Burton LeBlanc sworn in as President of National Trial Bar

WASHINGTON, July 24, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Baton Rouge attorney Burton LeBlanc has been sworn in as the president of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) at the organization's annual convention in San Francisco, California. AAJ is the world's largest trial bar, working to make sure people have a fair chance to receive justice through the legal system when they are injured by the negligence or misconduct of others.

"AAJ is the only national organization fighting effectively for Americans' rights every day and preserving the fundamental right to trial by jury," said LeBlanc. "I am honored to lead this organization."

LeBlanc, a shareholder with Baron and Budd, P.C., primarily focuses on environmental law and represents individuals across the United States who have been harmed by toxic exposure or workplace hazards. He began his career as a champion of the people of the State of Louisiana and has represented Louisiana and other states in numerous cases, including complex consumer fraud cases, in both Democratic and Republican administrations.

"I am excited to engage our members, the public, and elected officials on both sides of the aisle," said LeBlanc. "Protecting our right to access justice is not a partisan issue."

LeBlanc has been an outspoken advocate for consumers' rights before the Louisiana legislature and the United States Congress. He is a past president of the Louisiana Association for Justice and is active in AAJ, serving on the Board of Governors, National Finance Committee, and PAC Committee. He received the Wiedemann Wysocki National Finance Council Award twice. LeBlanc served as Vice-President of the Council of Presidents for State Trial Lawyer Associations. He is also a past president of Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge.

"Burton's leadership will be essential as we continue to fight for AAJ's mission in Congress, the courts, and in the arena of public opinion," said outgoing president Mary Alice McLarty, of McLarty Pope Firm, L.L.P. in Dallas, Texas.

In addition to LeBlanc, AAJ's new set of officers includes President-Elect Lisa Blue Baron of Baron & Blue Law Firm in Dallas, Texas; Vice-President Larry Tawwater of the Tawwater Law Firm, P.L.L.C., in Oklahoma City, Okla.; Secretary Julie Braman Kane of Colson Hicks Eidson in Coral Gables, Fla.; Treasurer Kathleen Nastri of Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder, PC in Bridgeport, Conn. and Parliamentarian Elise Sanguinetti of Khorrami Boucher Sumner Sanguinetti, LLP in Oakland, Calif.

As the world's largest trial bar, the American Association for Justice (formerly known as the Association of Trial Lawyers of America) works to make sure people have a fair chance to receive justice through the legal system when they are injured by the negligence or misconduct of others--even when it means taking on the most powerful corporations.  Visit http://www.justice.org.

SOURCE American Association for Justice