Donald Gerace, the new chair of the Torts, Insurance, and Compensation Law Section (TICL), announced on Mar. 17 that he will focus on increasing membership and organizing a range of programs in the coming year.
Gerace said the section appeals to many attorneys because it covers a broad array of legal topics. “The section covers a wide range of practice areas from plaintiffs to defendants, no-faults, workers’ compensation and municipal law. It’s great to be able to bounce ideas off members. If you have a question, an issue, or an item that you are not sure of, a section member is out there that can help you along,” Gerace said.
He also highlighted efforts to attract younger lawyers through initiatives such as an upcoming letter writing campaign that will outline opportunities for members to make an impact. Gerace credited the section’s recent growth in part to a new membership model introduced nearly two years ago. “The new membership model, well it is almost a couple of years old now, has been really helpful to all sections and it certainly has stimulated an increase our membership,” he said.
Between Dec. 31, 2024 and Dec. 31, 2025, TICL’s membership increased by 43.3 percent—from 1,564 to 2,242 members—due in part to this model. Looking ahead, Gerace said several events are planned including a reception for Justice Christina L. Ryba at the Bar Center later this month and the spring executive committee meeting on April 16.
Other upcoming activities include the summer executive committee meeting at Citi Field and potential events at Saratoga Racetrack before the Fall Destination Meeting in Nashville with co-sponsorship from both the Trial Lawyers Section and bar associations in Tennessee and Nashville. “There’s a lot of enthusiasm around that… We’re co-sponsoring some events with them, so it should be a lot of fun,” he said.
Gerace added that TICL will co-sponsor the 2026 Trial Academy in October while continuing its work reviewing legislation and supporting pro bono efforts among its members. He noted his own involvement began after encouragement from colleagues connected through Siena University who played key roles in his decision to join.
