential legal advice and practical solutions to employment-related issues.

If PDRMA’s counsel is unavailable and immediate legal consultation is critical or for areas outside PDRMA’s expertise, we have developed a network of expert outside counsel to serve our members.

Staff

Edward F. Dutton, Director of Claims and Legal Services
Steven J. Kleinman, General Counsel
Arlene DePaepe, Legal Secretary