I am humbled and blessed to begin my year as Chair of the New Lawyers Division (NLD) for AAJ, and I am really excited to write my first “Message from the Chair”. I am a proud trial lawyer, like all of you. From the time I was a little girl, I always wanted to be a trial lawyer. Not having any lawyers in my family, I would watch actors portray lawyers on television. I thought that what they did was so noble and cool. In reality, they were acting, but those actors put a desire in me that led me to where I am today. I now work proudly each day to protect my clients and their families, in a hope that I give them some justice for the harms that have come to them.
I learned early in my career that all of the work we do would not be possible without AAJ. I remember just graduating from law school when the asbestos legislation bill was introduced on the Hill. I quickly put the pieces together that I worked for an asbestos firm, I was a new graduate, George Bush was in our town lobbying for tort reform, and we were seriously in danger of being unable to practice asbestos litigation. But AAJ fought for us and we were able to defeat that legislation. It was in that moment that I realized AAJ was integral in not only me being able to go to work every day, but was necessary in protecting my clients. That year, I went to a phonathon and have been hooked on AAJ ever since.
Not only does AAJ help us defeat devastating legislation, it also helps us beef up our practice skills. The term “new lawyer” implies someone green to the legal profession, but the abundant resources of AAJ help give us new lawyers knowledge and experience far beyond our years. Just a few examples of some of AAJ’s invaluable resources are: the twice yearly conventions, which are stocked with education programs presented by the best legal minds in the country; list servers, which are immediate resources for advice, tips and documents; and litigation groups and sections, which allow members to meet and confer in their practice areas to trade ideas and share knowledge. These are all immeasurable resources from which all new lawyers can benefit.
Beyond these benefits, there are amazing experiences particular only to NLD members. The NLD is one of the most exciting and engaged member groups in AAJ. We are always doing something fun, important, and beneficial to AAJ and our practices. It is this combination that makes NLD so valuable. We have logged many hours making calls (in the best cities) to increase membership and raise money for our PAC, we have helped build new homes in places like New Orleans - after Hurricane Katrina, Miami, San Francisco, and New York for Habitat for Humanity, and have taken new lawyers year after year to get sworn into the Supreme Court of the United States. These are amazing experiences. We also throw some of the best parties ever (if you’ve been to a NLD convention party, you know what I mean). The NLD also has vast resources for its members to help build our practices.
All of this is just a glimpse of the things NLD has to offer new lawyers. We hope that you will take this opportunity to get involved this year – join a committee, attend a phonathon, come to one of our business meeting or join us at an upcoming convention. Learn how by visiting the listing on our website, www.justice.org/nld.
I hope that you will choose one of many ways to get involved with the NLD this year. There is a lot of good work to do and fun to be had. It is my honor to serve as your chair, together I know that we can help strengthen AAJ and secure a future for our clients and their families.
Jackie Olinger
Chair, 2011-2012
Maune Raichle Hartley French & Mudd, LLC
French & Mudd
One Metropolitan Sq.
211 N. Broadway, Ste 2940
Saint Louis, MO 63102
314.244.1397
JOlinger@mrhfmlaw.com
