NATLE FYI

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

Despite the uncertainty around flights over the last week, the 2025 Governmental Affairs Conference came off successfully by all accounts.  Thank you to those 20 attendees who have completed the Evaluation.  The sentiments run the gamut around the days (Sat-Mon vs. Sun-Tues), lone speakers vs. panels, remote presenters vs. in-person, and more.  As you know with your own conference planning, these events are a matter of “best fit” and we try to be responsive to the majority.  A robust discussion relative to the NATLE finances produced the beginnings of ideas on keeping costs within reach of all TLAs and increasing the number of scholarships.  If you have input to impart, please submit it to your favorite Board Member or send me an email.

The materials received post-GAC have been added to the event page and a refreshed email to the registrants will be on the way as soon as I receive the last few pieces.  Registrants, if you’d like a copy of the AAJ State Affairs Update PPT, please reach out to Geoffrey Louden directly.

We are happy to announce the location of our 2026 Governmental Affairs Conference will be the Westin La Paloma in Tucson, AZ.  Please save the dates of November 7-9, 2026.  We selected the property based on the most favorable room rate, reduced resort fee, proximity to the airport (TUS) and multiple restaurants, as well as the intangibles like warmth and responsiveness of staff, the breath-taking views, and available amenities (spa, shuttle to Sabino Canyon for hiking, and stargazing on the patio thanks to the Dark Sky Ordinance).

AAJ registration is open for the Winter Meeting in San Diego.  This step is required to make room reservations – best done sooner than later.  You can also register now for the NATLE program.  We’ll meet Saturday, Feb 21 and Sunday, Feb 22.  I have no information at this time about an extra event on Friday, but we’ll keep you posted.  If you’re interested in participating in the program planning phases, join the Planning Team!  This is a great opportunity to work with Program Co-Chairs, Bonnie Benitez and Juliette Bleecker, and your counterparts (EDs and Staff) to suggest topics and speakers that are relevant to you and the work of trial lawyer associations.

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap. Have a great weekend!

P.S. In case you’re still here…It must have been divine intervention that saw me home as scheduled from the GAC.  I’ll admit that I held my breath whenever my phone vibrated with an update, but that energy was misplaced when I encountered zero issues and smooth flights.  I didn’t even scan the monitors to see how many flights were delayed or cancelled…I didn’t want to jinx my good luck.  The only hiccup was a senior moment in the search for my car in the airport garage – I remembered which floor, but forgot the row – and the lock on my fob just produces a blink, not a beep, and I didn’t want to push the alarm.  I knew we’d had snow, but I was not prepared for 5-6 inches in my driveway.  Shoveling would be a task for another day – I just wanted to get inside, turn up the heat, and start a load of laundry.  Because I like using up any perishables in the fridge before I go away for more than a few days, I can’t explain why I peeked every time I passed by, thinking something would appear for dinner.  After the third, persistently fruitless check, it was a good excuse to order my favorite roll from the sushi restaurant down the street.  Lights-out for me by 8 and I think I was asleep by the time my head hit the pillow.

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

By now, even if you haven’t been directly affected by the government shut-down, you know that it’s disruptive...enough to the point that our GAC is shifting to a hybrid format.  All presenters and existing registrants have received an email with instructions on how to obtain a link to attend/present via Zoom.  The full financial impact of this hurdle will take a few days to suss out, but The Fontaine and Encore A/V have been gracious and understanding with our plight.

Speaking of the GAC, we will be making an announcement about the location of our 2026 Governmental Affairs Conference while we're here in Kansas City.  In the meantime, save the dates of November 7-9, 2026.

AAJ registration is open for the Winter Meeting in San Diego.  This step is required to make room reservations – better done sooner than later.  You can also register now for the NATLE program.  We’ll meet Saturday, Feb 21 and Sunday, Feb 22.  I have no information at this time about an extra event on Friday, but we’ll keep you posted.  If you’re interested in participating in the program planning phases, join the Planning Team!  This is a great opportunity to work with Program Chairs, Bonnie Benitez and Juliette Bleecker, and your counterparts (EDs and Staff) to suggest topics and speakers that are relevant to you and the work of trial lawyer associations.

