Trial Magazine

After the tragic 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, a group of trial lawyers pledged to do what they do best—give a voice to the voiceless—by providing free legal services to those affected. This was the beginning of Trial Lawyers Care (TLC).

Today, TLC encourages, recognizes, and organizes trial lawyers who contribute to their communities in a variety of ways, including disaster relief. Within the span of one month in 2017, TLC assisted communities destroyed by wildfires in California and by hurricanes in Florida, Puerto Rico, Texas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

One of the key facets of TLC’s disaster-response plans is to ensure that its efforts are helpful on a long-term basis. Jessica Hoerman, TLC cochair, explained, “Immediately after a natural disaster, we are contacted by many lawyers who desperately want to be a part of relief efforts. Part of our job at TLC is to make sure our efforts don’t further complicate the immediate needs of a community destroyed by a natural disaster. We have found that sometimes the best fit for our incredibly charitable community of trial lawyers is to look for ways to serve long-term needs rather than immediate ones.”

For example, in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, TLC member Karen Beyea-Schroeder of The Woodlands, Texas, was key to TLC’s long-term efforts in Houston, taking the lead as the group sifted through ideas to help the city. Through her connections with the Houston Federation of Teachers, Beyea-Schroeder learned that one of the best opportunities for trial lawyers to help would be in the days to come—after the immediate relief efforts were finished and schools reopened.

TLC successfully organized a school supply drive for seven schools in the Houston area, purchasing supplies through an online wish list and shipping them directly to the Lanier Law Firm in Houston. Mark and Becky Lanier graciously offered to store packages at their home, despite already hosting a number of hurricane evacuees. TLC then organized and distributed the donations with additional assistance from Sam Houston Area Council, Boy Scouts of America Troop 889.

Thanks to the many donations from trial lawyers, friends, and family members across the country, TLC collected 124 backpacks and close to 4,000 other items for students in need. TLC also received several cash donations, which will be used to help create learning activity centers for Houston Independent School District classrooms.

However, the recovery in Houston and other cities is not over. TLC will keep working with these communities to support those affected by natural disasters. If you would like to learn about ongoing relief efforts in your community, please email me.

If you are the driving force behind a community service project that goes above and beyond or know another AAJ member who is, please consider submitting a nomination for AAJ’s annual Trial Lawyers Care Award. Nominations are due by Apr. 15. For more information, please visit www.triallawyerscare.org or follow TLC on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TrialLawyersCare.

Marie D’Avignon is a writer at AAJ. She can be reached at marie.davignon@justice.org.