Experience ABOTA

Experience
ABOTA

a b o t a . o r g
Trial by Jury —
Your Precious Right
America’s greatness lies in its
people. And in its people lies the
foundation of justice — trial by
jury. The Seventh Amendment is a
precious right that is increasingly
under attack by those who would
eliminate justice by the people in
favor of justice by the bureaucracy.
The American Board of Trial
Advocates membership consists
of more than 7,600 trial lawyers
representing equally the plaintiff
and defense bars, as well as
judges, spread among 96 chapters
in all 50 states, the District of
Columbia and Puerto Rico. Since
its inception in 1958, ABOTA’s
primary mission has been the
preservation of the right to civil
jury trial as guaranteed by the
Seventh Amendment to the U.S.
Constitution.
Gender, age and ethnic diversity
are essential to the vitality and
continuing viability of ABOTA. It is
ABOTA’s policy that membership
be open to all qualified persons of
diverse backgrounds.
QUALIFICATIONS
ABOTA is an invitation-only organization.
Prospective members must have at least five
years of active experience as trial lawyers, have
tried at least 10 civil jury trials to conclusion
and possess additional litigation experience.
Members must also exhibit the virtues of civility,
integrity and professionalism.
COLLECTIVE VOICE
Through its membership and specialized
committees, ABOTA responds to seemingly
endless attacks on the civil jury trial system.
Members of ABOTA have taken positions on a
variety of issues that impact the practice of law
and the right to civil trial by jury.
Voir Dire Magazine
ABOTA publishes
Voir Dire magazine,
which features indepth
articles on
current and historical
issues relating to the
Seventh Amendment.
This award-winning
magazine has been
Voir Dire
Volume 27 • Issue 2 • Fall/Winter 2020
A PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN BOARD OF TRIAL ADVOCATES
Lessons learned
and a look at
the future
recognized as one of the top publications
among professional and legal associations. A
Voir Dire subscription is provided to all ABOTA
members, and to the local judiciary by some
chapters.
ABOTA.

Legislative Matters on Capitol Hill
Through the American Civil Trial Bar Roundtable
Legislative Analysis Fund, ABOTA supports
efforts to preserve and promote the right to a
civil jury trial. The Roundtable’s primary focus
is the continuation and preservation of the civil
trial justice system. ABOTA does not engage in
lobbying activities. With the assistance of
a legislative consultant in Washington, D.C.,
ABOTA remains an active force in opposing
legislation contrary to ABOTA’s founding
principles. Issues of concern are addressed by
the Roundtable through formal and grassroots
efforts.
ABOTA is the sponsor and facilitator of the
Roundtable, which consists of civil trial bar
organizations dedicated to the continuation and
preservation of the civil jury system.
PRESERVATION OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM
Judicial Independence
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.
ABOTA developed and published a white paper,
Preserving a Fair, Impartial and Independent
Judiciary. ABOTA has established guidelines
to provide responses to misinformation or
unwarranted criticism of an individual judge or
the judiciary. To obtain a copy of ABOTA’s white
paper, please go to abota.org.
Save Our Juries
Save Our Juries is a public education campaign
aimed at informing and mobilizing citizens
in the fight to save our Seventh Amendment
right, which guarantees a jury trial for civil
cases. ABOTA established Save Our Juries to
counter the influences that limit citizens’ access
to our nation’s civil jury trial process. You can
find information about Save Our Juries at
saveourjuries.org.
PROFESSIONALISM, ETHICS AND CIVILITY
ABOTA is an organization where plaintiff and
defense lawyers, along with members of the
bench, can unite on a non-adversarial basis.
Membership is comprised of the best civil jury
trial lawyers in the nation who exemplify the
principles of civility.
One of ABOTA’s standing committees is the
Professionalism, Ethics and Civility Committee.
This committee is responsible for elevating the
standards of integrity, honor, ethics, civility, and
courtesy in the legal profession. It cultivates a
spirit of camaraderie and fellowship among
ABOTA members and works to encourage and
advance members of ABOTA professionally.
ABOTA has its own Code of Professionalism
and Oath of Civility. You can locate these at
abota.org or by contacting the National Office.

