A How-to Guide for Pursuing Justice in a Personal Injury Case

Ready for a new read? Anatomy of a Personal Injury Lawsuit is  a great find for new personal injury lawyers and comes highly recommended by the American Association for Justice. 

The fourth edition of Anatomy of a Personal Injury Lawsuit, a two-volume set, is a comprehensive and up-to-date resource for practicing plaintiffs’ attorneys and their staffs. Written by over sixty contributing experts on trial law and personal injury medicine, this new edition is stuffed with detailed advice, practice tips, arguments, charts, illustrations, and examples that you won’t find collected together anywhere else. Get more information on this hot seller here. 

New Lawyer Day @ Camden Yards

BATTER UP! MAJ New Lawyers are invited to join us at Camden Yards for an afternoon of fun and baseball as the Baltimore Orioles go head-to-head with the Detroit Tigers! 

For $20 you receive a game ticket, a $25 food & beverage credit, and killer views of the game from the Miller Lite Flight Deck. 

 

This event is open to MAJ New Lawyers Section Members ONLY and space is limited, so don't wait. Not a section member? Join here.

SPECIAL THANKS to our generous event sponsors:

• Janet, Jenner & Suggs, LLC
• Golkow Technologies

Questions? Contact Michele Linck at (410) 872-0990 or michele@marylandassociationforjustice.com.

MAJ Report – MAJ Members Give Back This Holiday Season

Gifts from the 2010 Angel Tree Project.

As we celebrate the holiday season, it is so important that each of us think beyond our own situation, and consider those less fortunate. It has been the practice of the Maryland Association for Justice, Inc. (MAJ) and its philanthropic arm, the Maryland Association for Justice Foundation, to take this thought to heart and adopt holiday projects each year. In past years, it has been a toy drive for the children of Maryland’s CASA chapter and a partnership with YWCA of Anne Arundel County, adopting families from their Angel Tree.

This year has been no different. Both our Women’s Caucus and New Lawyers Section have each adopted projects aimed at helping those in need.

As part of their pre-holiday celebration, the Women’s Caucus hosted a drive for Suited to Succeed, a non-profit aimed at providing the professional attire needed to sustain or retain continued employment.

The New Lawyers Section teamed up with the Salvation Army for two special projects, their “Stuff-a-Stocking” and Angel Tree programs, for the second year running.

Thanks to the very generous support of members and friends, this project was able to support efforts in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties, fulfilling 60 angel tree family requests and 70 stockings.

And what they ask for is not much. Each Angel has the first name of a needy child, his/her clothing size and a special toy that will make that Angel’s little eyes light up on Christmas morning. With the “Stuff-a-Stocking” program, the Salvation Army supplies the stockings and each stocking comes with a tag that lists the child’s sex and age enabling donors to fill the stocking with appropriate items.

A special thank to New Lawyers Section chair, Karen Authement for heading up this wonderful project. If you are interested in supporting MAJ and the MAJ Foundation’s outreach efforts, please contact us at (410) 872-0990 or visit our website at www.marylandassociationforjustice.com/majfoundation.

Whether you participate with MAJ’s efforts or do so on your own, please consider adopting a holiday project. Check with your local food bank, women’s shelter, soup kitchen, or civic organization. Donate your time, your food, or your money. Every little gesture counts.

Happy Holidays!

MAJ Report – What is MAJ?

When our members mention the Maryland Association for Justice (MAJ), one of the most frequently asked questions is: What is MAJ? 

Formerly the Maryland Trial Lawyers Association (MTLA), we are a professional association, dedicated to serving the trial lawyers of Maryland and beyond. Our mission is a deep dedication to improving the civil justice system through legislative advocacy and the professional and ethical development of attorneys who represent the injured.

Simply put, we provide our members with three key services: professional development, legal resources and advocacy. As the largest and most active specialty bar association in the state, our goal is to help our members best serve their clients.

Beginning with professional development, we offer an extensive list of programs and services, keeping our members on the cutting edge of their field. Throughout the year, you will see notices for at least 10 CLE programs a year, covering a wide spectrum of practice areas of topics. These widely attended events bring in acclaimed speakers and are consistently well attended and rated. Beyond the classroom, we offer key resources such as list servers and practice-related sections. These tools allow our members to connect with those most closely working in their area of practice and exchange ideas and information on an incredibly large scale. Additionally, our new lawyer members benefit from a comprehensive program, deeply focused on mentoring, free/low-cost educational programming and career assistance. Throughout the year, MAJ also offers case evaluation clinics, networking events and opportunities to volunteer with MAJ and shape the direction of the association.

