Awards
Each year, American Association for Justice honors trial lawyers, affiliates, and advocates who support its fight for justice.

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
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an AAJ member of at least 20 years standing whose courtroom advocacy has, during a distinguished career, significantly advanced the rights of the wrongfully injured, and who by substantial service to AAJ and the trial bar, has significantly furthered the cause of justice and the mission of the Association.
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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.
Learn about the awardHonoring outstanding Trial Lawyers

Eric H. Gibbs
Demonstrated passion for the law and trial bar, and outstanding contributions to civil justice and the work of AAJ.

Navan Ward Jr.
Outstanding contribution to the civil justice system and advanced the safety and protection of American consumers.

Casey R. Johnson
Demonstrated professionalism, civility, courtroom advocacy, and distinguished service to AAJ that have brought honor to the trial bar.
Honoring Weinglass Award Winners 2025

Timothy Bechtold
Noteworthy contribution to the defense of civil rights and civil liberties, in a way that has had a significant impact in the past year.

John Heenan
Noteworthy contribution to the defense of civil rights and civil liberties, in a way that has had a significant impact in the past year.

Julia Yoo
Noteworthy contribution to the defense of civil rights and civil liberties, in a way that has had a significant impact in the past year.
2025 Award Winners
AAJ Partnership Award
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.
Above & Beyond Award
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.
Employment Excellence Award
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 Caucus
LGBT Founders’ Award: Casey R. Johnson
Minority Caucus Award
Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. Soaring Eagle Award: Don Scott
Minority Caucus Stalwart Award: Raymond R. Jones
New Lawyers Division Awards
F. Scott Baldwin Award: Kevin Biniazan
Joe Tonahill Award: Tad Thomas
Elise R. Sanguinetti Award: Jessica K. Pride
Richard D. Hailey Distinguished Service
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.
Roxanne Barton Conlin Certificates of Recognition
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.
Trial Lawyers Care Award
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.
Wiedemann & Wysocki Award
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.
Women Trial Lawyers Caucus Award
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.
Hall of Fame
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.