AAJ Commemorates the 25th Anniversary of Trial Lawyers Care, Recognizes Exceptional Contributions to the Community

CHICAGO, IL —During its 2026 Annual Convention, the American Association for Justice ® (AAJ ® ) commemorated the upcoming 25 th anniversary of Trial Lawyers Care ® (TLC) , the largest, most successful pro bono project in United States jurisprudence. 
In 2001, AAJ (then ATLA ® ) leaders and members brought a proposal to Congress to create a federal victim compensation fund for those injured during the September 11 th terrorist attacks. On the day Congress passed the law c reating the September 11 th Victim Compensation Fund, AAJ’s officers and Executive Committee volunteered to be the first attorneys to provide legal services free of charge under this program. Through Trial Lawyers Ca re, n early 1,100 lawyers from every state and Washington, D.C., Australia, England, Canada, and Mexico volunteered almost 900,000 hours representing 1,745 individuals and families . 
The 25 th anniversary commemoration honored Leo V. Boyle, AAJ’s President from 200 1 -02 and President of Trial Lawyers Care from 2002-03; Hugh W. Campbell, President of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association from 2001- 02; Larry S. Stewart, AAJ’s President from 1994-95 and first President of Trial Lawyers Care from 2001-02; and posthumously, Richard A. Bieder, who served as the final President of Trial Lawyers Care in 2003-04 .  
"The impact of Trial Lawyers Care was monumental for victims and survivors of the September 11 th attacks," said AAJ President Bruce Plaxen. " I’m proud of the dedication and contribution s of so many of my colleagues, particularly those honored today. This is what being a trial lawyer is all about —helping those in need at the times they need it the most."
2026 TLC Award
When t he original Trial Lawyers Care, Inc., ended in 2014, AAJ carried that spirit of vo lunteerism forward and, at every annual convention , celebrate s the efforts of members who serve the community and foster positive relationships with the public through volunteer acti vities. This year, the TLC Award was given posthumously to Dawn M. Barrios (1952-2025) for her extraordinary service to families facing catastrophic illness and hardship. Through the Louisiana State Bar’s SOLACE Program, Barrios found housing for cancer patients, secured medical care for children, helped families recover after hurrican e s, fed those in need , and mentored young lawyers—even after being diagnosed with cancer herself. 
  ###  The  American Association for Justice  works to safeguard rights, promote fairness, and strengthen access to civil justice—even when it means taking on the most powerful corporations.  AAJ’s vision is justice for all.


CONTACT Meredith Rogers Email: [email protected] Phone: (771) 241-9680