Trial Magazine

“Every time I attend a Lobby Days with AAJ, I’m amazed at how much I love our country. Imagine the privilege of meeting face-to-face with the leaders of your country, who make an effort to see you and listen to your concerns. I met with four congressmen and two senators from my state of Arkansas,” said past Republican Trial Lawyers Caucus (RTLC) chair Paul Byrd, of Little Rock, Ark. “And in the process, I got to work with and watch the knowledge, skill, and passion of our AAJ lobby team. It made me proud to be a trial lawyer.”

In May, Republican and conservative trial lawyers from 18 states traveled to Washington, D.C., for the RTLC Lobby Days. The goal was to advocate for a robust civil justice system while strengthening relationships with members of Congress. Almost half of the lawyers were first-time attendees.

Attendees participated in 85 meetings and spoke to their senators and representatives about two bipartisan bills that would restore the rights of servicemembers. The first bill, the Justice for Servicemembers Act, would prohibit forced arbitration for servicemembers seeking to enforce their rights under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.

The second bill, the “Sergeant First Class Richard Stayskal Military Medical Accountability Act of 2019,” would amend the Federal Tort Claims Act to allow servicemembers and their families to bring claims against the federal government for injuries caused by medical malpractice. This bill is named for an active duty servicemember who is unable—because of the Feres doctrine—to hold the military hospital and doctors who failed to diagnose his terminal cancer accountable.

The Caucus also hosted a breakfast and a reception attended by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.), Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-Pa.), and Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.), as well as staff from the offices of Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.), Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), and Rep. Bill Posey (R-Fla.).

The Republican Caucus Lobby Days have helped AAJ increase awareness of the negative impacts of forced arbitration and the Feres doctrine. The event is key to building relationships with Republican offices.

RTLC Chair Tim Rowe, of Indianapolis, said the event “showed that the Caucus can be a force in Washington, D.C.” He added that “AAJ understands the importance of reaching out to both parties on issues like forced arbitration and the Feres doctrine.”

If you are interested in attending future AAJ Lobby Days, please contact Tricia Cooley, director of membership, at tricia.cooley@justice.org.