RECAP of the 2007 Chicago Annual Convention,
Saturday, July 12 - Wednesday, July 16
Hyatt Regency Chicago, Chicago, IL

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR JUSTICE ELECTIONS:
On Monday, July 16, the Association held its Annual Business and Elections meeting. The following persons were elected to national office for the 2007-2008 AAJ year:

• Kathleen Flynn Peterson of Minnesota, who was elected to the office of President-Elect in Seattle in 2006, officially became the Association’s 62nd President.
• President-Elect:  Les Weisbrod of Texas
• Vice-President:  Anthony Tarricone of Massachusetts
• Secretary:  Gibson Vance of Alabama
• Treasurer:  Gary Paul of California
• Parliamentarian:  Richard Golomb of Pennsylvania

Chicago Materials & Products: PlayBack Now Search the Exchange under "CLE materials"      for convention reference papers. AAJ Exchange Litigation Packets Find convention print and CD materials      offered through West. Convention Brochure Convention Program Books AAJ Education Schedule Litigation Groups Meetings Section Meetings Committee Meetings Chicago Sponsors Exhibitors Company Listing Exhibitors Floor Plan Exhibitors Product Listing

AAJ EDUCATION PROGRAMS:
Attendees had the opportunity to earn a year’s worth of CLE credits in just five days by attending nearly 50 education programs. Program areas ranged from advocacy skills to substantive topics such as electronic discovery, employment rights, inadequate security, insurance law, interstate trucking, motor vehicle collision, nursing homes, traumatic brain injury, and more. See the sidebar for more details, including how to order recordings from these programs.

SECTIONS:
Section Members were treated to an exclusive Section Connection party! Section Members came together to enjoy each other’s company, music, food, and a generally relaxing evening at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Some attendees won American Express gift cards and a free Exchange Litigation Packet.

Overall, Sections offered high quality education programs, held productive business meetings, and conducted annual elections. Visit your Section’s home page to view
your new Section leaders. We also recorded some great
memories from this year’s event.  View the Photo Album.

LITIGATION GROUPS:
Seven new Litigation Groups were certified at the Annual Convention in Chicago. They are:

• Gadolinium Dye
• Avandia
• Medicare Reimbursement
• Resort Torts
• Taser
• Foodborne Illness
• AMO Complete Moisture Plus Eye Care Solution

AAJ PAC EAGLES:
AAJ PAC Eagles were joined by top tier Senate candidates Mike Ciresi (MN) and Mikal Watts (TX), both long time AAJ members, as well as Congressman Mark Udall (D-CO) at the Swissôtel in downtown Chicago. Ciresi, of Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P., is currently running for Senate in Minnesota, and Udall is running for Senate in Colorado. Watts, of Watts Law Firm, L.L.P., recently withdrew from the Senate race in Texas. Ciresi and Watts have been leaders at AAJ in the fight to teach the public about the good work trial attorneys do everyday. Congressman Udall, whose father was a trial lawyer, has been an outspoken defender of the civil justice system on Capitol Hill.

OPENING RECEPTION:
Several thousand people attended the opening Party Saturday night which featured food from the ethnic neighborhoods of Chicago. We honored the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). The rock band "Chicago" helped us open our convention.

WOMEN TRIAL LAWYERS CAUCUS BRUNCH:
Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones gave a rousing speech on the struggles and victories of life as a woman, a person of color and a Congresswoman. The brunch had record attendance with over 120 people. Sandra H. Robinson of Washington, DC was awarded the Marie Lambert Award for her tireless efforts as a leader in her firm and in the community. She serves as a mentor for those who strive to follow in her footsteps.

AAJ PAC M-CLUB:
Five of the Democratic presidential candidates – Governor Bill Richardson and Senators Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama and former Senator John Edwards– addressed a sold out AAJ PAC M Club. Each candidate spoke for 20 minutes, and answered questions from our members posed by President-Elect, Kathleen Flynn Peterson. The Forum was open to the media, and we had print, radio and TV coverage.

LEADERSHIP BREAKFAST:
Over 100 Leaders Forum, Endowment contributors, President Club, and Friends of Justice members attended the Leadership Breakfast where they heard from Senate Candidate Tom Allen (ME) and AAJ CEO Jon Haber and Vice President of Communications Bill Schulz.

Former AAJ Board member, Congressman Bruce Braley (D-IA) also spoke briefly and recognized the hard work of AAJ President Mike Eidson and AAJ President-Elect Kathleen Flynn Peterson in helping to preserve the civil justice system. The event closed with a legislative update from AAJ Senior Vice President for Public Affairs, Linda Lipsen.

The Wiedemann & Wysocki Award was given to the following members:

Jeremy W. Alters		Donald H. Beskind
E. Drew Britcher		Bob Brown
Russell W. Budd		John Feroleto
Lee S. Goldsmith		Richard M. Golomb
Peter J. Hinton		J. Burton Le Blanc
Laird M. Ozmon		David L. Perry
Elise R. Sanguinetti		Sol H. Weiss

AAJ PAC TOWN HALL MEETING:
Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean spoke to AAJ members about his 50-state strategy and its potential impact on the political landscape in 2008 and beyond. Also at the Town Hall, former AAJ President Ken Suggs received the Harry Philo Award for his exceptional commitment and service to the mission and work of AAJ.