Civility Matters ® is an effort to elevate the
standards of integrity, honor and courtesy in the
legal profession. ABOTA created Civility Matters
with the hope that the program would be
presented at ABOTA educational activities, other
bar and professional programs, and, especially,
in every law school in the country.
Oath of Civility
ABOTA’s efforts have assisted in the
development and passage of numerous
amendments to the oaths being administered
around the country. There are now 22 states
administering an oath of practice that includes a
promise of civility.
ABOTA lawyers have also pressed this cause
to the state supreme courts and legislatures
around the country. The idea is to encourage
the addition of a civility requirement in the oaths
of practice administered to new lawyers. Not
only will this elevate the importance of civility
in the practice of law, it will reassure judges
and justices that civility can be and must be
preserved on a daily basis.
Chapter Activities
The mission of ABOTA is also carried out
through the activities of its local chapters:
• Interaction with the judiciary through events
honoring local, state and federal judges
• Juror education and recognition
• Educational programs
• Scholarships for local graduating law students
• Speakers provided to area schools
EDUCATION
The ABOTA Foundation creates the materials
and curriculum necessary for ABOTA Chapters
and their membership to provide meaningful
educational resources and opportunities for
teachers, K-12 students, the public and the local
legal community (including law students) to
grow their knowledge of civics and the American
civil justice system.
Professional Education
Masters in Trial TM is a continuing legal education
program licensed from the Foundation and
hosted by ABOTA Chapters. The program
teaches trial skills while focusing on instilling the
highest levels of civility and professionalism.
The National Trial College allows ABOTA
faculty members to provide young trial lawyers
invaluable tools and guidance in a week-long
intensive training program held on the campus
of Yale Law School.

Civics Education
The James Otis Lecture Series provides a highquality
civic learning experience for high school
students.
Justice by the People is a collection of lesson
plans and activities developed by ABOTA that
focuses on key civic concepts for middle and
high schoolers.
The Teachers Law School is a civics and lawrelated
professional development program for
social studies teachers and administrators. The
Teachers Law School provides teachers with the
tools to help their students better understand
and appreciate the value of the American legal
system and other key government topics. The
teachers learn from esteemed trial attorneys,
judges and law professors.
Follow our Civics Education efforts on Instagram
@teaching.civics.
Grants
The ABOTA Foundation’s Board of Trustees has
a standing Grants Committee that recommends
grant requests for funding. Thanks to the
contributions of many supporters, the ABOTA
Foundation has been able to provide grants to
further civics education across the nation.
Journalist Law School
The challenge of reporting on the legal system
without a law degree is daunting. ABOTA
partners with the Civil Justice Program at Loyola
Law School, Los Angeles in developing a legal
training program for professional journalists.
The Journalist Law School (JLS) consists of
an intensive four-day seminar for working
journalists who cover the courts. Unlike
traditional journalism training, the JLS addresses
core legal concepts, such as the role of the third
branch; separation of powers; the independence
of the judiciary; and the Seventh Amendment
right to trial by jury. The ultimate goal over time
is to create a cadre of high-quality journalists
who can better inform the public regarding the
inner workings of the legal system.
Media Law School
The University of South Carolina School of
Law offers the Media Law School (MLS) for
journalists in conjunction with ABOTA. Instructors
include faculty of the School of Law, the College
of Information and Communications, and
members of ABOTA.
As news organizations face increasing
budgetary constraints, and as they are expected
to do more with fewer resources, there exists a
likelihood that reporters and editors will lack the
appropriate foundation to frame news coverage
in a way that allows the public to understand
and appreciate the judicial process. The MLS
brings to light the judicial system in a way that
prepares them to explain the process to the
public.

Foundation Fellows
Help ensure that people of all ages
understand the history and value of their
Seventh Amendment right to civil trial by jury
by becoming a Fellow of the Foundation.
Contributions to the ABOTA Foundation have
three essential purposes:
• To educate the American public about the
history and value of the right to trial by jury
• To preserve the civil jury system
• To ensure that civil trial lawyers are equipped
to serve their clients with the highest
standards of integrity and professionalism
2001 Bryan Street, Suite 3000
Dallas, Texas 75201
(800) 932-2682
abota.org
saveourjuries.com
Visit abota.org/foundation to donate.
WHY ABOTA IS NEEDED
ABOTA is an organization where plaintiff and
defense lawyers, along with members of the
bench can unite on a non-adversarial basis.
Trial by jury in civil litigation is the most effective
and just means of resolving disputes and
dispensing justice. The Seventh Amendment is
the necessary safeguard to the right to a civil
trial by jury. Those who oppose the Seventh
Amendment fail to recognize that jury trials are
as essential to security and liberty as the right
to vote.