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap. Have a great weekend!

P.S. In case you’re still here…Ambling like a zombie (I’d had to get up at 4:15 for a 6am flight) through the Atlanta Hartsfield airport yesterday, summoned by the far-off siren call of the Starbucks mermaid, it was hard to ignore the obvious anxiety on the faces of my fellow travelers.  The news that a 10% cut in flights would surely mess with any return plans was on everyone’s mind.  There were a few gate-loads of passengers that looked like they were more than OK with the impending disruption.  For sure, folks in the gates with boards announcing destinations like Nassau and Miami exuded peaceful vibes with the prospect of getting marooned in a tropical paradise.  The rumor mill has it that this fiasco might be resolved by early next week.  We all have our collective fingers crossed.

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

I am returning today from a site visit to help select the property that will host our 2026 Governmental Affairs Conference.  We should be able to make an announcement in Kansas City as to the location and dates.

AAJ registration is open for the Winter Meeting in San Diego.  This step is required to make room reservations – better done sooner than later.  You can also register now for the NATLE program.  We’ll meet Saturday, Feb 21 and Sunday, Feb 22.  I have no information at this time about an extra event on Friday, but we’ll keep you posted.  If you’re interested in participating in the program planning phases, join the Planning Team!  This is a great opportunity to work with Program Chairs, Bonnie Benitez and Juliette Bleecker, and your counterparts (EDs and Staff) to suggest topics and speakers that are relevant to you and the work of trial lawyer associations.

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap. Have a great weekend!

P.S. In case you’re still here…If the stars align and my flights are on time, I’ll be landing in Burlington at 3:39pm this afternoon.  I’ll work out the kinks from the not-so-comfortable airplane seats with a Pilates-like class at the Pure Barre studio and then head home.  In the past, I’ve put effort into picking out my own costume, assembling goodie bags for the trick-or-treaters, and setting the surround sound to loop Michael Jackson’s full-length Thriller.  I love seeing the littlest ones come to the door all wide-eyed because they haven’t quite grasped the concept of asking strangers for candy.  Talk about a mixed message.  It’s a jolt, though, when you bend down with the bowl of candy to get on their eye-level and the otherwise sweet cherubs come in hot with their fingers spread like an arcade claw to scoop up as many pieces as they can get.  This year, I’ve done none of it, so I’ll be turning off the porch lights and closing the curtains to watch TV in peace.

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

The 4th Monday Zoom Series this week was an informative and timely presentation on raising UM/UIM limits.  A recording is available on the NATLE website.  A further discussion of this topic is also part of the GAC program.

If you haven’t yet registered for the GAC, the regular rate expires tomorrow.

AAJ registration is open for the Winter Meeting in San Diego.  This step is required to make room reservations – better done sooner than later.  You can also register now for the NATLE program.  We’ll meet Saturday, Feb 21 and Sunday, Feb 22.  I have no information at this time about an extra event on Friday, but we’ll keep you posted.  If you’re interested in participating in the program planning phases, join the Planning Team!  This is a great opportunity to work with Program Chair, Bonnie Benitez, and your counterparts (EDs and Staff) to suggest topics and speakers that are relevant to you and the work of trial lawyer associations.

We have 3 members left to renew!  Log in to your member record and click on the myNATLE tab.

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap. Have a great weekend!

P.S. In case you’re still here…I’m not one of those bakers who can throw ingredients together and have a masterpiece emerge from the oven.  Paul Hollywood doesn’t suffer fools, but I’d turn his ice-blue eyes red in horror.  My best friend is the opposite.  He knows the science behind the mysteries of baking soda and baking powder, what does what in chemical reactions, and can pick out a missing ingredient with just one taste.  He would have dislocated his shoulders waving me off from trying a recipe I jotted down from an Instagram post for banana bread.  It was simple and sounded tasty with 6 bananas, 6 eggs, a few cups of oatmeal, plus baking powder and spices.  How bad could it be?  Turns out, really bad.  So many eggs made it into an oatmeal quiche, and a tasteless one, at that.  Normally, I’d put my recipe FAILS out back for the squirrels, but I didn’t want the humiliation of it being rejected by scavengers.  It went straight into the compost bin where the worms can enjoy it…hopefully.

