Awards

For 2025: Joan D. Maloney, Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut 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.

For 2025: Howard H. Ankin; Rick Barrera; Kent Buckingham; Jayne Conroy; Katherine Cornell; Maria S. Diamond; Bob Edwards; Yvonne M. Flaherty; Brian S. Franciskato; Jonathan V. O’Steen; Ashleigh Raso; Elise R. Sanguinetti; Chinsu Shajan; Stephen G. Skinner; Tad Thomas; Adrian O. Vega

Recognizes AAJ members who have made exceptional contributions to sustain and strengthen the organization.

For 2025: Taylor DeRosa, Danielle Leonard, Daren Lipinsky, and Greg Risio

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 Founders’ Award: Casey R. Johnson

Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. Soaring Eagle Award: Don Scott

Minority Caucus Stalwart Award:  Raymond R. Jones

F. Scott Baldwin Award: Kevin Biniazan 

Joe Tonahill Award: Tad Thomas

Elise R. Sanguinetti Award: Jessica K. Pride

For 2025: John E. Abaray; Timothy C. Bailey; Kevin Biniazan; Elizabeth Burke; Grace I. Chanin; Gregory S. Cusimano; Yvonne M. Flaherty; Brenda S. Fulmer; John “Jack” H. Hickey; Bhaveen R. Jani; Florence A. Murray; Tatum O’Brien; Antonio M. Romanucci; Larry S. Stewart; Rachel L. Sykes; Tad Thomas; Laura V. 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.

For 2025: Carla D. Aikens; Karen Beyea-Schroeder; Deena Buchanan; Joseph V. Camerlengo, Jr.; Lesley A. Clement; Elizabeth D. Connell; Thomas J. Grillo, Jr.; Deepak Gupta; Jason D. Javie; J. Kenneth Johnson, II; Bridget N. Long; Sach D. Oliver; Max N. Panoff; Craig M. Peters; Bhavani Raveendran; Kyle Ring; Maxey M. Scherr; Jay R. Vaughn; Matthew W. Wessler

Recognizes members for their exemplary and exceptional level of service to AAJ through fundraising, membership, advocacy, or education.

Bailey Geller

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.

For 2025: Andrew E. Bederman; George “Ben” Davis; Casey R. Johnson; Jennifer M. Lipinski; Kathleen L. Nastri; and the 2025 IMPACT Campaign Caucus Raisers for the Women Trial Lawyers Caucus: Kelly Fitzpatrick, Lauren Newton, and Miranda Soucie. 

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.

Marie Lambert Award: Carla D. Aikens

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.

Richard A. Bieder (1940 – 2021)           Barry J. Nace (1944 – 2021)

This award is presented posthumously to an AAJ member whose career made a significant and positive impact on the civil justice system.

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