Trial Magazine

Several exceptional trial lawyers received awards at AAJ’s 2018 Annual Convention in Denver, including those highlighted below. For a full list of award winners, see p. 59.

The Steven J. Sharp Public Service Award was presented to Irvine, Calif., lawyer John C. Manly and U.S. Olympic and National Collegiate Athletic Association athletes Jeanette Antolin, Jamie Dantzscher, Mattie Larson, Kaylee Lorincz, Sterling Riethman, and Jordyn Wieber. They demanded accountability from the people and systems that enabled the sexual abuse of athletes by a former U.S. gymnastics team doctor. This award recognizes plaintiffs and their attorneys whose cases help tell the story of the American civil justice system and make a huge difference in policy. Manly represented the six gymnasts and more than 100 other athletes who courageously stood up to hold their abuser publicly accountable in court. To see videos from their acceptance speeches, visit www.justice.org/sharpawardvideos.

Indianapolis lawyer and AAJ Past President Richard D. Hailey was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes a member of at least 20 years standing whose courtroom advocacy has significantly furthered the cause of justice and AAJ’s mission. During his distinguished career—and more than 40 years of AAJ membership—Hailey has advanced the rights of the wrongfully injured. Through numerous speaking engagements with AAJ and other organizations, Hailey has shared his experience and knowledge and continues to set an example for lawyers around the world.

The Women Trial Lawyers Caucus’s (WTLC) Marie Lambert Award was presented to Cambridge, Mass., lawyer Lauren G. Barnes. This award recognizes female members who exemplify selflessness, leadership, honor, integrity, and dignity. An active member of WTLC for many years, Barnes is a leader and mentor for other female trial lawyers and has spearheaded community service projects on behalf of WTLC and AAJ’s Trial Lawyers Care Committee.

The Leonard M. Ring Champion of Justice Award is presented by the ­Stalwarts Committee to an AAJ member of at least 10 years standing with outstanding integrity and character who has demonstrated Leonard Ring’s devotion to human and civil rights. This year’s recipient was Boston lawyer Anthony Tarricone. Tarricone is both a past president of AAJ and an outspoken advocate for people who have been harmed by corporate and government misconduct.

The 2018 Pro Bono Award was presented to the attorneys of the Langdon & Emison law firm: Brett A. Emison, Kent Emison, Mark A. Emison, and Robert L. Langdon. The Lexington, Mo., firm participates in many charitable activities, but this award specifically honors the attorneys’ work with the Midwest Innocence Project. Langdon & Emison helped represent a young man wrongly accused of a tragic crime who lost both his family and his freedom.

The Woodlands, Texas, lawyer Karen Beyea-Schroeder received the Trial Lawyers Care Award for organizing a school supply drive for Hurricane Harvey victims in Houston. Beyea-Schroeder worked with the Houston Federation of Teachers to assess the needs of local schools following the devastating floods from the storm. She then recruited AAJ members to donate supplies to help students and teachers return to school quickly. Under her guidance, members collected more than 4,000 items that were distributed among seven schools.