Awards
Each year, American Association for Justice honors trial lawyers, affiliates, and advocates who support its fight for justice.
The Steven J. Sharp Public Service Award recognizes plaintiffs and the attorneys of plaintiffs whose cases help tell the story of the American civil justice system.
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Lisa Blue has led an extraordinary career, fighting tenaciously for her clients, winning landmark verdicts and settlements, including one of the largest mesothelioma verdicts in the state of Texas. She was also a member of the trial team in a ground-breaking Vioxx verdict that led the way for this litigation.
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John Eddie Williams’s career has focused on mass torts and pharmaceutical litigation. He has achieved some of the biggest pharmaceutical injury verdicts in the U.S., as well as for victims of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma.
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Recognizes an AAJ® member who is of outstanding integrity and overall character and has demonstrated devotion to human and civil rights.
Learn about the Award
Recognizes an AAJ member who has demonstrated former AAJ President David Shrager's passion for the law and trial bar, and who has made an outstanding contribution to civil justice and the work of AAJ.
Learn about the awardHonoring outstanding Trial Lawyers
Michael A. Haggard
Outstanding contribution to the civil justice system and advanced the safety and protection of American consumers.
Wayne D. Parsons
Demonstrated professionalism, civility, courtroom advocacy, and distinguished service to AAJ that have brought honor to the trial bar.
J. Gerard Stranch, IV
Noteworthy contribution to the defense of civil rights and civil liberties, in a way that has had a significant impact in the past year.
2024 Award Winners
AAJ Partnership Award
For 2024: Valerie O’Brien, Executive Director, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
Recognizes someone from a state, local, or jurisdictional trial lawyer organization who has promoted and fostered a spirit of support and cooperation between AAJ and the affiliated organization, as well as between AAJ and NATLE, and whose service to the affiliated organization has strengthened the civil justice system.
Above and Beyond Award
For 2024: Lisa Blue, Kathleen A. Farinas, Keith A. Hebeisen, Anthony J. Majestro, Elyse L. McKenna, Parker Miller, Laura J. Mullins, Gary M. Paul, Emily Peacock, Michael G. Phelan, Bradley J. Prochaska, Domenic B. Sanginiti, Jr., Stephen G. Skinner, Greg Webb, Laura V. Yaeger, Sharon J. Zinns
Recognizes AAJ members who have made exceptional financial contributions to sustain and strengthen the organization.
Employment Excellence Award
For 2024: Jennie Lee Anderson
Recognizes a member whose work has significantly impacted employment rights and protection of the public through a case or cases that have advanced the goals of: protecting individuals and their employment rights; holding accountable those who abuse power; increasing access to the courts; combating threats to our jury system; and inspiring lawyers and others to fight to preserve the rights of employees.
LGBT Caucus
LGBT Founders’ Award: Stephen Skinner
Minority Caucus Award
Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. Soaring Eagle Award: Laura Tamez
Minority Caucus Stalwart Award: Rick Barrera, Jr.
New Lawyers Division Awards
F. Scott Baldwin Award: Matthew Freeman
Joe Tonahill Award: Derrick Walker
Elise R. Sanguinetti Award: Chris Gilreath
Richard D. Hailey Distinguished Service
For 2024: Rick Barrera, Jr., Brian Franciskato, Ervin Nevitt, Domenic Sanginiti, Jr., Sara Williams, Laura Yaeger
Recognizes members of the AAJ Board of Governors who during the past year have been of special assistance to the President of the Association.
Roxanne Barton Conlin Certificates of Recognition
For 2024: Laurie Briggs, Elizabeth Middleton Burke, Jennifer Greene, Robert Jenner, Anthony Leone, Jonathan Marshall, David Neiman, Christopher O’Brien, Leigh O’Dell, Christopher Placitella, Kyle Ring, Elise Sanguinetti, Joseph Sellers, Charles Siegel, Rachel Sykes, Ariana Tadler, Mark Troutman, Kevin Weis, Jeanmarie Whalen, Andrew Young
Recognizes members for their exemplary and exceptional level of service to AAJ through fundraising, membership, or education.
Trial Lawyers Care Award
Howard Talenfeld
Each year, AAJ recognizes a trial lawyer who has gone above and beyond to serve his or her community. Additional information about Trial Lawyers Care® and this year's award winner is available here.
Wiedemann & Wysocki Award
For 2024: Casey R. Johnson and Nicholas A. Verderame
The Wiedmann Wysocki Award recognizes members who have made outstanding efforts in support of AAJ's Political Action Committee (AAJ PAC).
The award is named in honor of Fritz Wiedemann and James Anthony Wysocki, two New Orleans-based AAJ members who were traveling on assignment to help AAJ when they died in a tragic plane crash. This award recognizes members who have carried on their legacy and who are passionately committed to the principles of the civil justice system and AAJ's mission.
Women Trial Lawyers Caucus Award
Marie Lambert Award: Jackie Olinger Rochelle
This award was established in 1997 to recognize and honor women members of AAJ. The following principles guide the members of the caucus and the criteria for selecting the award recipient: to advance the admirable and selfless philosophy in AAJ's mission; to strive to provide positive role models as women trial lawyers; to broaden the membership base of AAJ to include women by informing them of AAJ's membership services and mission; to provide a support system of women lawyers with whom to network, socialize, and form professional relationships; to develop female leadership for AAJ; to provide fellowship and mentorship to newly-licensed female lawyers who embark on a career of trial law; and to uphold the honor, integrity, and dignity of the legal profession.
Hall of Fame
Paul J. Scoptur (1953-2018)
Paul Scoptur was a long-time AAJ member, former National College of Advocacy® (NCA) Board of Trustees member and co-chair, and AAJ Education stalwart.
This award is presented posthumously to an AAJ member whose career made a significant and positive impact on the civil justice system. The Hall of Fame Award honors those who were active, long-time members of AAJ as well as active members of their state trial lawyer associations.
