Welcome to the 2005 Toronto Annual Convention
Saturday, July 23-27 - Wednesday, July 27

View selected photos from the Toronto Convention!

Posted: Wednesday, July 27 (2 pm)

Members attending the AAJ Annual Convention have had a full schedule of programs to expand their legal knowledge, of political speeches, and of visiting with colleagues. Many attendees and their families have ventured out into the City of Toronto for good food, harbour tours and rides on the high-speed elevators, up 181 floors, to the top of CN Tower—the world's tallest free-standing structure—for an unforgettable view. Some recent Convention highlights include:

Civil Justice Foundation Breakfast - The Civil Justice Foundation awards modest grants to grassroots consumer advocacy groups. Since its inception in 1986, the Foundation has awarded over $1 million to over 100 organizations. Father Thomas Patrick Doyle was honored with the Community Champion Award for his work as the premier advocate for those sexually abused by Catholic clergy. He thanked AAJ members for making "justice a reality" and offering victims "credibility, solace, understanding, belief...[and] hope that justice is real; in fact, it's sacred." Paul Sheridan, a former safety staffer turned whistleblower of Chrysler, was honored with the Consumer Advocate Champion Award. Paul's main message was that "safety is a management issue...not an engineering issue." Lastly, former Senator John Edwards received an award as a champion of civil justice, as a fighter on issues that make a difference to American families. Edwards said he was "proud to be a trial lawyer" because we all "fight with strength and passion for what we believe in." He called on AAJ members to continue the fight for the jury system and to be compassionate toward those who are struggling.

Membership Awards Luncheon - The luncheon was keynoted by Stephanie Miller, a radio personality from Democracy Radio. She humorously spoke of the hypocrisy of those who want to dismantle the civil justice system. Numerous awards were given at the luncheon. They included:

1. Harry Philo Award to former AAJ President David Casey
2. Leonard M. Ring Champion of Justice Award to Richard Bieder
   
3. Partnership Award to Gerhard Letzing, Executive Director, Washington State TLA
   
4. President's Award to AAJ Parliamentarian Anthony Tarricone
   
5. Hall of Fame Award to Norman Landau, longtime AAJ member
   
6. Paralegal of the Year Award to Julie McLaughlin
   
7. State Delegate of the Year Award to Gary Pillersdorf
   The Steven J. Sharp Public Service Award went to AAJ member Richard Ruggieri and his client Brandon Maxfield. Brandon was paralyzed at the age of 7 by a defective handgun. Since that time, he has taken on the gunmaker and set up his own non-profit organization called "Brandon's Arms." Ruggieri said Brandon continues to pursue this case in order "to do something meaningful with his life."

Minority Caucus Reception - Over 150 people attended this reception to celebrate lawyers of color. The Caucus honored Judge Horace T. Ward, the first African-American appointed to federal district court in Georgia, with the Johnnie L. Cochran Soaring Eagles Award.

Trial Lawyers for Public Justice Annual Awards Dinner - The annual awards dinner for TLPJ was well attended. Harry Deitzler, Larry Winter, Robert Bilott, Gerald Rapien, R. Edison Hill, and James Peterson were awarded the 2005 Trial Lawyer of the Year Award. These attorneys sued corporate giant DuPont for damages and medical monitoring stemming from DuPont's leaking of perfluorooctanoic acid into the drinking water of Mid-Ohio Valley residents. After a grueling class action battle in a West Virginia county court, during which the attorneys uncovered evidence revealing that DuPont was aware of C8's potential toxicity as far back as 1961, the legal team achieved an unprecedented settlement.

The Convention concludes tonight with a Closing Party, Dinner and Dance. AAJ Board of Governors will meet tomorrow.

Posted: Wednesday, July 27 (12 pm)

Congratulations to C. Gibson Vance, AAJ's Parliamentarian for 2005-2006. Vance is Treasurer of the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association, He also serves on AAJ’s Public Affairs Committee, is the state chairman for the Leader's Forum Committee, and has recently been nominated to serve a two year term as a member of the Board of Directors for Trial Lawyers for Public Justice. Vance received his J.D. from Jones School of Law at Faulkner University and his B.A. from Troy State University in 1987.

Posted: Tuesday, July 26 (12 pm)

After the second full day of the AAJ Convention, members are enjoying themselves - networking, attending a variety of educational programs and meetings, catching up with old friends, and hearing from prominent speakers. Some of the highlights from Monday include:

Leadership Breakfast - The morning began with an early breakfast that was well attended by AAJ leadership. New Mexico Attorney General Patricia Madrid discussed the need for greater consumer protections in the states, and AAJ CEO Jon Haber outlined AAJ's new direction and comprehensive communication plan. AAJ member Ken Connor, former President of the Family Research Council, Governor Jeb Bush's attorney in the Terry Schiavo case, and now President of the Center for a Just Society, gave a well-received, informative presentation on outreach efforts to Republicans and other social conservatives. He said the tort system "affirms the value and dignity of human life...promotes responsibility and accountability …[and] the jury system is the ultimate in local government."

American Association for Justice Political Action Committee Town Hall Meeting - This luncheon had a huge, standing room only crowd and featured the witty Paul Begala, CNN commentator and former strategist for President Bill Clinton. He urged AAJ to fight back against the forces of evil, saying that "surrender turns out to be not a very good strategy" and stated plainly that the opponents of the civil justice system "don't want you to be able to protect yourself in a court of law." Fight back and give to the PAC!

Kids & Family Activities - As at every AAJ Convention, numerous family- and child-friendly programs are offered. There are city tours, game rooms for children, crafts activities and movies. Everyone seems to be having a great time.

