Trial Lawyers Care®

The Annual Convention service project, hosted by the LGBT Caucus, Minority Caucus, New Lawyers Division, Women Trial Lawyers Caucus, and Trial Lawyers Care Committee, took place at Friends of Youth, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to serving youth and young families facing circumstances of homelessness, foster care, and behavioral health challenges.

Over 30 AAJ volunteers attended the project! Some volunteers sorted the more than 200 donations from AAJ members and put together move-in kits, which are being distributed to the organization’s clients. Another group organized accumulated in-kind donations and put together backpacks with school supplies for children in need, while other volunteers deep cleaned a group home that is used as a transition before people find permanent housing.

During the LGBT Caucus Networking Reception at Life on Mars, the bartenders offered to donate a portion of the bar’s proceeds to a charity of the caucus’s choosing. Friends of Youth was chosen, and a monetary donation was also made in AAJ’s name. If you would still like to give, purchase an item from the Amazon Wishlist or donate directly to the organization.

AAJ hosts a service project at both the Winter and Annual Conventions, the day before convention begins. They are a wonderful way to get to know your colleagues and give back to the local community. For more information, please email the Associate Director of Membership, Jennifer Rafter, at jennifer.rafter@justice.org. 

Mark Mandell, senior partner of Rhode Island’s Mandell Boisclair & Mandell, LTD, has donated $250,000 to Roger Williams University School of Law—the state’s only law school—to support diverse and public interest students. The goal is to provide $750,000 in scholarships (through the Mandell-Boisclair Justice Scholarship Fund) to further diversify the legal profession and increase access to justice in Rhode Island and beyond.

In addition to his initial $250,000 donation to the Fund, Mandell has pledged up to an additional $250,000 to match other individual donations made to the Fund over the next five years. In total, the Fund could annually support $5,000 scholarships for eight students, totaling $15,000 each over their three years in law school.

“We have been blessed in many ways,” says Mandell. “With those blessings come responsibilities. As a family, we are committed to social, economic, and legal justice. We want to help others achieve their goals and potential.”

Other lawyers agree and are meeting the challenge; the goal, as of this writing (in early 2022) is nearly halfway met. More information can be found on the RWU website. You may be inspired to contribute or take similar action for students at a school with which you are associated!

The annual Race Judicata—a popular free legal services fundraising event—returned to Chicago in September 2021, with over 3,000 people in attendance. Race Judicata raises money for Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS), Chicago’s largest pro bono organization. Race Judicata includes a 5K race, free concert, and afterparty which allows lawyers and legal staff to get together over beer, wine, and food. Law firms rent tents, sponsor games, and bring in food trucks for staff and guests.

Chicago-based Ankin Law had a wonderful turnout. 15 people either ran or walked the 5K, and another 30 attended the afterparty. And it was all for a great cause—equal access to justice, for everyone. CVLS provides nearly half of all pro bono services in Illinois; in 2019, over 2,500 volunteer attorneys served more than 6,000 Chicago area low-income individuals and families for free.

I’ve personally been participating in Race Judicata for over 20 years. CVLS levels the playing field so that everyone has equal access to legal services. It’s the reason I joined the CVLS board. And it’s the reason I encourage everyone at Ankin Law to participate.Howard Ankin, Partner

Every year, Los Angeles Trial Lawyers’ Charities funds adaptive tricycles for children with disabilities through SoCal Trykers, a local non-profit organization. It has become their “GREAT TRYKE GIVEAWAY” with a parade and many volunteers cheering the new riders. In 2021, LATLC provided funds for 15 tricycles, and Orange County Trial Lawyers’ Charities (OCTLC) joined in, funding three more.

On an inspiring day, more than 60 volunteers from LATLC and OCTLC also assembled 1,000 toiletry kits for local groups helping those experiencing homelessness. LATLC donated their 500 kits to Power of a Shower, which provides mobile showers along Venice Beach. OCTLC donated theirs to Colette’s Children’s Home, which helps women and children experiencing homelessness in Orange County.

AAJ Minority Caucus member and Board Representative Chris Fitzgerald recently worked with members of his local community and the Minority Caucus to provide water to people impacted by the eruptions from the La Soufriere volcano in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Many AAJ members stepped up to help by purchasing water from an Amazon Wish List set up by Chris. The water was delivered from the Amazon Wish List to a drop-off location in NYC and will be shipped to the islands soon.

Thank you so much to everyone who contributed. Our trial lawyer community has done us all proud once again. 

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank is the primary food source for food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and other local programs working to feed the hungry throughout East Central Illinois.

Spiros Law has three offices in Central Illinois and has partnered with this wonderful organization many times over the years—often assisting with re-pack events. At a re-pack, a group of volunteers meets at the distribution warehouse to sort, label, and package donated food items to be distributed to the Eastern Illinois Foodbank’s partner organizations.

Due to the pandemic, volunteer events were closed for some time and it had been over a year since the Spiros Law team has participated in a re-pack. Recently however, there was an opportunity to help once again.

“With limited capacity re-pack shifts being offered again, the Spiros Law team quickly signed up and filled all volunteer spots within minutes of the re-pack being posted,” said partner Miranda Soucie.

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank provided a safe and fun atmosphere where seven members of the Spiros Law team worked together and sorted and labeled a full pallet of canned goods that will be distributed to those in need in Central Illinois.

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