The International Amusement & Leisure Defense Association, Inc.
Legal Roundtable Thursday, November 21 | 12 – 2 p.m.|S220ABC|including a three part presentation on demystifying the science of acceleration forces, combatting the reptile theory, using AI demonstrative exhibits and jury consultants, and updates on ASTM proposals, waivers, and case law in various jurisdictions…. Luncheon Compliments of IALDA and The Hoffman Consulting Group!
IALDA Social Hour Thursday, November 21 | 2 – 3 p.m.|S220ABC| Beverages Compliments of IALDA and SEA Ltd!
The International Amusement & Leisure Defense Association, Inc. is a non-profit association of lawyers and other professionals who are actively engaged in representing the interests of the amusement and leisure industries. Membership in the IALDA is open to experienced members of the Bar who regularly represent the amusement and leisure industries as well as business owners and managers, claims professionals and expert witnesses in these same fields.
In recognition of her decades of experience and dedication to the industry, IALDA’s very own Gaylee Gillim (Secretary/Past President) was inducted into the World Waterpark Association Hall of Fame on October 25, 2023. Congratulations to Gaylee on this much-deserved honor!
It is with profound sadness that IALDA shares the passing of Board Member and Past President Jerry Landers.
Jerry Austin Landers, Jr., 64 of Mableton, passed into the arms of his Jesus on Sunday, October 8, 2023. Jerry was born April 24, 1959 in Atlanta, to the late Jerry Austin Landers, Sr. and Beverly Vining Landers. He graduated from South Cobb High School, the University of Georgia (B.A. 1981), and the Emory University School of Law (JD, 1984). Jerry began his legal career at UGA serving on the Student Judiciary as a main and resident justice. Upon graduation, he began practicing in Marietta, Ga. as a trial lawyer, a Probate and Estate attorney, and a certified Mediator. He served as a past president and board member of the International Amusement and Leisure Defense Association. Jerry loved his Savior and teaching, preaching, and sharing the Word of God. Raised Baptist, Jerry joined Northside UMC after his marriage. He faithfully served Northside all of his adult life in numerous leadership positions. He was a frequent Bible study teacher, a certified Lay Speaker, and the first Worship Leader of the Contemporary Worship Service. He loved music and sang in both Traditional and Contemporary Worship choirs and was an active member of the NUMC Drama Ministry. Jerry served Whitefield Academy as both the football and the basketball announcer, continuing with basketball through 2023. He was recognized for his service as “The Voice of the Wolfpack.” Those who knew Jerry remember his integrity, his wit, and his love for God and for others. Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Anne; his daughters Margaret Graton (Jason) and Morgan Landers; his brother Dr. Bill Landers (Teresa); his sister Leslie Pair; his brothers-in-law Dave Jollay (Cindy) and Tom Jollay (Kathy), and eight nieces and nephews. A brother-in-law, Rex Pair, preceded him in death. Celebration of life services will be Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Northside UMC, 2799 Northside Drive, NW, Atlanta. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Jerry Landers to the Music Ministry of Northside UMC. A private family burial is planned.
IALDA, as a nationwide, non-profit association of lawyers and other professionals actively engaged in representing the interests of members of the amusement and leisure industry, recently filed a brief as Amicus Curiae in the Eleventh Circuit. There is currently a case pending in the Eleventh Circuit, the outcome of which could have a significant impact on the industry for both operators and manufacturers alike. The plaintiff, Dylan Campbell, who was born without a right forearm and hand, was denied access to various waterslides at a water park in May of 2019. Campbell sued alleging violation of the Americans with Disability Act of 1990 (ADA) in the Middle District of Florida. Following cross motions for summary judgment, the District Court ruled in favor of the defendant, Universal City Development Partners, Ltd., granting summary judgment. The plaintiff has appealed to the Eleventh Circuit.
Briefing in this appeal began back in June of 2022. After the plaintiff filed his brief on June 2, the U.S. Department of Justice filed its brief as Amicus Curiae in support of the plaintiff on June 9. In September, IALDA’s Board of Directors formed an Amicus Committee to be tasked with submitting an Amicus brief on IALDA’s behalf in support of the defendant. IALDA’s motion requesting leave to file an Amicus brief, with the proposed Amicus brief attached, was filed on September 30. The Eleventh Circuit granted IALDA’s motion, thereby accepting the proposed Amicus brief, on October 21. Jerry Landers, IALDA Board Member and Past President and a practicing Georgia attorney, signed the brief on behalf of IALDA. In addition, Paul Cavanaugh (IALDA Board Member and Vice President), David Daly (IALDA Board Member and Past President), and Clodagh Lane from Daly Cavanaugh LLP are appearing pro hac vice. IAAPA and WWA also filed a joint Amicus brief in support of the defendant.
To read the Amicus brief filed by IALDA, please click here.
