Bruce Plaxen

After 20 years as a Board Member and entering my third year as an officer, I continue to witness the strength of our staff colleagues, our members, and the leaders I serve beside. Last year at this time we could look back on the energy our members put in to the historic U.S. Senate elections in Georgia. Without both senators from Georgia, we might not have had the historic elevation of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, which has been inspirational for women of color and should be a proud moment for all Americans. President Biden is reshaping the federal judiciary not only with traditional diversity but with occupational diversity as well, so that qualified lawyers with varied backgrounds have become judges.

Not only are we getting judges that make us proud but, after many years, the voices of survivors, workers, and consumers will not be silenced. For decades AAJ has sought to end forced arbitration. On March 3, 2022, President Biden signed in to law the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021. The Act voids pre-dispute arbitration agreements that require a party to arbitrate sexual assault or sexual harassment claims. This is a colossal victory for not only protecting people in the workplace but a victory for the 7th Amendment. The bill would not have become law without strong courageous survivors who came to Congress to tell their stories. The law would not have been changed without the perseverance for many years by the AAJ Public Affairs team led by Linda Lipsen. Hopefully, this will be the first of many victories in our quest to end forced arbitration. In addition, most members have no idea how Public Affairs and Legal Affairs staff are advocating for them on proposed changes to the federal rules, so trials can be conducted fairly.

Each of you as an AAJ member should not only be proud of the accomplishments of AAJ but also take credit because without your dues, your time, your effort, your work on committees, your Evergreen Fund contributions, your Leaders Forum membership, and your AAJ PAC contributions, the good work of AAJ can’t get done. As Immediate Past President Tobi Millrood “falls off the dais” we say thank you for your years as an officer, but also, don’t go anywhere. Our past presidents are not only the shoulders we stand upon, but they continue to contribute in immeasurable ways. To Navan Ward, once again we had the right president for the time. Your commitment to diversity and inclusion was more important than ever. I have no doubt Tad Thomas will be an exceptional President. I am fortunate to work with your other AAJ National Officers, Sean Domnick, Lori Andrus, and John Bey, and look forward to Marion Munley Cartwright joining the team. Their dedication to civil justice is unmatched.

My first year as an officer was almost entirely virtual. Last year was a hybrid. In this coming year, I look forward to visiting many of our state TLAs and seeing our colleagues around the country. When I have spoken to groups of trial lawyers, they are excited to hear about AAJ and glad to be back in the courtroom. AAJ gets stronger every year. The energy level is at an all-time high. Our young members are inspired to do more each year.

We are never out of the woods and danger lurks everywhere. We must be forever vigilant, but it does feel that with every electoral victory and every legislative victory, with your help, we can step just a little closer toward our goals. To that purpose, I pledge as AAJ Secretary you will always receive my best efforts.

Education: State University of New York at Albany (B.A. 1979); American University, Washington College of Law (J.D. 1982)

Activities: AAJ Treasurer 2021-2022; AAJ Parliamentarian 2020-2021; Board of Governors Member 2003-present; Executive Committee 2003-2004, 2006-2010, 2012-2014, 2015-present; AAJ Council of Presidents Member 2000-2003; AAJ Council of Presidents President-Elect 2002-2003; AAJ Council of Presidents President 2003-2004; Trial Lawyers Care State Leader and State Liaison 2001; Maryland Association for Justice (MAJ) President 2001-2002; MAJ PAC Chair 2001-2016, 2018-2021; MAJ PAC Treasurer 2021-present; MAJ Legislative Chair 1996-2001; AAJ PAC contributor since 1987; National Finance Committee Member 2005-present; Co-Chair Justice 2016; Chairman, Maggie Hassan Fundraising Event 2016; Leaders Forum Member 2007-present; AAJ PAC Taskforce 2010-present; AAJ PAC Trustee 2010-present; Annual AAJ Evergreen Fund contributor; Four–time recipient, Wiedemann & Wysocki Award for PAC leadership; PAC Eagle; MAJ Trial Lawyer of the Year 2009; AAJ Convention Planning Committee 2002-2013, Chair 2007–2013; AAJ Organizational Review Committee (ORC) 2004-present, Chair 2013-2020; AAJ Distinguished Service Award 2017; AAJ Above and Beyond Award 2019; AAJ Retirement Committee Chair 2019-2020; Justice 2020, Co-Chair 2019 Annual Fundraiser.

Contact Information:

Plaxen & Adler, P.A.
10211 Wincopin Circle Suite 620
Columbia, MD 21044
410.730.7737
bplaxen@plaxenadler.com
www.plaxenadler.com