VOTE IN SAN FRANCISCO JULY 18-22, 2025
VOTE IN SAN FRANCISCO JULY 18-22, 2025
“When you’re passionate about something it’s not work. I’m running for AAJ Parliamentarian because I’m passionate about Lawyers Helping Lawyers. I have the commitment, experience, and work ethic to help lead AAJ into the future. In my ten year AAJ experience I’ve gone from a member of the second Leadership Academy to working member of AAJ’s most crucial committees.
AAJ was built on the ideal of preserving and protecting the right to trial by jury. I am committed to upholding that ideal through education, legislation, and connection.” – Rick Barrera
I’m asking for your support as I seek the office of Parliamentarian of the American Association for Justice (AAJ). We the members of AAJ are committed to fighting for accountability and the 7th Amendment right to trial by jury. I look forward to continuing to lead the organization in the fight for justice. As we move into the future of AAJ we must continue with the original ideal of lawyers helping lawyers.
To ensure the continued success of AAJ, it is imperative that we prioritize the three pillars of our organization: Education, Legislation, and Connection. These pillars have been the foundation of AAJ’s success, and I am committed to strengthening them in the years to come.
As a dedicated speaker and active board member and co-chair of the National College of Advocacy (NCA), I have been committed to AAJ Education. Our advocacy and education extend beyond the classroom, equipping our members with the knowledge and experience necessary to effectively represent clients in the halls of Congress and statehouses across the country. The rights of our clients are constantly under threat, and it is crucial that AAJ’s national and state organization partnerships be strengthened to protect these rights.
Connection, or “the secret sauce” of AAJ, is another key pillar that I am committed to strengthening. I believe that improved communication is essential to effectively convey the story of lawyers helping lawyers in the fight for justice.
For many of us AAJ is our family, providing us with the support to keep up the good fight. I’m honored to have the support of many of my AAJ family. I would be honored if you would support my candidacy and ask for you to vote for me as Parliamentarian at the AAJ convention in San Francisco.
Your Partner in Justice,
Rick Barrera
Born in the border community of Del Rio, Texas Rick attended the University of Texas at Austin. Two weeks after graduating from college Rick and Martha were married and celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary December 31, 2024. After careers in grocery retail and financial advising Martha asked Rick, “whatever happened to law school?” That started a move across the state of Texas to attend law school at Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law where he graduated in 2009.
Rick and Martha’s greatest achievement in law school was the birth of their daughter Martha Sofia. As the three of them crossed the state of Texas back to West Texas Rick began his career representing West Texans in various legal matters. That path eventually led to Rick solely representing plaintiffs in single event catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. From West Texas Rick’s practice grew to include representing New Mexicans. That led to a move to Albuquerque for a better weather climate for Rick and Martha’s second daughter, Eva Loren.
From New Mexico Rick stays involved in the state trial lawyers associations of New Mexico and Texas as well as involved nationally through AAJ, National Trial Lawyers, Southern Trial Lawyers Association, and Western Trial Lawyers Association.
American Association for Justice Leadership Academy, 2014
Rick Barrera was honored by the American Association for Justice as the 2019 recipient of the F. Scott Baldwin Award. First established in 1997 to honor and recognize F. Scott Baldwin, a world-renowned trial lawyer whose work throughout his career helped secure outstanding damage outcomes for injured victims and their families. It is presented each year to recognize Baldwin’s excellence and compassion he brought to the legal profession and the significant time he invested in training, preparing and encouraging lawyers to the profession of trial law., F. Scott Baldwin Award, 2019
American Association for Justice Certificate of Recognition, 2021
American Association for Justice Above and Beyond Award, 2022
American Association for Justice NLD Elise R. Sanguinetti Award, 2022
Thurgood Marshall School of Law Legendary Service Award, 2022
American Association for Justice Distinguished Service Award, 2023
Thurgood Marshall School of Law Alumnus of the Year, 2023
American Association for Justice Distinguished Service Award, 2024
American Association for Justice Minority Caucus Stalwart Award, 2024
American Bar Association, Member, 2007-2025
Hispanic National Bar Association, Member, 2007-2025
Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Member, 2010-2025
American Association for Justice Member, 2011-2025
New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association, Member 2013-2025
American Association for Justice, Leadership Academy, 2014
American Association for Justice, MOC Member, 2014-2025
American Association for Justice, Board of Governors (MC Representative), 2016-2018
American Association for Justice, Minority Caucus Chair, 2020-2021
New Mexico Trial Lawyers, Board Member, 2020-2023
The National Trial Lawyers-Top 100 Civil Litigation, 2020-2025
American Association for Justice,
American Association for Justice, Executive Committee (Minority Caucus Rep), 2021-2023 & (Elected) 2023-2025
American Association for Justice, NCA Board Member 2021-2024
American Association for Justice, PAC Development Committee, 2021-2025
American Association for Justice, National Finance Council, 2021-2025
American Association for Justice, Law Schools Committee, 2021-2025
American Association for Justice, VPAC Committee, 2021-2025
National Civil Justice Institute (formerly the Pound Institute), Board Member 2022-2025
Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Executive Committee, 2022-2024
American Association for Justice, Chair Justice Spring 2022 for Senatorial Candidates
American Association for Justice, Board of Governors At-Large, 2023-2026
American Association for Justice, Retirement Committee, 2024-2025
Speaker at over fifteen AAJ conventions and webinars
Faculty at five AAJ Deposition Colleges
Speaker at various state trial lawyer associations: New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Maryland, Ohio, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Washington, and Oregon.