REPUBLICAN TRIAL LAWYERS CAUCUS BUSINESS MEETING:
Elections for new officers took place at this meeting, Michael Wise was chosen as the new Chair, Morgan Adams as the Chair-Elect, Mitch Tyner as Vice-Chair, Dan Brown as Secretary, and Phil Bourdette as Representative to the AAJ Board of Governors.  View meeting details . 

REPUBLICAN CAUCUS’ RECEPTION FOR AAJ’S VETERANS:
A packed house was present to honor AAJ’s veterans who served our country during World War II, in Korea, in Vietnam, during the Gulf Wars and the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and to hear Lt. General Dennis McCarthy of the Reserve Officers Association address the group. Learn more about the Republican Caucus' involvement with veterans. 

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR JUSTICE ROBERT L. HABUSH ENDOWMENT:
Outgoing Endowment President Larry Stewart welcomed incoming Endowment President Todd Smith, and both thanked the Endowment contributors for their support. The Endowment provides needed financial support to many long-term priority projects of AAJ, including support for the Pound Judges Forum. An Endowment-supported study on health courts was published and made available to interested members at the convention.

MEMBERSHIP AWARDS LUNCHEON:
The luncheon entertainment was the well known political comedy group the “Capitol Steps”. Numerous awards were given at the luncheon. They include:

• DAVID S. SHRAGER PRESIDENT’S  Award Winner:  Ronald L. Motley
• LEONARD M. RING CHAMPION OF JUSTICE  Award Winner:  Ralph M. Cloar, Jr
• STEVEN J. SHARP PUBLIC SERVICE  Award Winner:  Brent Coon and Eva Rowe

AAJ CONGRATULATES OUR AWARD WINNERS:

STAC Competition Winners from Baylor University: Daniel Back Joshua Hedrick Daniel Stokes James Williams Coach – Jim Wren	TRIAL ADVOCACY SCHOLARSHIP Award Winner: Lauren Christopher	LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT Award Winner: Philip H. Corboy, Sr.
HARRY PHILO Award Winner: Kenneth M. Suggs	CHAMPION OF JUSTICE Award Winners: Senator Richard Durbin Congressman John Conyers	ANNUAL SECTION NEWSLETTER Award Winners: Alisa R. Bordkowitz Gary C. Robb
LITIGATION GROUP CHAIR Award Winner: James F. Szaller	CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION Award Winners: Laird M. Ozmon Mary Alice McLarty Larry A. Tawwater	LEESFIELD/AAJ SCHOLARSHIP Award winner: Augusta Akpotu
PARALEGAL OF THE YEAR Award winner: Natalie Andrus	STATE DELEGATE OF THE YEAR Award winner: Randy Miller	F. SCOTT BALDWIN Award Winner: Melissa R. Smith
ROBERT BONSIGNORE Award Winner: Alabama Trial Lawyers     Association's Emerging     Leaders	TONAHILL Award Winner: C. Gibson Vance	AAJ PARTNERSHIP Award Winner: David Gates
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE Award Winners: Mary E. Alexander Fred Baron Wayne Hogan

MINORITY CAUCUS RECEPTION:
The Minority Caucus Reception was a great success this year in Chicago. With the largest attendance to date the reception featured Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr (D-IL) as a featured speaker and guest. Additionally the Soaring Eagles Award was given to Congressman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY) who unfortunately was unable to attend. The event also recognized Richard D. Hailey scholarship winners Augusta Akpotu, Terry Bruner, Jenifer Finney, Suntrease Williams. These winners were selected because they demonstrated their strong desire to make a positive contribution to the legal profession.

AAJ EXHIBITION HALL:
More than 140 companies offered the latest legal products and services for you and your practice. See the Exhibit Hall floor plan, exhibitor listing, hall hours and events.

KIDS AND FAMILY ACTIVITIES:
As at every AAJ Convention, numerous family and child friendly programs are offered. There were family, adult and children tours, game rooms for children craft activities and movies.

CIVIL JUSTICE FOUNDATION BREAKFAST:
With over 300 attendees the Civil Justice Foundation presented its Community Champion Awards (honoring persons and organizations that have taken an active role in advocating and fighting on behalf of consumers) to:

• Senator Claire McCaskill - For dedicating her life to listening to the needs of working families, holding government accountable and ensuring public policies benefit the people, not the special interests.
  
  
• Lieutenant Commander Charles Swift - for his efforts battling the US government for justice at Guantanamo Bay Janette Fennell - for her work with Kids and Cars, advocating for children’s safety in and around vehicles.

• Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Prevention – 20 year recipient (for studying the complex problem of injury, in an attempt to find answers that will reduce injuries and their treatment.)
  
  
• Truck Safety Coalition (combination of CRASH and PATT) – 10year recipient (for its dedication to reducing preventable truck crash deaths and injuries in memory and honor of all those who have been affected by such crashes in the past).