VLS Alumna Becomes First Woman President of IATL
Roberta “Bobbie” Pichini,’81 a partner with the Philadelphia law firm of Feldman Shepherd Wohlgelernter Tanner Weinstock & Dodig was elevated to President of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers (IATL) at the Academy’s annual meeting. She has served as Vice President since 2009.
Pichini, who for more than 25 years has specialized in litigating catastrophic personal injury, medical malpractice and product liability cases, is a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and was the first woman in Pennsylvania to be invited into the IATL. She is also IATL’s first woman officer. She has served on the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Board of Governors and chaired the Association’s Women in the Profession Committee. She also serves as a delegate to the House of Representatives of the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
In 2006, Pichini was honored with the Sandra Day O’Connor Award established by the Philadelphia Bar Association, which honors women attorneys who have demonstrated superior legal talent, achieved significant legal accomplishments and has furthered the advancement of women in both the profession and the community.
The International Academy of Trial Lawyers was chartered in 1954. Its purpose is to cultivate the science of jurisprudence, promote reforms in the law, facilitate the Administration of Justice, promote the Rule of Law internationally, elevate the standards of integrity, honor and courtesy in the legal profession, and cherish the spirit of brotherhood among the members.
Active invitation-only Academy membership is limited to 500 Fellows from the United States. In addition, the Academy includes 100 Fellows from more than 30 countries throughout the world. Members are engaged in civil and criminal trial practice from both the plaintiff's and the defendant's side of the counsel table. According to IATL, its members represent the most exceptional attorneys in the world.
