From local voluntary bar associations to national non-profit legal organizations, these organizations for lawyers are the foundation for a well-versed community of legal professionals. Legal associations play a pivotal role in activism, reform, education, and support for the legal community.
Get more information on a variety of different types of legal associations including:
The definition of a "legal association" is a group of individuals who are often attorneys and other legal professionals meeting or associated with a common purpose related to the legal profession, fellowship and networking opportunities.
Lawyer Legion is an independent project not affiliated with any bar associations. The logos are displayed as a visual indicator to help users identify each organization.
Below you will find a list of some of the largest, most well-known, and trusted legal organizations in the United States.
AAA - American Arbitration Association
The AAA provides services to individuals and organizations who wish to resolve legal conflicts in an out of court environment. Its services include helping with the appointment of mediators and arbitrators, setting hearings, and providing the participants with information on dispute resolution options from settlement through mediation. The American Arbitration Association is a nonprofit organization headquartered in New York City. Continue reading
AAAA - Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys
The AAAA is a credentialed organization that focuses on the ethical practice of adoption and assisted reproduction (ART) law. The Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys advocates for laws that protect the best interests of children, the legal status of families formed through adoption and assisted reproduction, and the rights of all interested parties. AAAA includes 470 attorneys, law professors, and judges who are recognized as Fellows. Continue reading
AAJ - American Association for Justice
The American Association for Justice is a nonprofit association of lawyers who represent the interests of plaintiffs. The AAJ advocates for fair access to the civil court system. The AAJ strives to promote a fair and effective justice system and support attorneys in their efforts to ensure that persons injured by the misconduct or negligence of others can obtain justice. Attorneys represent those in personal injury cases and other civil matters. Continue reading
AAML - American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
The AAML is a national organization of highly-skilled negotiators and litigators who represent individuals in family law cases throughout the United States. The Academy's members are known as "Fellows" and have demonstrated a high degree of professionalism, excellence, knowledge and integrity in the practice of family law. The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers has over 1650 fellows across all 50 U.S. states. Continue reading
ABA - American Bar Association
The ABA is the largest voluntary bar association in the world. Founded in 1878, the purpose of the organization is to advance the legal profession and the science of jurisprudence and to promote the administration of justice and uniformity of legislation. The American Bar Association provides resources to lawyers, law students and other legal professionals. Each year, the ABA creates more than 3,200 hours of CLE and hosts hundreds of events around the world. Continue reading
ABCL - American Board of Criminal Lawyers
The ABCL is an elite invitation-only organization of some of the best criminal defense attorneys in the United States. Founded in 1978, the mission of ABCL is to protect the preservation and exercise of fundamental rights and freedoms for those accused of crimes while promoting excellence in the practice of criminal defense. Fellows in ABCL have extensive experience with complex criminal matters such as white collar crime, criminal appeals, and federal crimes as well as other areas. Continue reading
ABOTA - American Board of Trial Advocates
ABOTA is an invitation-only, national association of trial lawyers and judges advocating for the preservation of the 7th amendment right to a civil jury trial. Membership consists of both plaintiff and defense attorneys. Members must have at least 5 years experience as a trial and have tried at least 10 civil jury trials to conclusion. Lawyers must also exhibit the virtues of civility, integrity and professionalism as outlined by the organization. Continue reading
Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys
The Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (ATAA) is a specialized organization committed to enhancing legal representation for victims of truck accidents. It provides board certification to attorneys who meet high standards of experience and skill in handling truck crash litigation. The ATAA works to improve highway safety by addressing issues related to dangerous trucking practices. It offers education and resources to attorneys and paralegals, helping them stay informed about developments in truck accident law. The organization is exclusively for plaintiff lawyers, focusing on victim advocacy. Their mission also includes promoting ethical practices within the field. Continue reading
ACCC - American College of Coverage Counsel
Established in 2012, the ACCC supports U.S. and Canadian lawyers who represent the interests of insurers and policyholders. Members or fellows of the American College of Coverage Counsel (ACCC) tend to focus their practice on representing insurance companies and policyholders in the areas of insurance coverage litigation and bad faith claims. Continue reading
ACCL - American College of Construction Lawyers
The ACCL is an invitation-only organization of highly-skilled construction law attorneys practicing throughout the United States. The organization if made up of Fellows who have been elected into the organization after being invited and after having demonstrated exceptional litigation skills in the area of construction law. The American College of Construction Lawyers was founded in 1989 and provides educational resources while promoting excellence in the practice of construction law. Continue reading
