American Association for Justice Recognizes Eidson for His Commitment to Protecting Consumers
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (Aug. 2, 2010) – Attorney Lewis S. “Mike” Eidson, founding partner of the Coral Gables-based law firm Colson Hicks Eidson, was recently honored by the American Association for Justice (AAJ) with the David S. Shrager President’s Award in recognition of his lifelong commitment to the AAJ, civil justice system, and protection of consumers. Eidson, a nationally recognized trial lawyer and past president of the AAJ, received the award at the association’s annual convention in Vancouver.
“There is no other attorney in the country more deserving of this award than Mike,” said new AAJ President Gibson Vance. “He has devoted his life to helping people in need and has made an indelible mark on the industry.”
Eidson concentrates his practice in products liability, medical and legal malpractice, aviation litigation, and class action and multidistrict litigation. A leading expert in the field of product safety, he is best known for his work in some of the largest automobile recalls in U.S. history,including the Ford Pinto; Chrysler Minivan; Ford Explorer/ Firestone tire tread litigation, in which he served as the national co-lead counsel; and most recently with Toyota,in which he was appointed to serve on the nine-member personal injury/wrongful death leadership committee. The outcomes of these cases created higher safety standards in the automobile industry safeguarding consumers across the globe.
“It has been a privilege to dedicate my career to serving the justice system and protecting consumers against negligence, and I am honored and humbled by this recognition,” said Eidson.
In addition to serving as president of the AAJ in 2006, Eidson serves on the Executive Committee and is the outgoing chairman of the association’s Political Action Committee. He has also served as a member of the association’s board of governors for more than 15 years and has held positions such as president-elect, vice-president, parliamentarian, treasurer, secretary, and chairman of its Products Liability and Aviation sections.
Eidson was also recognized by the AAJ in 2001 with the Stephen Sharpe Award for his work in the field of consumer safety, and in 2008 when the AAJ’s Women for Justice Education Fund established the ‘Mike Eidson Scholarship’ in his honor, awarded annually to a female student entering her third year of law school.
Eidson has held several leadership roles throughout his career including serving as president of the Dade County Trial Lawyers Association, a member of Florida Justice Association’s board of directors and International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. He is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Trial Advocates in which he served as president of the Miami Chapter. Additionally, Eidson lectures frequently at trial seminars and has co-authored numerous books on product liability, consumer safety, and personal injury.
Eidson is also committed to serving his community and has been a long-time supporter of the performing arts in South Florida serving as chairman of the Miami City Ballet as well as chair-elect for the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. He has also served on many other cultural and charitable organizations including the Kristi House for abused children and the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.