With our extensive array of legal resources, we give even the smallest law firm access to research and information most large firms dream of. Our document and deposition banks host more than 10 million documents, compiled nationwide, making case research as simple as the click of a button. We also offer directories for both experts/legal services and lawyer referrals (LawyerSearch). For additional member benefits and resources, members have access to the MAJ website 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and MAJ staff are always happy and willing to answer any inquiries.

Finally, one of our most important duties is to represent our members and their clients interests in both Annapolis and the courtroom. Each year, our legislative team works tirelessly during the General Assembly to fight for bills which protect the citizens of Maryland, and battle those which seek to restrict their rights. In the courtroom, our active Amicus Committee supports several cases on appeal through amicus curiae briefs in the Court of Appeals.  MAJ’s work even extends to helping our local community through the MAJ Foundation. Through this public outreach members are encourage to volunteer and support several projects throughout the year focused on public safety and education.

MAJ membership is more than just an annual dues payment. It is a portal to the trial lawyer’s professional success. To join or learn more, please visit our website.

New Lawyer Tip – Mentorship

One of the best resources for a new/young lawyer is the opportunity to consult with more experienced attorneys for practical advice, guidance and tips, and the best way to do this is through MAJ's Mentor/Mentee Program. Each mentee is matched with a mentor that shares their interests in particular practice areas. The mentors are prepared to allow the mentees to shadow them in court, answer questions, and generally make themselves available to the mentee. Sign-up here.

You can also learn more at MAJ Mentor Mentee Program Kickoff Event TONIGHT.
Mentors attending will each be giving their #1 practice tip!  Don't miss this opportunity!

Thursday, November 8, 2012          
Mentor/Mentee Program Kickoff 

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Eggspectation Restaurant
6010 University Blvd.
Ellicott City, Maryland

Register

Submit Your New Lawyers Tip 

MAJ Report – Revamped Mentor/Mentee Program Kicks-off

Aristotle begins On Rhetoric by branding his topic as the art of identifying and using the available means of persuasion in any given circumstance.  More than two millennia later good trial lawyers incarnate Aristotle’s definition.  Passing the bar requires knowing the law.  Excelling in the courtroom requires mastering how to use it - how harness the available means of persuasion to meet the burden of proof.   The skill persuade, advocacy, is an art, which finds its expression differently in everyone who practices it.  A style that works for one lawyer may not for the other.

And it is this search for a style that works that the MAJ Mentor/Mentee Program is designed to promote.  We recognize that there are certain kernels of wisdom that can be learned in a classroom/CLE programs.  But Rembrandt’s works do not hang in galleries because he attended a few classes. Rather, he mastered the art of painting by just “doing it.”  

Recall that just doing it as a trial lawyer would mean trying and losing cases, until you find out what works for you.  When the picture didn't evolve the way he saw it in his mind, Rembrandt just painted over the canvass, and started anew. When a case is lost, the client to whom justice has been denied is not afforded a do-over - a canvass that can be painted over, then re-painted.  More importantly without guidance, lawyers handling their first plaintiffs’ cases are left to learn as they go along - otherwise known as the “school of hard knocks.”  

Enter mentoring.  A chance to work with some of the most successful and respected members of the trial bar, as you learn and grow into an advocate for the injured.  Those who participate in the mentoring program will be paired with one or more members of the organization.  Mentees, if you will, can count on the advice and guidance from mentors about the nuts and bolts of the practice, from intake to settlement, from suit to trial.  Mentors are committed to meeting with mentees, and helping them learn our craft. This may involve help with a file the mentee is handling, or general practice pointers.  

In addition to one-on-one mentoring, there will be a number of workshops designed to develop discovery and trial skills. For example, we are planning mock depositions, party/expert, and mock trials emphasizing how to open and close, and how to examine/cross-examine lay and expert witnesses. At these mock sessions, mentees will gain hands of experience, with personal critiques/commentary by senior members of the MAJ. 

So that the mentees will emerge from the program with not only practical skills they will also be provided with a basic “tool kit.” This will include written materials containing practice pointers and sample litigation forms.  Similarly, the MAJ is going to accumulate a collection of examples of a lawyer doing it right:  videos from a trial or deposition the exemplify advocacy at its best.  These will be made available to mentors and mentees to review.    

