American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Overview:
“The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers was founded in 1962, by highly regarded domestic relations attorneys “To provide leadership that promotes the highest degree of professionalism and excellence in the practice of family law.” There are currently more than 1600 Fellows in 50 states.
The Academy Fellows are highly skilled negotiators and litigators who represent individuals in all facets of family law. These areas include divorce, annulment, prenuptial agreements, postnuptial agreements, marital settlement agreements, child custody and visitation, business valuations, property valuations and division, alimony, child support and other family law issues.
To be represented by a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers is to be represented by a leading practitioner in the field of family law. The 1600 AAML Fellows across the United States are generally recognized by judges and attorneys as preeminent family law practitioners with a high level of knowledge, skill and integrity. Academy Fellows enjoy a reputation for professionalism, competence and integrity.”
Membership: Almost 1,600 members in 50 states
Membership Criteria: http://aaml.org/aaml-fellow-register
American Association of Attorney-Certified Public Accountants
Overview:
“The AAA-CPA is the only organization comprised of individuals who are dually-qualified as attorneys and certified public accountants. These professionals are committed to protecting client’s rights through their unique expertise. They help advise on both legal and financial aspects related to taxes, estate planning, elder law and more.”
Bylaws: https://www.attorney-cpa.com/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?Site=AAA-CPA&WebCode=bylaws
American Board of Criminal Lawyers
Overview:
“The American Board of Criminal Lawyers was founded in June 1978 by San Francisco attorney Nathan Cohn, who conceived the idea of an exclusive national, legal, honorary society for outstanding criminal trial lawyers, with admission to fellowship by invitation only. To possess sufficient qualification for admission to fellowship, members must have at least 10 years of criminal trial experience, and have had tried at least 50 trials of which 35 were felony jury trials. The primary concern of the ABCL is the preservation and the free exercise of fundamental freedoms for all those accused of criminal conduct. Over the years, ABCL Fellows have become regularly involved in high profile criminal cases throughout the country, where the principles of the Organization and the collective experience of the Fellows have made a worthwhile contribution.”
Standards of Acceptance:
“The standards for acceptance to ABCL include successful major felony trial experience and exceptional recommendations from distinguished jurists and current Fellows attesting to each of the candidate’s high ethics as well as their litigation skills in the area of criminal defense. Fellows meet periodically to exchange ideas through informal discussions in a professional and confidential atmosphere. This roundtable forum provides a valuable opportunity for even the most experienced criminal defense lawyer to learn and adopt the strategies of other nationally renowned practitioners.”
American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys
Overview:
“The American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys, organized in 1972, is a national organization comprised of leading trial advocates in the area of professional negligence law. It is the only organization accredited by the American Bar Association to identify and board certify attorneys in the areas of medical malpractice and legal malpractice. Board Certification is restricted to those practicing attorneys who, because of their recognized ability in the area of professional negligence law, and their qualifications consistent with ABPLA standards, merit particular recognition as specialists in these areas of practice.
ABPLA recognizes that the public needs help navigating the confusing waters of attorney selection and needs some method by which they can identify malpractice attorneys with superior knowledge and expertise to handle this highly technical litigation. Through meticulous screening of applicants and administration of examinations in their particular areas of malpractice litigation, the ABPLA identifies highly qualified lawyers, vetted by objective measures, which the public can rely upon to be among the best malpractice attorneys in the country.”
Qualification Criteria:
“To become Board Certified as a professional negligence attorney by ABPLA, malpractice lawyers are evaluated by five objective measures: Experience, Ethics, Education, Examination, Excellence.
Any candidate for Board Certification must be viewed by the board as having met ABPLA’s high standards in each of these five key areas before the attorney can be Board Certified.
Experience – To qualify to be a Board Certified malpractice attorney a lawyer must have extensive experience in the area of professional negligence, requiring that a significant portion of his or her practice be devoted to this area of the law. Additionally, each applicant must meet minimum requirements for experience in trial, mediation, arbitration and discovery in cases specifically devoted to professional liability.
Ethics – Each Board Certified professional negligence attorney must be a current bar member in good standing and must immediately report any disciplinary action to the board.
