Membership
WDTL's Vision:
To foster efforts of Washington civil defense attorneys to embrace the highest professional standards of integrity, excellence, and commitment to a fair and just legal system.
Benefits of WDTL Membership:
- Access to general and expert witness listservs.
- Free CLEs for members.
- Reduced rates at WDTL annual legal seminars.
- Members-only educational and networking events.
- Access to the legislative process via our lobbyist.
- Access to potential clients through WDTL’s relationship with business and industry organizations.
- The members-only section of the WDTL website contains a brief bank of deposition transcripts, briefs, orders, and other items of interest.
Enhance your career and leverage the benefits of WDTL membership!
To make an application for membership with the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers Association, you agree that a substantial portion of your practice is devoted to representing defendants, companies, or entities in civil litigation.
Member Resources include:
Members Only Listservs
The Expert Witness and General Listservs are valuable tools for exchanging information between our members.
Lunch & Learns
WDTL offers one-hour CLE programs on Zoom presented by experts on current case law, industry developments, technology, and more.
Defense News
WDTL’s quarterly newsletter provides information about Association activities and seminars, a Judicial Profile column, member news, job listings, expert witness and legal brief requests, reports on local bar rules and committee reports from WDTL.
Substantive Committees/Sections
If your defense practice focuses on insurance, product liability, workers' compensation, appellate work, or professional malpractice, you may join one of WDTL’s committees or sections and network with other top specialists in your field.
New Associates Committee
WDTL has a New Associates Committee for members who have practiced for less than seven years. This committee shares common concerns and ideas for issues particular to their level of practice. It is a great way to meet other defense lawyers who are new bar members and tap into the knowledge of the more experienced defense lawyers in WDTL.
Amicus Program
WDTL’s Amicus Committee is regularly encouraged to file Amicus Briefs in both the Washington Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals. WDTL’s brief writers work on a pro bono basis, seeking only the best legal position without influence or bias.
Members-Only Content on wdtl.org
Gain access to a password-secured members-only area of our website. Here, you’ll find a complete Membership Directory, a list of all WDTL Amicus briefs, legislative updates, an expert witness email listserv, a Practice Development Committee, and CLE information.
Annual Summer Convention
Members and their families meet for three days of education and fun at a resort each summer. Past convention locations include Semiahmoo, Whistler, Skamania, Lake Chelan, and Suncadia.
Legislative Support
WDTL provides testimony to the State Legislature on issues that impact defense lawyers and the rights of all people and organizations sued in court. We have a lobbyist to advance our positions on legal issues in the legislature.
Court Rules and Jury Instructions
WDTL members represent the defense perspective on the WSBA Court Rules Committee and the Supreme Court’s Jury Instruction Committee.
Judicial Recognition
Each year, WDTL hosts receptions in Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane to show our support for the judiciary.
