A leading responsibility of the American College of Trial Lawyers is to educate the public on the judiciary’s role in protecting the rule of law. The Fellows of the Judicial Independence Committee have concluded that a significant element in this education is to restore confidence in the confirmation of Justices for the Supreme Court. Having evaluated reforms needed to restore confidence in this process, the committee recommends eleven measures to guide the Senate in securing needed reform.

A companion proposal is for the Senate to create a Special Committee on Judicial Nominations, a committee to effectuate the reform measures.  

Policy on use of the College's logo

A list of all the General Committees and the mandates that guide their work.

The Federal Rules of Evidence Committee hosted a Zoom presentation on the Thirtieth Anniversary of Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 509 U.S. 579 (June 28, 1993). The presentation is a primer on Daubert, examining recent developments and its application in civil and criminal proceedings. The presentation, moderated by Committee Chair Habib Nasrullah, also includes a perspective from the Federal Bench, and touches on recent amendments that impact expert witness presentation. The panel features members of the College’s Federal Rules of Evidence Committee, as well as Hon. Michael Simon, a Judicial Fellow serving on the U.S. District Court of Oregon. 

You may access the slide decks under the components tab. The program agenda can be found under the handouts tab. A video of the entire presentation will be available soon.

Heritage Committee Member Tim Shearin interviews Fellow John Wester of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Heritage Committee Member Tim Shearin interviews James Brosnahan of San Francisco, California.

Bob Byman served as President of the College for the 2013-2014 term. He was interviewed by Heritage Committee Chair Kent Hyde at the 2023 Spring Meeting in Key Biscayne.

Heritage Committee Member John Tucker interviews Fellow Terry West of Shawnee, Oklahoma.

The ACTL Federal Criminal Procedure Committee has published a white paper recommending amendment of Rule 23(a) to allow a criminal defendant to obtain a non-jury bench trial without the government’s consent if the defendant presents reasons sufficient to overcome the presumption in favor of jury trials. The paper explores the constitutional, legal, and practical issues with eliminating government consent.

Mike Smith served as President of the College for the 2015-2016 term. He was interviewed by Heritage Committee Chair Kent Hyde at the 2023 Spring Meeting in Key Biscayne.