Trial Magazine

“Auto Insurance: The Great Debate” emblazoned the cover of Trial’s October/November 1967 issue. This decade saw the exponential growth of car ownership—and, with it, more motor collisions, which quickly outgrew stagnant liability policies and government regulations. Dissatisfaction with how fault is determined prompted AAJ to draft 12 analyses, which Trial published in this issue, offering insight into each possible angle of this growing topic. Law professors, litigators, and auto industry personnel wrote articles expounding on debates in Congress, industry perspectives, future trends, and suggestions for improved regulations.

Trial magazine debuted with its December 1964/January 1965 issue.

Trial’s July/August 1972 issue focused on recreational safety. A common thread in each theme article was a call for better product design—from swimming pools to caution signs—to address growing numbers of injury and death. One article discussed how the lack of safety equipment, training, and supervision leads to unregulated violence in sports across the country—a problem that the plaintiff bar continues to work on today with the push for better concussion monitoring and return-to-play policies in sports. And two articles explored legislation related to boating and auto safety and discussed the need for continued innovation in these fields.

The association’s first publication was The NACCA Law Journal, which focused on injured workers.

In January 1987, Trial focused on law practice management. The magazine started the year with a forward gaze, publishing an issue with a large emphasis on a then up-and-coming technology: data processing. Computers were not a new invention, but advances in the 1980s made them more affordable and accessible to the public. Articles centered on how to install, operate, and use computers for the best results in trial. Others covered practice techniques, such as strategies for better office administration, professional credibility, and jury persuasion.

The theme of the September 1983 issue was “Trial by Jury.” Writers examined this constitutional right and its historical context. One article discussed the necessity of citizen participation in the judicial system; another, the benefits of jury trials. The right to a jury trial and access to the courts are crucial for a strong civil justice system. Today, AAJ continues its mission to protect the Seventh Amendment and supports bipartisan efforts in this area. Articles in this issue also focused on strategies to assess potential juror bias, case studies that showed the science behind jury selection, and fiber evidence’s role in the future of criminal cases.

A simple but powerful cover photo introduced the theme of Trial’s August 1990 issue, “Protecting the Environment.” Authors opened this issue with an overview of the first 20 years of the EPA, its triumphs, its projected future, and the new crises it faced, such as global warming. Articles equipped members with trial techniques for winning environmental tort litigation and with strategies for meeting burden-of-proof requirements and for persuasive closing arguments. Other articles took aim at specific hazards, such as asbestos and non-ionizing radiation.

The July 2001 issue concentrated on new litigation, new technology, and new techniques to respond to shifting directions in America’s judicial system. Articles analyzed the emerging world of genetic research. One author expounded on the prospects of human cloning and the ethics of this scientific development; another, on biotechnology’s effects on tort law. Writers also discussed environmental contamination class actions, the pros and cons of multidistrict litigation, and recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings that expanded state sovereign immunity.

Trial’s January 2017 issue focused on the rigged system of forced arbitration. It discussed AAJ’s extensive efforts to bring the secretive practice to the forefront and create public awareness, as well as efforts by federal agencies, states, and consumer advocates. Sen. Al Franken and Rep. Hank Johnson spoke with Trial Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Adams about legislation they introduced to eliminate forced arbitration clauses in certain contracts, which has yet to gain enough bipartisan support. In March 2022, five years after the issue was published, Congress enacted a law that precludes employers from requiring employees to arbitrate disputes related to sexual assault and harassment.

In the June 2024 issue, Trial tackled the most recent technological advancement of our day: artificial intelligence. AI has infiltrated every industry, with new opportunities and new challenges. In response, AAJ sought attorneys and experts familiar with the cutting-edge technology to keep its members informed and educated. Authors analyzed the impact of AI in the legal field, ethical considerations, and best practices surrounding this ever-evolving innovation. And other articles delved into the uses of generative AI, including document summary, legal research, case intake, and case management.