Association of Trial Lawyers of America
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The Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA) is the leading organization for lawyers representing plaintiffs in the United States. As the world's largest trial bar, ATLA's mission is to promote justice and fairness for injured persons, safeguard victims' rights--particularly the right to trial by jury--and strengthen the civil justice system through education and disclosure of information critical to public health and safety. It provides information and professional assistance to its members. [1]
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[edit] History
In 1946, a group of plaintiffs' attorneys involved in workers' compensation litigation founded the National Association of Claimants' Compensation Attorneys (NACCA). In time, attorneys engaged in almost all facets of trial advocacy became interested in the organization. In 1972, these groups merged as the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA). In 1977, ATLA's headquarters moved from Boston to Washington, DC. Today, ATLA is a broad-based, international coalition of attorneys, law professors, paralegals, and law students.[2]<p>
ATLA has more than 56,000 members worldwide, and a network of affiliates involved in all areas of trial advocacy. ATLA provides lawyers with the information and professional assistance needed to "serve clients successfully and protect the democratic values inherent in the civil justice system." Like all professional organizations, ATLA also engages in lobbying on matters of concern to its members and their clients: "ATLA supports the civil justice system as a fundamental check on the power of businesses and governments and opposes efforts to limit the legal rights of citizens." [3] It has opposed many changes related to "tort reform," including the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005, which gives defendant companies the right to remove state court class actions to federal court.
[edit] Student Trial Advocacy Competition
The organization hosts the Student Trial Advocacy Competition (ATLA STAC), one of the largest annual mock trial competitions for law students in the United States. Roughly 200 teams compete at 14 regional sites. One team from each region advances to the national championships, usually held in Florida. After the unexplained and controversial disqualification of two (out of 16) Regional Champion teams, South Texas College of Law won the national tournament in 2006. <p>
[edit] Trial Lawyers Care - Pro Bono Efforts
ATLA has established the largest pro-bono project in American history, Trial Lawyers Care (TLC), after September 11 the attacks on the World Trade Center. TLC is a charitable non-profit ATLA established to help victims of those terrorist attacks. Over 1,100 lawyers provided representation to over 1,700 victim families-over $200 million in legal services provided absolutely free of charge. TLC also established The Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund to collect and distribute aid to relief organizations in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. [4]
