WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 24, 2003) – Attorney Lewis S. “Mike” Eidson, Jr., who currently serves as co-lead counsel for all the cases before the federal court hearing the Firestone/Ford Multi-District Litigation, has been elected Secretary of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA). Association members cast their annual votes for office holders during ATLA’s summer convention held July 18 – 23 in San Francisco, CA.

ATLA’s 60,000 attorney members represent consumers across the United States, Canada and abroad. The association was established in 1946 to safeguard victims’ rights, promote injury prevention, strengthen the civil justice system through education, and encourage the disclosure of information critical to public health and safety.

Eidson and two of his partners won the first Ford Pinto case in 1975, and since then, across the country Eidson has handled hundreds of product liability cases involving cars, tires, airplanes, and other consumer products.

“Civil litigation — the tort system — is the only meaningful and effective deterrent to wrongdoing protecting the public,” said Eidson. “It is our responsibility as attorneys on the side of the plaintiff to tell the public, lawmakers, and the media the truth about the civil justice system and the benefits it provides to our citizens.”

As a member of ATLA, Eidson currently serves on the Board of Governors, the Executive Committee, and the Judicial Independence Committee. He is Chairman of both the Judicial Selection Committee and the Legal Affairs Committee. He has also served as a leader in his field as Chair of ATLA’s Products Liability Section (1995-1996) and Aviation Section (2000-2001), and as a lecturer for the National College of Advocacy.

Eidson is a partner with Colson Hicks Eidson in Coral Gables, Fla. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina (1968) and his law degree from Emory University Law School (1971). He also attended Warwick University in Coventry, England.

In addition to his professional activities, Eidson serves as president of the Miami City Ballet and is active in many cultural and charitable organizations in South Florida.

Eidson is married to Dr. Margaret S. Eidson, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Miami Medical School. The Eidsons have three children, Maggie, also a physician, Phillip, and Rebecca.