ABOTA NATIONAL COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEES

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee shall have full power and authority of the National Board over the affairs of the American Board of Trial Advocates between the business meetings of the National Board subject to certain limitations contained in the Bylaws. This committee shall, in addition, have the authority to schedule meetings of the Executive Committee, make recommendations to the National Board, and perform such other duties as may be specified in the Bylaws or specifically authorized by action of the National Board.

CIVIL JUSTICE COMMITTEE

Charge of the Civil Justice Committee:
This committee shall recommend resolutions to the Executive Committee and the National Board, pertaining to the civil justice system, when needed or appropriate.

LONG RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE

Charge of the Long Range Planning Committee:
This committee shall be concerned with looking to the future and setting goals and purposes for 5, 10 and 15 years.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

Charge of the Membership Committee:
The Membership Committee, which shall aid the National Board in the job of certifying nominees for membership as provided in Article, III, Sections 1 through 5, and Article IV, Section 3 of the Constitution. The National Board shall give consideration to, but shall not be bound by, the recommendations of the Membership Committee. The affirmative vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the National Board shall be necessary to certify a nominee to membership in the Association except where otherwise specifically provided in these Bylaws or by the Constitution.

SPECIALTY COMMITTEES

ABOTA INITIATIVE COMMITTEE

Charge of the ABOTA Initiative Committee:
The ABOTA Initiative Committee is charged with the development and implementation of a national program to provide continuing education to the public of the importance of the Seventh Amendment and to enhance the public's perception of the role of trial lawyers in the administration of justice. It is also charged with the implementation of ABOTA's Grassroots Program approved by the National Board of Directors.

AMICUS CURIAE/CIVIL JUSTICE COMMITTEE

Charge of the Amicus Curiae Committee:
This committee is responsible for monitoring litigation in the state and federal courts and for recommending to the Executive Committee involvement in cases important to the development of law.When the Executive Committee approves such involvement it shall be the responsibility of this committee to oversee the preparation and timely filing of amicus curiae briefs on behalf of ABOTA.

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING COMMITTEE

Charge of the Attorney Advertising Committee:
ABOTA recognizes attorneys’ and the public’s right to advertise, but at the same time believes that State Bar and trial bar organizations should establish minimum standards and guidelines and encourage attorneys’ adherence to those standards. This committee shall study the issue of attorney advertising and related issues and make recommendations to the National Board for adoption of a set of advertising guidelines that attempts to balance the public’s right to be informed with truthful, ethical and professional practices by attorneys and law firms.

AWARDS COMMITTEE

Charge of the Awards Committee:
This committee shall review and identify all existing awards and criteria for them. It shall make recommendations to the Executive Committee and National Board establishing procedures in determining and awarding such awards. It shall recommend persons who meet the criteria for awards.

CHAPTER RELATIONS & REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE

Charge of the Chapter Relations and Revitalization Committee:
This committee shall be responsible for maintaining regular contact with existing chapters to monitor their activities, give specific attention to chapters which are too small for their location or which are less active than they should be, making specific suggestions for improvement and, if appropriate, recommend new chapter locations.

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS COMMITTEE

Charge of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee:
This committee is charged with oversight of our Constitution and Bylaws. The committee is to report any changes that they deem necessary and appropriate to the Executive Committee, National Board of Directors, and the membership.

DIVERSITY OF MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

Charge of the Diversity of Membership Committee:
ABOTA recognizes that gender, racial and ethnic diversity is essential to its continued vitality and viability. The mission of this committee is to effect a sustained and efficient process to identify, encourage, recruit, and admit qualified women and minority members who meet the stringent ABOTA eligibility criteria.

EDITORIAL BOARD COMMITTEE

Charge of the Editorial Board Committee:
The Editorial Board shall be responsible for adopting and publishing the editorial policy statement of the American Board of Trial Advocates governing Voir Dire and The President’s Report. Pursuant to this editorial policy, the Editorial Board shall be responsible for actively assisting the editor of Voir Dire and The President’s Report in producing publications that are consistent with the high quality of ABOTA’s membership. The Editorial Board, in conjunction with the president, president-elect and vice president, shall also be responsible for the final review of each issue of these two national publications.

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY COMMITTEE

Charge of the Financial Accountability Committee:
This committee shall review overall spending practices, recommend areas for increased economy, and consider additional or alternative revenue sources.

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES COMMITTEE

Charge of the International Issues Committee:
This committee shall be responsible to explore opportunities for a demonstration of the jury system and to advance attorney and judicial ethics in other countries and to support lawyers and judges in other countries who struggle to advance the rule of law.

