[Lazamataz]

Is a defense attorney a "trial lawyer"?

A defense attorney is a trial lawyer, by definition.

[Trust but Verify]

To be fair, I think the 'trial lawyers' Rush has condemned are not criminal defense attorneys but the John Edwards type whose product liability lawsuits are bringing commerce in this country no end of grief. I wholeheartedly agree with him.

[weegee]

A defense attorney is a trial lawyer, by definition.

But when people speak of tort reform they discuss limits on lawsuit abuse in suing companies/individuals (caping settlements, attempts to end frivolous lawsuits with things like "loser pays", etc.); reigning in prosecuting trial lawyers. This is a defense lawyer.