Trial Magazine

As the new president of AAJ, I am humbled and honored to serve as the face of our noble organization. From a young age, I knew I wanted to be a lawyer. High school and college were simply boxes I needed to check before achieving this. If you had asked me why I was on this path when I started law school at the University of Florida, I would have told you that it was a calling. But I would not have been able to articulate what it meant to be a trial lawyer.

Now, fast forward 33 years as a lawyer—and after 30 years of marriage, three beautiful children, and co-founding a boutique litigation firm—I can say with certainty that a trial lawyer is someone with an indomitable fighting spirit who champions the oppressed. We are the guardians of the truth and staunch advocates for those who have been wronged.

As I start my term as AAJ president, I want to make sure my leadership first and foremost honors your work and this incredible organization that empowers us to do our best. The fighting spirit of a trial lawyer is unparalleled. We are driven by a deep sense of duty, knowing that our efforts can change lives, restore dignity, and shape a better future.

There are times when the challenges we face can be daunting and discouraging—moments when we uncover the darkest elements of corporate greed and injustice. But what reignites that fighting spirit is the strength of our AAJ community, knowing that our fight is not just for the people we represent but also for the greater cause of justice.

It is this collective commitment to resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity that makes us trial lawyers. As AAJ’s 78th president, my job is to harness the invincible spirit of our membership and use it to make us even stronger.

Over the next year, my fellow officers and I will continue to travel around the country with one purpose: to inspire, encourage, and empower our members. My hope is that our efforts remind each of you of the value you bring to our profession and the value AAJ brings to our collective pursuit of justice.

My goal will be simple: inspire a deeper commitment and investment in our cause by highlighting the value of AAJ and increasing engagement among our members. I want to craft a comprehensive, national plan that increases participation in AAJ PAC. Political chess games are constantly being played, seeking to silence our clients and disrupt our practices. But we will not be outmaneuvered. By investing in the next generation of trial lawyers and diversifying our membership, we can fortify our positions and ensure our voices are heard where they matter most.

I want to thank everyone who has supported me on this journey of service to AAJ. My commitment has always been rooted in service and action, driven by my duty to my clients; my passion for the law; and my pursuit for a safer, more equitable, and more inclusive society.

I am grateful for this opportunity and will work tirelessly to make our organization stronger—not just for the year ahead but also for the future of our clients. I am honored to stand alongside each of you in the pursuit of justice. We are in this together. We share each other’s successes, and we share each other’s losses. Your fighting spirit is an inspiration, and it is a privilege to be part of such a remarkable community.

Sean C. Domnick is a founder and shareholder of Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and can be reached at sean.domnick@justice.org.