D-1
LORY BARSDATE EASTON
34 Arell Court Alexandria, VA 22304
Mobile phone: (312) 401-5993 Email: Lory.Barsdate.Easton@gmail.com
EDUCATION
Institute for the Psychological Sciences, Divine Mercy University, Arlington, Virginia: Psy. D.
candidate, Clinical Psychology (August 2017-present).
Yale Law School, New Haven, Connecticut: J.D. 1988 (Yale Law Journal Managing Editor,
Volume 97 (1987-1988); author of Note, Attorney-Client Privilege for the Government Entity,
97 Yale Law Journal 1725 (1988)).
Yale College, New Haven, Connecticut: B.A. 1983 (Summa cum Laude; Distinction in the
Linguistics Major; Phi Beta Kappa). Senior Thesis in Linguistics topic: Comprehensibility of
Jury Instructions.
University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska: September 1979-December 1980, transferred to Yale
College January 1981 (Outstanding Freshman Chemist Award; Chancellor’s List – 4.0 GPA).
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Admitted to practice law: Connecticut (retired) (1990), Pennsylvania (inactive) (1990), Illinois
(retired) (1991), District of Columbia (2007).
Sidley Austin LLP, 1990-2016 (Partner, 1996-2016). Litigator specializing in complex multidistrict litigation, defending product liability claims in both federal and state courts. Served as
national coordinating counsel and directed the defense of hundreds of lawsuits alleging personal
injury and wrongful death. Managed defense in high-profile mass torts including aviation and
railroad disasters, toxic exposure cases, and pharmaceutical and medical device matters. Advised
corporate clients on torts liability issues, including litigation overseas. Counseled clients on
litigation avoidance and mitigation strategies.
Law firm leader on diversity and professional development committees: Co-chaired Washington,
DC, office Diversity Committee (2011-2016); chaired Washington, DC, office Lawyer Training
Committee (2007-2010); team leader for Chicago and DC offices recruiting at Yale Law School
(1997-2015); member, firmwide Diversity Committee (2002-2016); member, firmwide
E-Discovery Committee (2006-2016).
Seminar speaker on professional development, diversity, and litigation topics: Interrupting
unconscious bias in formal and informal performance reviews, mentoring across differences,
providing effective feedback, career planning for law students, attorney-client privilege and work
product protections, multidistrict litigation procedures, jurisdictional issues in transnational torts
litigation, discovery issues for multinational corporate entities, defending wrongful death actions,
D-2
forum non conveniens, mold litigation trends, punitive damages, the “second injury” rule, revival
of statutes of limitations, e-discovery, and legal ethics issues.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES AND POSITIONS
Certified in Adult Mental Health First Aid (February 2017).
Principal author of “Giving Feedback Across Differences: How to Minimize Implicit Bias (and
Maximize Your Team’s Legal Talent),” 58 For the Defense 9:80 (Sept. 2016).
Author of “Getting Out of Dodge: Defense Pointers on Jurisdictional Issues in Aviation Torts
Litigation,” 20 Air & Space Lawyer 3:9 (2006); co-author of a book chapter on jurisdictional
issues in Litigating the Aviation Case – The Legal Issues, 3d Edition (2008).
Legal professional associations including Seventh Circuit Bar Association (Northern District of
Illinois Liaison Representative, Rules and Practice Committee Chairman, and Seventh Circuit
Pattern Civil Jury Instructions Committee member); Defense Research Institute; International
Aviation Women’s Association.
Law Clerk, The Honorable Ralph K. Winter, United States Court of Appeals for the Second
Circuit (August 1989 – August 1990).
Law Clerk, The Honorable José A. Cabranes, United States District Court, District of
Connecticut (August 1988 – August 1989).
Ombudsman Assistant II, State of Alaska (June 1983 – August 1985): Performed all aspects of
investigation of citizen complaints against Alaska state agencies, including on-site inspections of
state facilities, use of subpoenas and depositions, and preparation of formal reports of findings
and recommendations. Also conducted outreach visits to rural communities, led staff orientation
on state personnel procedures and computer research, and supervised the Fairbanks Regional
Office during the absence of the Regional Manager.
Board Member, FOCUS North America (2009 – present): Founding board member of
Fellowship of Orthodox Christians United to Serve, a new faith-based non-profit organization
that provides sustainable services (including Food, Occupation, Clothing, Understanding, and
Shelter) to the homeless and working poor in multiple communities nationwide.
City committee leader, International Orthodox Christian Charities (“IOCC”): Chairman, IOCC
Chicago Annual Banquet Committee, (2000, 2001); IOCC Chicago Metropolitan Committee
(1995-2006); IOCC Washington DC Metropolitan Committee (2007-2011).
Choir member and parish lay leader in multiple Orthodox Christian parishes (Fairbanks, AK;
New Haven, CT; Windber, PA; Chicago, IL; Cicero, IL; Washington, DC; Alexandria, VA).