“Representative government and trial by jury are the heart and lungs of Liberty.”

                   -     John Adams

     Welcome to the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates.   Formed in 1958, ABOTA is  dedicated to the preservation of the Seventh Amendment right to civil trial by jury, to the promotion of Professionalism and Civility among the trial bar, and to the support of an independent judiciary and the rule of law.   Applicants must have tried at least 20 civil cases to verdict and must practice the highest ethical and professional standards of conduct.  Click here to visit the National website.

    Massachusetts was the first colony in America to guarantee a right to a civil jury trial with the adoption of the Body of Liberties in 1641.   Mass ABOTA members are keenly aware of our obligation to protect this cherished right and pass it along to those who follow us.  We run a host of unique educational and social programs designed to help foster professionalism among trial lawyers and promote the continued health of the jury system.

NEW AT MASS ABOTA

    On February 5, MassABOTA welcomed a new slate of officers.  Pete Durney assumed the presidency for 2010 at our Annual Dinner Meeting.  He will be joined by Vice President and Treasurer Marty Foster and Secretary Tom Farrey on the Executive Committee.  Their biographies can be found on the “Officers” Page by clicking the link below.  Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray and National ABOTA President Elect Harry Widmann addressed a full house at the Algonquin Club who came to welcome the new officers.  Click here for news about the dinner. See Photographs of the Annual Dinner Meeting.

    Our Chapter Dinner meeting is featured in this month’s “Chapter Spotlight” on the National ABOTA Website.  To view, click here.