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

If you’re coming to the GAC, you have received at least three announcements about a new (to NATLE) member services partner, Let America Know (LAK).  An RSVP is required for an optional lunch on Saturday, November 8.  Nosh while you network and learn about this e-newsletter, social media, and action-alert platform that has already been picked up by a few of your colleagues.  The lunch is limited and we have 9 seats left.  RSVP ONLY if you plan to stay so we have an accurate boxed lunch count.

The AAJ registration link is available if you plan to attend the NATLE Winter Meeting in San Diego.  This step is required to make room reservations – better done sooner than later.  You can also register now for the NATLE program.  We’ll meet Saturday, Feb 21 and Sunday, Feb 22.  I have no information at this time about an extra event on Friday, but we’ll keep you posted.  If you’re interested in participating in the program planning phases, join the Planning Team!  This is a great opportunity to work with Program Chair, Bonnie Benitez, and your counterparts (EDs and Staff) to suggest topics and speakers that are relevant to you and the work of trial lawyer associations.

Thank you to those who let me know about your TLA’s use of, experience with, or interest in mobile apps for your association.  The Justice Partner Working Group is deliberating its recommendation to the Board, but has suggested to the prospective partner, Appean Group, that a more logical time to introduce themselves is at the Annual Meeting in July.  We will keep you posted.

We have 9 members left to renew!  If you need a dues notice, please let me know, or log in to your member record and click on the myNATLE tab.

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap. Have a great weekend!

P.S. In case you’re still here…I’m no license plate aficionado, but I can appreciate a clever combo of letters and numbers that convey a message.  My mother’s plate, “MSAFP” was a stumper for anyone not an MD or OB/GYN, and was commonly misinterpreted as “Ms” plus her initials.  Instead, it refers to her work in reading the OB reports on soon-to-be moms’ maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein, a blood test that measures for multiples and fetal abnormalities.  My first vanity plate was “SWEET P”, a nickname from my dad.  Imagine my excitement 30 years ago when I found myself behind a car with a RI plate with the identical letters.  I sped up to wave at the driver and merged in front so she could see I wasn’t a random lunatic.  When I lived in North Carolina 20 years ago, I had “UVM ALUM”.  In bumper-to-bumper traffic on the highway heading home one day, I pulled up next to a car with a UVM sticker in the back window and had a great conversation with fellow grad.  On the drive down to Massachusetts a few weeks ago, there were several that zipped by.  “NVR 2L8” (carpe diem, eh?), “RMSCLN2” (either a cleaning service or a frustrated parent hoping the message isn’t too subtle), “NH FSHG” (an outdoorsy person), and “HGWRTS” (definitely a Harry Potter fan).  And, finally, most appropriate for this time of year, “SPUKYBU”.

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

If you’re coming to the GAC, you have received at least one announcement about an exciting, new (to NATLE) member services partner, Let America Know (LAK).  An RSVP is required for an optional lunch on Saturday, November 8.  Nosh while you network and learn about this e-newsletter, social media, and action-alert platform that has already been picked up by a few of your colleagues.  The lunch is limited to the first 25 RSVPs.

The room block for the GAC will be released on Tuesday.  We have met our original contract numbers, so don’t wait on this step.  The best way to make a reservation is through the front desk (816-753-8800) or our CMS, Alex Foxwell (816-437-8427).  If you run into any issues with reservations, please let me know.  If you’ve reserved a room and don’t need it, please release it back to the block.

