National Office

Annual Meeting

October 9-12

Join us as we celebrate the College's 75th Anniversary at the 2025 Annual Meeting, taking place October 9-12 at the JW Marriott, Washington, D.C. The meeting will open with a special Thursday afternoon General Session, and includes evening events at stunning venues—including the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum on Friday, and the Induction Ceremony and Banquet at the National Building Museum on Saturday. This milestone gathering is expected to generate considerable enthusiasm so consider registering early.

Registration opens July 10. Visit www.actl.com/annual-meeting for more information. 

National Office

Legal Services Corporation

As many of you have seen, the White House’s proposed budget calls for the elimination of the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), threatening access to civil legal aid for millions of low-income Americans. The College has a long history of supporting LSC and remains committed to fulfilling our mission through lending our voice to their efforts. This week, College leaders met with LSC leadership to discuss ways in which the College can effectively partner and support LSC in their efforts to safeguard the program. The Executive Committee has approved a strategy—aligned with our mission to promote access to justice—that includes a formal statement of support developed by the Access to Justice and Legal Services Committee and outreach to the House and Senate Leadership on the vital role LSC plays in serving vulnerable communities.

National Office

Regional Meetings

Mark your calendars! Two Regional Meetings are happening this summer:

10^th Circuit Regional Meeting: July 17-20 at Jackson Lake Lodge in Moran, Wyoming. This regional meeting features exciting speakers and access to a wide variety of outdoor activities. Fellows from Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah and Wyoming, be sure to visit actl.com for more information.

Northwest Regional Meeting: August 21-24 at Big Sky Resort in Big Sky, Montana. Register now to enjoy dynamic speakers and the beautiful summer weather with Fellows from Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. For more information, click here.

In the Spotlight

Gerald Gleeson

Michigan Fellow Gerald Gleeson was the recipient of the 2025 Cook-Friedman Civility award. This award from the Eastern District of Michigan Chapter of the Federal Bar Association recognizes civil practitioners who exemplify professional excellence and civility in their practice.

In the Spotlight

William H. Ford

Texas Fellow William H. Ford was the recipient of the Ronald D. Secrest Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award at the Annual Texas Bar Association Dinner. The award was established to recognize a lawyer who demonstrates the highest ethical and moral standards in their practice and demonstrates exceptional professional conduct.

In the Spotlight

Peter Vaira

Former U.S. Attorney and Fellow Peter Vaira has published a book titled, “Laughing at the Law: Stories of Mergers, Super Lawyers… and the Last Solo Practitioner.” Available on Amazon, the book is a satirical review of the curious changes in the practice of law in the last twenty years.

In the Spotlight

Judy Barrasso

Fellow Judy Barrasso, Past President of the New Orleans Bar Association (NOBA), will receive the prestigious NOBA Presidents’ Award on September 25, 2025. The Presidents’ Award recognizes lawyers for professional excellence and integrity, and for their community service in the highest ideals of citizenship. 

Appointments and Designations

Elevated to the Bench

Caroline Goldner Cinquanto

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Judge Cinquanto

U.S. District Court, Eastern Dist. of Pennsylvania

May, 2025

Heritage Committee

DID YOU KNOW that every Justice currently serving on the Supreme Courts of the United States and Canada has accepted Honorary Fellowship? The tradition began in 1951 with Justice Earl Warren, who was Governor of California at the time he accepted Honorary Fellowship – two years before joining the U.S. Supreme Court in 1953. Since then, a total of 47 Supreme Court Justices have accepted Honorary Fellowship. When Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Brett Kavanaugh accept Honorary Fellowship at the 2025 Annual Meeting in Washington DC this fall, that number will rise to 49!

To see the entire list of Honorary Fellows of the College, click here.

Foundation Update

2025 Emil Gumpert Award Recipient

Illinois Prison Project (IPP) has been selected as the 2025 Emil Gumpert Award Recipient. The award, the highest honor conferred by the American College of Trial Lawyers on a single organization annually, recognizes programs whose principal purpose is to maintain and improve the administration of justice. The Award includes a $150,000 grant funded by the Foundation of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Implemented in Illinois in 2022, the Joe Coleman Medical Release Act created a path out of prison for growing numbers of terminally ill or mentally incapacitated inmates. Yet, IPP found that only one-third of the hundreds eligible for release have achieved it. Legal representation is the strongest predictor of success: 75% of represented individuals were granted release, compared to fewer than 15% of those without counsel.

Through the Coleman Act, IPP has helped nearly 100 clients secure compassionate release, giving them the opportunity to spend the remainder of their lives in dignity.

President Deane presented IPP with their grant check in June, and their Executive Director will formally receive the award and address the Fellows at the Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

To read the press release announcing the award, click here.

Furthering the Mission

General Committees

Complex Litigation Committee: Svitlana Khyliuk, Director of the Ukrainian Catholic University Law School, recently met with the Complex Litigation Committee and provided an overview of teaching opportunities for College Fellows and colleagues. As the only law school in Ukraine, they are seeking American lawyers to teach (remotely or in person) their students on several subjects. For more information, please contact Committee Chair Brent Gurney at brent.gurney@wilmerhale.com.

Teaching of Trial and Appellate Advocacy: The sixth Trial Advocacy Program was held in New York City offices of Weil Gotshal on June 5-6. The faculty consisted of Fellows from around the country, and more than fifty participating lawyer students likewise came from various cities throughout the country. Participants paid no tuition to attend. The program was two and a half, jam-packed days. Helmed by Program Chair Tom Heiden, the program provides training directed at the next generation of trial lawyers and is central to the mission of the College.

Furthering the Mission

State and Province Committees

Michigan: Fellows Mike Turco and Britt Cobb arranged another incredibly successful Federal Bar Anatomy of a Trial Program, held on June 11. Every judge and magistrate judge from the Western District attended, with Fellows Mike Turco, Britt Cobb and Matt Borgula presenting. This was Michigan’s sixth such program in the last three years. Additionally, two Fellows from Michigan, Maurice Jenkins and Tom McCarthy, served on the faculty at the College’s sixth Trial Advocacy Program held last month at the New York City offices of Weil Gotshal.

Mississippi: On April 25, the Fellows conducted a day-long Boot Camp Trial Training Program at the federal courthouse in Jackson, Mississippi. The presenting faculty consisted of nine distinguished jurists, including US District Judges Daniel P. Jordan, III, Kristi H. Johnson, and Taylor B. McNeel, US Magistrate Judges LaKeysha Greer Issac and Bradley Rath, Mississippi Supreme Court Justices James D. Maxwell, David M. Ishee, and Randy “Bubba” Pierce (ret.), and 20th Circuit Court Judge Steve Ratcliff. It included lectures, panel discussions, and mock trial presentations from thirteen Fellows including State Chair Walter “Bubba” Morrison; Immediate Past State Chair Wilton “Trey” Byars; Regent J. Cal Mayo, Jr.; John G. Wheeler; John A. Banahan; Edward C. Taylor; Tim Holleman; Aafram Y. Sellers; William M. Gage; Cynthia H. Speetjens; Orlando “Rod” Richmond, Sr.; and CLE Program Co-Chairs, Jessica B. McNeel and David Pitre. There were over 100 attendees, many of whom attended remotely. A portion of the proceeds is being donated to the National Criminal Defense College to further support their mission to provide skills training for public defenders.  

Mark Your Calendars

View all upcoming events at www.actl.com/events

President's Travel Log