Become a Member of WPTLA

Your dues provide valuable member benefits and support important activities, events and programs to the trial lawyers of Western Pennsylvania, including:

• The Advocate - Published quarterly, this important resource keeps you current on Association news, significant case law updates, pending legislation, and practice tips.

• WPTLA Directory - New this year, we are creating a directory for members to easily access other WPTLA members in Western Pennsylvania. This directory will also provide listings of a variety of services for the practicing attorney. Look for this in December 2007.

• Legislative Interaction - Legislative meet and eat opportunities.

• WPTLA President's Scholarship Essay Contest - An annual program for Western PA high school students regarding a topic of legal interest.  Three $1,000.00 scholarship awards are presented at the Annual Judiciary Dinner.

• WPTLA President's Challenge 5K Run/Walk/Wheel - This annual event has allowed us to raise in excess of $124,000, benefiting the Pittsburgh Steelwheelers, a wheelchair sports program for the physically challenged.

• Continuing Legal Education - Seminars providing CLE credits covering current and topical information.

• Annual Judiciary Dinner - A formal event to honor the judiciary of Western Pennsylvania and to specifically recognize those judges who have achieved senior status.

• Dinner Meetings - An opportunity to hear and discuss various points of view with prominent speakers, participate in Association events and communicate with area attorneys.

• Defense Expert Witness Databank - Access to attorney contacts with defense expert information, including depositions and trial testimony.

• Golf Outing - An annual ethics seminar and golf outing at a local country club.

• WPTLA Client Comeback Award - An annual dinner awarding a client of a WPTLA member who has shown rare courage and determination in overcoming a serious disabling injury.  A $1,000.00 check in donated to their charity of choice.

Membership in WPTLA is limited to members in good standing of the Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association who reside or maintain a law practice within one of the counties encompassed by the Federal District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

For the 2007/2008 year, general membership dues will be $110.00.  To provide increased support to the Association, membership can be at either the Governor's Level, with a dues payment of $175.00, or the President's Level, with a dues payment of $225.00.  This increased support garners recognition in our quarterly Advocate, the Annual Judiciary Dinner program, and the brand new Annual Directory.  New admittees to the Bar pay only $35.00 for their first year of membership in the Association.  Additionally, a non-voting Junior Membership level has been created to include students enrolled in and currently attending a law school and who have an interest in litigation, and lawclerks.  This membership amount is also $35.00.

To become a member:

Print our membership form and fill in the required information.  Mail to the address listed on the form, along with your check made payable to "WPTLA".  Your cancelled check will be your receipt.