In 2009, Casey Feldman was tragically killed by a distracted driver at the age of 21. After her funeral, many young women said to Casey’s parents, “That was my best friend.” Casey’s father, Joel Feldman, is a trial lawyer and AAJ member. When Casey died, Joel reduced his workload and started an amazing organization to End Distracted Driving (EndDD).

“EndDD has worked with trial lawyers to give presentations at school assemblies on distracted driving. I immediately fell in love with the organization because I knew it would work. Young people today, while indeed the most affected group by distracted driving, are also the most empathetic generation of young people our society has ever seen,” said trial lawyer, Travis Patterson.

Since joining forces with EndDD, Travis has received amazing feedback – after seeing the presentation, 92% of participants said they were less likely to drive distracted and more likely to speak up when others drive distracted.

When asked why, a resounding majority reported that they are mostly concerned with the effect their distracted driving could have on others (i.e. “I don’t want my mom to go through losing me” or “I don’t want to hurt someone”). Their empathy provides a chance to save lives.

“Mr. Feldman and his team did a remarkable job creating these presentations, which are undoubtedly saving lives across the country. I am blessed to be able to work with high school students in Texas and help curb this epidemic of distracted driving,” said Travis.

To learn more about Travis’ firm’s efforts in Texas or request a presentation, visit this webpage.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered for the AAJ caucus and TLC convention service project at the Central Texas Food Bank, the largest hunger-relief charity in Central Texas. The organization works with food donors, financial supporters, and volunteers to fill unmet needs in Central Texas. Last year alone, the charity provided 54 million meals to their community.

AAJ members worked on an assembly line at the food bank to fill boxes of food for seniors who receive a monthly box of food through a federally funded program supporting around 4,000 Texas seniors. It was a productive day’s work – 718 boxes of food totaling 18,200 meals! Thanks again to the AAJ members who participated!

Los Angeles Trial Lawyers’ Charities (LATLC) hosted their 8^th holiday giving event – Comfort & Joy – on December 9. For the third year, LATLC partnered with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Newton Division, Los Angeles Fire Department, and local community organizations to select 500 low-income families in South Central Los Angeles. Each family received bags of groceries and household items. More than 2,300 toys were given to the children as they visited with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, wrote personal wishes on holiday hearts, and played with farm animals in the petting zoo.

“Thanks to the many law firms and vendors who support LATLC throughout the year. It was our biggest holiday event,” said 2023 LATLC President Karina N. Lallande.

This year, LATLC expanded the number and type of items that they traditionally provide. With record financial contributions from attorneys and supporters, LATLC raised and provided nearly $40,000 in groceries, activities, and toys for this incredible event. Target and Mattel also donated nearly 1,000 toys.

More than 100 volunteers transformed the parking lot at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, located at 34^th and South Central Avenue into a winter wonderland. Lallande added, “This really was a Miracle on 34^th Street.”

Alabama-based Hodges Trial Lawyers has organized a toy drive every year since 2013. Each year, the firm has worked to make it bigger. The toy drive directly benefits Kids To Love, an organization based in Huntsville that serves foster children across North Alabama and Southern Tennessee. 

The firm has held an annual CLE to support the toy drive since 2017. The CLE was a hit, and the lawyers who attended the toy drive went above and beyond. This year, the firm added a Toy Drive Finale Party for lawyers and non-lawyers. The attendees wrote generous checks and brought wonderful toys and gift cards for teenagers in foster care.

“We encourage donors to buy like they were buying for their own children. This year, they really stepped up to the plate. We filled several wish lists, including a beautiful violin for a budding musician. We could not do it without our friends, fellow lawyers, and clients that donate. This year was our best year yet. We had so many toys, bicycles, and electronics that we had to rent a box truck to deliver them all. We are already planning for next year,” said firm principal Jeremiah Hodges.

