Cynthia McGuinn Sworn in as National President of the American Board of Trial Advocates

SAN FRANCISCO (Jan. 25, 2018) — Cynthia McGuinn, partner at Rouda, Feder, Tietjen & McGuinn of San Francisco, was installed as National President of the American Board of Trial Advocates at the organization’s National Board Meeting at the Ritz Carlton. McGuinn took the oath of office from Hon. Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, Chief Justice of the State of California.

ABOTA is an invitation-only national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees the right to civil jury trials. ABOTA’s primary goal is to educate the American public about the history and value of the right to trial by jury and is dedicated to elevating the standards of integrity, honor and courtesy in the legal profession.

Founded in 1958 with a membership of more than 7,600 experienced attorneys representing both the plaintiff and defense bars in civil cases, ABOTA is uniquely qualified to speak for the value of the constitutionally-mandated jury system as the protector of the rights of persons and property. The ABOTA Foundation was established in 1992 to provide education to the American public about the right to trial by jury and to promote the professional education of trial attorneys.

Ms. McGuinn, who was admitted into ABOTA in 1997, holds the distinction of being the second woman to serve as National President of ABOTA. She was elected by the San Francisco Chapter as a National Board Member in 1999 and has served in leadership roles for that chapter, CALABOTA (all California chapters), the ABOTA Foundation and the National organization. 

“I am deeply conscious of the contributions our past presidents made, as well as the contributions our members, our chapters and our regional organizations have made in furtherance of our mission statement — to preserve our democracy and the right to trial by jury afforded by the 7th amendment” said Ms. McGuinn in her installation speech.

Ms. McGuinn also recognized the unprecedented number of women in leadership roles for both the National organization and its Foundation in 2018, noting that diversity and inclusiveness will be a focus during her tenure: “There is work left to do.”

She also laid out plans for enhancing partnerships with like-minded organizations across the country to educate the public about the importance of their constitutional role in the right to trial by jury and to continue to provide support for a fair and impartial judiciary.