by John Darer CLU ChFC CSSC
On January 31, 2008, Smith Bucklin released a press release which announced that Diane Swenson would be the Executive Director of two associations it manages, one of them being the National Structured Settlements Trade Association(NSSTA). That release was followed by a February 8, 2008 post reiterating the same on DealFlow Media's Structured Settlements Wire ( as an aside, in the same post DealFlow Media inaccurately reported that Randy Dyer had been "ousted". He remains involved in the NSSTA as an executive)
The following news release by NSSTA President Henry L. Strong was sent on Friday night to members of the NSSTA:
"This afternoon, some NSSTA members started receiving second-hand reports about a
NSSTA personnel matter that were flat-out inaccurate. Given the need to set this
record straight immediately, please read this important notice.
As you
know, NSSTA is considering candidates to be executive director. One very
qualified candidate had seven years experience with the trade association that
represents the nation’s credit unions. She had extensive experience not only in
management but also in consumer advocacy. Additionally, she was familiar with
structured settlements.
At issue was what she did prior to this: serving
as lobbyist and chief financial officer for a large tort reform
coalition.
assured that the Board takes very seriously NSSTA’s commitment to work with both
the plaintiff and defense bar. As Joe Jamail said in his speech in Austin, “You
in the structured settlement field are intricately entwined with the lawyers in
protecting [the plaintiff’s financial security].” All of us understand that
charge.
Based on assurances that this person’s tort reform
activities were a decade or more in the past, the Board tentatively agreed to
allow her to become involved in some managerial activities.
On Tuesday,
however, we became aware that, as part of her employment at Smith Bucklin, she
was working for an organization that was lobbying in support of a tort reform
law involving injuries due to lumber transportation. At that point, the Board
IMMEDIATELY notified Smith Bucklin that this person must be withdrawn from
consideration and would not be allowed to serve as NSSTA’s executive
director.
NSSTA's executive director because she had never been hired! Period. Those with other agendas
involving a plaintiff’s financial settlement can try to misrepresent this but
facts are facts!
As a NSSTA member, you should be
assured that NSSTA is adamant about hiring an executive director who can build a
good relationship with state and national trial lawyer associations.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Henry Strong
NSSTA President (2007-08)"
Leave a Reply