Education – Board Certification requires the attorney to meet ABPLA’s minimum standards for continuing legal education, staying current in the area of professional liability litigation, as well as meeting all continuing legal education requirements of the attorney’s state bar association.
Examination – To become Board Certified, each lawyer must pass an examination administered by ABPLA to demonstrate competency in the area of professional malpractice litigation.
Excellence – Each attorney must supply references by no less than three judges and three attorneys familiar with his or her practice and attesting that the attorney is substantially involved and highly competent in professional negligence cases.”
American Board of Trial Advocates
Overview:
“The general purposes of this Association shall be to foster improvement in the ethical and technical standards of practice in the field of advocacy to the end that individual litigants may receive more effective representation and the general public be benefited by more efficient administration of justice consistent with time-tested and traditional principles of litigation.”
The specific purposes of this Association are:
(1) To elevate the standards of integrity, honor and courtesy in the legal profession.
(2) To aid in further education and training of trial lawyers; to work for the preservation of our jury system; to improve methods of procedure of our present trial court system; to serve as an informational center; to discuss and study matters of interest to trial lawyers; to advance the skill of its members as trial attorneys; to honor the members of the Association who have the requisite qualifications; to provide a forum for the expression of interests common to trial lawyers and to act as an agency through which trial lawyers in general, and members of the Association in particular, shall have a voice with which to speak concerning matters of common and general interest.
(3) To establish relations and cooperate with other legal organizations and associations for the purposes of promoting the efficient administration of justice and constant improvement of the law.
(4) To cultivate a spirit of loyalty, fellowship, and professionalism among our members; to advance the interests of the members of the Association professionally and to enable trial lawyers as a group to have an active association of standing in the community and nation through which they may learn and be heard.”
Membership Eligibility:
“Membership is by invitation, only. Any trial lawyer who is of high personal character and honorable reputation, and who is a member of the Bar of the State, province, district, territory or country in which he or she practices, and who has met the qualifications as prescribed in Article III, Section 2 of the ABOTA Constitution, may become a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates upon nomination, election, and payment of initiation fees and dues.”
American College of Bankruptcy
http://americancollegeofbankruptcy.com/
Overview:
“The American College of Bankruptcy is an honorary public service association of bankruptcy and insolvency professionals who are invited to join as Fellows based on a proven record of the highest standards of professionalism plus service to the profession and their communities. Together with its affiliated Foundation, the College is the largest financial supporter of bankruptcy and insolvency-related pro bono legal service programs in the United States. Among its many activities, the College conducts advanced educational programs; sponsors the publication of scholarly reports; and maintains the National Bankruptcy Archives at the University of Pennsylvania.”
Membership Criteria:
“Fellows are selected on an invitation only basis. Nominees for Fellows are extended an invitation to join based on a record of achievement in the insolvency process by professionals who have distinguished themselves in their practice and in their contribution to the insolvency field. The College now has over 800 Fellows, each selected by a Board of Regents from among recommendations of the Circuit Admissions Council in each federal judicial circuit and specially appointed Committees for Judicial and International Fellows.The College plays an important role in sustaining professional excellence and supports educational and pro bono efforts in local communities around the country. Criteria for selection include: the highest standard of professionalism, ethics, character, integrity, professional expertise and leadership in contributing to the enhancement of bankruptcy and insolvency processes; sustained evidence of scholarship, teaching, lecturing or writing on bankruptcy or insolvency; and commitment to elevate knowledge and understanding of the profession and public respect for the practice.
Judges, lawyers, international fellows, and accountants are to be licensed to practice for at least 15 years, be primarily in the bankruptcy and insolvency areas for at least 10 years, and in the case of judges be a judge for 5 years.
American College of Family Trial Lawyers
Overview:
“The American College of Family Trial Lawyers is a select group of 100 of the top family law trial lawyers from across the United States. The American College was formed in 1993 to bring together some of the best trial lawyers in America practicing sophisticated and complex family law and matrimonial matters both domestically and abroad ranging from dissolution of marriage (divorce), paternity, palimony, child abduction and domestic torts. Diplomates, all members of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, are chosen based upon their recognized litigation skills and courtroom abilities.”
