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Membership

Whether you're preparing your first case or have years of experience, AAJ® is here with resources and education to support your growth and strengthen your practice.

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Joining AAJ gives you access to practical tools, proven insights, and a national network that helps you grow faster.

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.

Connect with trial lawyers nationwide

Join groups aligned to your cases

Stay sharp with CLEs and events

Learn and collaborate in real time

Grow your reputation and network

Build relationships that lead to referrals and new opportunities

Stay informed and updated on future trends with Trial® Magazine and AAJ's News Brief

Help shape the future of trial law through member voting

Kevin Mahoney
What Trial Lawyers Say About AAJ

“If you’re five or seven years in, this is exactly when you need AAJ most. It sharpens your skills, expands your network, and puts you in rooms with lawyers who will raise your game in ways you can’t do alone.”

Kevin Mahoney | Kreindler & Kreindler, LLP
AAJ member of the Admiralty Law, Aviation Law, and International Practice Sections

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 attorney 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
$75/Year

Legal Administrator Affiliate

Employed full-time at a law firm with at least one AAJ attorney member, sponsored by an AAJ attorney member, and represents plaintiffs in civil litigation or defendants in criminal litigation

  • Trial magazine and AAJ News Brief
  • Listing in AAJ member directory
  • Subscription to AAJ's Legal Administrator Affiliates list server
  • Ability to join AAJ Marketing and Legal Technology forum list servers
  • 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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MEMBERSHIP
Build Your Trial Career with AAJ

Join a national network of trial lawyers who share insight, strategy, and support to help you grow faster.

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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. (01.2026)             American Association for Justice and ATLA Logos