Trial Magazine

When I get home insurance, I protect my house from a storm that might happen. But when I give to AAJ, I protect my practice from a storm that will happen. For trial lawyers, a storm is always coming.

Contributing to AAJ is more than insurance against possible disaster; it is protection against inevitable attacks on our clients’ rights. Our opponents won’t rest, so neither can AAJ. Whether defeating corporate attempts to capitalize on a pandemic, fighting to end forced arbitration, or advocating for a diverse federal judiciary, AAJ is always here for us and for our clients.

But we must play our part too: As we enter the new year, I urge you to give back financially to AAJ. The future of civil justice depends on it. Here are some great ways to give to AAJ in 2022.

Leaders Forum. Leaders Forum is a law firm membership that provides the critical foundation for everything AAJ does. By joining Leaders Forum, member firms increase their visibility, grow their practices through referrals, and receive exclusive products and services.

With Leaders Forum revenue making up 30% of AAJ’s budget, it is the driving force behind the association’s work and the difference between winning and losing the fight for civil justice. (Visit www.justice.org/leadersforum, or email leaders.forum@justice.org.)

Evergreen Fund. To support Evergreen, you identify a case, make a pledge, and then give to AAJ only if you are successful. Many members appreciate the simplicity of giving back through Evergreen to AAJ—the organization that fueled their success.

And with Evergreen, everyone is in it together—anyone can make a pledge and play their role in the fight for civil justice. As AAJ National Finance Chair Antonio Romanucci said, “One of the reasons I especially give to the AAJ Evergreen Fund is because the money that we receive for our clients was often gained from collaboration with other AAJ members.” (Visit www.justice.org/evergreen, or email evergreen.fund@justice.org.)

For Evergreen and Leaders Forum, a portion of your contribution may be tax deductible as a regular business expense. Members should consult their tax advisers to confirm.

Whether fighting to end forced arbitration or advocating for a diverse federal judiciary, AAJ is always here for us and for our clients.

AAJ Foundation. Planning is paramount in the long-term fight for our clients’ rights. The AAJ Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that provides resources for research and education to defend civil justice for future generations. You can give today or through a planned gift in your estate plan or will.

As AAJ Past President Elise Sanguinetti said, “Our opponents won’t ever stop, so I wanted to do something to protect trial lawyers and their clients for generations to come. That is why I added the AAJ Foundation to my estate plan.”

Your support will advance civil justice research, raise public awareness of the right to trial by jury, and help trial lawyers and their clients. (Visit www.justice.org/aajfoundation, or email aaj.foundation@justice.org.)

Education Fund. Since day one, the education of trial lawyers has been central to our association’s mission. The AAJ Education Fund is a 501(c)(3) that supports the National College of Advocacy educational programming and activities to preserve and promote civil justice and to protect consumers. (Visit www.justice.org/educationfund, or email education@justice.org.)

Giving to the Education Fund or the Foundation is tax deductible as a charitable contribution. Again, members should confer with their tax advisers.

A storm is always coming. Giving back to our association is the most direct and guaranteed investment that we can make to ensure the survival of our practices and the future of civil justice. We also should encourage other AAJ members to give back too. Let’s make 2022 our year of giving back to AAJ—the organization that shaped us. We owe it to AAJ and to ourselves.

Navan Ward Jr. is a principal at Beasley Allen Crow Methvin Portis & Miles in Atlanta and can be reached at navan.ward@justice.org.