Membership Criteria: Invitation Only
American College of Trial Lawyers
Overview:
“The American College of Trial Lawyers is composed of the best of the trial bar from the United States and Canada and is widely considered to be the premier professional trial organization in America. Founded in 1950, the College is dedicated to maintaining and improving the standards of trial practice, the administration of justice and the ethics of the profession. Through its Board of Regents, its general committees and its state and province committees, the College engages in a wide variety of activities to further those purposes.”
Membership Criteria: Invitation Only
“Founded in 1950, the College is composed of the best of the trial bar from the United States and Canada. Fellowship in the College is extended by invitation only and only after careful investigation, to those experienced trial lawyers who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality. Lawyers must have a minimum of fifteen years of trial experience before they can be considered for Fellowship.
Although there are currently more than 5,700 Fellows across the U.S. and Canada, membership can never be more than 1% of the total lawyer population of any state or province. Qualified lawyers are called to Fellowship in the College from all branches of trial practice. They are selected from among advocates who represent plaintiffs or defendants in civil proceedings of all types, as well as prosecutors and criminal defense lawyers. The College is thus able to speak with a balanced voice on important issues affecting the administration of justice.”
American Society of Tax Problem Solvers
Overview:
“The American Society of Tax Problem Solvers matches troubled taxpayers with local members who are able to represent them to the IRS. When dealing with a tax problem [someone] should always “Think Local” first. [It is also important to] keep in mind that many practitioners do not specialize in solving tax problems. ASTPS has members across the country who are dedicated to helping taxpayers get back on track.”
Membership Criteria:
“The Certified Tax Resolution Specialist designation is awarded to individuals who have met the educational, experience, and examination requirements prescribed by ASTPS. The CTRS designation is restricted to Enrolled Agent, CPA or Attorney ASTPS Members in good standing, who has proven expertise to resolve a wide range of tax problems. The services a CTRS provides to individuals and businesses include securing Offers In Compromise, Installment Agreements, Penalty Abatement, Innocent Spouse Relief, Release of Liens or Levies, Non-Filer issues and many others. Tax problem resolution is a unique area of professional practice that addresses a problem that affects a tremendous number of American citizens and residents.
Practice opportunities abound for a Certified Tax Resolution Specialist in all areas of the country and are growing. The reason is simple: Congress has ordered the IRS to return to their primary function; the collection of taxes. The new Commissioner was appointed for his expertise in this area. The federal government is funding military actions on several fronts, a war on terror, and homeland security. At the same time, tax revenues they enjoyed during the dot-com boom have evaporated now that reality has imposed on the securities markets.
The Certified Tax Resolution Specialist designation allows taxpayers to identify experts in tax problem resolution. The ASTPS Board of Regents administers the Certification Program. The Board of Regents is the final authority in making decisions related to the Certification Program. The Certified Tax Resolution Specialist (CTRS) designation is only awarded to Enrolled Agents, CPAs, and Attorneys who meet the requirements.”
College of Labor & Employment Lawyers
http://www.laborandemploymentcollege.org/
Overview:
Founded in 1995, a Professional organization honoring the leading Labor & Employment attorneys nationwide. Primary purpose is in recognition of individuals and sharing of knowledge amongst its members.
Membership Criteria: By nomination only.
Attorneys must have been practicing not less than twenty years. Membership honors those lawyers who have demonstrated to their peers, the bar, bench and public through long performance related to Labor & Employment law.
Member Classes are made up of Fellows, Honorary Fellows, Emeritus Fellows.
