Health Law

WSU Common Reading Hosts Foodborne Illness Attorney William D. Marler for Presentation March 10

By Bill Marler

PULLMAN, Wash.—Washington State University alumnus William D. 'Bill' Marler will be in Pullman to present 'Chasing the Ambulance Away: Reshaping the Role of the Personal Injury Lawyer in Society and the Law,' at 7 p.m. March 10 in room 203 of the Smith Center for Undergraduate Education (CUE). The presentation is open to the public at no charge. A brief reception will follow.

Marler and his Seattle law firm, Marler Clark, are nationally known for earning $500 million for victims of foodborne illness caused by organisms such as E. coli, salmonella and listeria. He consults with companies that want to avoid bacterial contamination, blogs about food-safety issues and has passionately urged members of Congress to adopt tougher legislation on that topic.

Marler's visit is in conjunction with the WSU Common Reading Program of the University College. He last visited campus in January to hear Michael Pollan, author of this year's freshman common reading book, 'The Omnivore's Dilemma.' Pollan's visit to campus and his lecture were made possible by a gift to the Common Reading Program by Marler.

'We have the opportunity to look at the common reading book's topic—‘food'—from another perspective thanks to Bill Marler, a WSU and an Honors College alumnus,' said Mary F. Wack, dean of the University College and vice provost for undergraduate education.

'Food safety is very big news today, and Bill is one of its most well-known and successful proponents in our nation.'

In the early 1990s, Marler earned a national reputation when he successfully represented people sickened by E. coli in hamburger. Three years later, he represented victims sickened by juice. Over the years, he represented people made ill by contaminated spinach, cookie dough, and meats.

Marler graduated from WSU in 1982 and from Seattle University School of Law in 1987. While at WSU, he was the youngest person and the first student elected to serve on the Pullman City Council. In 1998, Gov. Gary Locke appointed Marler to the WSU Board of Regents. He has published numerous journal articles, is listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, and serves on community service boards.

Contact:  Beverly Makhani, Communications Director, WSU University College/Common Reading Program, 509-335-6679, makhani@wsu.edu; Mary Wack, Dean, WSU University College, and Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, 509-335-8044, mwack@wsu.edu

Full post as published by Food Poison Blog on March 03, 2010 (boomark / email).