Trial Magazine

It’s hard to believe that my year as president of AAJ comes to an end this month. And what a year it has been. I tell people that AAJ’s mission is to ensure that regular people have meaningful access to justice, which is really what the Seventh Amendment right to trial by jury guarantees. What does that mean? It means that each facet of AAJ—education, advocacy, and community—is focused on ways to advance the association’s mission.

AAJ educates its lawyers on how to best represent their clients because, without lawyers who are well trained, how can our clients achieve justice? There is nothing like an AAJ Education event, and I believe that we all emerge as better trial lawyers because of our AAJ journey. This organization continues to provide a comprehensive education program for all trial lawyers, whether they handle individual cases or mass torts.

Ensuring that people have access to justice also means that AAJ tirelessly advocates to stop legislation that would harm our clients or limit their rights. Some of the battles we fought this year include opposing immunity for brokers and shippers and pesticide manufacturers, detrimental privilege log and MDL federal rules, and immunity for Big Tech. These battles will continue, and we are so lucky to have CEO Linda Lipsen and the AAJ team fighting every day for our clients who have been harmed.

Without AAJ, wrongdoers who don’t want to be held accountable would have dismantled civil justice decades ago.

AAJ actively tracks all of the bills, regulations, and rules affecting your practices and your clients’ cases in Congress, in courthouses, in federal regulatory agencies, and in state legislatures around the country. Without AAJ, wrongdoers who don’t want to be held accountable would have dismantled civil justice decades ago.

Finally, AAJ fosters a community. Through our annual and winter conventions, various list servers, committees, phone drives, and more, AAJ brings us together. We all cheer when one of us succeeds on behalf of a client, and we all share in the pain when one of us does not achieve the outcome we had hoped for.

This past year has been so uplifting and meaningful for me. This organization harnesses the power that makes us an unstoppable force. I traveled the country (more than 45 states since I started as an officer six years ago, and hoping to finish the rest next year), and I was met with nothing but support and gratitude. As the particulars of this year fade, I will always remember the warmth I have felt from the members I serve.

As trial lawyers, our clients’ struggles and their bravery in demanding accountability help shape our human experience. Fueled by their fighting spirit, we give voice to their stories. Your narratives powered me through every airport, hotel room, and night away from my family and firm. The stories you shared served as a reminder of the hope and humanity that unite the trial bar. I am grateful to all of you.

I am also profoundly grateful to the members of AAJ’s Board of Governors; my fellow AAJ officers; and the members of my state trial lawyers association, the Florida Justice Association. In life, we have people who always show up in our front row, spurring us forward. My family; my beautiful wife, Kelly; and my firm are always amazingly supportive, but the depth of my bench this past year has been nothing short of extraordinary. Thank you to everyone who stood in my front row at every juncture, answering every call and making this experience possible.

To all AAJ members, thank you for allowing me to be your president. I look forward to continuing to do whatever I can to support you, our clients, and the association.

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.