American Association for Justice
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The American Association for Justice (AAJ), formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA) is the leading organization for lawyers representing plaintiffs in the United States. As the world's largest trial bar, AAJ's mission is to promote justice and fairness for injured persons, safeguard victims' rights--particularly the right to trial by jury--and strengthen the civil justice system through education and disclosure of information critical to public health and safety. It provides information and professional assistance to its members. [1]
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[edit] History
In 1946, a group of plaintiffs' attorneys involved in workers' compensation litigation founded the National Association of Claimants' Compensation Attorneys (NACCA). As their work broadened beyond workers' compensation, in 1960 the NACCA changed its name to the National Association of Claimants' Counsel of America, and four years later, to the American Trial Lawyers Association. [2] In 1972, these groups merged as the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA). In 1977, ATLA's headquarters moved from Boston to Washington, DC. Today, AAJ is a broad-based, international coalition of attorneys, law professors, paralegals, and law students.[3]
AAJ has more than 56,000 members worldwide, and a network of state and local affiliates involved in all areas of trial advocacy. AAJ provides lawyers with the information and professional assistance needed to "serve clients successfully and protect the democratic values inherent in the civil justice system." Like many professional organizations, AAJ also engages in lobbying on matters of concern to its members and their clients: "AAJ supports the civil justice system as a fundamental check on the power of businesses and governments and opposes efforts to limit the legal rights of citizens." [4] It has opposed many changes related to "tort reform," including the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005, which gives defendant companies the right to remove state court class actions to federal court.
[edit] Student Trial Advocacy Competition
The organization hosts the Student Trial Advocacy Competition (AAJ STAC), one of the largest annual mock trial competitions for law students in the United States. Roughly 200 teams compete at 14 regional sites. One team from each region advances to the national championships. The winning team and their coach receive free airfare, hotel accommodations, and registration to the AAJ Annual Convention where they are recognized during the Membership Awards Reception and Law Student Mentor Reception. This is an exceptional opportunity for law students to develop and practice their trial advocacy skills before distinguished members of the bar and bench.
[edit] Trial Lawyers Care - Pro Bono Efforts
AAJ has established the largest pro-bono project in American history, Trial Lawyers Care (TLC), after September 11 the attacks on the World Trade Center. TLC is a charitable non-profit AAJ established to help victims of those terrorist attacks. Over 1,100 lawyers provided representation to over 1,700 victim families-over $200 million in legal services provided absolutely free of charge. TLC also established The Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund to collect and distribute aid to relief organizations in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. [5]
[edit] Criticism
The association in recent years has come under almost constant attacks from organizations such as the Defense Research Institute and the United States Chamber of Commerce who wish to restrict what they claim to be frivolous lawsuits. Due to market research conducted in 2006 showing an overwhelmingly negative response to the words, "Trial Lawyer,"[citation needed] ATLA's membership voted to change their name to the American Association for Justice.[citation needed] The DRI as well as the US Chamber of Commerce used this opportunity to slam the organization again [6].
