• What attorneys qualify for invitation to join The American Trial Lawyers Association?
• How are members selected?
• Who is involved in the selection process?
• Why should I accept an invitation to join and what do I get for my membership dues?
• How may I accept an invitation to join The Association?
• What lawyers are involved with The American Trial Lawyers Association?
• Will the names of the general membership be known or published?
• How may I obtain more information about The Association?

Q. What attorneys qualify for invitation to join The American Trial Lawyers Association?

A. Only the top civil plaintiff trial lawyers or criminal defense attorneys who are actively involved in trial practice or attorneys involved in the management of substantial personal injury or criminal defense law firms are evaluated for invitation.

Trial lawyers are evaluated to determine if they are among The Top 100 Trial Attorneys in their respective states during the pending year of evaluation. (Membership is not honorary, nor is it stagnant, i.e. each year the attorneys are re-evaluated to determine whether their activity and accomplishments are such to qualify them for invitation).

Q. How are members selected?

A. Members of The Association are carefully screened prior to receiving an invitation for membership. The criteria used in the vetting and evaluation process includes but is not limited to the following:

• ⇒ Reputation among peers, the judiciary, and the public
• ⇒ The previous years achievements and verdicts as a trial lawyer (civil or criminal defense)
• ⇒ Jury Verdict and Settlement research
• ⇒ Board Certification as Trial Specialist
• ⇒ Nominations from leading trial lawyers and/or The Association’s Executive Committee
• ⇒ Nominations from State and Federal Judges
• ⇒ Leadership and Membership in National and State trial lawyer organizations
• ⇒ Rankings and ratings of the attorney by established organizations

These Criteria are applied by a leading University’s Trial Advocacy Program with research assistants performing independent evaluations of each lawyer as part of the selection process.

Q. Who is involved in the selection process?

A. Selection and supervision of the invitation process is handled by The Association’s leadership and Executive Committee. The independent research supporting an attorney’s qualifications and the recommendation for invitation is handled by a nationally recognized law school at a major university.

Q. Why should I accept an invitation to join and what do I get for my membership dues?

A. The American Trial Lawyers Association is a professional and business organization designed to enhance the professional development of the experienced and accomplished trial lawyer. The Association affords the seasoned trial attorney valuable business and networking opportunities through participation in meetings, seminars, legal publications, and other relevant member services.

Members of The Association and The Top 100 Trial Lawyers will also be included on The Association’s website for the year 2009. This web directory will serve as a useful networking, referral, and public relations tool for members. The directory will be accessible to members as well as to the public. This web directory will contain personal bios, explanation about practice areas, and contact information for each member that approves participation and supplies The Association’s web designer with the appropriate content and links.

**Note the Membership Services, Education / CLE, and News / Magazine sections of our website: www.theatla.com.

Q. How may I accept an invitation to join The Association?

A. Included in your invitation letter, you will receive and be asked to fill out and return a Membership Information Form along with your dues. Upon receipt of your completed Membership Information Form and dues, you will be sent a Membership Letter of Recognition along with The American Trial Lawyers Association Membership Certificate.

As a member of The American Trial Lawyers Association, you immediately qualify for discounts to attend conferences supported and endorsed by The Association. The schedule for these conferences may be found in the “Education/CLE” section of The Association’s web site located at www.TheATLA.com.

Members will also receive a complimentary subscription to The American Trial Lawyer, The Association’s officially recognized and endorsed magazine. This publication will offer articles written about the most progressive and informative topics of interest to the modern day trial lawyer.

Q. What lawyers are involved with The American Trial Lawyers Association?

A. The American Trial Lawyers Association was established following discussions in early 2006 between some of the nation’s leading trial lawyers. These seminal conversations shaped the foundation of the organization. The American Trial Lawyers Association was officially incorporated in the spring of 2007.

The Association engages the expertise and input from some of the most recognized and accomplished trial lawyers. This advisory group includes, but is not limited to, the members of The Executive Committee, who contribute to the management of The Association, and the members of The Editorial Board, who oversee the editorial direction of The American Trial Lawyer, the official magazine endorsed by The Association.

The current members of The Executive Committee for The American Trial Lawyers Association and The Editorial Board for The American Trial Lawyer, Inc. can be located in the About Us and News/Magazine sections of The Association’s website, www.TheATLA.com.

Q. Will the names of the general membership be known or published?

A. Yes. As the list of The Top 100 Trial Lawyers (a number less than 100 for most states) becomes established, the names of members (who permit the inclusion of their name and bio) will be available on The Association’s website, www.TheATLA.com. Visitors to the website will be linked to the each member’s biographical and contact information (subject also to member permission).

Q. How may I obtain more information about The Association?

A. Additional questions may be directed to The Association’s office at 1-866-665-ATLA. You may also email us, or visit our website, www.TheATLA.com for updates and information.