The AAJ registration link is available if you plan to attend the NATLE Winter Meeting in San Diego.  This step is required to make room reservations.  You can also register for the NATLE program.  We’ll meet Saturday, Feb 21 and Sunday, Feb 22.  I have no information at this time about an extra event on Friday, but we’ll keep you posted.  If you’re interested in participating in the program planning phases, join the Planning Team!  This is a great opportunity to work with your counterparts (EDs and Staff) to suggest topics and speakers that are relevant to you and the work of trial lawyer associations.

We are exploring a potential new vendor/Justice Partner that already designs mobile apps for bar associations and wants to fill the need for TLAs.  The apps are based on your website’s look and feel, but serves to push notifications about events, fundraising efforts, and membership and legislative contact links.  Before going too far, our first question is do you already have a mobile app?  If yes, who’s the vendor, or if no, are you interested in learning more?  Please let us know if you’re interested in learning more.

We have 12 members left to renew!  If you haven’t seen a dues notice, please let me know.

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap. Monday is Indigenous People’s Day, so I hope you have a great long weekend!

P.S. In case you’re still here…I had a cute, close encounter with wildlife last night.  The sky was crepuscular – one of my dad’s favorite words – as I approached my car after an exercise class.  A little squirrel dropped from somewhere around the muffler.  He faced me and looked like he’d just been caught with his hands/paws in the cookie jar.  His hangdog expression made me bend down and coo – like I would to an adorable toddler – “what were you just doing?”  Imagine my surprise when he slowly walked toward me and, if I hadn’t squealed and gingerly stepped over him, he might have climbed onto my foot.  I’m NOT one of those people who ascribe behaviors expected in domestic pets to wild animals – I prefer to appreciate wildlife from a safe distance and didn’t want this little guy going all King Kong-scaling-the-Empire-State-Building up my leggings.  Tourists who get out of their vehicles for an up-close pic of bison in Yellowstone and come out on the losing end, are examples of natural selection in action.  He may have gotten used to humans and was hoping for a handout from the chicken wings place that’s a few doors down from my exercise studio.  I hand-fed chipmunks on the beach in Santa Cruz, but that was over three decades ago and I’m no longer that immortal, wide-eyed, recent college grad.  Even the cutest critters can turn Edward Scissorhands on the unsuspecting.

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

We have added an optional lunch to the GAC.  A new (to NATLE) member services partner, Let America Know (LAK), is co-sponsoring lunch on Saturday, November 8, as an opportunity to explain and demo their e-newsletter, social media, and action-alert platform.  A few of your colleagues have already partnered with LAK and you’ll have a chance to get your questions answered.  An RSVP is required and the limit is 25.  A blast announcement will go out this morning to all registrants, so if you’re interested in offering this service to your members, please click on the link in the blast and plan to attend.  To see a list of registrants, log in and visit the event page.  Scroll down beyond the sponsor logos and cancellation policy.

The room block for the GAC won’t be released for another 10 days, but we have met our original contract numbers.  The best way to make a reservation is through the front desk (816-753-8800) or our CMS, Alex Foxwell (816-437-8427).  If you run into any issues with reservations, please let me know.  If you’ve reserved a room and don’t need it, please release it back to the block.

We have 19 members left to renew!  If you haven’t seen a dues notice or there are changes to your roster of members, address, or TLA membership range (on ED notices only), please let me know.

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap. Have a great weekend!