ACFTL - American College of Family Trial Lawyers
The ACFTL is an invitation-only, elite organization of 100 of the most skilled family trial lawyers in the United States. Known as diplomates, members who have been accepted into this organization have demonstrated significant litigation skills in complex family law cases. The American College of Family Trial Lawyers has received national recognition through its diplomates handling of well-publicized cases and cutting edge issues in family law. Continue reading
ACREL - American College of Real Estate Lawyers
The ACREL is an invitation-only organization made up of Fellows who are selected for demonstrating outstanding legal ability, experience and high standards of professional and ethical conduct in the practice of real estate law. The American College of Real Estate Lawyers provides training and educational resources to assist attorneys in their practice. Continue reading
ACTEC - American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
The ACTEC is a national invitation-only professional association for attorneys who practice estate planning and probate law, including wills and trusts. The organization is made up of Fellows who have been vetted by the organization and have demonstrated significant knowledge and experience with estate and probate law. The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel provide resources and education to lawyers while also providing comment to Congress and other legislative bodies. Continue reading
ACTL - American College of Trial Lawyers
The ACTL is an honorary invitation-only professional association of some of the most skilled and accomplished trial lawyers practicing in the United States and Canada. The mission of the American College of Trial Lawyers is to improve and elevate the standards of trial practice and the administration of justice while promoting ethics in the profession. Nominees are carefully screened before being elected into the organization. Continue reading
ADTA - Association of Defense Trial Attorneys
The ADTA is a professional association of attorneys who provide legal services to companies or persons who require defense within the civil justice system. Members of the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys include trial lawyers who primarily practice insurance defense and corporate counsel. The organization's objective is to provide an opportunity for proven and successful defense trial attorneys to network with each other while helping the public identify such attorneys. Continue reading
AILA - American Immigration Lawyers Association
The AILA promotes justice, advocates for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advances the quality of immigration and nationality law and practices to enhance the professional development of its members. American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is a national organization providing training, education and resources to immigration lawyers practicing throughout the US. Continue reading
AIPLA - American Intellectual Property Law Association
The AIPLA is a leading organization focused on Intellectual Property Law in the United States. The American Intellectual Property Law Association serves its members by fostering their professional development for leadership opportunities as they advance in the profession. The organization advocates for fair and effective laws and policies globally in support of public interest for the reward of innovation and creativity. Continue reading
DUIDLA - DUI Defense Lawyers Association
The DUIDLA is a nonprofit organization providing training and resources to DUI defense lawyers practicing in the U.S. and Canada. Attorneys represent those accused of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and other traffic and intoxication-related offenses. The DUI Defense Lawyers Association also provides continuing legal education (CLE) seminars. Continue reading
FDCC - Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel
The FDCC is an invitation-only organization of lawyers in the United States who focus their practice on the defense of civil claims and representation of insurers and corporations. The Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel provide educational resources and networking opportunities for lawyers practicing civil law specifically in the areas of representing defendants in civil cases. Continue reading
International Academy of Family Lawyers
The International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) is a non-profit organization that serves family lawyers in the United States and across the world. Continue reading
LCA - Litigation Counsel of America
The Litigation Counsel of America is an honorary society of 3,500 of the best trial lawyers in the United States. Fellows are selected based upon their accomplishment in litigation, both at the trial and appellate levels. Continue reading
MLA - Maritime Law Association of the United States
The MLA is a national professional organization of lawyers practicing Admiralty and Maritime law. The objectives of the organization are to advocate for reforms in Maritime Law in the United States and to facilitate justice in the administration of those laws. Membership with the Maritime Law Association of the United States includes judges, law professors, and non-lawyers who are selected because they hold important positions in the industry. Continue reading
NACA - National Association of Consumer Advocates
The NACA is a professional organization of attorney members who represent and counsel consumers victimized by unfair business practices and predatory lending. The organization's mission is to promote justice and fairness for all consumers and to protect those with modest means from unfair business practices. The National Association of Consumer Advocates practice in the area of consumer rights law. Continue reading
