San Diego, CA, October 30, 2026 – National insurance defense trial firm Tyson & Mendes, LLP announced today Jennifer Akre, Branch Office Managing Partner of the firm’s Houston and Austin offices, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Trucking Industry Defense Association (TIDA) DRIVE Award. The award, presented at TIDA’s Annual Seminar in San Diego, California, recognizes Akre for her commitment to advancing Diversity, Respect, Inclusion, Values, and Equality (DRIVE) within TIDA and across the trucking defense community.

Established in 2022, recipients are selected for the DRIVE award from nominations submitted by fellow TIDA members, reviewed by the TIDA Awards Committee, and recommended to the board. Akre’s leadership extends beyond her 15+ years litigating and defending clients in high exposure cases primarily in the trucking and transportation industry. She regularly speaks at conferences, hosts continuing education courses, and has served as the chair of Tyson & Mendes’ Diversity and Inclusion committee since 2023.

“Jennifer leads with respect and integrity, and she makes everyone around her better. This recognition from her peers at TIDA speaks to the professional she is and the example she sets every day at work and across the industry.” said Cayce Lynch, National Managing Partner at Tyson & Mendes.

“I am honored to receive the DRIVE Award. The values it represents truly encompass who I am, and I am grateful to TIDA, my colleagues, and my peers who nominated me.” said Jennifer.

About Tyson & Mendes LLP

Tyson & Mendes LLP is a nationwide, AV-rated litigation and trial firm specializing in insurance defense and protecting its clients from Nuclear Verdicts®. Founded in 2002 by Robert Tyson and Patrick Mendes, the firm has experienced tremendous growth, with offices across the United States. Tyson & Mendes is known for its expertise in defending corporations, insurance companies, and their clients against Nuclear Verdicts®.

Serving 22 states with 29 offices nationwide, Tyson & Mendes is one of the fastest-growing civil defense firms in the U.S. and is proud to offer one of the fastest and clearest paths to partnership for its attorneys of any mid-sized law firm in the U.S. The firm is honored to be recognized as a 2024 and 2025 Best Law Firm by Best Lawyers, named a 2026 Best Company to Work For: Law Firms edition by U.S. News & World Report, shortlisted for the PropertyCasualty360 2026 Insurance Luminaries Award, and has an extensive trial bench of attorneys recognized by Best Lawyers 2026, Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch 2026, and Super Lawyers.

For more information, visit tysonmendes.com.

About Apex Defense Consulting

Apex Defense Consulting is a specialized insurance defense consulting firm, offering educational, community, and consulting services via a slate of experienced trial lawyers and Nuclear Verdict® experts. Founded in 2025, Apex Defense Consulting is the first of its kind within the insurance defense industry and is poised to revolutionize the industry with The Apex℠, the first and only data-backed and trial-tested blueprint for the defense to stop outsized and unjust Nuclear Verdicts®.

For more information, visit apexdefenseconsulting.com.

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Debbie@plat4form.com

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