College of Workers Compensation Lawyers
Overview:
“The College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers has been established to honor those attorneys who have distinguished themselves in their practice in the field of workers’ compensation. Members have been nominated for the outstanding traits they have developed in their practice of twenty years, or longer, representing plaintiffs, defendants, serving as judges, or acting for the benefit of all in education, overseeing agencies and developing legislation. These individuals have convinced their peers, the bar, bench and public that they possess the highest professional qualifications and ethical standards, character, integrity, professional expertise and leadership. They have a commitment to fostering and furthering the objectives of the College and have shown significant evidence of scholarship, teaching, lecturing, and/or distinguished published writings on Workers’ Compensation or related fields of law. In addition to these characteristics, a Fellow is expected to display the following traits in their day to day practice of workers’ compensation and related fields:
Membership: By nomination only
Inner Circle of Advocates:
Overview:
“Membership is limited to attorneys of exceptional qualifications who are respected among their peers and how are experienced and skillful in the handling of courtroom litigation. Membership in The Inner Circle of Advocates is testament to [their] member’s accomplishments as plaintiff attorneys. Although spread across the country, members share experience, skill and knowledge, and often function as a collective law firm in the pursuit of justice.”
Membership Criteria: Invitation Only
“The Inner Circle of Advocates is an invitation-only group of the best plaintiff lawyers in the United States. Since its inception in 1972, [this] organization has included the top plaintiff trial attorneys in the nation among its membership. [Their] mission is to promote the highest of standards of courtroom competence and the mutual fellowship and exchange of knowledge among outstanding trial lawyers. “
Criteria: Includes assessment of performance, courtroom success, experience, reputation, judicial references and peer evaluations to identify the best 100 trial lawyers in the country. Typically, applicants are expected to have at least three verdicts of one million dollars or a recent verdict in excess of ten million dollars to be considered for membership.
International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Overview:
IAML is a worldwide association of practicing lawyers who are recognized by their peers as the most experienced and skilled family law specialists in their respective countries.
IAML was formed in 1986 to improve the practice of law and administration of justice in the area of divorce and family law throughout the world. IAML Fellows are able to provide legal advice to clients and other lawyers on:
• Family law issues in their own jurisdictions and where international issues arise
• Divorce, nullity and dissolution of same sex partnerships
• Separation
• Finances
• Marital and child support
• Domestic abuse
• Marital and cohabitation agreements
• Issues in relation to children including custody and residence, visitation, relocation, abduction, surrogacy, adoption and public law
• Dispute resolution including litigation, mediation, collaborative law and arbitration
Membership Criteria:
“Membership of IAML is by invitation only. Lawyers who are interested in joining IAML are asked to submit information to satisfy established criteria for membership in order to obtain the approval of the Board of Admissions. The process is a rigorous one, designed to ensure that the high level of expertise within IAML is maintained.”
International Academy of Trial Lawyers
Overview:
“The Academy is a group of truly elite trial lawyers representing both sides of the Bar: prosecutors and defense lawyers in criminal cases, and plaintiffs’ and defense counsel in civil litigation (including business and personal injury cases). While the majority of the Fellows come from the U.S., the Academy includes lawyers from more than 30 countries. Fellowship is by invitation only, and trial lawyers are invited to become Fellows only after an extremely careful vetting process.”
Membership Criteria:
“As to U.S. Fellows, the Academy’s bylaws limit Fellowship to 500 active trial lawyers under the age of 70. Upon reaching the age of 70, a Fellow retains all of his or her rights and privileges but is no longer counted against the cap of 500. This provision assures that each year there will be openings for first-rate nominees to enter the Fellowship.”
International Society of Barristers
Overview:
“The International Society of Barristers was formed to recognize each era’s best advocates that they might join together to support these common goals:
• Retaining trial by jury in litigated matters.
• Improving advocacy under an adversary system.
• Recognizing advocacy as a distinct specialty, with the creation of proper standards for those holding themselves out as advocates.
• Abolishing animosity between counsel representing plaintiffs and defendants, replacing it with a recognition that all trial lawyers are advocates fully representing the rights of all clients.
• Encouraging and demanding ethical conduct by all involved in litigation – parties, witnesses, counsel and judges.
• Insisting that clients be represented by independent counsel owing their allegiance to the client.
• Protecting the rights of citizens, the independence of the judiciary and the integrity of the Bar.
Membership Criteria:
“Membership is by invitation only which is proceeded by a rigorous screening process that considers the lawyer’s ability, experience, accomplishments and ethical standards as assessed by trial lawyers and judges.”
