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Membership

AAJ® delivers exceptional education, unparalleled advocacy, and a dedicated community of trial lawyers fighting for justice.

AAJ Trial Lawyer/U.S. Regular Member Benefits

Regular members must be licensed to practice law, be actively engaged in the practice of law, and represent for the most part, based on caseload and time, the plaintiff in civil litigation or the defendant in criminal litigation. Dues are based on years in practice.

Subscription to Trial Magazine and AAJ's News Brief

Listing in AAJ Member Directory

Ability to join Sections, Litigation Groups, caucuses, and other member groups

Complimentary quarterly webinars, plus the opportunity to register for more than 50+ other education program and AAJ Conventions

Access to all-member list servers and the AAJ Exchange

Writing, speaking, and leadership opportunities

Invitation to join lobby days and participate in political and legislative updates

Voting privileges

Additional Membership Information

Ways to Join

To join online, click here.

To join over the phone, call AAJ's membership team at 800-424-2725, option 1.

To join by mail, please complete and return a membership application.

AAJ Regular Member and Associate Member Dues

AAJ Regular and Associate membership dues are based on how long you have been in practice.

For attorneys located in the United States and Canada, the current dues structure is:

  • Less than 1 Year: $50
  • 1-5 Years: $125
  • 6-10 Years: $225
  • 11-15 Years: $380
  • 16-20 Years: $505
  • 21-25 Years: $615
  • 25 Years or More: $685

AAJ has two levels of elevated individual members:

Dues Based on Years in Practice

Trial Lawyer/Regular Member (Canada)

Licensed to practice law, be actively engaged in the practice of law, and represent for the most part, based on caseload and time, the plaintiff in civil litigation or the defendant in criminal litigation.

  • Same benefits and privileges as a US-based Regular member
  • Complimentary membership in AAJ's Canadian Caucus
$75/Year

Paralegal Affiliate

Qualified to perform substantive legal work under the direction of an attorney, sponsored by an AAJ member, and represents plaintiff in civil litigation or defendant in criminal litigation

  • Trial magazine and AAJ News Brief
  • Listing in AAJ member directory
  • Membership in AAJ's Paralegal Affiliate membership group and eligible for awards
  • Writing, speaking, and leadership opportunities
  • Ability to join AAJ Sections and access to Section list servers if sponsored by a voting member
  • 50% discount on select AAJ Education programs when attending with an AAJ voting member
$15/year

Law Student

Must be a student at an accredited law school

  • Digital access to Trial magazine and AAJ News Brief
  • Listing in AAJ member directory
  • Writing, speaking, and leadership opportunities
  • Limited access to AAJ Sections and member groups
  • 50% discount on select AAJ Education programs when attending with an AAJ voting member
  • Eligible to participate in Student Trial Advocacy Competition
$35/Year

Law Professor

Licensed to practice law and engaged in full-time teaching of the law at any accredited law school or college

  • Trial magazine and AAJ News Brief
  • Listing in AAJ member directory
  • Access to member groups and AAJ Conventions
  • Writing, speaking, and leadership opportunities
$125/Year

International Member

Licensed to practice law and reside outside the U.S. and Canada

  • Same benefits and privileges as a Regular member
  • Complimentary membership in the International Practice Section
$75/Year

Government Member

Licensed to practice law and in full-time employment of a local, state, or federal government agency or public defender

  • Trial magazine and AAJ News Brief
  • Listing in AAJ member directory
  • Access to member groups and AAJ Conventions
  • Writing, speaking, and leadership opportunities
$35/Year

Military

Licensed to practice law and engaged in full-time active duty service in the U.S. armed forces

  • Trial magazine and AAJ News Brief
  • Listing in AAJ member directory
  • Access to member groups and AAJ Conventions
  • Writing, speaking, and leadership opportunities
  • Ability to join AAJ Sections and access to Section list servers if sponsored by a voting member
Dues Based on Years in Practice

Associate

Licensed to practice law, but does NOT qualify for a regular membership due to the nature of his or her practice

  • Trial magazine and AAJ News Brief
  • Listing in AAJ member directory
  • Opportunity to write and/or speak for AAJ programs
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Renewal Made Simple
Annual Firm Billing

Firms with four or more members are eligible to enroll in Annual Firm Billing. Your whole office will be consolidated into one easy, annual invoice and have a synchronized renewal date. Trust us, your bookkeeper will thank you.

Learn More

Member benefits subject to change and additional limitations may apply.

Dues cover 12 full months of membership and include a one-year member subscription of Trial magazine ($45). Membership dues paid to the American Association for Justice® (AAJ®), formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA®), are not tax deductible as charitable contributions for income tax purposes. However, dues may be tax deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense, subject to restrictions imposed as a result of AAJ’s lobbying activities. AAJ estimates that the portion of dues and other similar amounts it expects to receive that are allocable to AAJ’s lobbying expenditures is 34.0 percent. Accordingly, 66.0 percent of your dues and contributions to AAJ may be deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense. Please consult your tax advisor to confirm. (01.2024)             American Association for Justice and ATLA Logos