WASHINGTON, D.C., March 3, 2003 – The United States Chamber of Commerce has named a new president for its affiliate, the Institute for Legal Reform. Lisa Rickard will handle the day-to-day operations of the business group’s efforts to restore fairness, efficiency and consistency to the U.S. civil justice system.

“Lisa will marshal our troops for the Chamber’s efforts on sensible legal reform – in the Congress, with the administration and in the states,” said Thomas Donohue, Chamber President and CEO. “Her strengths – a critical mix of policy insight with business know-how – will leverage our early advances in tort reform into final victories.”

Rickard has spent 25 years as a public policy advocate, most recently as Vice President, Federal and State Government Affairs, for The Dow Chemical Company, and previously as Senior Vice President, Federal and State Government Relations, for Ryder System, Inc. She has represented corporate and public sector interests before Congress, the White House and regulatory agencies.

Rickard was a partner in the D.C. law firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, after serving in the office of Senator Frank Murkowski (R-AK) and for former Senator Richard Stone (D-FL). Rickard graduated from Lafayette College, in Easton, PA, and received her juris doctorate from American University, Washington, D.C., where she was Executive Editor of the Law Review.

“Lisa has the skills, experience and insight to help us move forward, and I expect her to hit the ground running,” said Stan Anderson, Chamber executive vice president and chief legal officer. “The U.S. business community’s efforts on legal reform will focus with laser intensity on the issue of fairness for all.”

Rickard serves on a number of non-profit and public service boards, including the Women’s Research and Education Institute, the Business-Industry Political Action Committee, and the Business Government Relations Council.

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