Awards

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.

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.

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 Founders’ Award: Stephen Skinner

Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. Soaring Eagle Award: Laura Tamez

Minority Caucus Stalwart Award:  Rick Barrera, Jr.

F. Scott Baldwin Award: Matthew Freeman

Joe Tonahill Award: Derrick Walker

Elise R. Sanguinetti Award: Chris Gilreath

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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Barbara Jorden is the Executive Director of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and served on AAJ’s Executive Committee as the NATLE President this past year. At last September’s Executive Committee retreat—while planning for the year ahead—Barbara was instrumental in sharing her thoughts on how AAJ and the states can best support one another during tough times. AAJ commends Barbara for her resourcefulness, commitment, and leadership.

Lori Andrus, John Bey, Kevin Biniazan, Yvonne Flaherty, Brian Galligan, Betsy Greene, Gary Paul, Michael Phelan, Bill Pintas, Antonio Romanucci, Christine Spagnoli, Derrick Walker, Greg Webb, and Laura Yaeger

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

LGBT Founders’ Award: Guy D’Andrea

Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. Soaring Eagle Award: Gary Bledsoe

Minority Caucus Stalwart Award:  Derrick Walker

F. Scott Baldwin Award: Michael Grieco
Joe Tonahill Award: Bruce Plaxen and Sean Domnick
Elise R. Sanguinetti Award: Chris Nace

Howard Ankin, Rick Barrera, Jr., Tom D’Amore, Brian Franciskato, Keith Hebeisen, Steve Herman, Chris Nace, Ervin Nevitt, Bryan Pope, Antonio Romanucci, Domenic Sanginiti, Jr., Elise Sanguinetti, Miranda Soucie, Derrick Walker, and Laura Yaeger.

Ryan Babcock, Lauren Barnes; Martin Crump, Jennifer Danish, Maria Glorioso, Elizabeth Govaerts, Deepak Gupta, Casey Johnson, Mark Lanier, Kenneth Levinson, Thomas Murphy, David Neiman, William Rossbach, Brian Sanford, Sara Schramm, David Scott, Lance Sears, Mark Silvey, Tiega Varlack, Kevin Weis, and Sara Williams

Jon. R. Perry

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 2023: Mike Arias, Michael Campbell, Casey Johnson, Kathleen Nastri, Ervin Nevitt, Emily Peacock, Leslie Pescia, Domenic Sanginiti, Jr., Chinsu Shajan, and the New Lawyers Division

Marie Lambert Award: Krisi Kastl

2023: Michael P. Koskoff (1942-2019): Read more about this year’s inductee.

C. Benjamin Cooper

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.

Carla Ferrucci and CAOC (Nancy Drabble, Nancy Peverini, and Lea-Ann Tratten)

Honoring 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.

Chris Nace

F. Scott Baldwin Award: Jennifer Lipinski 

Named in honor of F. Scott Baldwin of Marshall, Texas, a world-renowned trial lawyer whose efforts produced outstanding damage awards for injured victims and their families, this award is presented in recognition of the legendary degree of excellence and compassion that F. Scott Baldwin brought to the profession and the significant time he invested in training, preparing, and encouraging young lawyers for the profession of trial law.

Joe Tonahill Award: Brenda Fulmer 

Honors the true spirit of Joe Tonahill, a highly dignified and ethical defender of the civil justice system; a peerless stalwart of the modern trial bar; an exemplary trial lawyer; a dedicated leader; a passionate motivator of lawyers new to the profession of trial law; and one who through his own selfless deeds and inspirations has created a legacy for generations to follow.

Elise R. Sanguinetti Award: Rick Barrera

The Elise R. Sanguinetti Award is given in recognition of extraordinary service to the New Lawyers Division, first as a member of the NLD and continuing throughout their career. It is named for the first former New Lawyers Division Chair to rise within the organization to serve as President. Recipients exemplify the qualities of professionalism, service, and advocacy.

Learn more about AAJ's New Lawyers Division here.

Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. Soaring Eagles Award: Richard D. Hailey 

Established in 1997 and symbolizes the struggle of lawyers of color as they travel down the road to personal and professional success. The Minority Caucus presents this award to an attorney who, despite the challenges of his or her own journey, pursues excellence, and has made outstanding efforts and contributions to the legal profession in paving the way for others.

Minority Caucus Stalwart Award: Larry Taylor Jr.

Learn more about AAJ's Minority Caucus here.

Marie Lambert Award: Sara Williams

Established in 1997 to recognize and honor women members of AAJ. The following principles guide the members of the Women Trial Lawyers Caucus: 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.

Learn more about AAJ's Women Trial Lawyers Caucus here.

LGBT Founders’ Award: Amy Heins

Learn more about the LGBT Caucus here.

Rick Barrera Jr., Matthew P. Bergman, Michael G. Donahue, Brett A. Emison, Wayne Hogan, Jennifer M. Lipinski, Tim O'Keeffe, Michael G. Phelan, Bradley J. Prochaska, and Ellen Relkin

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

David M. Arbogast, Lauren G. Barnes, David M. Berger, Seth L. Cardeli, Anita M. DeCarlo, John J. Driscoll, Lydia M. Floyd, Dennis M. Geier,  Maria B. Glorioso, Julian C. Gomez, Deepak Gupta, Robert M. Hammers, Srinivas Hanumadass, Carmaletta L. Henson, Jessica D. Hoerman, Wayne Hogan, Amy E. Keller, T. Matthew Leckman, J. Blake Ledbetter, Sin-Ting Mary Liu, Timothy A. Loranger,Margaret Mabie, Kevin J. Mahoney, Adam Malone, M. Clay Martin, Danielle W. Mason, David Todd Mathews, Carlos E. Moore, Leslie W. O'Leary, Spencer J. Pahlke,  Emily Peacock, Christopher M. Placitella, Jared M. Placitella, Ellen Relkin, Kyle T. Ring, Brittany Sanders Robb, Sara S. Schramm, Frederick W. Schultz, Dorothy Clay Sims, Gerson H. Smoger, John A. Stefani, Michael J. Warshauer, Matthew W. Wessler, Megan L. Whiteside, Sara L. Williams, and Don Worley

For service to AAJ through fundraising, membership, or education.

Jennie L. Anderson; Howard H. Ankin; Mike Arias; William E. Bonner; Diane L. Cardoso; Roxanne B. Conlin; Thomas D'Amore; Bob Edwards; Ingrid M. Evans; Brian S. Franciskato; Brenda S. Fulmer; Jamie G. Goldstein; Betsy K. Greene; Raymond R. Jones; Marianne LeBlanc; Dominic C. LoVerde; Emily Hawk Mills; Marion K. Munley; Matthew A. Nace; Jakalyn A. Olinger-Rochelle; Bhavani Raveendran; William A. Rossbach; Domenic B. Sanginiti Jr.; Donald H. Slavik; Miranda L. Soucie; Frank Verderame; and Laura V. Yaeger

Noah B. Abrams, Ben Davis, Maria S. Diamond, Brenda S. Fulmer, Jamie G. Goldstein, Lauren O. Newton, Ashleigh Raso, Domenic B.  Sanginiti Jr., and Nicholas Verderame

Recognizes members who have made outstanding efforts in support of AAJ's Political Action Committee (PAC).