Firm News

We are excited to congratulate our Managing Partner, Jay Stefani, on receiving the American Association of Justice’s Certificate of Recognition for 2022. The certificate is awarded annually in recognition of service to AAJ. Of the roughly 20,000 AAJ members, only 46 were bestowed Certificates of Recognition this year.

“It was certainly a surprise and honor, and I am very grateful. It’s rewarding when an organization that has provided me with so much acknowledges my efforts to give back,” Jay said.

As someone who is active in AAJ leadership and regularly speaks at seminars and conventions, Jay looks forward to continuing to align himself with the organization’s three foundational pillars: community, advocacy, and education.

“It especially means a lot knowing Ken received the same award last year — I’m in excellent company!”

Levinson and Stefani is thrilled to recap last month’s American Association for Justice (AAJ) Annual Convention in Seattle, where both Ken Levinson and Jay Stefani gave presentations. 

Jay guided fellow trial lawyers through office employment contracts during the AAJ Sole Practitioner & Small Firm Section’s CLE program. As the section’s Chair this past year, Jay provided guidance to trial attorneys across the country on topics concerning law firm management. 

“I had a great time this past year working with our section. We started a monthly Book Club Webinar and put together an outstanding seminar at our convention. This next year, as Immediate Past Chair, I get all the fun of staying involved with a little less of the ‘hard work.’” 

Ken’s presentations touched on focus groups and their value across multiple areas of litigation. He spoke at the Melvin M. Belli Society, as well as multiple other meetings and seminars throughout the week. Notably, Ken was elected Chair of the Trucking Litigation Group, an honor which he was humbled to receive. 

“Taking over as Chair of the Trucking Litigation Group is one of the greatest honors of my career. To finally be elected after over a decade of working with this group is both deeply meaningful and fulfilling.”

As Chair, Ken has two main goals: the first is to provide the best educational and continued learning opportunities for trial lawyers through innovative programs such as the “Trucking College.” The second is to make sure any lawyer who handles trucking cases, regardless of background, has the opportunity to participate in this group. 

Jay shares a similar passion in providing support for fellow lawyers.  

“I’m always grateful for the opportunity to share my experience – successes and shortcomings – with other lawyers who manage their own firms. Each firm is a small business, so we have a lot of the same issues – but sharing our solutions is what lets us focus on helping clients.” 

Ken and Jay have regularly attended AAJ’s Annual and Winter Conventions throughout their time at the firm. Both partners are active members of AAJ and have held numerous leadership roles within the organization. AAJ is the largest association of trial lawyers in the nation, and stand on the pillars of community, advocacy, and education.

Jay will be discussing “The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right,” by Atul Gawande during the American Association for Justice (“AAJ”) Sole Practitioner & Small Firm Section “Book Club” webinar. He will touch on multiple subtopics including:

• why checklists are needed in an increasingly complex world;
• types of checklists;
• what constitutes an effective checklist; and
• how to create and implement checklists in your practice.

The webinar will be held on May 11, 2022, and will begin at 12:00pm (CST). Attendance is free for AAJ members, but advance registration is required.

Jay is the current Chair of AAJ’s Sole Practitioner and Small Firm Section, which focuses on supporting trial attorneys across the country who manage their own law practices. Jay frequently speaks on topics concerning law firm management and technology.