NACBA - National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys
The NACBA is a national professional organization comprised of attorneys who practice bankruptcy law representing consumer debtors. The organization provides resources and education to lawyers while also advocating for legislative changes to the Bankruptcy Code. The National Association for Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys offers many benefits to its members seeking to improve their practice by filing amicus briefs to assist them. Continue reading
NACDL - National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Founded in 1958, NACDL is the largest organization for criminal defense lawyers fighting to preserve fairness within America's criminal justice system. The organization has more than 10,000 direct members including criminal defense attorneys in private practice, public defenders in state or federal court, U.S. military defense counsel, law professors and judges. Continue reading
NAELA - National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
The NAELA is an organization of lawyers who practice in the area of Elder Law which is an area of law focused on the legal needs of the elderly population as well as people with special needs and their caregivers. The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys provide resources and education to lawyers. The organization also advocates for policies and laws that protect the interests of the elderly and aging population. Continue reading
NAPD - National Association for Public Defense
The NAPD is devoted to public defense professionals and advocates for the constitutional right to counsel and access to justice for poor people. The National Association for Public Defense formed as an inclusive association of public defense practitioners to address the issue of fairness in America's criminal courts. The organization's members include lawyers, social workers, case managers, investigators, paralegals, educators, and others who are critical to the right to counsel. Continue reading
NCDD - National College for DUI Defense
The National College for DUI Defense, Inc. (NCDD) is a non-profit, professional organization of attorneys focused on criminal defense who represent those accused of drunk driving, driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) and related charges. The NCDD was formed in 1995 and consists of some of the most knowledgeable and successful DUI defense attorneys in the United States. Continue reading
NCVBA - National Crime Victim Bar Association
The NCVBA is a professional association of attorneys and expert witnesses dedicated to helping victims seek justice through the civil court system. The National Crime Victim Bar Association is an affiliate of the National Center for Victims of Crime. The organization provides support to attorneys representing crime victims in civil actions, refers crime victims to lawyers in their local area, and works to increase general awareness about the availability of civil remedies for victims of crime. Continue reading
NELA - National Employment Lawyers Association
The NELA is a national professional association of lawyers who represent employees against their employers and former employers in the areas of employment discrimination, illegal workplace harassment, wrongful termination, denial of employee benefits, and other employment-related matters. The National Employment Lawyers Association is the largest national association advocating for employees rights in the United States. Continue reading
NJDC - National Juvenile Defender Center
The NJDC is a nonprofit that supports criminal defense attorneys and public defenders who represent children in juvenile court. The National Juvenile Defender Center's mission is to "promote justice for all children by ensuring excellence in juvenile defense." The organization advocates for juvenile justice reform across the United States. Members of the organization are provided with a platform to exchange information and build partnerships. Continue reading
NLG - National Lawyers Guild
The NLG was founded in 1937 as the first racially integrated national bar association and as an alternative to the American Bar Association (ABA). The nation's oldest and largest progressive bar association, the National Lawyers Guild advocates for the rights of people over property interests. The organization's members represent people in civil rights cases involving police brutality, protests and demonstrations and cases involving racial equality and LGBTQ rights. Continue reading
NORML Legal Committee
NORML is a nonprofit organization founded in 1970 which works toward ending prohibition and establishing a legal marketplace for responsible adult use of cannabis. The National Legal Committee is made up of criminal defense lawyers and other civil attorneys throughout the United States. The NLC provides resources and training to attorneys on the front lines of defending those accused of marijuana-related crimes and working to reform the laws. Continue reading
NOSSCR - National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives
The NOSSCR advocates for improvements in Social Security disability programs in the United States. The organization supports individuals with disabilities and the attorneys who represent them when applying for Social Security Disability and SSI benefits. The National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives was founded 1979 to ensure that high quality representation is available to people with disabilities. Continue reading
NPAP - National Police Accountability Project
The NPAP is a project of the National Lawyers Guild (NLG) and includes civil rights lawyers across the United States who focus on areas of police misconduct, police brutality and excessive force. The National Police Accountability Project is dedicated to holding law enforcement officers and police departments accountable for misconduct that occurs in communities throughout the country. Continue reading
