Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MACDL)

Types of MACDL Memberships

The types of membership to MACDL includes the following categories:

• Regular Member - available to attorneys of professional competence, integrity and good moral character who are actively engaged in the defense of criminal cases. Prosecutors shall not be eligible to join MACDL.
• Law Student Member - Law Student Membership shall be available to persons of integrity and good moral character who are students in law school and committed to criminal defense.
• Associate Member - available to persons of integrity and good moral character who are not actively engaged in the defense of criminal cases, but whose duties and responsibilities are a part of, or contribute to, the defense of criminal cases. There shall be included in this Membership the following: full-time law professors, retired criminal defense lawyers, and non-lawyers who support the goals and objectives of MACDL.
• Honorary Member - available in limited instances to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the public welfare and aided in the achievement of the goals of MACDL.

Benefits of Membership

For lawyers practicing in Massachusetts, the benefits of belonging to MACDL include:

• a listing on the MACDL website designed with a "Find a Lawyer" membership directory that is searchable and open to the public;
• networking opportunities with experienced criminal defense attorneys across the state;
• access to members only discussion boards and e-mail groups;
• MACDL Strike Force protection from a team of experienced and local attorneys who can respond on an emergency basis if you are ever threatened with sanctions for zealously representing your client; and
• Discounts for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses and seminars.