Illinois Trial Lawyers Association

Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Name	Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Founded	1888
Headquarters	Chicago, Illinois
Type	Nonprofit professional association
Region served	Illinois

Illinois Trial Lawyers Association

The Illinois Trial Lawyers Association is a statewide professional association representing civil trial lawyers in Chicago, Springfield, Illinois, Peoria, Illinois, and across Cook County, Illinois and other counties. Founded in the late 19th century, it operates alongside groups such as the American Bar Association, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, and the Illinois State Bar Association to influence litigation practice, continuing legal education, and civil justice policy. The organization interacts with institutions including the Illinois Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and legal education programs at University of Chicago Law School, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, and Loyola University Chicago School of Law.

History

The association traces roots to lawyer networks active during the post-Reconstruction era in Springfield, Illinois and Chicago. Early activity overlapped with major legal developments tied to the Illinois Constitution of 1870 and later the Illinois Constitution of 1970. During the Progressive Era and through the New Deal, members engaged with litigation trends shaped by cases in the United States Supreme Court, interactions with the Illinois General Assembly, and debates spurred by landmark decisions such as Brown v. Board of Education and later civil rights jurisprudence. In the late 20th century the association adapted to federal reforms like the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure amendments and state tort reforms enacted by the Illinois Civil Justice Reform Act and other statutory changes. Its archives reflect involvement in statewide responses to judicial elections, collaborations with the National Association of Attorneys General, and participation in conferences alongside the Federal Judicial Center.

Mission and Objectives

The association states objectives centered on advancing trial practice, promoting access to civil remedies, and enhancing advocacy skills among members. It emphasizes support for litigation in areas influenced by statutes such as the Illinois Personal Injury Statute and case law from the Illinois Appellate Court. Objectives include providing continuing legal education approved by the Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar and coordinating amicus efforts in appeals before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the Illinois Supreme Court. The group’s stated mission aligns with broader civil justice movements associated with organizations like the Consumer Federation of America and the Public Justice Foundation.

Organizational Structure

Governance typically comprises a board of governors, an executive committee, and standing committees that mirror practice areas such as products liability, medical malpractice, and employment law. Leadership roles often interact with elective offices in Cook County Bar Association and liaison positions with state entities like the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission. The association maintains chapters and sections that correspond to judicial districts including the Seventh Circuit (United States Court of Appeals), and partners with university clinics at institutions such as DePaul University College of Law and Southern Illinois University School of Law.

Membership

Membership categories historically include active trial lawyers, associate members, student members, and emeritus members. Members practice in diverse forums from the Circuit Court of Cook County to federal venues such as the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois. Many members have affiliations with firms ranging from small plaintiff practices to larger regional firms that appear in dockets alongside entities like Sears, Roebuck and Co., Commonwealth Edison, and health systems such as NorthShore University HealthSystem. The association has collaborated with bar organizations representing minorities and specialty groups including the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois and the Chicago Women in Law community.

Activities and Programs

Programs include continuing legal education seminars, trial advocacy training, mock trial competitions, and annual conventions featuring speakers from institutions like the United States Congress and the Illinois General Assembly. The organization runs award programs recognizing trial counsel achievements and sponsors trial demonstrations in partnership with law schools such as Chicago-Kent College of Law. It publishes newsletters and practice guides used by practitioners litigating under rules like the Illinois Rules of Evidence and the Federal Rules of Evidence. Outreach endeavors have included pro bono clinics with legal aid organizations such as the Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago.

Advocacy and Political Involvement

The association engages in legislative advocacy before the Illinois General Assembly on tort reform, civil rule amendments, and issues affecting jury trials. It files amicus briefs in appellate matters before the Illinois Supreme Court and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and participates in coalitions with groups such as the American Association for Justice and the Trial Lawyers Association of America. Political activity has included endorsements in judicial retention elections in circuits like Cook County, Illinois and contributions to political action committees where permitted under state law. The association has also mobilized members on public campaigns addressing statutory liability frameworks such as product liability and medical malpractice statutes enacted by the Illinois Legislature.

Notable Cases and Impact

Members have participated in high-profile litigation affecting insurance law, medical malpractice, and consumer protection, litigated in venues including the United States Supreme Court, the Illinois Supreme Court, and the Seventh Circuit. Cases involving corporate defendants such as Aetna, State Farm, and Exelon Corporation have included counsel drawn from the association’s membership. Impact extends to precedent shaping damages law, class action certification doctrine, and evidentiary standards under the Illinois Rules of Evidence. Through trial training and amicus work, the organization has influenced trial advocacy standards at law schools and trial courts throughout the state.

Category:Legal organizations based in Illinois Category:Organizations established in 1888