IALDA proudly sponsored the Keynote Sessions at the recent WWA Annual Symposium & Trade Show in Las Vegas! IALDA Secretary Gaylee Gillim is pictured below with one of the signs acknowledging the sponsorship. IALDA also receives excellent recognition in e-mail blasts, convention materials, and on-screen during the sessions.
of Lake Angelus, passed away at his home on January 19, 2017 surrounded by his family. He is survived by his loving wife, Terry Lee (Campbell); children, Terese and Tony Anselmi; his beloved mother, Marilyn Anselmi; siblings, Kim (Mark) Majoros, Holly Anselmi, Tobin (Kim) Anselmi; father in law, John Campbell, and sister in law, Kim (Matt) Decovich. He was a loving uncle to Stephanie (Dan) Levine, Zachary Anselmi, Daniel Anselmi and Ashely (Brent) Meschke. Kurt was preceded in death by his father, Albert H. Anselmi. Kurt’s youth was spent devoted to the sport of roller skating where he was a perfectionist in style, grace and athleticism. Kurt won many national championships in both singles and pairs, and was a U.S. World Team member multiple times. Roller skating at the Rolladium, his family’s business in Waterford, is where he met and fell in love with his wife Terry. They continued their passion for the sport through coaching and eventually taking over the business. Kurt was inducted into the Roller Skating Association (RSA) Hall of Fame in 2016. Kurt was a 1972 graduate of Waterford Township High School. He received his bachelor’s degree from University of Michigan (1976) and Juris Doctor degree with honors from Detroit College of Law (1981). Kurt was licensed to practice law in Michigan, Colorado and Ohio. Kurt co-founded Anselmi & Mierzejewski P.C. in 1988. With his guidance as managing partner, the firm grew over the last 29 years to more than 20 lawyers and is now one of the fifty largest law firms in Michigan. Kurt was one of the most prominent, accomplished and respected attorneys in the amusement industry. In 1991, Kurt was one of six charter members of the International Amusement and Leisure Defense Association (IALDA) and served the Association as president and member of the board of directors. He was the author of the Michigan Roller Skating Safety Act of 1988, the first of its kind in the country. Ten other states followed Kurt’s lead. Kurt was the co-author of the Roller Skating Risk Management Guidelines which were endorsed by the RSA. He was the co-author of dozens of articles on risk management and served on the RSA Risk Management Committee. Kurt presented Risk Management and Litigation seminars at the RSA convention, the World Water Park show and the IAAPA Expo. Few people knew as much about the subject of risk management as Kurt. Kurt lived life to the fullest and was admired by many for his adventurous spirit. He was a true and passionate outdoorsman. His favorite place was the mountains of the West – hunting, skiing and riding his motorcycle.
John Grund was Vice President and Board Member of IALDA.
Despite John’s 50 years of major disability from a trampoline incident, John never let his physical infirmities get in the way of his active life and law profession. John was one of the top western mountain region trial attorneys defending the amusement and recreational industries for many years.
John set the standard for exemplary legal ethics and love of the law.
We at IALDA will miss John’s brilliant mind, caring for others, and his constant optimism and cheerfulness for life.
IALDA is pleased to welcome Christian Stegmaier of Columbia as our first member from South Carolina. Christian is a shareholder and chair of the firm’s Retail/Hospitality/Entertainment Practice Group. Christian’s focus in this practice group is in claims involving premises liability, loss prevention, food adulteration, third party torts and alcohol liability. Additionally, he is involved in matters pertaining to ADA issues and licensure and other administrative decisions of state regulatory agencies.
IALDA sponsored the keynote speaker session at the 2011 World Waterpark Association trade show and symposium. Pictured are Board members Gaylee Gillim and Joe Brownlee.
John Paul Scott is the owner of CREATE Access, Architects/Consultants and is also the Deputy Director Physical Access for the City and County of San Francisco Mayor’s Office on Disability. Mr. Scott is an expert in the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as other accessibility regulations. Mr. Scott has previously presented multiple seminars with IALDA on the subject of accessibility and we are pleased to welcome him as a member.
Tom Wolf joined Reminger Co., L.P.A. as a law clerk in 1992. Since that time, Mr. Wolf’s practice has encompassed a diverse range of practice areas including professional sports teams and their venues as well as water parks, manufacturers, roller rinks and bowling alleys. We are pleased to welcome Tom Wolf to IALDA.
In Munoz v. North Pointe Casualty Insurance Company and Red Rock Adventure Sports, LLC d/b/a Skate Galaxy, the 19th Judicial District Court for the Parish of East Baton Rouge, Joe Hassinger and Carlina Eiselen were able to obtain summary dismissal of all claims upon showing that plaintiff was not injured because of broken roller skates but because he was jumping and running while wearing the skates. The insured skating rink’s accident response procedures were key to this victory. The rink captured plaintiff’s mischievous behavior on video and also retained the skates that plaintiff was wearing. Both were admitted into the record providing definitive proof that plaintiff filed a frivolous lawsuit.
Burrle
In Burrle, et al. v. Charles, et al., the 24th Judicial District Court for the Parish of Jefferson held that summary dismissal of plaintiff’s claims against the skating rink was proper. Plaintiff, who was attending a school field trip at the rink, alleged that she tripped and fell on plastic beads located on the skating floor. Joe Hassinger and Carlina Eiselen obtained favorable testimony from the plaintiff and from school administrators who attended the field trip. That testimony, along with proof that Skate Country sweeps the skating rink floor prior to and after every skating session, and had appropriate supervision of the floor, led the Court to grant summary judgment and dismiss all claims.
The Colorado Defense Lawyers Association presented the President’s Professionalism Award to John W. Grund, the founder and managing shareholder of Grund, Dagner & Nelson in Denver. A DRI member for 20 years, Mr. Grund has chaired DRI’s national Amicus Committee since 2005, and he served on DRI’s Strategic Planning Committee from 2002-2004. He is an active member of DRI’s Product Liability Committee.
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