Litigation Counsel of America
Overview:
“The Litigation Counsel of America is an invitation-only trial lawyer honorary society established to reflect the new face of the American bar. Membership is limited to 3,500 Fellows, representing less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers. The composition of the LCA is aggressively diverse, with recognition of excellence among American litigation and trial counsel across all segments of the bar. The purpose of the LCA is to recognize deserving, experienced, and highly qualified lawyers, to provide an outlet for scholarly authorship of legal articles on trial and litigation practice, to provide additional sources for professional development, to promote superior advocacy and ethical standards in the practice of law, to assist in community involvement by its membership, and to advance a superior judiciary, by taking relevant positions on issues or legislation affecting judicial compensation and/or benefits, as well as those affecting the American litigation processes.”
Membership Criteria: Invitation Only
“Fellows are selected and invited into Fellowship after being evaluated for effectiveness and accomplishment in litigation and trial work, along with ethical reputation. The number of full Fellowships has been kept at an exclusive limit by design, allowing qualifications, diversity and inclusion to align effectively. Fellows are generally at the partner or shareholder level or are independent practitioners with twelve or more years experience. The LCA Fellowship also includes Judicial Fellows, Academic Fellows (law professors/legal scholars), Legislative Fellows and In-House Counsel Fellows. Unless their practice changes from litigation or trial work or their general ethical reputation has been diminished, Fellows may hold their status as long as they desire to be affiliated with the LCA. Fellows who hold such status for seven consecutive years may be designated Senior Fellows. Upon high recommendation by a Fellow, a limited number of Associate Fellows are selected, generally pending qualification for Fellowship. Associate Fellows may include partners or associates from the same firm in which nominating Fellows practice or with any other ethically reputable firm, governmental division or company.
The LCA also recognizes a limited number of accomplished lawyers for inclusion as Honorary Fellows. Practicing, retired or deceased lawyers, judges, elected officials and other distinguished jurists may be nominated by LCA Fellows for such recognition. Honorary Fellows are recognized for career achievements, furthering professionalism and/or diversity in the practice of law, noted trial results, being an influence of regional or national significance in the area of litigation or trial work or any other body of work deemed worthy of high recognition.”
National Board of Legal Specialty Certification
http://www.nblsc.us/find_board_certified_lawyers/
Requirements:
“Once an attorney has met and documented meeting the standards for NBLSC certification he or she remains an active member for five years, subject to annual reporting which continues to meet the requirements of the Standards Committee. Once the five year period is completed, the member may choose to apply for recertification. Once an attorney has met and documented the standards for NBLSC recertification he or she remains an active member for another five years, subject to annual reporting which continues to meet the requirements of the Standards Committee. All members have an ongoing responsibility to inform NBLSC of any misconduct which may arise during the course of the certification or recertification period. Good standing is also confirmed on an annual basis by way of a formal annual reporting component of the NBLSC certification. All misconduct matters are reviewed and ruled upon in the same fashion as initial certification.
It is important to note that every NBLSC board certified attorney has met all the standards in their specialty for initial certification and, where applicable, recertification. There have been no exceptions and no attorney has ever been “grandfathered” in or waived from any requirement. The requirements for certification must be successfully met within two years of applying, in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the Membership Director. This is necessary to keep all information as current as possible.”
National Board of Trial Advocacy
Overview:
“The National Board of Trial Advocacy Division of the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification was the first American Bar Association accredited attorney board certifying agency in the world. Founded in 1977, NBTA offers board certification for Trial Lawyers, Criminal Lawyers, and Family Lawyers. NBLSC also offers board certification for Social Security Disability Lawyers.
Criteria:
To qualify for one of these four certifications lawyers must have extensive experience in their specialty and meet rigorous objective quality standards. Currently fewer than 4% of all practicing lawyers are certified by an ABA accredited or state sponsored certification board.”
The Etheridge Society
No public website: Society of Medical Malpractice attorneys in Virginia only. If you are in Virginia and need help with a Medical Malpractice case, look for attorney membership in this society.
Overview:
An inner circle of leading attorneys who represent patients and their families in medical negligence cases in Virginia.
Criteria:
Nomination by peers only.
