Society of Settlement Planners, Inc (SSP) to Create Professional Designation

Schaumburg, IL, October 04, 2006 --(PR.com)-- Attorneys have long struggled with their client responsibilities and the limitations imposed in the bargaining and implementation of programs to fund personal injury recoveries. Tort reform, recovery caps and insurance coverage limitations have further reduced settlements and awards to injury clients. Cuts in government programs combined with decreased recoveries mandate the leveraging of negotiated settlements and have given rise to a burgeoning field known as settlement planning which requires a broader range of tools and knowledge to address the multitude of issues facing injury victims.

Charles Derenne, SSP President, today announced the formation of the Registry of Settlement Planners (RSP) Board organized as the credentialing organization for a planned professional certification program of the same name. The Registry Board, in conjunction with the Center for Financial Responsibility, located at Texas Tech University, is currently developing the educational curriculum by which candidates may meet the eligibility requirements needed to obtain the Registry of Settlement Planners (RSP) designation.  

According to Mr. Derenne, “the development of a certification program is intended to identify and promote the standards by which the legal profession and their clients can measure and evaluate the settlement and planning professionals involved in the resolution of  personal injury and other tort cases.”

It is anticipated that program enrollment will be available to candidate applicants in January 2007. The initial courses will be taught on campus as well as through distance learning by the financial planning faculty at Texas Tech University. Joseph Tombs, an adjunct professor at Texas Tech and full-time settlement planner is directing curriculum development assisted by the University’s faculty, as well as post-graduate and law students.

“Injury victims and their counsel have a right to choose financial advisors to assist in case resolution and settlement funding as well as to select the company(s) and guarantee provider(s) which they determine to be in their best interest." The question of what’s best for the victim looms over every legal action. If answered correctly, it can minimize mental anguish, provide just compensation and enhance the plaintiff’s future financial security." Mr. Derenne states.

Mr. Derenne is a Founding Member of the SSP. He served on the founding Board of Directors and is the organization’s current President and Treasurer. The Society is a national, nonprofit, educational and public policy association of financial and legal professionals dedicated to assisting injured claimants and their legal counsel with the financial elements involved in the settlement process. The mission of the Society of Settlement Planners, Inc., organized in 2004, is to assist injury victims, claimants and attorneys in resolving financial issues, which impact their legal claims.

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