The Alameda Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association is widely regarded as one of the most illustrious and influential legal organizations in California. At its first meeting at the Blue Dolphin Restaurant in San Leandro on June 23, 1970, its organizers envisioned an organization that would serve the trial lawyers in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties through education, networking, business development, and liaisons with the local judges and courts as well as other bar associations.

To bridge the gap between past and future, ACCTLA’s Board of Governors includes 25 practicing trial attorneys and all of its past presidents. ACCTLA is proud to include among its Board members and past presidents some of the most widely respected trial attorneys in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, including a number of attorneys who were also president of the state-wide trial attorney organization Consumer Attorneys of California (formerly known as California Trial Lawyers Association).

ACCTLA has always advocated for its members at the local, state, and national levels. For example, in the “tort reform” era of the 1980s, our president was extremely involved on both the state and national levels in helping defeat tort reform attempts in the mid-1980s.

We have always been ready to lend a helping hand to the local courts. ACCTLA was instrumental in instituting a sixty-lawyer volunteer team to serve as settlement commissioners and judges pro tem in Alameda County. For the first time, Alameda County Superior Court’s calendar backlog cleared, ending the era of frequent five-year waits for a trial date. At the same time, our members successfully advocated for changes in the courts. For example, members of ACCTLA used their influence to persuade Alameda County to comply with federal Americans With Disabilities Act access laws by bringing the Alameda County Courthouse in compliance without litigation.

ACCTLA has developed successful educational programs for its members, including larger educational programs in partnership with the other regional trial lawyer groups in California. For example, in the past seven years, ACCTLA has twice given its members a chance to hear noted jury consultant David Ball speak on trial techniques that win even in the modern “Tort Reform” Era.

In 1992, ACCTLA launched its mentoring program. That program has received many favorable comments from judges and other attorneys regarding its impact on legal education of the trial bar.

Through the abilities, energy and spirit of its esteemed leadership and active membership, ACCTLA has withstood both the test of time and significant challenges. ACCTLA continues to be one of the most influential legal organizations in California, both through its collective activities as an organization and the stellar individual legal work of its accomplished members. The past leaders of ACCTLA have laid the groundwork for the new generation of members to be justifiably proud of its historic accomplishments, and to continue its legacy and success for many years to come.