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).

Members of The Associationare 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.

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.

The National Trial Lawyers is a professional and business organization designed to enhance the professional development of the experienced and accomplished trial lawyer. The Associationaffords 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. 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.TheNationalTrialLawyers.org.

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 National Trial Lawyers Membership Plaque & Membership Benefit Information.

As a member of The National Trial Lawyers, 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.TheNationalTrialLawyers.org.

Members will also receive a complimentary subscription to The 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.

The National Trial Lawyers 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 National Trial Lawyers 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 Trial Lawyer, the official magazine endorsed by The Association.

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

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.TheNationalTrialLawyers.org. Visitors to the website will be linked to the each member’s biographical and contact information (subject also to member permission).

Additional questions may be directed to The Association’s office at 1-866-665-2852. You may also email us, or visit our website, www.TheNationalTrialLawyer.org for updates and information.

As part of the settlement of two Federal lawsuits - one with the American Association for Justice, formerly Association of Trial Lawyers of America (“ATLA®”) and a second Federal lawsuit with The American College of Trial Lawyers (“The College”) –the name of our association has changed to The National Trial Lawyers (“The Association” or “The Trial Lawyers”).

The lawsuits were filed over the use of trademarks and logos.  The College had sued AAJ/ATLA in the early 1970’s over the same issues when AAJ/ATLA lost the right to use “The American Trial Lawyers Association” as its name.  These organizations are depicted by their respective logos below.

Gibson Vance , current president of AAJ, acknowledged that the parties amicably reached a settlement and it has been confirmed with the court that AAJ has dismissed its lawsuit. The trademarks of AAJ, including "The Association of Trial Lawyers of America" and the acronym "ATLA"® shall remain with AAJ.

                  The National Trial Lawyers’ President-elect Howard Nations, a prominent Texas trial lawyer, commented that "this is a good day for trial lawyers” and is pleased that “the concerns and issues between these organizations are now behind us and each organization can move forward.”

                  Gregory P. Joseph, president of the American College of Trial Lawyers, expressed his satisfaction with the agreement. “We are delighted that the parties have come to a resolution that respects everybody’s trademarks, including The College’s,” Joseph said.

Members of The National Trial Lawyers will continue to receive the same benefits and distinctions provided prior to the settlement.  Michael Burg, the president of The National Trial Lawyers, stated that The Trial Lawyers will remain an invitation-only association limited to the Top 100 Trial Lawyers from each state. Trial lawyer networking, CLE programs, and public education will remain the focus of The Trial Lawyers.

Members of The National Trial Lawyers may call The Association at 866-665-2852 to request new logos/seals.  Further, we anticipate making the new logos and seals available for download from our website, www.thenationaltriallawyers.org.  New logos/seals are depicted below.

The national publication The American Trial Lawyer, although not a party to any litigation, participated in the settlement as an "Acknowledging Entity" and agreed to modify its name to The Trial Lawyer. The magazine, which is published quarterly, is entering its fourth year of publication and will remain the largest distributed magazine for trial attorneys in America. The reporters of The Trial Lawyer will follow the activities regarding the above organizations as they work together on common projects.