Trial Magazine
Theme Article
AAJ 75th: Leadership Academy
January 2021How It Started
The Leadership Academy was established in 2012. An initiative of AAJ’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, the Leadership Academy is dedicated to improving, developing, and ensuring diversity in AAJ’s membership and its leadership, particularly among those who are underrepresented within the association based on ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, and disability.
How It Works
Each year, 16 to 18 plaintiff trial lawyers are selected to attend three professional development sessions held in conjunction with AAJ’s conventions and fall Board of Governors meeting. Sessions focus on skills and techniques to make them effective leaders in AAJ and in their communities.
- 75% of graduates have gone onto leadership roles within AAJ, including as officers and chairs of Litigation Groups, Sections, Caucuses, and committees.
- All of the current chairs and immediate past chairs of the Women Trial Lawyers Caucus, Minority Caucus, LGBT Caucus, and New Lawyers Division for 2020–2021 are graduates of the Leadership Academy.
- 36 graduates sit on AAJ’s Board of Governors.
- 9 graduates have gone on to serve on AAJ’s executive committee. AAJ’s vice president, Tad Thomas, is a graduate of the inaugural Leadership Academy Class of 2013–2014.
The First Class
The inaugural class attended its final session and graduated in June 2014 in Baltimore, in conjunction with AAJ’s Annual Convention.
The Academy Today
With 114 graduates to date, including 54 minorities, 68 women, 7 LGBTQ people, and 77 new lawyers in practice 10 years or less, the program has seen a 75% increase in applicants since 2013.
Graduates of the fifth Leadership Academy class (2017–2018) in Denver.
Future Classes
The application process for the 2021–2022 Leadership Academy is scheduled to begin in the spring. For the latest program and application details, email durete.thompson@justice.org or visit www.justice.org/education/leadership-academy.
“Participation in Leadership Academy was one of the most rewarding and transformational experiences of my career as a lawyer.”
—Brenda S. Fulmer Class of 2013–2014, Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley
“Leadership Academy was an incredible, transformative experience. Working with such talented attorneys has inspired my own work and helped me build beautiful and deep connections.”
—Amber M. Pang Parra Class of 2017–2018, Justinian & Associates
