About us

The American Board of Trial Advocates (“ABOTA”) is anational association of experienced trial lawyers and judges dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the civil jury trial right provided by the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.ABOTA was formed in 1958 in Los Angeles, California, becoming the first legal association to combine both plaintiff and defense lawyers with the common goal of preservation of the civil jury trial.  

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. 

ABOTA is committed to preserving the independence of the judiciary, recognizing that judicial impartiality and fairness protect against the whims and demands of the government and special interests. 

The mission of ABOTA is also carried out through the activities of its local chapters by Interaction with the judiciary through events honoring local, state and federal judges, Juror education and recognition, continuing educational programs and scholarships for local graduating law students and providing speakers at area schools.  

The Colorado Chapter was chartered in 1975.  

ABOTA – Colorado Chapter membership roster: ChapterRoster (abota.org) 

Membership in ABOTA 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 for trial experience as listed in the Association bylaws, may become a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates upon nomination, election, and payment of initiation fees and dues. 

ABOTA Membership Application forms with the trial worksheets can be found on this page: Prospective Members (abota.org).  

Contacts:  Membership Committee co-chairs: Frank Cristiano (Frank@Cristianolaw.com) and/or the Hon. Laura Tighe, (laura.tighe@judicial.state.co.us).