Trial Lawyers: It’s Not Too Late To Get Involved

Earlier this month, the AAJ hosted its Annual Winter Convention in Phoenix. During the convention, Injuryboard, 60 Safety, EndDD.org and NoDD.org organized a dinner presentation to call Trial Lawyers to get involved with their community starting with a special project to End Distracted Driving.

60ForSafety offers lawyers turn-key projects for quarterly campaigns. Though, generally attorneys will have to be a member of 60 for Safety to access their “event in a box” presentation materials, this quarter’s campaign “End Distracted Driving” is open to all trial lawyers.

The Accessibility of this Campaign is made possible by Injuryboard, and two members who are working to End Distracted Driving through their own organizations — attorneys Joel Feldman and Jeff Weinstein.

Joel started EndDD.org last year, as a project of The Casey Feldman Foundation. The Casey Feldman Foundation was created in 2009 following the death of Joel’s 21-year-old daughter, who was killed by a distracted driver while crossing the street. In February 2011, Joel produced a PSA video for the Department of Transportation, memorializing Casey in a “Faces of Distracted Driving” Video. This was the first video in that campaign to be produced by a private citizen, rather than the government.

Since Casey’s death, Joel has attended many local speaking events in Pennsylvania and New Jersey urging teens, and adults to change the way they drive.

Jeff Weinstein, who started NoDD.org, has been speaking for about 3 years now, and has presented to over 12,000 students. Jeff was lucky enough, not to have a personal tragedy, but his “Aha Moment” came when his wife reminded him just how likely one was.

Jeff was driving a rental RV with his wife and kids in the car, attempting to check the Longhorn’s score while he drove. His wife, who could see how the distraction was effecting his driving asked, “Is this how you intend to kill our kids?” It was at that moment that Jeff realized just how dangerous what he was doing actually was.

Videos from the Phoenix event are posted on the 60 for Safety Website: http://60forsafety.org/dd-speakers-video-1/

In the videos, Tom, Mason, Joel, and Jeff all give some compelling advice to Trial Lawyers wanting to get involved in their community. One of the most important things in giving a presentation, especially to kids, is engaging your audience. Let them know that they have the power to make a change.

Also in the video are some of the practical suggestions and types of turnkey presentation materials that are offered for this campaign.

Anyone signed up to speak at the End Distracted Driving Campaign from April 16-29, or anyone wishing to get involved is urged to check out these videos for some great ideas, instructions, and inspiration.