AAJ Summer 2024: An Unforgettable Event
Our team shares insight and excitement as they look back on the American Association for Justice’s 2024 Summer convention.
July 31, 2024
When the American Association for Justice (AAJ) announced that its 2024 Summer convention would be held in Nashville, we knew it would be memorable. Little did we know just how profound the weekend would be.
Connecting with the Community
Since first debuting our software at AAJ Seattle in 2022, these conventions have always held a special place in the hearts of the Metwork team. After our first exhibit, we’ve brought the newest versions of Metwork to every AAJ convention, reconnecting with attendees, showing the growth of our platform, and making new connections within the legal community.
“Metwork is all about professional legal communities,” Metwork co-founder and CEO Jack Metier said. “We help people nurture existing relationships and develop valuable new ones. Since AAJ is one of the largest, most established legal communities, we really complement each other.”
Metwork co-founders Jack (left) and Tom (right) Metier with Julie Ostrovsky, Deputy Executive Director of Nevada Justice Association.
Connecting with lawyers is the highlight of attending every legal event. The legal field and the world are experiencing rapid changes in technology, policy, and social norms. Creating a successful platform for the legal community begins with conversations about the challenges facing lawyers today.
"We learned that attendees are enthused about the community Metwork is building," Metwork’s Major Account Manager, Robby Daniels, shared. "Technology is changing so fast that they need to lean into it to get ahead. Many expressed the importance of growing their network beyond their area of practice, their current peer network, and even beyond their local or state jurisdiction. Opportunities can come from anywhere, and having a broad, diverse community is crucial for seizing those opportunities."
An Unforgettable Night
After hosting a hootenanny in Austin with the Metwork Success Rodeo, we wanted to bring something special to Nashville. Bard Room founder Jeff Roberts reached out to us with an idea to partner on an event celebrating friendship, success, and opportunities to make the world a better place. This idea coalesced into an unforgettable evening held at the Nashville venue, 3rd & Lindsley.
Jeff Roberts (left), Max T. Barnes (center), and Tom Metier (right).
“When I saw that AAJ was bringing its conference to Nashville,” Jeff said, “I wanted to be able to provide a bit of my hometown, Music City, to the personal injury attorneys attending the conference. And it just seemed like a natural fit to put something in there that is closely tied to Nashville, with the music scene with an all-star singer-songwriter like Max T. Barnes, country music royalty Marty Haggard, and Austin Moody. To be able to put that together under one roof and to collaborate with Metwork was a high honor.”
Marty Haggard (center), Max T. Barnes (right), and their backing band on stage at 3rd & Lindsley.
“The whole vibe was amazing,” Metwork Major Account Manager Tara Lee said. “Attendees kept saying the event felt so welcoming & fully captured the Nashville music scene. The band even opened up their tour bus and let people go and sit in there and sign show posters. Attendees were welcomed backstage to mix & mingle and said the night was one of the best events they had ever attended at an AAJ convention. It didn’t matter if it was a young lawyer or a heavy hitter; everybody was at the same level and had the same amount of fun. That’s the core of Metwork, where the legal community can come together–regardless of field, level of experience, whatever–and celebrate and grow the legal field. It was just an incredible, uplifting night.”
Metwork Major Account Manager Tara Lee (center) with event attendees on the band's tour bus. (From left to right) Marcia Shanor, Julie Whitacre, Bonnie Benitez, and Julie Ostrovsky.
Responses From Attendees
The outpouring of support everyone involved has received has been a humbling experience. Here’s what attendees have been saying:
Bruce Stern (left) with Tara Lee (right).
“I had the pleasure of attending a performance by Max Barnes and Marty Haggard at 3rd and Lindsley on Sunday night, and it was an incredible experience. A highlight of the evening was Marty’s story about his father, Merle Haggard, turning his life around. The energy and talent they brought to the stage were unparalleled. It was fantastic to see Metwork sponsoring such an exceptional event and memorable night of music and enjoyment.” Bruce Stern, Shareholder at Stark & Stark and President of AAJ from 2019-2020.
“The Metwork Team put on an exceptional event during the 2024 AAJ Annual Convention in Nashville. We were excited to listen to a night of Marty Haggard, Max T. Barnes, and Neon High. We felt like we were at our own personal concert. The music and venue couldn’t have been any more perfect. We met and talked to many other members of the legal community invited to this private event that we hadn’t seen during the convention. The event is a reflection of Metwork's attention to its product. There were no details missed. This is similar to how Metwork has created an exclusive attorney referral network that uniquely promotes all attorneys looking to send a potential client to another respected law firm with the confidence that the one they choose will treat the client with the utmost respect. LegalPat suggests all our clients join Metwork.” Patrice Gimenez, founder of LegalPat.
Julie Ostrovsky (left) with Tara Lee (right).
"Thank you for including me in such a fun, exciting, exclusive event in Nashville. The venue was fantastic the music outstanding and the company wonderful. Incredibly excited to see what’s next for Metwork." Julie Ostrovsky, Deputy Executive Director of Nevada Justice Association.
“It was so great to party with so many friends (old and new) at Metwork’s country music extravaganza in Nashville. I can’t wait to be Metworking with lawyers ATP (Across The Pond) real soon." Warren Collins is a partner at Penningtons Manches Cooper, LLP, and is the co-chair of the International Practice Section of AAJ, London, England.
"The concert was excellent, just like everything Tom does, and the music was a great reminder of Nashville history. We had a ball." Wayne Parsons, Hawai‘i State Bar Association – President, 2006.
“Greg and I just wanted to thank you [...] for an unforgettable evening last night. The energy in the room was electric, and the music amazingly entertaining! Once again, you’ve outdone yourself!” Greg & Kelly Merrill.
"It was a night filled with electrifying beats and soul-stirring melodies as Metwork was the perfect host for an unforgettable concert featuring Neon High and Marty Haggard. It was the essence of a true Nashville live music night!" Danae Benton, Partner - The Cochran Firm.
The performers, Jeff Roberts, and Tom Metier celebrating everyone during the show's finale.
More Opportunities to Connect
If you didn’t get a chance to connect with us in Nashville, don’t worry; there are plenty more opportunities to experience the Metwork revolution.
In August, we’ll be in Snowmass, Colorado, for the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association Annual Convention. You’ll have two chances to catch us in September: in Cle Elum, Washington, for the Washington State Association for Justice 2024 Annual Convention and again in Nashville, Tennessee, for the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys Annual Symposium.
You can stay up-to-date on all of our outings by visiting our events page.
See you soon.
