Beth Nardi Completes AAJ Leadership Academy

Attorney Beth Nardi of Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman has completed the prestigious American Association for Justice (AAJ) Leadership Academy, becoming the latest Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman trial lawyer to graduate from the highly competitive program.

Nardi joins firm partners Chris Johnson and Alyssa Segawa, who previously completed the academy, a national initiative designed to develop the next generation of leaders within the plaintiffs’ bar.

Over the past year, Nardi balanced the rigorous Leadership Academy curriculum while maintaining a demanding litigation schedule, including work on major cases arising from the Lahaina wildfire. During that same period, she also faced the personal loss of her own home in the fire. Despite those challenges, she traveled across the country with her academy cohort to participate in the program’s leadership training sessions and events.
AAJ’s Leadership Academy provides advanced training to highly qualified members to help them become more effective leaders in their firms and within the legal profession. The program has a strong track record of developing leaders, with approximately 80 percent of graduates going on to serve in leadership roles within AAJ or their state trial lawyer associations.

The 2025–2026 Leadership Academy Class 12 concluded its final session during the AAJ Winter Convention in San Diego in February.

Based in Hawai’i, Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman represents individuals and families in complex plaintiffs’ litigation, including cases involving asbestos exposure, other toxic exposures, and injuries caused by dangerous products and corporate misconduct.

Law Firm Earns 1 of the Top 50 Largest Injury Settlements of 2022

A multi-million dollar litigation settlement secured by Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman trial lawyers is recognized among the Top 50 in the nation for 2022. The case underscores the Hawai’i-based firm’s ability to handle some of the most challenging types of injury litigation, which include asbestos exposure and sex assault.

The case involved a $5.63 million settlement on behalf of a Hawai’i student who was sexually assaulted by a teacher, according to an analysis of state and federal records by researchers at TopVerdict.com.

“Sexual assault litigation is extremely difficult. The victims often feel like the legal system is uncaring and victimizes them all over again. It’s extremely gratifying to represent these individuals and help them obtain justice,” said Galliher DeRobertis & Waxman lawyers Ilana Waxman and Chris Johnson, who played leadership roles in the case. “We were able to win a significant settlement that avoided having the victim testify in trial. Recognition like this is just another indication that our passion for clients and their causes can make a difference.”