AAJ Has Represented Plaintiff S Attorneys for Over 70 Years. Through the Hard Work of Linda

AAJ has represented plaintiff’s attorneys for over 70 years. Through the hard work of Linda Lipsen and her team – and the many committed members of this organization – we have fought off attack after attack on the civil justice system. I am proud to have been a part of that fight on a state and national level for over 30 years.

The threat to the civil justice system is greater than ever. Those who have been injured through no fault of their own count on us to protect their rights. So this election for Parliamentarian, just like for any officer, will be important as we gear up for some of our toughest fights.

I would like to tell you a bit about me. Affluence was not part of my childhood. Few people in my family had attended college, yet I dreamed of becoming a lawyer. In the very early morning hours before school I unloaded trucks at a produce stand. In the afternoons I delivered newspapers. In the evenings I worked as a busboy. On weekends I performed magic for children’s birthday parties. All so I could fulfill my dream.

After law school, I left an established law firm to go out on my own. Initially, I had no money for employees or equipment but my law firm grew and thrived because I was dedicated to the clients. In 1987 I joined my state TLA and the American Association for Justice (then ATLA). I understood the importance of fighting tort reform and, though a young lawyer, I immediately began contributing to my state TLA PAC and ATLA PAC. During the 1990s I became a state leader and held several important leadership positions as an officer, committee chair, and a leader against tort reform in Maryland. In 2001 I became president of the Maryland Association for Justice.

That same year I became very active in AAJ. After the 9/11 attacks, one of AAJ’s finest moments was our establishing the Victims Compensation Fund and Trial Lawyers Care. I served as the state leader and state liaison for Maryland for both those efforts. That same year, I became active in the AAJ Council of Presidents and was elected head of that group in 2003.

From the earliest days, I was vocal at AAJ board and executive committee meetings about the importance the state affiliates and of AAJs vital caucuses. And, as a head of a small firm, I continue to be concerned that AAJ meet the needs of all firms and all members. AAJ will do well only if we are relevant to every lawyer. One way we can do that is by making our world-class education programs more affordable, accessible and within reach of the average practitioner. Another way is by supporting the work of the caucuses and their impressive leadership.

I have continuously played a leading role in preserving the Civil Justice System through my role as Maryland PAC Chairman for 15 years. Since 2001 I have been the chairman, co-chairman, regional captain, or state captain for every important AAJ fundraising project. I believe we should not continue to rely on solely our lawyer members as our main source of revenue. AAJ can be more effective if we engage and fundraise from non-AAJ members as well as non-lawyers using social media and new technology.

Increasing AAJ membership is important for many reasons. My focus on increasing membership has recently earned Maryland an additional seat on the AAJ Board of Governors. I will continue to attend membership phonathons throughout the country and work diligently to explore new avenues of growth.

Thanks to each of you for your work every day for your clients – and giving of your own time and money to serve AAJ and help preserve the Civil Justice System. And thanks to my wife, Tanique, for supporting the critical role AAJ plays in our daily life. I pledge that as an officer of AAJ I will give the same dedication and effort that I have given to the cause of Civil Justice over the past thirty years and use my experience to improve the balance of power in and outside of the courtrooms of our Nation.

To learn more about my candidacy and credentials please visit

Education

State University of New York at Albany (BA 1979)

American University, Washington College of Law (JD 1982)

AAJ and TLA Activities

Board of Governors Member (2003 to present)

Executive Committee (2003 – 2004, 2006 – 2010, 2012 – 2014, 2015 – 2017)

AAJ Council of Presidents Member (2000 – 2003)

AAJ Council of Presidents President Elect (2002-2003)

AAJ Council of Presidents President (2003 – 2004)

Trial Lawyers Care State Leader and State Liaison (2001)

Maryland Association for Justice (MAJ) President (2001 – 2002)

MAJ PAC Chairman (2001 – 2016)

MAJ Legislative Chairman (1996 – 2001)

AAJ PAC Donor Since 1987

National Finance Committee Member (2005 – Present)

Co-Chairman Justice 2016

Chairman Maggie Hassan Fundraising Event (2016)

Leaders Forum Member (2007 – Present)

AAJ PAC Taskforce (2010 – Present)

AAJ PAC Trustee (2012 – Present)

Annual Evergreen Donor

Three-time Winner Wiedemann & Wysocki Award for PAC Leadership

PAC Eagle

MAJ Trial Lawyer of the Year (2009)

AAJ Convention Planning Committee (2002 – 2013)

AAJ Convention Planning Committee Chairman (2007 – 2013)

AAJ Organizational Review Committee (ORC) (2004 – Present)

AAJ ORC Chairman (2013 – Present)