Trial Magazine

As I write this, I wonder, “How many January articles are written that talk about New Year’s resolutions?” Then I wonder, “How many February articles talk about the failure of those same resolutions?” Who knows what the numbers might be, but regardless, we all know that with each new year comes failed resolutions. We also know that the cause of failed resolutions is often the same—lack of action.

Whether it’s exercise, a happier outlook on life, better financial planning, or anything else, the results are governed by the effort given. And this makes me think about my involvement in AAJ. Over the years, the more effort I put into the association, the better the returns. The more I engaged, the more the association did for me and my practice.

As a young lawyer, I joined AAJ, received Trial magazine, and perhaps subscribed to a list server—but not much more. I didn’t take advantage of all the other benefits the association has to offer. After five years of being an AAJ member, I took my first step toward engaging further and ventured to Toronto for my first Annual Convention. That convention turned out to be pivotal—not just for me as an AAJ member but also for my personal life and the future of my career.

After attending the convention and witnessing the comradery that the trial lawyer community provided to a young lawyer and the education available through AAJ Education and the National College of Advocacy, I decided it was time to engage more. I got involved in the New Lawyers Division (NLD), which introduced me to people I now count as some of my best friends. As I saw the benefits from engaging with the NLD, I did more. I started attending AAJ phone drives and education programs, and I tried to never miss a convention.

The more I engaged in AAJ, the more opportunities arose. I became involved in committees, ran for the Board of Governors, and ultimately started up the ladder as an AAJ national officer. Every step along the way, my engagement led to professional success.

When I applied for and was accepted into AAJ’s Leadership Academy, I gained valuable leadership skills that have stayed with me to this day. I learned from the best trial lawyers in the country when I attended CLEs. When I had the privilege of teaching on an education program, I learned exponentially from the other faculty. The more programs I attended, the more connections I made, meeting lawyers from across the country and abroad.

Along the way my network grew by leaps and bounds—and continues to do so. Almost daily I am contacted by lawyers who ask, “Do you know someone in X state who might help me with this case?” Or, “Do you know anyone handling X type of case?” When I need an expert witness, I just reach out to any number of channels I’ve developed over the years through AAJ.

And being part of AAJ also means being part of a larger effort for the public good. It is not an overstatement to say that AAJ’s legislative and regulatory advocacy, its involvement in the federal rules committees, and its relationship with the National Association of Trial Lawyer Executives and state trial lawyer associations make our country a better place.

In just the last year, AAJ has won victories against tort “reform” organizations that have tried to use the rules committees to tilt the advantage toward corporations; against forced arbitration on behalf of victims of sexual harassment and abuse; and against government actors who would have taken unfair amounts of our clients’ settlements for Medicare.

It is January and time for my New Year’s resolutions. The one that I know I’ll keep is the one that has already shown the most results: engagement in our beloved organization. I hope you’ll join me, whether by attending AAJ’s 2023 Winter Convention in Phoenix next month or other events in 2023.

Tad Thomas is the founder and managing partner of Thomas Law Offices in Louisville, Ky., and can be reached at tad.thomas@justice.org.