Gibbs & Bruns is pleased to announce that partner Denise Drake has been elected to membership in The American Law Institute (ALI), one of the legal profession’s most prestigious and selective organizations.
Founded in 1923, ALI is a private, independent organization dedicated to clarifying, modernizing, and improving the law. Members are selected from confidential nominations and include judges, lawyers, and legal scholars who have demonstrated exceptional professional achievement and a commitment to the improvement of the legal system.
The American Law Institute has elected new members who will bring their expertise to ALI’s work of clarifying the law through Restatements, Principles, and Model Codes.
“The election of new members is among the most important responsibilities of the Institute because it renews and strengthens the exchange of ideas that makes our work possible,” said ALI President Wallace B. Jefferson. “As I welcome my first class of new members as President, I do so with optimism and appreciation for the perspectives they will bring to the Institute. I look forward to seeing the meaningful ways these distinguished lawyers, judges, and scholars will contribute to the Institute’s projects, ensuring that ALI continues to serve the legal profession and the public.”
Denise joins Founding Partner Robin Gibbs and Partner Barrett Reasoner in carrying forward the firm’s long-standing connection to this distinguished organization.
A nationally recognized appellate advocate, Denise is known for her exceptional legal writing, strategic judgment, and thoughtful counsel. She focuses her practice on appellate law and complex commercial litigation and has earned recognition from Chambers USA, Legal 500, Benchmark Litigation, and Lawdragon. Before joining Gibbs & Bruns, Denise served as a law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, as well as Judge Patrick Higginbotham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and Judge Charles Breyer of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
Denise’s election to ALI reflects the respect she has earned throughout the legal profession and her dedication to excellence in the practice of law.