The Florida Justice Association
(formerly The Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers)
Every member of the firm is a member of the Florida Justice Association and some hold leadership positions within the organization.
In June 2009, partner Michael Haggard was sworn in as the 50th President of the FJA. Throughout his career with the organization Haggard has also served as Secretary and was elected to the Executive Committee of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers (as the Florida Justice Association was then known). Along with his appointment, Michael Haggard has been honored for his continuous commitment to the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers by being presented with two prestigious awards for his hard work and dedication. Michael Haggard won the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers’ Legislative Leadership "Shoe Leather" Award in recognition for his dedication and effective contributions on behalf of the Academy's legislative effort. He also was presented with the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers’“Golden Eagle” Award for his efforts within the Academy to ensure that the battle to protect Florida’s families and thecivil justice system continues.
Partner Wm. Andrew Haggard has served on the Board of Directors of the Academy.
Partner Douglas McCarron served two terms on the organization's Board of Directors.
Partner Jeannete Lewis, along with the rest of the attorneys at The Haggard Law Firm, are EAGLE members of the Florida Justice Association.
In 1984, the organization's leadership created EAGLE as its fundraising arm for the group and its political action committee, the Florida Lawyers Action Group (FLAG). FLAG’s aggressive fundraising efforts and its political program support lawmakers who insist on good public policy and champion the rights of the people they are elected to represent. Our EAGLE members work with FLAG to expand the pro-consumer, pro-safety base in the Florida Legislature and to pursue the Academy’s goal of protecting the rights and safety of all Floridians.
The History of The Florida Justice Association
A few years after the end of World War II, a group of lawyers from around the state of Florida who primarily represented injured accident victims formed a small organization called Negligence and Compensation Lawyers of Florida (NACLAF). The organization was spearheaded by Miami attorney Perry Nichols, who felt that attorneys needed closer communication, educational opportunities and support from one another.
On May 20, 1961, NACLAF reorganized into the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers and consisted of less than 50 members. Al J. Cone was the first elected President of the Academy, with Warren Goodrich as Vice-President and Victor Tipton as Secretary-Treasurer and Editor of the new Academy monthly publication – the Bulletin, renamed a year later to the Journal.
In 1970 the Academy rented a small office space in Tallahassee, Florida and hired its first executive director. Through the years, the Academy has grown to a membership of approximately 3,800 and a staff of over 30.
The original intent of NACLAF was to represent the interests of average injured citizens in the Florida Legislature and in the courtroom. In the 1950s Nichols recognized that the civil justice system favored business interests over the interests of the individual or injured persons. He and the founding fathers of the Academy set out to shift the focus of justice to protect Florida’s families. The leadership and Academy staff continue this mission today under their new name, The Florida Justice Association.