Federal Rules

As the policy-making arm of the federal courts, the Judicial Conference of the United States oversees changes to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, Federal Rules of Evidence, and other rules governing court procedure. These rules are binding on parties in federal court, and many states use the federal rules as a pattern for their own state rules, but they are not static.

AAJ closely monitors proposed amendments to the rules and the impact the proposed changes have on trial lawyers and their clients. When changes to the federal rules are advanced by defense interests, AAJ ensures that plaintiff attorneys are represented by advocating for rules that are fair and balanced. AAJ also works with plaintiff attorney members to identify rules which should be amended to better promote justice, ensure fairness, and improve efficiency.