Trial Magazine

The Hall of Fame Inductee, named posthumously, recognizes an AAJ member whose career had a notable and positive influence on the civil justice system. The award honors longtime members of AAJ and their state trial lawyer associations (TLAs). This year’s inductee, Paul Scoptur of Milwaukee, represented plaintiffs in motor vehicle collision, medical negligence, nursing home, and products liability cases for over 40 years. He was a member and co-chair of the National College of Advocacy Board of Trustees and an Education stalwart who volunteered thousands of hours planning programs and teaching AAJ and state TLA members nationwide and in Canada. Paul served on the board of directors of the Wisconsin Association for Justice. An adjunct professor at Marquette University Law School, where he taught litigation and trial skills, Paul also co-wrote two books, Advanced Depositions Strategy and Practice and Focus Groups: Hitting the Bull’s-Eye, and he was a sought-after trial consultant. The Paul J. Scoptur Trial Advocacy College Scholarship, established in memory of Paul after he passed away in 2018, benefits lawyers who could not otherwise attend AAJ trial advocacy colleges.

The Howard Twiggs Award recognizes a member of at least 10 years’ standing who epitomizes AAJ Past President Howard Twiggs’s passion, professionalism, cordiality, and civility and whose courtroom advocacy and distinguished service to AAJ bring honor to the trial bar and legal profession. This year’s recipient, Honolulu attorney Wayne Parsons, handles personal injury cases including medical negligence, defective products, motor vehicle crashes, and birth injuries. Wayne is committed to consumer safety and works to guide the public, elected officials, and educators on preventing avoidable injuries. An AAJ member for more than 40 years, he serves on the Trial Lawyers Care^® Committee, as well as the Public Education Committee, enlightening communities on the importance of trial lawyers’ work.

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes AAJ members of at least 20 years’ standing whose courtroom advocacy has significantly furthered the cause of justice and AAJ’s mission. This year, attorneys Lisa Blue of Dallas and John Eddie Williams of Houston received the award. Lisa’s practice focuses on environmental and toxic tort law and fighting for clients suffering with mesothelioma, as well as those injured by dangerous drugs. She also maintains a private consultancy as a forensic psychologist and is a nationally renowned expert in jury selection. Lisa uses her training as a licensed psychologist to teach mindfulness to attorneys, to help them inside and outside the courtroom. She is the co-author of several books, including Voir Dire: Thinking Outside the Box Inside the Courtroom, and she recently co-edited the book Trials & Triumphs: Lessons from Legal Giants. John Eddie handles mass torts and pharmaceutical litigation and has fought for clients injured by Big Tobacco and asbestos exposure. In a landmark 1995 battle against Big Tobacco, he represented the state of Texas and achieved the largest settlement in U.S. history at the time. In another renowned case, John Eddie represented the family of a worker killed by an explosion at a chemical plant in Houston and obtained a significant verdict for the victim’s family. Throughout his career, John Eddie has been recognized for his relentless work ethic, tenacity, and unquenchable fighting spirit.

The Women Trial Lawyers Caucus Marie Lambert Award recognizes female members of AAJ who exemplify dignity, honor, integrity, leadership, and selflessness. This year’s recipient, Jackie Olinger Rochelle of St. Louis, Mo., has dedicated her 17-year career to fighting for clients with asbestos-related diseases. Outside the courtroom, Jackie volunteers with various organizations, further protecting the civil justice system and the rights of vulnerable people. She has served as chair of several AAJ Sections and Litigation Groups and is an active member of the Board of Directors at the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition in St. Louis. Jackie is a frequent presenter and faculty member of continuing legal education courses and was an adjunct professor at the Washington University School of Law.

The David S. Shrager President’s Award recognizes an AAJ member who exemplifies the former AAJ president’s passion for the law and trial bar and who has made outstanding contributions to civil justice and AAJ’s mission. This year, Wilmington, Del., attorney Beverly Bove received the award. An AAJ Board member for over 30 years, Beverly has worked tirelessly on behalf of AAJ, its members, and their clients. Because of her leadership, AAJ members from Delaware always step up to meet any request, whether it’s contacting their members of Congress or contributing to candidates’ campaigns. Beverly has offered unwavering support to AAJ PAC and efforts to elect pro-civil justice candidates.

The Minority Caucus presents the Johnnie L. Cochran Soaring Eagle Award to an attorney who, despite the challenges of their journey, pursues excellence and has made remarkable efforts and contributions to the legal profession while paving the way for others. Rick Barrera, whose law practice has offices in Albuquerque, Houston, and Odessa, Texas, received this year’s award. Rick has built a distinguished career, handling cases involving tractor-trailer crashes, oil field work-related injuries, and medical negligence. He holds leadership positions at AAJ, the Hispanic National Bar Association, the Midland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association, Rotary International, and the Texas Trial Lawyers Association. Rick is the former chair of AAJ’s Minority Caucus and is a member of AAJ’s Executive Committee and the National College of Advocacy Board of Trustees.

The Harry Philo Award recognizes an AAJ member who makes outstanding contributions to the civil justice system and works to advance consumer safety. This year’s recipient, Michael Haggard of Coral Gables, Fla., specializes in cases involving pool drownings, negligent security, wrongful death, unsafe premises, and products liability. His goal is to obtain verdicts that help victims rebuild their lives and advocate for permanent solutions and change through legislation so others don’t suffer similar injuries. He worked tirelessly to get the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGBA) passed, named after a seven-year-old child who drowned in a hot tub after suction pressure trapped her underwater. Enacted in 2007, the VGBA established strict federal requirements for pool and hot tub drains. Michael serves on the Advisory Council for the National Drowning Prevention Alliance and is on the Board of Directors for the National Crime Victim Bar Association.

The Leonard M. Ring Champion of Justice Award, presented by the Stalwarts Committee, honors an AAJ member of at least 10 years’ standing who shows outstanding integrity and character and who shares Leonard Ring’s devotion to human and civil rights. Christine Spagnoli of El Segundo, Calif., has devoted her career to representing consumers in products liability, personal injury, and legal malpractice cases. She has obtained landmark verdicts, including one against General Motors for a defective Chevrolet Malibu fuel tank that exploded in a rear-end collision, severely burning the vehicle’s occupants. Christine embodies integrity, commitment to her clients, and a passion for justice.