By Nikki Isaac | Investigative Journalist, FCVFC
February 20, 2025
In the fight to protect families, children, and parents from the clutches of a corrupt family court system, few names carry as much weight as Jill Jones Soderman, founder and CEO of the Foundation for Child Victims of the Family Court (FCVFC). Her work has exposed judicial misconduct, fraudulent forensic reports, and the grotesque abuse of power within America’s family courts. But what forces prop up this broken system? Follow the money, and the trail leads straight to Washington’s most powerful legal lobbyists.
Big Law’s Stranglehold on Policy
A deep dive into OpenSecrets.org reveals the staggering financial power of the legal industry, particularly its trade groups and lobbying arms. The American Association for Justice (AAJ), formerly known as the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, stands as a behemoth in political donations and influence. According to OpenSecrets, the AAJ and its aƯiliates contributed a staggering $4.6 million in the 2024 election cycle alone. While these organizations claim to champion “justice,” their primary function appears to be self-preservation, ensuring that policies and court rulings favor their interests.
This financial juggernaut overwhelmingly supports Democratic candidates, with over 70% of contributions in recent years flowing to left-leaning politicians. Meanwhile, these firms are stacked with former lawmakers and government oƯicials who seamlessly transition into high-powered lobbying positions, epitomizing the “revolving door” between government and private industry.
Lobbying: The Shadow Judiciary
The legal industry’s influence extends far beyond campaign contributions. Lobbying records show that law firms and their trade organizations pump millions into shaping federal and state policies that ensure a steady flow of business. In 2024 alone, lobbying by the legal sector topped $4.89 million, with the AAJ leading the charge.
What are they lobbying for? In many cases, these eƯorts aim to block tort reform that would cap damage awards, ensuring that lawyers continue to reap massive contingency fees. In family court, these lobbying dollars help sustain policies that empower unregulated court-appointed professionals—guardians ad litem, forensic evaluators, and court-ordered therapists—who often escape accountability while controlling the fate of parents and children.
The Dark Money Problem
Perhaps the most insidious element of this political cash machine is the use of dark money—funds funneled through PACs and nonprofit organizations that obscure donor identities. OpenSecrets has documented how lawyers and law firms make significant use of these untraceable financial vehicles to steer elections and policy decisions.
The money trail also exposes the legal industry’s eƯorts to influence judicial appointments. Judges presiding over family law cases often receive quiet support from bar associations and legal trade groups that benefit from keeping the system as convoluted and litigious as possible. In turn, these judges appoint a closed circle of court professionals who keep the cycle of profit and power spinning.
A Call for Transparency and Reform
The financial entanglements between powerful law firms, political figures, and the family court system are not just troubling—they are an existential threat to justice itself. The very professionals tasked with upholding the law have a vested interest in preserving a status quo that profits them while devastating families.
Jill Jones Soderman and the FCVFC have long championed the call for transparency, accountability, and reform in family courts. But meaningful change requires dismantling the financial networks that sustain judicial corruption. This means:
- Banning the revolving door between law firms and government regulatory agencies.
- Ending dark money influence in judicial elections and appointments.
- Implementing mandatory financial disclosures for court-appointed professionals.
- Holding lobbying groups accountable for their role in sustaining unethical legal practices.
Until these reforms are in place, the American legal system will continue to function as a high-stakes casino—one where the house always wins, and families pay the price.
Nikki Isaac Investigative Journalist | FCVFC