P.S. In case you’re still here…With the gas tank topped off, caffeine in hand, and the cruise control set a few ticks north of the speed limit, Dad and I set off for Milton, MA yesterday morning.  It was a beautiful, clear-sky day and we could fully appreciate the gorgeous views as we rolled along the highway over the Green Mountains and into the Connecticut River valley.  Our mission was to visit the family plot at the Milton Cemetery, and my sub-goal was to re-confirm Dad’s wishes for when “the day” comes.  (Thankfully, it has never been a squeamish topic to avoid.  Both parents were doctors – very practical – and knew/know the end result.)  The running commentary from the passenger seat started off at a robust pace recalling memories from back before there was a state highway to his commutes from Fort Devins every few weeks in my early days.  My neighbor had put me on to the Waze navigation app and other than the icons being too small to see without my readers, it’s accurate and helpful.  We arrived in Milton at noon, so I suggested we find a spot for lunch in case Meg, the superintendent, takes a break.  That part of Milton is the consummate bedroom community of some stately, some modest, but all tidy, homes surrounded by well-manicured lawns.  I pulled over and resorted to Google to find a restaurant.  We wound up at the Granite Links golf club and resort.  It wouldn’t be hyperbole to call it the Crown of Quincy (yes, we had to cross into another zip code to find food).  We killed an hour enjoying our wraps with nearly 360o views of the Blue Hills, jets high overhead on approach to Logan, and the Boston skyline.  Back at the cemetery, Meg was just as helpful in person and made sure we knew exactly how to find our stone.  After a few photos and deliberately slow explanations of the interred relations, we set Waze for “home” and met the traffic around Boston I thought we’d avoid on a mid-afternoon weekday.  Dad was knackered, so the commentary on the return trip was limited to pointing out his favorite bird, the Turkey Vulture (don’t ask), and a few stories on repeat that came to mind as we passed familiar landmarks.  Approaching the NH/VT border, we were treated to a hot air balloon, no doubt carrying leaf peepers with hopes for a colorful blanket.  Sadly, with the months-long drought, the maples and aspens that help drive our fall tourism industry have gone from green to brown with only a brief pause at yellow.  Overall, it was a great day.  Dad was grateful, and I felt good about making this connection to my ancestors.

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

Dues renewal reminders went out last week and we have 40 members left to renew.  If you haven’t seen a dues notice or there are changes to your roster of members, address, or TLA membership range (on ED notices only), please let me know.

This month's 4th Monday Zoom Series was on the topic of Turning Legal Trends into Member Value. A summary of the latest trends showing up in the legal field, expectations from vendors who bring beneficial marketing opps to your association, and available resources for your members are included in the presentation packet. The session was recorded, so please view it when you have a spare 30 minutes via the link on our website.

The Early Bird rate on GAC registration expires tomorrow night.  The room block won’t be released until mid-October, but that doesn’t guarantee that it won’t be sold out.  I’ve notified everyone who is registered for the program, but isn’t in the rooming list at The Fontaine.  Likewise, if you’ve reserved a room and don’t need it, please release it back to the block.  The program is open to all TLA staff and volunteer leadership, and is the best opportunity to network over issues that are coming to legislative calendars around the country.  The Social Event will be Sunday, Nov 9 from 6 to 8 at the Puttery, a cool, multi-level, “immersive mini-golf experience”!  It’s an easy 10-minute walk from the hotel and if you’re still hungry, it’s close enough to be part of the Country Club Plaza where you’ll find a slew of great restaurants.  The event is sponsored by Preferred Capital Funding, so please make sure to let them know you heard about their support.

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap. Have a great weekend!

P.S. In case you’re still here…I am taking my dad to Milton, MA next Thursday to visit the family plot.  I’ve never been there and the last “deposit” was 40 years ago when Dad and his brother buried my grandmother.  She wasn’t big on ceremony so there wasn’t a service.  The plot contains three generations going back to my great-grandparents, the oldest of whom was born in 1888.  I’m all about history and love genealogy, but with a name like Smith, even the Mormons turn tail and run.  The administrator at the cemetery was super helpful over the phone and I look forward to meeting her next week.  It will just be a quick down and back, with an overnight if absolutely necessary.  Either way, I’ll have my phone with me so don’t hesitate to call if you need anything.  It’s a long 4-hour drive each way and I might need the break from the running commentary coming from the passenger seat.

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

Dues renewal reminders went out on Monday and we have 48 members left to renew.  If you haven’t seen it or there are changes to your roster of members, address, or membership range (on ED notices only), please let me know.

On Monday, we’ll hold this month's 4th Monday Zoom Series (4pmET) on Turning Legal Trends into Member Value. Hear about the latest AI trends in the legal field, mutually beneficial marketing opps for you and your vendors, and available content and resources for members. We have nearly 30 registrants already, but there’s always room for more in Zoom!

