National Office

Get Involved

The College is working on committee appointments for the 2025-2026 term, which begins in October. Serving on a committee is an excellent way to get involved and help further the important work of the College.

• State and Province Committees are responsible for the identification and nomination of potential new Fellows, and they also organize local outreach activities.
• General Committees each have a specific mandate to guide their work, engaging in activities such as publishing white papers, supporting advocacy training, and much more.
• Visit our Get Involved page to learn more about committee service. From there, you can fill out our online Get Involved form and we will work to get you appointed to one of the committees that interests you. Please reach out to Amy Mrugalski, amrugalski@actl.com with any questions.

National Office

Gumpert Award

Do you know of a program whose principal purpose is to maintain and improve the administration of justice? It might be a good candidate for the College’s Emil Gumpert Award. Named for our Founder, it is the College’s only Award to an organization, and it is accompanied by a grant of up to $150,000 from the College’s U.S. Foundation. Please refer organizations to our website for details. https://www.actl.com/awards-and-competitions/emil-gumpert-award/

National Office

Regional Meetings



10th 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.

National Office

Website Spotlight: Chapter Pages

Did you know your State or Province has its own chapter page on our new website? Each chapter page includes information on local news and events – as well as a list of Fellows with a link to contact information and more.

Your chapter page also includes information about your Regent and State Chair, along with your Listserv email address (if your chapter has set this up). Take a look at the Texas Fellows chapter page for a good example. You can find your chapter page by clicking here and using the search feature. 

ACTL in the Media

OpEds Published in Stars and Stripes and RealClear



As we reflect on Memorial Day, President Deane has authored an OpEd (with insights generously provided by Fellows Jeff O'Hara and Steve Raber) that calls attention to ongoing challenges in the veterans' disability claim process. Published in Stars and Stripes, the full piece can be read here.

Additionally, to commemorate Law Day, President Deane also authored an OpEd titled, “Justice, Stability and Freedom: Why Rule of Law Matters” which was published on RealClear on May 1. To read the OpEd, click here.

In the Spotlight

Past President Jeff Leon

Past President Jeff Leon, along with his brother Barry Leon, completed the Paris Marathon on Sunday, April 13, raising money for Cure Leukaemia. Cure Leukaemia is a UK-based charity that benefits leukemia patients around the world with cutting-edge research. The goal to raise money was in honor of Past President Sam Franklin, who is currently battling the condition. To read more, click here.  

In the Spotlight

Rodney Acker

Past President Rodney Acker was presented with the Joe H. Reynolds Award at the Texas Fellows Retreat on May 3. The award, which has only been given five times previously, honors Fellows whose careers have exemplified the qualities of ethics and professionalism embodied in the College’s Code of Trial and Pretrial Conduct, and whose actions and accomplishments manifest a lifetime commitment to advancing the administration of justice through service in the legal profession, the judiciary government or public service. Past President Acker continues to provide his valuable wisdom, expertise and service to the College.

In the Spotlight

Donald Bayne and Martha McCarthy

The Ontario Province Committee presented the 2025 David Scott Award on May 22, 2025 to Donald Bayne of Ottawa and Martha McCarthy of Toronto.

In the Spotlight

John A. Day

At the Nashville Bar Association’s Annual Law Day Luncheon, President-Elect John Day received the Liberty Bell Award. The award "is given to that person or group—but not necessarily lawyers or law-related groups—who have promoted better understanding of the rule of law, encouraged greater respect for law and the courts, stimulated a sense of civic responsibility, or contributed to good government."  

Heritage Committee

DID YOU KNOW that the first time spouses were included at the Induction Banquet was at the 1971 Annual Meeting in London? At the time it was considered a “one-time exception.” But in 1973, then President Robert L. Clare, Jr. reportedly said he was “not taking his wife all the way to Hawaii and then telling her she had to go out and look for some place to eat.” Emil Gumpert reluctantly agreed, and in the official minutes of the Board Meeting on March 14, 1974 in Boca Raton, Clare announced “that, without precedent, the ladies would be included for the Banquet to be held on August 10” at the Annual Meeting in Hawaii. Now, spouses are an integral part of national meetings. The College is made better by the presence of our Fellows’ spouses and guests!

Furthering the Mission

General Committees

National Moot Court Competition: On January 31, 2025, the National Moot Court Competition was held in New York City, hosted by the College’s co-sponsor, the New York City Bar. The two finalists were the teams from Boston University and University of Iowa; Boston University was the winning team. Henry Drembus of Boston University was voted Best Oralist and was awarded the College’s Fulton Haight Award to commemorate his victory. All of the members of the teams invited to New York to compete in the finals were presented with the memorial Lewis Powell medallions. 

Teaching of Trial and Appellate Advocacy: The 6^th ACTL Trial Advocacy Program is to be held in New York City, June 6-8, hosted by Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. A volunteer faculty of ACTL Fellows will help equip the next generation of excellent and ethical trial lawyers. The program is again oversubscribed.  

Furthering the Mission

State and Province Committees

New Jersey: At the Fellows dinner on May 29^th, the Frank Dee Award was presented to Fellows David Kott and Lauren Handler.

Washington, D.C.: On May 16, DC Fellows conducted a Trial Techniques program at Williams & Connolly LLP. Tom Connolly hosted the program in which ninety young lawyers from the DC area attended. The faculty consisted of Fellows Dane Butswinkas (Opening Statements), Jerry Ivey (Direct Examinations), Heather Pinckney (Cross Examination), State Committee Vice Chair Sara Kropf (Closing Arguments), and State Committee Chair Steve Raber (Solving Problems at Trial). In addition, Judges Richard Leon and Amir Ali from the United States District Court for the District of Columbia attended and offered their thoughts and advice about trial techniques and strategies.

Mark Your Calendars

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

President's Travel Log