Lipsen will continue her consumer advocacy leadership as chief executive
WASHINGTON, May 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Association for Justice (AAJ) has named Linda Lipsen, who has led the trial lawyers' advocacy and lobby team since 1993, as its new chief executive officer.
As CEO, Lipsen will continue the consumer advocacy work that has defined her career, leading the fight to promote the importance of America's civil justice system and against efforts that would limit people's access to the courts.
"It is an honor to lead AAJ into the next decade, at a time when our legal system is more important than ever," Lipsen said. "Trial attorneys have been a powerful force in holding wrongdoers accountable and protecting the public. While their profession and the civil justice system have been attacked by negligent corporations for decades, our resolve and sense of purpose has only deepened.
"We have seen time and again what happens when unscrupulous corporations put profits ahead of the safety and well-being of the public," she continued. "While I am CEO, AAJ will not just defend the civil justice system, but also promote its importance in ensuring fairness and justice for all. Preventing needless injuries and deaths in the first place, rather than eliminating the rights and remedies of Americans, is where the focus must be."
"Linda's commitment to representing and advocating for injured patients, workers and consumers has been the bedrock of AAJ's mission for many years," said AAJ President Anthony Tarricone. "She has the full support of our association and its members, and our organization has exciting days ahead under her leadership."
Lipsen will succeed current CEO Tom Henderson, who has served on an interim basis since May 2009.
"Linda is exactly the right person to lead the organization at this critical time," Henderson said. "She has been a tireless advocate for civil justice issues, and her leadership will certainly prove invaluable to AAJ."
Since 1993, Lipsen has served as the Executive Vice President for Public Affairs at AAJ, formerly known as the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA). Prior to AAJ, Lipsen directed the legislative advocacy program for Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports. In that capacity, she represented consumers on Capitol Hill on a host of issues including antitrust, insurance reform and health care. Lipsen has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin and a law degree from Antioch.
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
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