Partners in the Phoenix law firm of Snyder and Wenner, P.C., Howard Synder and David Wenner were the lead attorneys in the Matthew Couto case. They have taken the issue of suicide beyond the courtroom to work on preventing other suicides. David began his career not in law, but in social work, where he developed an appreciation for the challenges and the importance of working to improve people's lives. As a result, he is often sought out nationally to consult in cases involving mental health issues. Howard is known as one of the most successful medical malpractice lawyers in the country, comparable to New York's Tom Moore. Both attorneys are recognized by the Best Lawyers in America®.

Phoenix Attorney David Wenner Named To American Association of Suicidology's First Trustee Council

Phoenix, Arizona, attorney and trial consultant David A. Wenner, J.D., has been named to the first Trustee Council of the American Association of Suicidology (AAS).

"We are thrilled to have someone of David's capability join AAS, and we are looking forward to his contributions to the association in helping us advance the cause of suicide prevention," said Dr. David Rudd, AAS Board President.

"David brings passion and expertise to our efforts that will help save lives," added Lanny Berman, Executive Director of the Washington D.C.-based organization.

A partner in the Phoenix law firm of Snyder and Wenner, P.C., Wenner is a nationally recognized authority and lecturer on juror bias and decision-making. He has spent the past 20 years litigating catastrophic injury and death cases, lecturing across the country and developing a successful juror bias model. His partner Howard Snyder is known as one of the most successful medical malpractice lawyers in the country, comparable to New York's Tom Moore. Both Snyder and Wenner are listed among the Best Lawyers in America. They founded their law firm in Phoenix in 1982.

Wenner didn't begin his career in law, however, but in social work, where he developed an appreciation for the challenges and the importance of working to improve people's lives. As a result, he is often sought out nationally to consult in cases involving mental health issues.

"I have been involved in a number of suicide cases over the years," said Wenner. "Each one of them represented a death that was unnecessary and preventable, had the appropriate information and professional help been available. As a member of the Trustee Council, I will have the opportunity to make positive contributions to help curb the rising number of suicide tragedies in our country."

Founded in 1968, AAS promotes research, public awareness programs, public education and training for professionals and volunteers to advance understanding and prevention of suicides. The not-for-profit organization is comprised of some 1,200 members, including mental health and public health professionals, researchers, suicide prevention and crisis intervention centers, school districts, crisis center volunteers, survivors of suicide, and a variety of laypersons who have an interest in suicide prevention.

AAS develops certification standards for suicide prevention and crisis intervention centers throughout the U.S. and Canada; evaluates individual crisis workers for certification in the clinical practice of crisis management; conducts an annual conference for its general membership and several conferences throughout the year for suicide survivors; and publishes a number of suicide-related newsletters and directories.

The Trustee Council will help assist in fund development and represents the 35-year-old organization's first concentrated effort to solicit donations to support and expand its suicide education and prevention programs. Wenner is one of five members of the Council and will serve for an as-yet unspecified term.

Those interested in AAS and its programs can obtain more information at the organization's web site, www.suicidology.org.

Attorneys are Suicide Prevention Advocates

Howard Snyder and David Wenner, partners in the law firm of Snyder and Wenner, Phoenix, recently joined the board of the Arizona Suicide Coalition. The board, made up of representatives of various state and private agencies and individuals, meets monthly to oversee development and implementation of a coordinated plan to implement the state's suicide prevention plan.

Link to Reducing Suicide: A National Imperative
Link to Suicide Prevention Program Annual Report