Thomas Law Offices recently sponsored the 2023 Bark in the Park 5k at Seneca Park in Louisville, KY, which was organized by the Animal Care Society. This nonprofit is Louisville’s first No-Kill shelter whose purpose is to find new, safe, and loving homes for adoptable dogs and cats. There were more than 375 participants in the race and hundreds of festival attendees, making the race one of the most successful events they’ve hosted.  Over the years, Thomas Law Offices has sponsored various events with this organization, knowing that their work is meaningful to the Louisville community. Over 15 firm employees ran the race and raised money for this worthy cause.

“At Thomas Law Offices, we believe that one of the many ways we support our clients is by supporting our community and helping bring awareness to organizations such as these,” said Owner and Managing Partner, Tad Thomas.

Plaintiff law firm Beasley Allen serves its communities through traditional legal services, pro bono work or volunteering. In 2023, the firm provided pro bono work focusing on sex trafficking and criminal record expungement for Street Grace and Frontline Response.

Street Grace collaborates with business and community leaders to provide a pathway to end the sexual exploitation of minors. Through community resources like Beasley Allen’s lawyers, they work to give communities the power to stand up, speak out, and take action.

Frontline Response works to help individuals out of sex trafficking and homelessness while preventing others from becoming victims. Along with community outreach, they train first responders, hospitals, and judges. The organization also advocates for legislative and policy changes that fight against sex trafficking.

“Working with Street Grace and Frontline Response means extending our commitment to protecting the vulnerable. In this case, the future of our youth,” said Beasley Allen pro bono coordinator and principal attorney Chad Cook.

Mission 1:11 is a volunteer based 501(c) 3 non-profit, committed to partnering with communities in Haiti and the Philippines to help meet basic needs through access to medical, educational, and economic assistance. Mission 1:11 empowers people to help make the world a better place with a grassroots approach. AAJ member Katie Hubbard is the president and co-founder of Mission 1:11 and has traveled to Haiti and the Philippines to connect with people and serve. 

They provide financial, educational, medical, and spiritual support to a children’s home that houses twelve children in St. Marc, Haiti along with other schools in the community. To do this, Mission 1:11 developed strong relationships with community leaders to serve and help in their communities effectively. Some children at the home have graduated high school and are going on to college, trade school, or leadership programs. 

For years, volunteers would travel to Haiti and the Philippines to provide food and medical care to the community. Since 2020, the organization has shifted to providing much of this care online through local contacts and a telehealth program that has trained nurses to give care and use laptops that were sent to allow patients to see doctors in the United States online. They have also connected teachers in the United States with teachers in Haiti and the Philippines online and shared new curriculum and training opportunities. The goal is to provide Haitians and Filipinos with the support and encouragement to do what they know is best and care for their neighbors. 

Mission 1:11 assists schools through providing backpacks and school supplies; teacher training; and trade school equipment in Haiti and the Philippines. These activities are funded through individual donations from all kinds of people committed to helping others. The name Mission 1:11 comes from a verse in the Bible – 2 Thessalonians 1:11 – “May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.”

Chicago-based Ankin Law has sponsored the Teacher of the Month on Chicago’s WGN Channel 9 since fall 2020. During the school year, students across Chicago send nominations (for elementary, special needs, and high school teachers) to the station. A news anchor interviews the winning teacher on TV in a short segment.

“Ankin Law is proud to support Chicago’s teachers. It’s inspiring to witness, firsthand, the impact a great teacher can have on a student. Our involvement allows us to see this play out every month,” said Howard Ankin.

Ankin or an Ankin Law representative joins the news crew at the school, speaks to the teacher, addresses the class, and presents a $1000 check to the winning teacher (made out to the school) for the teacher to use for supplies.

The partnership goes beyond financial underwriting; it’s an opportunity to meet the teachers, students, and their classes. Ankin Law then shines the spotlight on the award-winning teachers by sharing the news segment on Ankin Law social media platforms and in their monthly newsletter.

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