The Oklahoma Association for Justice is beginning to look at the pros ‘n cons of building ownership.  A quick survey about building ownership is collecting input from those EDs who’ve been through the exploration process and would appreciate your input.  None of the responses is required, so answer as you feel comfortable and the Building Committee Chair John Branum’s number is available at the top of the survey.

The Early Bird rate on GAC registration expires at the end of next week, so be sure to sign up AND reserve a room at The Fontaine.  The program is open to all TLA staff and volunteer leadership, and is the best opportunity for your counterparts to network over issues that are coming to legislative calendars around the country.  The Social Event will be Sunday, Nov 9 from 6 to 8 at the Puttery, a cool, multi-level, “immersive mini-golf experience”!  It’s an easy 10-minute walk from the hotel and if you’re still hungry, it’s close enough to be part of the Country Club Plaza where you’ll find a slew of great restaurants.  The event is sponsored by Preferred Capital Funding, so please make sure to let them know you heard about their support.

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap. Have a great weekend!

P.S. In case you’re still here…If you’ve ever had a loose heat shield – that thin piece of metal somewhere in the underbelly of your vehicle – it sounds like your annoying little brother is constantly shaking two pennies in a tin can.  Back in the early 90s, my Honda Civic had a chronically loose heat shield that the dealership eventually confessed that we could just remove it altogether.  Made me wonder what we were protecting from the heat if it was the appendix of car parts.  That Civic is long gone, but on Sunday, I thought I was headed for an unscheduled visit to the dealership for a repeat diagnosis.  The telltale rattle was there, but the difference was it sounded like my tailpipe was dragging.  I couldn’t see anything hanging and because I haven’t yet figured out how to be in two places at once, I asked my neighbor to listen and help me determine the cause, or at least narrow down the source.  Fortunately for me, he has a nephew who’s particularly hard on vehicles and comes to him for every dent and squeak.  He recognized it right away AND has the tools to fix it.  We jacked the back right side, removed the wheel, and fished out the stone that had gotten wedged between the rotor and a different thin, metal shield.  I had my nice quiet car back in 15 minutes.  The nightmare scenario of what could have happened if the jack had failed while I had my head in the wheel well twiddling the screwdriver to reach the stone, will stay with me for a while, though.

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

Dues renewal notices have been distributed and 63% have renewed, so far, so thank you! I will send out reminders on the 22nd.  If you haven’t seen it or there are changes to your roster of members, address, or membership range (on ED notices only), please let me know.

A quick survey about building ownership went out on Monday to the EDs. If you have bought your building or have experience in the exploration process, the Oklahoma Association for Justice is beginning to look at the pros ‘n cons and would appreciate your input.  Please reply to the survey.  None of the responses is required, so answer as you feel comfortable and the Building Committee Chair John Branum’s number is available.

The Early Bird rate on GAC registration ends in two weeks, so be sure to sign up AND reserve a room at The Fontaine.  The Social Event will be Sunday, Nov 9 from 6 to 8 at the Puttery, a cool, multi-level, “immersive mini-golf experience”!  It’s an easy 10-minute walk from the hotel and if you’re still hungry, it’s close enough to be part of the Country Club Plaza where you’ll find a slew of great restaurants.  The event is sponsored, in part, by Preferred Capital Funding, so please make sure to let them know you heard about their support.  It's a ticketed event, so if you didn't sign up for it during the registration process, I can send an invoice.

The topic for September's 4th Monday Zoom Series (Sept 22 at 4pmET) is Turning Legal Trends into Member Value. Hear about the latest AI trends in the legal field, mutually beneficial marketing opps for you and your vendors, and available content and resources for members. We have 20 registrants already, but there’s always room for more in Zoom!

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap. Have a great weekend!

P.S. In case you’re still here…Are you kidding me??!  There’s a Whoopie Pie Festival tomorrow in Rutland, Vermont.  It’s a thing, people, and I’m seriously considering that the 90-minute-each-way drive may be worth it.