(D-Mich.), and Bobby scott (D-Va.).
the program was led by Minority
caucus chair Mike Brown of spartan-
burg, south carolina, and Advocacy
Day cochairs simona farrise of santa
Barbara, california, and staci Yandle of
Belleville, illinois.
coMMunicAtions
AAJ spreads
pro-civil-Justice
Message on
facebook, twitter
AAJ’S OFFICE OF
communications has stepped into the brave
new world of social media, using
twitter and facebook to expand
its presence online and reach members,
reporters, and the public with instant
news alerts and responses to events and
statements concerning the legal system.
When president obama held a health
care summit at the end of february, AAJ
expected that opponents of civil justice
would use the opportunity to malign
trial attorneys and the civil justice sys-
tem. using twitter, communications
staffers were able to “live-tweet” the
summit, rapidly responding to misin-
formation and getting out the facts to
reporters and members of the public
who were following the AAJ feed. the
attention AAJ garnered during the sum-
mit led to an increase in the number of
AAJ’s twitter “followers.”
communications has also been push-
ing AAJ’s facebook fan page, where
readers and “fans” can find stories about
AAJ and issues that affect trial lawyers.
these new social-networking tools
cApitAl report
new house Bill Would hold
foreign Manufacturers Accountable
IN 2009, 83 PERCENT of the products recalled by the consumer product safety
commission were manufactured in foreign countries. civil justice advocates
have long argued that foreign-made products hurt u.s. consumers and put u.s.
businesses at a competitive disadvantage. AAJ’s public Affairs Department has
been working to educate members of congress about this issue.
on february 24, rep. Betty sutton (D-ohio), a former trial lawyer, introduced
h.r. 4678, the foreign Manufacturers legal Accountability Act, a bill that would
make it easier to hold foreign manufacturers accountable in u.s. courts. Makers
of certain products—including drugs, devices, consumer products, chemicals, and
pesticides—would be required to register an agent, located in a state where the
company does business, who would accept service of process for civil and regula-
tory claims. By registering the agent, the foreign manufacturer or producer would
also consent to state and federal jurisdiction for civil and regulatory claims.
similar legislation, s. 1606, was introduced last year by sens. sheldon White-
house (D-Ala.), Jeff sessions (r-Ala.), and Dick Durbin (D-ill.). Both bills are gar-
nering support from members of congress with varied political philosophies.
in the house, sutton is pushing to move the bill quickly through the energy
and commerce committee. in the senate, the sponsors are looking for an oppor-
tunity to offer the bill as a floor amendment.
Minority caucus Members
lobby congress
TAKING PART IN AAJ’s first-ever Minority caucus Advocacy Day, 32 caucus
members traveled to capitol hill in March to press lawmakers to support
legislation that would reverse the enhanced pleading standards dictated by
the supreme court in Ashcroft v. Iqbal and Bell Atlantic v. Twombly, and to
urge passage of the foreign Manufacturers legal Accountability Act.
the 32 citizen lobbyists from around the country met with the staffs of 49
different congressional offices, including those of most members of the congres-
sional Black caucus.
the day opened with a breakfast talk from Wade henderson, ceo of the
Washington, D.c.-based leadership conference on civil and human rights.
henderson emphasized the importance of staying visible in the political process
and hammering home a clear message. participants also attended a reception at
the capitol Visitor center, where they met several members of congress, includ-
ing reps. Joe Baca (D-cal.), Bruce Braley (D-iowa), carolyn cheeks Kilpatrick
