The Engine of Our Impact — Inside the Grants Committee

Following the spectacular news that the AAML Foundation met its ambitious $365,000 donation milestone this year, a vital question emerges: How do these generous gifts transform into meaningful community action? The answer lies in the rigorous, behind-the-scenes work of our Grants Committee, expertly led by Chair Julia Swain and Vice Chair John Durward. While summer often represents a slower period in the legal calendar, it is the busiest season for this dedicated group.

The committee has been deep in the process of reviewing scores of highly competitive grant applications from nonprofit organizations across the country. Every proposal has undergone meticulous evaluation to ensure alignment with our core mission: protecting children, supporting domestic violence survivors and funding critical pro bono family law services. Julia, John and the committee members have completed the process of ranking the candidates and navigating the complex, thoughtful discussions about how many grants to award this cycle. A major highlight of this process has been identifying which exceptional organizations will become the special recipients of our prestigious named grants, connecting specific donor legacies directly to high-impact community programs.

Last year, the Foundation set a historic record by awarding $322,000 across 51 grants. Thanks to your unmatched generosity in helping us clear our $365,000 goal, the committee now has an even more powerful financial footprint to distribute. We extend our deepest gratitude to Julia, John and the entire committee for volunteering their time to ensure our collective resources achieve the maximum possible impact for families in crisis. The 2026 grant recipients will be announced in November!

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The AAML Foundation Board of Directors thanks the donors who donated from July 16 through Aug. 31. We are profoundly grateful for your support and generosity.

In Honor of AAML Maryland Chapter for joining the Chapter 100% Billable Hour Club
AAML Georgia Chapter

In Honor AAML Missouri Chapter for joining the Chapter 100% Billable Hour Club
AAML Georgia Chapter

In Memory of Chris Olmstead
AAML Georgia Chapter

In Honor of Linda Lea and Jeff Viken
Barbara K. Runge

In Honor of Lauren Waddell for her boundless energy, enthusiasm and leadership as Fundraising Chair
Bruce and Shayna Steinfeld

2026 1K Club
(Donors who donated $1,000 or more to the Billable Hour Campaign)
Thomas Trent Lewis
Steven A. Mindel
Nicholas W. Lobenthal
Shannon Rogers Simpson
Natalie L. Webb

2026 Billable Hour Club

Alabama
Brian Turner

Arizona
Jennifer G. Gadow
Philip Charles Gerard
Leonard Karp
Stephen R. Smith
Kathleen Stillman

California
Gregory C. Abel
Andrew J. Botros
John Chason
Bruce A. Clemens
Rodrigo Da Silva Dias
David Carter Erb
David A. Fink
Alex Grager
Stephen D. Hamilton
Scott M. Klopert
Michael J. Kretzmer
Thomas Trent Lewis
Deborah J. Marx
John P. McCall
Robert A. McCarty Jr.
Shannon B. Miles
Steven A. Mindel
Tanya E. Prioste
Geniveve J. Ruskus
Kyle J. Siems
Thomas L. Simpson
Eleanor A. Stegmeier
Thomas W. Tuttle
Marshall S. Zolla

Colorado
Kara Chrobak
Carl O. Graham

Connecticut
Jacquelyn Conlon
Thomas P. Parrino
Frederic J. Siegel

District of Columbia
Robert Case Liotta
Paul R. Smollar

Florida
Carmen R. Gillett
John Henderlite
David L. Manz
John F. Schutz

Illinois
Stephen R. Botti
Raiford D. Palmer
Helena Trachtenberg
Maxine Weiss Kunz

Iowa
Anjela A. Shutts

Kansas
Jerold A. Bressel
Valerie L. Moore

Kentucky
Troy D. DeMuth
James K. Murphy
William D. Tingley

Maryland
Kristen M. Barrett

Massachusetts
Marc Eichler
Jennifer B. Koiles
David K. Wilkinson

Michigan
Elizabeth K. Bransdorfer
Laura E. Eisenberg
Amy M. Spilman

Minnesota
David C. Gapen
Carol M. Klaphake
Timothy D. Lees

Mississippi
P. David Bridges

Montana
P. Mars Scott

Nebraska
John W. Ballew Jr.
Dennis G. Whelan

New Jersey
Peter C. Paras

New York
Sylvia Goldschmidt
Nicholas W. Lobenthal
Shannon Rogers Simpson
Siobhan Stewart
Jennifer H. Sundt

North Carolina
Alice C. Stubbs

Ohio
Wijdan Jreisat
Amy M. Keating
Julia L. Leveridge
Christopher R. Reynolds

Oregon
Kimberly A. Quach

Pennsylvania
Michael E. Bertin
Kerri L. Cappella
David L. Ladov
Hillary J. Moonay
James H. Richardson Jr.
David J. Sterrman

South Carolina
Brooke C. Evans
Sandra R. Parise
Mary Fran Quindlen

Texas
Jason Bashara
Michael Burnett
Kathleen D. Coble
Adam W. Dietrich
Amy A. Geistweidt
Charles E. Hardy
Charles R. Hodges
William Johnson
Lynn Kamin
Anna McKim
Emily Ross
Nicholas V. Rothschild
Barbara K. Runge
John Smither
Natalie L. Webb
Patrick Wright
Harold C. Zuflacht

Utah
Farrah L. Spencer

Virginia
Ronald S. Evans

General Donations
Nancy Gordon
Bernard and Gloria Rinella
Melaine Rothey
Michelle Travers