AAJ Rewards Excellence

The National College of Advocacy and AAJ Education maintain two distinct programs that recognize AAJ lawyer member efforts in pursuit of advanced legal learning and professional development—the Achievement Recognition Program and Advanced Studies in Trial Advocacy.

The Achievement Recognition Program (ARP) acknowledges AAJ lawyer members for their participation in AAJ continuing legal education programs. The goal of this program is to build and develop professional knowledge through a continuing commitment to improve your trial skills and understanding of substantive law. Active participation in this program provides recognition for dedication, commitment, and enthusiasm to pursue legal education by awarding members the distinction of Advocate, Fellow, and Diplomate. The Achievement Recognition Program contributes to AAJ members' ability to best serve their clients.

How Do I Earn Credits Toward This Program?

Attending an AAJ Education trial skills college, seminar, teleseminar, or convention qualifies you to submit your credits to apply toward this program. (Self-study credits are excluded.)

What Are the Three Levels of Distinction and How Many Credit Hours Do They Require?

• Advocate (30 AAJ Education credit hours)
• Fellow (200 AAJ Education credit hours)
• Diplomate (400 AAJ Education credit hours, including attendance at the Ultimate Trial Advocacy Course: Art of Persuasion—a program reserved for AAJ's most accomplished trial lawyers)

You Will Receive:

• A certificate of achievement
• Annual transcript of achievement in September (for coursework taken during that year)

Diplomates Also Receive:

• Acknowledgement on www.justice.org/education/diplomates.aspx
• Acknowledgement of ARP distinction level in your personal AAJ Membership Directory listing
• Annual acknowledgement in TRIAL magazine
• Acknowledgement in the convention program book
• Acknowledgment at the AAJ Annual Convention awards reception the year that you achieve Diplomate status

What Is It?

The Advanced Studies in Trial Advocacy (ASTA) program is designed specifically for AAJ plaintiff lawyers. It provides an individually tailored, structured curriculum designed by experienced colleagues and program faculty in order to give you the competitive advantage.

How Is the ASTA Curriculum Different from Other CLE Offerings?

AAJ is the only nationally accredited CLE provider tailored to plaintiff lawyers—this makes ASTA unparalleled among legal curricula. This comprehensive curriculum encompasses skills and experience deemed by The National College of Advocacy and AAJ to be essential to a successful trial practice and well-rounded legal training. You manage your own training agenda by combining selected trial skills courses with specialized substantive courses.

By completing the ASTA curriculum, you will gain trial skills and core knowledge that enhance your ability to achieve a positive result for your clients. ASTA status also provides you with national networking and client development opportunities.

How Do I Develop My Professional Education Training Plan?

ASTA is a flexible program that allows you to choose your courses based on your areas of practice. This enables you to tailor your course study to best serve your clients.

You fulfill a course requirement upon completion and submission of your certificate of attendance at specified seminars, colleges, and conventions.

What Programs Comprise the ASTA Curriculum?

Upon Completion of ASTA You Will Receive:

• A handsome, wood-framed certificate of achievement
• A commemorative ASTA engraved pin
• Acknowledgement on www.justice.org
• Acknowledgment in your personal AAJ Membership Directory listing
• Acknowledgment in TRIAL magazine
• A lithograph from artist Trevor Goring, internationally renowned for his depictions of justice and law
• Acknowledgement at the AAJ Annual Convention awards reception the year you complete the ASTA Curriculum

Are You Eager to See How Close You Are to Achieving ASTA Status?

Now you can check your ASTA status on our Web site. Just log on to www.justice.org/myAAJ and select "My NCA Credits Transcript" in the righthand column.