The American Board of Trial Advocates

ABOTA was founded more than 50 years ago, as an organization of trial lawyers dedicated to the preservation of the 7th Amendment right to a civil trial by jury, the promotion of civility and professionalism among members of the bar, and the protection of an independent judiciary. Nationwide, we have more than 6,700 members.

Membership is by invitation only. To be considered for membership, an applicant must have tried at least 10 civil cases to jury verdict (or the equivalent) and practice to the highest degree of ethical conduct. By charter, we are comprised equally of lawyers who primarily represent plaintiffs and those who usually represent defendants. We are dedicated not to aiding one side or the other, but to promoting a fair, efficient and just legal system for everyone.

ABOTA is in the forefront of promoting the legal profession and independence of the judicial branch. We run a host of programs designed to fill the ever growing gap in education and understanding about our third branch and to remind us all why a strong and independent third branch, anchored by a jury of citizens, is essential to maintaining liberty and democracy.

For high school students, we created the James Otis Lecture Series, in which we invite leading scholars, law professors, judges and historians to give a program to high school students on issues relating to the Constitution, the rule of law, and the impact great lawyers have had on our development as a free society. The program is held annually.

For educators, ABOTA developed a Teachers' Law School, in which select high school teachers spend a weekend in a comprehensive program taught by leading judges, professors and lawyers so that they will be able to better teach their own students about the law in the classroom.

ABOTA also runs a number of programs for professional development. Every year, the ABOTA Foundation runs a series of mock trials, called "Masters-in-Trial" demonstrations, in which ABOTA members from across the country put on a one-day mock trial before a live jury to demonstrate courtroom techniques for aspiring trial lawyers or those who wish to hone their trial skills. The faculty members are unpaid and are not even compensated for travel costs.

These are just some of the many things that ABOTA does to help foster understanding of our profession, which seems to be constantly under attack by those who find political expedience more important that a sound understanding of the rule of law and the role lawyers and judges play in maintaining a free, just and stable society. For a more complete understanding of what ABOTA does, visit our national website at www.abota.org.

ABOTA Resolutions

These 55 Resolutions promulgated since the organization formed in 1958 express the values of the American Board of Trial Advocates

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