Section & Litigation Group Meetings & Educational Programs - With over 49 educational programs to attend, the convention is the place to get your CLE credits. Monday there were classes on issues ranging from products that cause fires, machinery incidents and toxic torts, to sexual assaults, hazing, corporate fraud, and identity theft. Numerous section and litigation groups also met to discuss issues of interest and share ideas.

The Robert L. Habush AAJ Endowment Reception - Eugene Pavalon, former AAJ President and outgoing President of the Robert L. Habush Endowment, and Larry Stewart, incoming President of the Endowment, kicked off the reception with welcoming remarks and a call for continued support. Former Senator John Edwards came by to thank AAJ members and attendees for their help over the past year. Edwards also spoke at the Civil Justice Foundation Breakfast this morning.

Posted: Monday, July 25 (10 am)

There is great attendance of trial lawyers, legal staff and their families at the 2005 AAJ Convention in this beautiful city on Lake Ontario. The weather has been fabulous and members are taking advantage of all the convention has to offer – 49 educational programs, 81 vendors, numerous political speakers and even city tours. Some of the highlights from the weekend include:

Opening Plenary – This kickoff event occurred Saturday evening and included several awards and an impassioned speech by Senator Dick Durbin from Illinois. The awards included one honoring the Ukranian Supreme Court for its efforts to uphold democracy, the National Center of State Courts’ 2005 Distinguished Service Award for Robert Peck of the Center for Constitutional Litigation, and the Lifetime Achievement Award to longtime AAJ member Phil Maher. As Senator Durbin headlined the event, he thanked AAJ and the award winners for being there to “defend democracy” and for being the voice for the voiceless in the civil justice system.

Opening Reception – Several thousand people attended the opening party Saturday night which featured food from the ethnic communities of Toronto, including Greece, Italy, China and England. Portrait artists, jazz musicians and mimes entertained the members and their families.

American Association for Justice Political Action Committee Eagles Reception – Congressmen, Senators, Attorneys General and numerous candidates spoke at PAC Eagles Reception on Saturday about their commitment to fight for the civil justice system.

American Association for Justice Political Action Committee M Club Luncheon – More than 300 members who give annually to the American Association for Justice Political Action Committee packed the M Club Luncheon on Sunday. Key speakers were Howard Dean, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, and Senator Joe Biden from Delaware. Chairman Dean, a medical doctor, said he opposes so-called “tort reform” because it “doesn’t work.” He said, “We need to stop running away from our allies such as trial lawyers…such as trade unions. We should never apologize for who our friends are.” Senator Biden, in a wide ranging discussion of domestic and foreign policy, noted that: “Were there no trial bar, any democratic society would have to invent one…to protect average citizens from the abuse of corporate power.”

Women’s Trial Lawyers Caucus Brunch – Lucinda Finley, Vice Provost of the State University of New York at Buffalo, a leading scholar on gender issues in tort law, discussed the disparate impact that caps on non-economic damages have on women and the elderly. The event recognized the tremendous Women’s Lobby Day in Washington, during which over 70 women met with Senators and Congressmen about medical malpractice. Additionally, Judge Joan MacDonald of Toronto received the Marie Lambert Award for distinguished service.

Republican Trial Lawyers Caucus – There was a larger than expected turnout at the meeting, with over 50 members participating. The Caucus elected its first official officers and two board members in anticipation of final board approval to be a permanent standing committee.

Leonard Weinglass Civil Rights Award – AAJ's Civil Rights Section presented its second annual Leonard Weinglass Civil Rights Award to Arthur H. Bryant, Executive Director of the Trial Lawyers for Public Justice (TLPJ), on Sunday. Mr. Bryant received this award for his commitment to defending and advancing civil rights. Since joining TLPJ in 1984 as its sole staff attorney, he has won major victories and established new precedents in several areas of the law, including constitutional law, toxic torts, civil rights, consumer protection, and mass torts.

Posted: Friday, July 22 (8 am)

Welcome to Toronto! Starting Saturday, July 23, we will be regularly updating this page to let you know about the latest events and highlights happening at the Toronto Annual Convention!

If you have any colleagues that have not yet registered, on-site registration will begin on Friday, July 22, 2005, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm in the Sheraton Hall Foyer, and will continue throughout the week.

Posted: Thursday, July 21, 2005 (10 pm)

Here is a sampling of the outstanding opportunities you can look forward to during the Toronto Convention!

Don't miss exciting speakers on politics today. Want the inside scoop on the state of politics today and what's happening on Capitol Hill and across the country? Come hear:

• U.S. Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), the Assistant Minority Leader, address attendees at the always popular Opening Plenary
• The Honorable Howard Dean, Chair, Democratic National Committee, and U.S. Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE), address members of American Association for Justice Political Action Committee's M Club at their Annual Luncheon
• Paul Begala, CNN political commentator and author, talk about the current state of politics in America at the Town Hall meeting
  Get more details!

Select from over 300 CLE presentations on nearly 50 programs and earn up to 37 CLE credits. To better represent your clients, choose from nearly 50 CLE programs, including the Advocacy Track, and earn up to 37 CLE and NCA credits, including 5 ethics credits. Education programs will be held at both hotels. View education schedule.

Join AAJ Sections and take home up to two gifts! Receive a complimentary pair of binoculars--just for joining an AAJ Section in Toronto! Or, join more than one Section, and you'll also take home an AAJ polo shirt! Profit year round with the many benefits of being an AAJ Section member. View a listing of Section events.

Visit the AAJ Exposition Hall. More than 75 companies offering the latest legal products and services for you and your practice. See the Exhibit Hall floor plan, exhibitor listing, hall hours and events. Be sure to visit the AAJ.org/Exchange booth while you are there. Spend up to $200 and we'll ship your CLE Reference Materials at no charge! Purchase Exchange products, register for CLE or an upcoming convention, join a practice Section, and more!