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 25th 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 11th terrorist attacks. On the day Congress passed the law creating the September 11th 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 Care, nearly 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 25th anniversary commemoration honored Leo V. Boyle, AAJ's President from 2001-02 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 11th attacks," said AAJ President Bruce Plaxen. "I'm proud of the dedication and contributions 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 the original Trial Lawyers Care, Inc., ended in 2014, AAJ carried that spirit of volunteerism forward and, at every annual convention, celebrates the efforts of members who serve the community and foster positive relationships with the public through volunteer activities. 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 hurricanes, fed those in need, and mentored young lawyers-even after being diagnosed with cancer herself.