INVESTMENT COMMITTEE

Patrick C. Simek, Chair
John L. Holcomb
Craig Lewis

JUDICIAL LIAISON/JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE COMMITTEE

Charge of the Judicial Liaison Committee:
This committee is responsible for furthering the independence of the judiciary in the United States. It shall support the appointment of qualified judges or lawyers to the federal court, the prompt filling of judicial vacancies, and the identification of judicial nominees whom ABOTA members might support. The committee shall also recommend methods by which to promote ABOTA’s Juror Bill of Rights, reduce court congestion, reduce the cost of litigation, avoid delay in dispute resolution and encourage the increase of courtroom security throughout the federal and state systems.

LEGISLATIVE ANALYSIS FUND COMMITTEE

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE

Charge of the Legislative Committee:
This committee will interface with the Civil Justice Committee, the Legislative Analysis Fund trustees (LAF) and the Executive Committee to monitor proposed federal legislation and, when as directed by the Board, work with Civil Justice to prepare testimony to be given to the congress.

  
PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE COMMITTEE

Charge of the Presidential Task Force Committee:
The Presidential Task Force combines the efforts of several committees and programs. The Task Force was designed to strategically refocus ABOTA’s key initiatives that represent the legacy and mission of the organization. The Task Force con- sists of at-large members and three subcommittees that serve under the umbrella of the Presidential Task Force — ABOTA Initiative Committee, Chapter Relations and Revitalization Committee and Diversity of Membership Committee.

  
--ABOTA INITIATIVE

Charge of the ABOTA Initiative Committee:
The ABOTA Initiative Committee is charged with the development and implementation of a national pro- gram to provide continuing education to the public of the importance of the Seventh Amendment and to enhance the public's perception of the role of trial lawyers in the administration of justice. It is also charged with the implementation of ABOTA's Grassroots Program approved by the National Board of Directors.

--CHAPTER RELATIONS AND REVITALIZATION AND DIVERSITY OF MEMBERSHIP

Charge of the Chapter Relations and Revitalization Committee:
This committee shall be responsible for maintaining regular contact with existing chapters to monitor their activities, give specific attention to chapters which are too small for their location or which are less active than they should be, making specific suggestions for improvement and, if appropriate, recommend new chapter locations.

--DIVERSITY OF MEMBERSHIP

Charge of the Diversity of Membership Committee:
ABOTA recognizes that gender, racial and ethnic diversity is essential to its continued vitality and viability. The mission of this committee is to affect a sustained and efficient process to identify, encourage, recruit, and admit qualified women and minority members who meet the stringent ABOTA eligibility criteria.

PROFESSIONALISM, ETHICS & CIVILITY COMMITTEE

Charge of the Professionalism, Ethics & Civility Committee:
This committee is responsible for elevating the standards of integrity, honor, ethics, civility, and courtesy in the legal profession. This committee shall cultivate a spirit of camaraderie and fellowship among ABOTA members and work to encourage and advance members of ABOTA professionally. It is the further responsibility of this committee to make recommendations regarding the use and distribution of the ABOTA Civility Video produced under the supervision of this committee.

SEVENTH AMENDMENT & JURY INNOVATION COMMITTEE

Charge of the Seventh Amendment & Jury Innovations Committee:
This committee is charged with the responsibility of making recommendations to the National Board consistent with ABOTA’s covenant to preserve and protect our jury system. It will further work with other organizations such as the National Center for State Courts in studying and recommending jury innovations designed to improve jury service and jurors’ ability to participate and appreciate the importance of their role in the judicial process.

WEBSITE/TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

Charge of theWebsite and Technology Committee:
This committee shall oversee the ABOTA website and make recommendations to the Executive Committee and the National Board regarding improvement in the design, content and functionality of the website.

FOUNDATION COMMITTEES

FELLOWS OF THE FOUNDATION COMMITTEE

Al Ellis, Chair

Charge of the Fellows of the Foundation Committee
This Committee shall make recommendations to the Foundation Trustees as concerns the Fellows programs of the ABOTA Foundation.

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Charge of the Professional Education (CLE) Committee
This Committee shall assist the Director of Professional Education in carrying out the Professional Education CLE programs of the Foundation and shall make recommendations to the Foundation Trustees as concerns the professional education programs of the ABOTA Foundation.

YOUTH EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Charge of the Youth Education Program Committee
This Committee shall make recommendations to the Foundation Trustees concerning the Foundation’s youth education programs and oversee the distribution of the Foundation’s Justice by the People program.