American Association for Justice
Recent News About American Association for Justice
-
The bad penny that keeps coming back: tax breaks for trial lawyers
It’s been going on for more than a decade: the lobbying to let lawyers filing contingency-based lawsuits deduct fees and expenses immediately from tax returns. Such expenses have long been treated as loans to clients, recoverable at settlement – or, in case of a loss in court, deducted from tax returns at the conclusion of a case. -
'Easy grandstanding': Congress backs trial lawyers' effort to condemn chemicals, win lawsuits while science debated
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – As Congress vilifies chemicals known as PFAS, some question whether the research upon which lawmakers – and trial lawyers – are relying shows that anyone has actually been harmed by them. -
Trial lawyers find unusual allies in fight against arbitration: Conservative state treasurers
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Class action lawyers who see arbitration as a mortal threat to their business have found unlikely allies among some of the nation’s most conservative state officials. -
California reclaims top spot on 'Judicial Hellhole' list; ATRA bemoans state's adoption of 'innovator liability'
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - California tops the list of jurisdictions regarded as "Judicial Hellholes" by a national civil justice reform group. -
Texas Supreme Court -- Model of Judicial Integrity, Unlike California
The Texas Supreme Court has a unique structure, reflecting the state’s stubbornly independent-minded culture. Most state supreme courts have jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases and have seven (or fewer) members, who are appointed by the governor and face the voters — if at all — only for periodic “retention” elections. The Texas Supreme Court, in contrast, hears only civil appeals (criminal cases are decided by the co-equal Texas Court of Criminal Appeals) and has nine members, all of whom are subject to statewide partisan elections. The last feature is quite unusual; only seven states select judges in this manner. Despite this distinctive design, the Texas Supreme Court succeeds at steering a steady jurisprudential course in a cautious, low-key style. -
Attorney Dan Linebaugh recognized by the American Association for Justice
HOUSTON -- Personal injury attorney Dan Linebaugh, founder and leader of the Linebaugh Law Firm, recently received the American Association for Justice (AAJ) Diplomates of Trial Advocacy designation. This title recognizes attorneys who have demonstrated their ongoing commitment to legal education by completing more than 400 hours of qualifying AAJ educational programs. -
AAJ convention: Summer camp for trial lawyers looking to sue
This July, thousands of trial lawyers packed their briefcases, said goodbye to family and friends, and attended the American Association for Justice’s annual convention. Much like summer camp, these trial lawyers were fully immersed in courses and activities that taught them new skills. Unlike summer camp, they weren’t there to learn camping or sporting skills; they were learning how to generate more lawsuits. -
Lampson, Weber present platforms at Beaumont Chamber forum
Congressional candidates Republican Randy Weber and Democrat Nick Lampson had an opportunity to present their platforms at a forum Tuesday sponsored by the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce. -
**FOR PRINT** AAJ federal judicial plan draws attention
MIAMI – An apparent plan by the lobbying group for the nation’s trial lawyers to identify potential federal judicial nominees is drawing the attention of others. -
Trial lawyers group: RICO claims not appropriate recourse against baseless lawsuits
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) – A national association representing the interests of trial lawyers has filed a brief that argues against corporate defendants’ use of racketeering laws in lawsuits against plaintiffs attorneys alleged to have committed fraud. -
Across America, Hurricane Mostyn spending millions in 2014 election cycle
HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) – Just as he’s done in previous years, plaintiffs attorney Steve Mostyn has spent millions this election cycle in races all across the country. -
Leahy blames Reid — and trial lawyers — for failure of patent reform bill; Cornyn agrees
“It’s disappointing the Majority Leader has allowed the demands of one special interest group to trump a bipartisan will in Congress and the overwhelming support of innovators and job creators,” US Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said in a statement after Leahy shelved the bill in May. -
AAJ federal judicial plan draws attention
MIAMI – An apparent plan by the lobbying group for the nation’s trial lawyers to identify potential federal judicial nominees is drawing the attention of others. -
Blog shows trial lawyer group working with four Senate campaigns
Heitkamp BISMARCK, N.D. (Legal Newsline) � A group being funded by trial lawyer heavyweights is working with Heidi Heitkamp, a former North Dakota attorney general, on her U.S. Senate campaign. -
The science of asbestos: The arguments for juries
Shein WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - With so much at stake for businesses weighted down by litigation costs, can juries in asbestos cases be trusted to render fair and just verdicts? -
****FOR PRINT **** ATRA lawyer says movie slashed key part of argument
Schwartz WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) � A tort reform advocate who was interviewed for a documentary that debuted Monday on HBO says his comments were taken out of context, though the filmmaker is defending her editing. -
Legally Speaking: Separating Myth From Reality-The Truth About 'Hot Coffee'
Without a doubt, most Americans are more familiar with the notorious McDonald's "hot coffee" case than with landmark Supreme Court decisions. -
Expert calls AAJ's confidentiality agreement into question
von Spakovsky A legal expert says it's suspicious that the American Association for Justice would impose a confidentiality agreement on members to attend the group's winter convention. -
**** FOR PRINT *** Expert calls AAJ's confidentiality agreement into question
A legal expert says it's suspicious that the American Association for Justice would impose a confidentiality agreement on members to attend the group's winter convention.