for SECRETARY N. John Bey Bey & Associates, LLC

Candidate Statement

I am thrilled to announce my candidacy for the position of Secretary of the American Association of Justice. As a dedicated trial lawyer, I have spent my entire career advocating for client rights in various arenas, including the courtroom, the state capital, and the nation’s capital. It is with great pride that I highlight my work in advancing these aims through AAJ’s mission. 

Having served as AAJ Treasurer, I have had the privilege of traveling to state capitals and Washington, D.C., to effectively lobby for our clients’ rights. It is an honor to stand with you and answer the call to service annually. AAJ’s commitment to maintaining an open courthouse for citizens who have been failed, forgotten, and forsaken is both personally and organizationally meaningful to me. Additionally, I have traveled across the country, championing the AAJ message and fighting to defeat tort reform at the state level.

As a member of AAJ’s National College of Advocacy Board of Trustees, I have contributed to the design and content of our education programs, empowering trial lawyers to better advocate for their clients. I have reached thousands of attorneys, sharing knowledge and experiences that have fostered a stronger trial bar both nationally and locally. These experiences have not only allowed me to teach but also to learn, reinforcing my belief that we are stronger as a collective group than ever before.

As a trustee of the National Civil Justice Institute (NCJI), my service has played a crucial role in providing judges, legal educators, and the public with a balanced perspective on the issues affecting the U.S. civil justice system. I take immense pride in these efforts, as they contribute to the strengthening of the right to trial by jury for years to come.

Membership and recruitment have been a top priority for me, and I have traveled across the country to recruit members for AAJ. This year, I organized a successful membership drive at my office, resulting in record-setting recruitment rates. Witnessing our growth in the recruitment of entire firms though AAJ’s annual firm billing initiative has been truly inspiring. While many other organizations have faced challenges, our membership has remained strong.

I want to commend the outstanding work accomplished by our AAJ caucuses in member education, engagement, and recruitment. As a past chair of the Minority Caucus, I had the honor of organizing one of the largest Minority Caucus Lobby Day events in our history. I proudly sponsor the Minority Caucus, and the LGBT Caucus, collaborating with these caucuses on membership recruitment and education. Notably, I am the youngest recipient of the Minority Caucus Lifetime Achievement Award and the inaugural winner of the New Lawyers Division’s Elise Sanguinetti Award, which recognizes the highest level of service to the NLD.

I am deeply honored to be considered for the position of Secretary. I fully recognize the challenging nature of our organization’s mission, but I am wholeheartedly committed to pursuing it relentlessly. Rest assured, I will dedicate myself to advocating for our clients, championing our mission, and upholding our cherished ideals each and every day. 

Education

University of Cincinnati, B.A.; University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. 

Leadership Activities & Honors/Awards

AAJ Treasurer 2022-23; AAJ Parliamentarian 2021-2022; AAJ Executive Committee 2015-present; GTLA Executive Committee 2015-present; AAJ Diversity and Inclusion Committee Chair 2017-2019, Member 2020-present; AAJ Minority Caucus Chair 2015-2016, Vice Chair, 2014 – 2015, First Vice Chair 2013 – 2014, Second Vice Chair 2012 – 2013; Board Member, Board of Governors 2016-2022; Board Member, Gate City Bar Association 2018- present; Georgia Civil Justice PAC Chair, 2017-2018; Georgia Civil Justice PAC Board, 2013- present; GTLA Former Chair Civil Justice PAC Board; Pound Civil Justice Institute Board of Trustees; Leadership Academy; GTLA Co-chair MV Collision CLE Annual Convention 2015; Member, Convention Planning Committee Present;  Member, AAJ Executive Committee 2014-present; Member, Membership Oversight Committee 2016-2022; Member, AAJ PAC Task Force 2016-present; Member, National College of Advocacy Board of Trustees 2014-2020; Member, National College of Advocacy faculty member 2012-present; State Delegate, State Delegates 2014-2016; Member, Voter Protection Action Committee 2014-present; Member, Public Education Committee 2013-present; Member, Nursing Homes Litigation Group; Member, Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group; GTLA Leadership Class. 2014, 2016 American Association for Justice Award for Excellence; 2015-2019 Georgia Super Lawyer Rising Star; 2018 AAJ Minority Caucus Lifetime Achievement Award; 2016 AAJ Leadership Award; 2017, 2018 AAJ Distinguished Service Award; 2018 AAJ Above and Beyond Award; 2018 Member, Best Attorney of America; 2018 Member, Best Law Firm of America; 2020, 2021 Georgia Super Lawyer; 2021 Georgia Best Lawyers; Member, University of Alabama Farrah Law Society; AAJ Leadership Academy; GTLA LEAD Program; 2019 Top Verdict, Top 20 Jury Verdicts in the United States (Premises Liability/Negligent Security); 2019 GTLA Civil Justice PAC Award; Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Member; Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Member.