Steve Herman Elected Parliamentarian of the American Association for Justice

Fishman Haygood Special Counsel Steve Herman was sworn in as Parliamentarian of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) at the organization’s Annual Convention in Chicago on July 27, 2026, having been elected without opposition. The Parliamentarian advises the presiding officers on questions of parliamentary procedure, as well as the association’s charter and bylaws.

AAJ is the world’s largest plaintiffs’ trial bar, with members throughout the United States, Canada, and abroad. Through advocacy, networking, and education, AAJ provides resources to practicing attorneys and to aligned state trial lawyer organizations, while promoting the civil justice system in Congress, regulatory bodies, and the courts.

“AAJ membership gives us a collective voice,” Steve said. “Standing alone on the outside is not as effective as standing together, as part of something bigger than ourselves.”

The appointment is also personal. Steve follows in the footsteps of his father, Russ Herman, who served as AAJ President from 1989–1990.

“I grew up in AAJ surrounded by people who supported each other, with a passion for justice,” Steve said. “I have a deep feeling of duty and responsibility and want to give back to the organization that is like a family to me.”

Steve maintains a broad civil practice spanning commercial, class action, and professional liability matters. He was appointed in 2010 to serve as one of two Liaison and Lead Class Counsel for all businesses, individuals, and local governments involved in the Deepwater Horizon/BP Oil Spill litigation.

In addition to his new role with AAJ, Steve is a Louisiana Association for Justice (LAJ) Past President. He also served as President of both the National Civil Justice Institute and the Civil Justice Foundation, and he is a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and the American Law Institute.

Steve’s commitment to the next generation of trial lawyers is equally notable. He teaches an advanced torts seminar on class actions at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law and an advanced civil procedure course in complex litigation at Tulane University Law School. Additionally, Steve has sponsored the first-year memberships of dozens of new and young lawyers in AAJ and LAJ. He also established a Mentors List Server connecting emerging attorneys with experienced practitioners while LAJ President.

“I have always felt a responsibility for—and enjoyment in—trying to pass things down to the members of the next generation,” he said.

Steve’s election reflects both a personal legacy and the depth of leadership he brings to Fishman Haygood’s clients and to the broader legal community.

Learn more about Fishman Haygood’s Litigation Practice here.