B

r

u

c

e

P

l

a

x

e

n

Bruce Plaxen has been on the Board of Governors for the Maryland Association for Justice (formerly the Maryland Trial Lawyers Association) since 1993 and has chaired almost every committee and held every office, including President of MAJ (2001-2002). He is the former Chairman of the Maryland Association for Justice Political Action Committee (2001-16, and 2018-2021), and during that time worked closely with their lobbyist and legislative committee in Annapolis to insure that the rights of victims are protected. He is a frequent speaker and lecturer for the Maryland Association for Justice.

Bruce Plaxen is the only two-time winner of the President's Award, presented by the Maryland Association for Justice for exemplary leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment. Plaxen was specifically recognized for his actions to strengthen our ability to protect our clients, address civil justice and consumer issues in the legislature, and prevent the erosion of injured people's rights. He received this award in both 2007 and 2010.

Bruce Plaxen was honored as the 2009 Maryland Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Maryland Association for Justice. Plaxen was presented with the award for years of work on behalf of HMO plan members in Maryland. Mr. Plaxen and his team of lawyers were able to recover millions of dollars that had been wrongfully taken from their clients by the HMOs and secured two precedent-setting decisions in the process, including a decision from Maryland’s highest court limiting the power of the General Assembly to enact retroactive laws.

Since 2003, Bruce Plaxen has served on the Board of Governors for the American Association for Justice (formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America). In 2022, he was elected Secretary of AAJ (2022-2023). In 2021, he was elected Treasurer of AAJ, having previously served as Parliamentarian (2020). Plaxen is the first attorney from Maryland to hold these positions.

Bruce Plaxen currently serves on the Executive Committee of AAJ, and has served in leadership roles for multiple committees in the organization, including:

• AAJ Organizational Review Committee (ORC) Member, 2004-2021
  • Chair, 2013-2021
• Justice 2020 Annual Fundraiser Co-Chair, 2019
• AAJ Retirement Committee Chair, 2019-2020
• Maggie Hassan Fundraising Event Chair, 2016
• Justice 2016 Annual Fundraiser Co-Chair, 2015
• AAJ Convention Planning Committee Member, 2002-2013
  • Chair, 2007–2013
• AAJ Council of Presidents Member 2000-2003
  • AAJ Council of Presidents President-Elect 2002-2003
  • AAJ Council of Presidents President 2003-2004

Bruce Plaxen has been recognized by AAJ on numerous occasions for his contributions to the organization and the work that it does. In 2020, he received the prestigious Wiedemann Wysocki Citation of Excellence for his efforts on behalf of civil justice throughout the United States. This is the fourth time Plaxen received this award, having been previously recognized for his work in 2003, 2010, and 2016.

Bruce Plaxen has been recognized by AAJ on numerous occasions for his contributions to the organization and the work that it does. In 2020, he received the prestigious Wiedemann Wysocki Citation of Excellence for his efforts on behalf of civil justice throughout the United States. This is the fourth time Plaxen received this award, having been previously recognized for his work in 2003, 2010, and 2016.

In 2019, Plaxen was awarded AAJ’s Above & Beyond award, which “recognizes AAJ members who have made exceptional contributions to sustain and strengthen the organization.”

In 2017, Plaxen was honored at the annual convention of Trial Lawyers with the Distinguished Service Award given out by the American Association for Justice.

Because of the work he has done on behalf of AAJ’s fundraising efforts, Bruce Plaxen is a PAC Eagle. He has served as chair, co-chair, regional captain, or state captain for every important AAJ fundraising project since 2001.

Bruce Plaxen has also received a Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy from the State University of New York at Albany. This award was given in recognition of his pro bono efforts assisting the families of victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York, Maryland and Virginia. Plaxen helped organize the largest pro bono project in history. Each and every family of a 911 victim was offered absolutely free legal representation and assistance in securing victim compensation.