Overview

The Litigation Counsel of America is a trial lawyer honorary society established to reflect the new face of the American bar. Membership is limited, representing less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers and is by invitation only. The composition of the LCA is aggressively diverse, with recognition of excellence among American litigation and trial counsel across all segments of the bar. The purpose of the LCA is to recognize deserving, experienced, and highly qualified lawyers, to provide an additional outlet for scholarly authorship of legal articles on trial and litigation practice, to provide additional sources for professional development, to promote superior advocacy and ethical standards in the practice of law, and to assist in community involvement by its membership.

Membership includes placement of a maximum of 3,500 Fellows, who are selected and invited into Fellowship after being evaluated on effectiveness and accomplishment in litigation and trial work, along with ethical reputation. Fellows are generally at the partner or shareholder level or are independent practitioners with several years experience. Fellows may also include governmental attorneys and in-house counsel. Upon high recommendation by a Fellow, a limited number of Associate Fellows may be selected, pending qualification for Fellowship. Associate Fellows may include partners or associates from the same firm in which the Fellows practice or with any other ethically reputable firm, governmental division or company. Unless their practice changes from litigation or trial work or their general ethical reputation has been diminished, Fellows may hold their status as long as they desire to be affiliated with the LCA. Fellows who hold such status for seven consecutive years may be designated Senior Fellows.

The LCA will also recognize distinguished lawyers on an annual basis for inclusion as Honorary Fellows. Practicing or retired lawyers, judges, elected officials and other such persons may be nominated for such recognition; however, Honorary Fellows are not considered part of the membership. No more than ten Honorary Fellows per year will be chosen, with consideration for such honor being pursuant to nominations by Fellows. Honorary Fellows will be recognized for career achievements, furthering professionalism in the practice of law, noted trial results, being an influence of regional or national significance in the area of litigation or trial work or any other body of work deemed worthy of high recognition.

This is a different world from fifty years ago. Even twenty years ago. With ever-diminishing percentages of cases actually reaching trial, American litigation practice has been redefined. Too often truly effective counsel are overlooked for acknowledgement of expertise and superiority because courtroom experience is now at a premium. While trial experience is an important factor in LCA selection, it is also a fact that great litigators sometimes win before trial.

The number of Fellowships has been kept at an exclusive limit by design, allowing qualifications, diversity and inclusion to align effectively.

The LCA also cooperates with other trial, litigation and educational organizations in arranging meetings and study groups for Fellows in furtherance of the art of advocacy and the litigation process. Its membership and the authors of articles published in the Journal of Court , represent widely divergent opinions and viewpoints, which the LCA encourages for the purpose of expanding perspectives in all aspects of the litigation process, both within the society and beyond.

The LCA's Advisory Board is composed of its membership President, and lawyers and business leaders from a variety of companies and organizations. An executive staff covers all needs of the membership, development, the Journal of Court and other publications, the LCA Referral Network/CounselShare™, meetings and conventions, and all other operating and general administration services. The LCA will also serve as a primary funding source for the Litigation Counsel of America Foundation.

The LCA utilizes a variety of resources for purposes of establishing itself as the most inclusive and diverse lawyer honorary in American law. In this regard, the LCA promotes its membership as a forum where American litigation and advocacy are at the cutting edge of law and judicial understanding.

The LCA’s selection process is a combination of Advisory Board member input, attorney opinions, evaluation of client selection of counsel, limited input from active and retired judges, and reviews of acknowledgement by third party sources. The criteria used for selection is not based purely on the number of cases tried, or the notoriety usually associated with frequent court appearances, but also effectiveness in the area of a particular lawyer’s expertise. In using this approach, the LCA has developed its membership with a breadth of experience in litigation that makes its Fellows one of the most well rounded practice groups among any lawyer honorary and provides recognition and opportunities to those deserving the designation.

The LCA encourages and will assist in recognition and publicity of Fellows selected for membership. Press release formats will be made available in this Web site as the Fellow rosters are developed. Firm value is derived from Fellow recognition in the Litigation Counsel of America .