NEW MEMBER NOMINATION
Membership nomination forms are now open. Nominations are due no later than August 15th. Only CFLABOTA members may nominate new members. Here is a link to the nomination form.
INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS FOR ABOTA MEMBERSHIP
ABOTA MEMBERSHIP:
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 listed below, may become a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates upon nomination, election, and payment of initiation fees and dues.
REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP:
Regardless of the number of trial experience equivalency points an applicant may have accumulated, an applicant MUST have tried at least 10 civil jury trials to jury verdict or hung jury as lead counsel for the minimum requirements to have been met, and those civil jury trials MUST be listed on the application. (All applications must first be approved by a local Chapter of ABOTA).
What does the phrase “civil jury trial to a jury verdict” mean?
Answer: The jury must have returned a verdict. Directed verdicts, settlements, dismissals, mistrials (other than due to a hung jury), and nonsuits, do not count as “to a jury verdict.” A minimum requirement is that the applicant must have tried at least 10 civil cases to a jury verdict or hung jury as lead counsel. Trial experience equivalency points CANNOT be used to meet the minimum requirements, but may be used to qualify for admission at a rank higher than the rank of Member.
What does the phrase “as lead counsel” mean?
Answer: Lead Counsel is an attorney substantially responsible for the personal representation of the client during the trial. “Substantially responsible” means, at a minimum: (1) Selecting a jury, or opening, or closing, and; (2) Presentation of live witnesses through direct or cross examination.
Do non-jury, or bench trials, arbitrations and mediations count?
Answer: No.
Do settlements, dismissals, directed verdicts, mistrials and nonsuits count?
Answer: If one of these events occurs before the voir dire panel is sworn, they do not count under any scenario. If one of these events occurs after the voir dire panel is sworn, they count for one-half (1/2) of the points of a trial to jury verdict under the point system. These trials count toward points only, not toward the ten (10) civil jury trials to a jury verdict minimum requirement. However, a mistrial due to a hung jury counts as “to a jury verdict” for full credit.
For more information please go to ABOTA.org and see the Membership/Prospective Members Section.