Every one of those late night kitchen appliance ads ends with “now how much would you pay,” before they throw in a cap snaffler or Ginsu knife.  

The MAJ’s answer to this question, to its members is “nothing.”  

Yes, you heard that right. To all members of the MAJ, mentoring is free.  Our members believe that the future of the civil justice system, and the access of the injured to justice, hinges on the next generation of trial lawyers - and their ability to master our craft.  

So committed are to this mission, that we make one year of MAJ membership available to all new admittees considering a career in civil litigation (Join here!) At the end of the year, you are free to join as a dues paying member. That first, year, by the way, includes mentoring.  

Our mentoring project will have its kickoff meeting on November 8 at Eggspectation in Ellicott City at 6:30 pm.  Anyone, whether you are a member of the MAJ or not, is welcome to attend.  Bring a friend. Drinks and appetizers will be served. Learn more and register here!

About the Author
James K. MacAlister is chair of the MAJ Mentor/Mentee Committee, as well as a member of the MAJ Board of Governors. He practices law at Saiontz & Kirk, PA in Baltimore. 

MAJ Report – MAJ New Lawyer Programs Seek to Assist Newest Graduates

You graduated law school. You are days away from taking the bar exam. You are almost an attorney. Where do you go from here?

Many recent graduates are currently asking themselves that very question. How do you start your career? The Maryland Association for Justice (MAJ), a professional association dedicated to the legislative advocacy and professional development of (primarily) plaintiff attorneys, has developed programs and resources specifically aimed at assisting the new lawyer.

Starting with membership, MAJ offers all new admittees (attorneys practicing less than one year) free membership. With this comes access to multiple resources which may help you find a job, build a professional network, research your case or just do your job better.

As an attorney practicing seven years or less, upon joining MAJ, you automatically become a member of our New Lawyers Section – a group focused solely on the issues and challenges facing the young attorney. Membership in this section includes access to the New Lawyers list server, a forum where you may post questions to your fellow new lawyers and discuss topics important to you. The best part? There are no section dues.

You can also join MAJ for its “Nuts & Bolts” series, highlighting the basics of litigating a variety of cases, ranging from Family Law to Criminal Law to Auto Negligence. These meeting are usually hosted in the early morning or evening to accommodate your busy schedule, and feature speakers that are respected leaders in their fields. As an added bonus, all “Nuts & Bolts” meetings are free for new lawyers.

Looking to land that first big job? The MAJ Career Center could be your key resource. Located under Attorney Resources on the MAJ website, this service is completely free for all job-seekers, and posting your resume is simple. Fill out a short form, upload your resume, hit “Submit,” and you’re done. While there, browse the job postings and see if there is an employer looking for candidates like you.

The MAJ Mentor/Mentee Program is an excellent option for many attorneys getting their start. Each new lawyer is paired with an experienced attorney Mentor, who can provide you with invaluable resources and practical advice, professional contacts and support to aide and guide you in your career. You many even have the opportunity to shadow your Mentor in court. Several exclusive events are hosted throughout the year, allowing you and your Mentor the opportunity to connect.

Another added perk of being an MAJ New Lawyer is the discounted admission to many of our biggest educational seminars. Spend the day covering important legal issues with leading attorneys, judges and experts. These full and half-day seminars are offered throughout the year.

Doing research for that next case? The MAJ document and deposition banks should be your first stop. Examine a defense expert’s deposition, search for motions or briefs and find important verdict and settlement information. As an MAJ member, you have access to more than ten million local and national documents.

MAJ’s quarterly journal, Trial Reporter, will soon become your desk reference for many of the legal topics affecting your practice. Each issue features a variety of articles, columns and resources aimed at helping you do your job better. Subscription is free to all MAJ members and archives can be viewed and searched on the MAJ website.

In addition to all these offerings, MAJ New Lawyers also enjoy the benefits of all other members, such as case evaluation clinics, legislative advocacy, networking opportunities and much more.

It is also never too early to get involved with many of the MAJ committees, which not only guide and shape the direction of the Association, but also provide personal benefits to you. You can make new contacts, build your resume and make a difference in your community.

An MAJ membership is so much more than your name in a directory. Our aim is to provide all our members, rookies and experienced pros, with the tools and advocacy they need to best serve their clients and the profession.

To join MAJ today or learn more about what we do, visit us at www.marylandassociationforjustice.com or call us at (410) 872-0990.