The National Trial Lawyers Association
http://www.thenationaltriallawyers.org/
Overview:
“The National Trial Lawyers is a professional organization composed of the premier trial lawyers from across the country who exemplify superior qualifications as civil plaintiff or criminal defense trial lawyers. This national organization provides networking opportunities, advocacy training, and the highest quality educational programs for trial lawyers.”
Top 100
Membership Criteria:
“The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers is an invitation-only national organization composed of America’s Top Trial Lawyers. Membership is extended solely to the select few of the most qualified attorneys from each state who exemplify superior qualifications of leadership, reputation, influence, stature and profile as civil plaintiff or criminal defense trial lawyers. It is the mission of The National Trial Lawyers to provide networking opportunities, advocacy training, and the highest quality educational programs for trial lawyers.”
Eligibility for Top 100:
“Membership in The National Trial Lawyers is limited to the Top 100 civil plaintiff and criminal defense lawyers in each state or from highly-populated regions of states. Members of The National Trial Lawyers are encouraged to nominate their peers for membership. Prospective members are carefully screened before being invited to join. The criteria for membership include:
• Reputation among peers, the judiciary and the public
• Achievements, settlements and verdicts as a trial lawyer
• Board certification as a trial lawyer
• Nominations from leading trial lawyers, current members and Executive Committee members
• Leadership and membership in other national and state trial lawyer organizations
• Rankings and ratings by leading national evaluation organizations
Nominees must be trial lawyers actively practicing either civil plaintiff or criminal defense law. Civil defense attorneys who represent corporations or insurance companies may not be invited. Memberships are reviewed annually to assure that the membership of The National Trial lawyers is made up of only the finest and best trial attorneys from each state or region. All members are automatically reconsidered for membership.”
Top 40 under 40
The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 under 40 is a professional organization comprised of America’s top young trial attorneys. Membership into The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 under 40 is by invitation only, and is extended exclusively to those individuals who meet stringent qualifications and specialize in the legal practice of criminal defense or civil plaintiff.
Eligibility for Top 40 Under 40:
“To encourage and recognize premier younger lawyers, The National Trial Lawyersinvites its Top 100 members to submit nominations of outstanding attorneys younger than the age of 40 for inclusion in our Top 40 Under 40 section. Only 40 young attorneys from each state or region will be selected for membership each year. Qualifications are essentially the same as those for the Top 100; nominees should demonstrate superior leadership, reputation, influence, stature and profile as civil plaintiff or criminal defense attorneys.
The membership committee will consider:
• Reputation among peers, the judiciary and the public
• Achievements, settlements and verdicts as a trial lawyer
• Board certification as a trial lawyer
• Nominations from leading trial lawyers, current members and Executive Committee members
• Leadership and membership in other national and state trial lawyer organizations
• Rankings and ratings by leading national evaluation organizations
Civil defense attorneys who represent corporations or insurance companies may not be invited. Existing memberships are reviewed each year to assure that Top 40 Under 40 members are maintaining their qualifications. All members are automatically reconsidered for membership until they reach the age of 40.”
Specialty Associations:
The National Trial Lawyers also has Specialty Associations devoted to individual areas of practice. These Specialty Associations are open to any attorney practicing civil plaintiff or criminal defense law.
There are 19 specialty associations:
The Society of Trial Lawyers:
http://thesocietyoftriallawyers.org/
Overview:
“Founded in 1934, The Society of Trial Lawyers is an elite, invitation-only group, which comprises many of the Chicago’s top trial lawyers on both the defense and plaintiffs’ sides. The goals of The Society are to foster and encourage a spirit of loyalty and fraternity among trial lawyers; to maintain the highest ethical standards in the trial of cases; and to promote closer relationships between and among trial lawyers and the judiciary to further their common interests in the jury trial system.”
College of Master Advocates & Barristers
Overview:
“The College advances the view that trial advocacy is an art, the practice of which we seek to promote. Certification as a Senior Counsel or Barrister is only open to those advocates who have a track record of representing clients in courts, tribunals, arbitrations and mediations. Those certified by the College don’t just call themselves “trial lawyers”; they have objectively demonstrated that they are trial lawyers.”
Membership Criteria:
By Invitation Only. Only the College or Senior Counsel may invite a qualified trial lawyer to join.