January 2, 2002

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jonathan Hutson, 202-797-8600 x 246

The cause of justice lost a friend on December 28, 2001, when TLPJ Foundation Vice President Larry Trattler of Denver, Colorado, passed away. Mr. Trattler, 54, a highly accomplished trial lawyer, had suffered a sudden heart attack on December 22 and never regained consciousness. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 5, at the Chapel at the University of Denver School of Law.

"Larry was not only an outstanding lawyer, but a warm and generous person who dedicated his life and his career to helping others," said TLPJ Foundation President Susan Vogel Saladoff of Davis, Gilstrap, Hearn, Saladoff & Smith P.C. in Ashland, Oregon. "His active involvement in Trial Lawyers for Public Justice reflected his devotion to the public interest. We will all miss our dear friend."

"Larry was a wonderful person, a wise leader, and a gifted lawyer. He brought joy to his family, his friends, and the struggle for justice," said TLPJ Executive Director Arthur H. Bryant. "His untimely death is a horrible loss."

Mr. Trattler received his B.A. degree in 1969 from the University of Illinois and his law degree from the University of Denver in 1973. Licensed to practice law in both Colorado and New Mexico, Mr. Trattler headed The Trattler Law Firm, P.C., in Denver and Fort Collins, Colorado, which has concentrated its practice on cases involving personal injury products liability, professional negligence, and wrongful death.

In addition to his trial practice, Mr. Trattler has been active in a number of state and national professional organizations. Mr. Trattler was elected Vice President of The TLPJ Foundation in 2001, served on the Executive Committee since 1996, and was a member of the Board of Directors since 1993. He served as the The TLPJ Foundation's Colorado State Coordinator and helped lead the organization's membership development efforts. He also served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA) and a member of the ATLA Board of Governors, as well as once serving as the Chair of the Council of State Presidents. He served as President of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association from 1995-1996, and as a member of its Board of Directors since 1989.

Mr. Trattler is survived by his wife, Barbara Trattler, who is expecting the birth of their son; his sons Adam, 12, and Drew, 7; and Ms. Trattler's daughter from a previous marriage, Rhiannon, 11. The family asks that donations be sent in lieu of flowers to the "Trattler Memorial Fund" in care of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, 1888 Sherman St. #370, Denver, CO 80203.

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Trial Lawyers for Public Justice is the only public interest law firm dedicated to using trial lawyers' skills and resources to advance the public good. Founded in 1982, TLPJ utilizes a network of more than 2,500 of the nation's outstanding trial lawyers to pursue precedent-setting and socially significant litigation. TLPJ has a wide-ranging litigation docket in the areas of toxic torts, environmental protection, consumer rights, worker safety, civil rights and liberties, and access to the courts. TLPJ is the principal project of The TLPJ Foundation, a not-for-profit membership organization with headquarters in Washington, D.C., and a West Coast Office in Oakland, California. TLPJ's Web site address is www.tlpj.org.