AAJ Update - October 2022

AAJ Update
By Linda A. Lipsen, CEO, American Association for Justice
Greetings, AAJ Members!
Thank you for being a member of this incredible organization we call the American Association for Justice.

I hope that through AAJ you are finding what our members consistently tell us they love about AAJ—the sense of belonging and a place where they feel at home. No other national organzation provides these three key pillars for plaintiff trial lawyers:
 
The community, not only at our in-person events, but also through our Sections, Litigation Groups, and member caucus groups. Click to learn more and join;
The top-tier education programs created by trial lawyers for trial lawyers. Our fall slate of programming is up and online;
The advocacy that only AAJ provides to protect your clients’ rights and your practices. Medicare Secondary Payer Crisis Averted
We learned on Friday that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)—at the request of the Biden Administration—has officially withdrawn a rule that would have increased Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) reimbursements. More specifically, CMS was proposing a rule that mandates how the Agency would collect reimbursement for medical care that comes after a settlement or judgement. AAJ sprang into action when we first learned of the CMS proposal and worked with the Administration to explain why a proposal such as this would harm beneficiaries. We also worked with allies in the business/insurance community who also agree that the proposal would make it substantially more difficult to settle claims with a Medicare component. AAJ will immediately pivot to actually fixing the MSP statute as well as fixing the bad Gallardo decision which impacts Medicaid reimbursements.
  Election Countdown is On
Right now, we’re focused on helping to ensure that people can cast their votes in the upcoming election.

There are Democrat, Republican, and non-partisan volunteer opportunities available before and on Election Day. Please sign up through AAJ’s Voter Protection Action Committee today. And if you have questions, please contact our VPAC staff liaison, Tara Lee, at tara.lee@justice.org.

 Don’t forget to have your own voting plan (such as voting early) and encourage friends and family to make their plans to vote. 

AAJ 2023 Winter Convention in Phoenix is Open!
If you have not yet experienced the ultimate in community that takes place at AAJ Conventions, I urge you to visit our Winter Convention website, open your calendar, and register today. We’ll be at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in Phoenix, Arizona.

We’ve restructured the schedule to maximize organic networking opportunities. In addition to the trial advocacy skills CLE and specialized litigation programs, we’ve built in plenty of time for networking via receptions, wellness sessions, and activity-based networking opportunities.

It Takes Hard Work
You do extraordinarily hard work on behalf of your clients every day. In turn, AAJ is working hard for you—for all trial lawyers, their practices, and their clients’ rights. This work to protect civil justice in America and make change can take many years. We remain committed to you and your clients.

Please take a look at our October Washington Update for more information on the issues AAJ is tackling, including: Pre-dispute Non-Disclosure Agreements Relief for Victims of Hermit’s Peak and Calf Canyon Fires Vaccine Injury Compensation Federal Rules of Civil Procedure & Federal Rules of Evidence
In addition to this work, AAJ has been tracking developments pertaining to Alternate Business Structures (ABS) or non-lawyer ownership of law firms. Reforms have already swept through some states, allowing non-lawyer ownership of firms and fee sharing. AAJ has a task force working on this evolving topic and I encourage you to read Trial® magazine's article on ABS.

Even if your state has not undergone regulatory changes, alternative business structures could be practicing with lawyers in your state, and many states are considering next moves after defeated proposals. To stay current on this developing issue, please join AAJ on November 30 for a complimentary webinar to discuss this important topic. During this two-hour webinar, you’ll learn about issues spanning privilege and confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and referrals—and end with a session answering your most pressing questions.

Committed to Members
AAJ is here for you, to provide you with a community, a home, and the resources you need for each stage of your practice. For over 75 years, plaintiff trial lawyers have relied on AAJ, and we’re not going anywhere. There is too much at stake for your clients.

Thank you for your continued support. I look forward to communicating with you and welcome your input. You can reach me at  advocacy@justice.org.
Better yet, let’s meet at Winter Convention!
 

CONTACT AAJ Advocacy Email: advocacy@justice.org