ABOUT

About San Diego ABOTA 

The mission of the San Diego Chapter of ABOTA, like its parent organization, National ABOTA, is to foster improvement in the ethical and technical standards of practice in the field of advocacy in order to assure that individual litigants may receive more effective representation and that the general public can benefit by more efficient administration of justice consistent with time-tested and traditional principles of litigation.

• To elevate the standards of integrity, honor, and courtesy in the legal profession.​

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• To aid in the further education of trial lawyers; to work for the preservation of our jury system; to improve methods of procedure of our present trial court system; to serve as an informational center; to discuss and study matters of interest to trial lawyers; to advance the skill of its members as trial attorneys; to honor the members of the Association who have the requisite qualifications; to provide a forum for the expression of interest common to trial lawyers and to act as an agency through which trial lawyers in general, and members of the Association in particular, shall have a voice with which to speak concerning matters of common and general interest.

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• To establish relations and cooperate with other legal organizations and associations for the purposes of promoting the efficient administration of justice and constant improvement of the law.

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• To cultivate a spirit of loyalty, fellowship, and professionalism among our members; to advance the interests of the members of the Association professionally and to enable trial lawyers as a group to have an active association of standing in the community and nation through which they may learn and be heard.

ABOTA Code of Professionalism

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As a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, I shall:

Always remember that the practice of law is first and foremost a profession.

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Encourage respect for the law, the courts, and the right to trial by jury.

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Always remember that my word is my bond and honor my responsibilities to serve as an officer of the court and protector of individual rights.

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Contribute time and resources to public service, public education, charitable and pro bono activities in my community.

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Work with the other members of the bar, including judges, opposing counsel, and those whose practices are different from mine, to make our system of justice more accessible and responsive.

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Resolve matters and disputes expeditiously, without unnecessary expense, and through negotiation whenever possible.

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Keep my clients well-informed and involved in making decisions affecting them.

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Achieve and maintain proficiency in my practice and continue to expand my knowledge of the law.

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Be respectful in my conduct toward my adversaries.

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Honor the spirit and intent, as well as the requirements of applicable rules or codes of professional conduct, and shall encourage others to do so.

Mission and Purpose

The Specific Purposes of the San Diego Chapter Are:

Preservation of Trial By Jury

Educating the American public about the history and value of the right to trial by jury is the primary goal of the ABOTA Foundation. We have a number of educational programs for teachers and students to preserve the constitutional vision of equal justice for all Americans and to preserve our civil justice system for future generations.

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There is a tremendous need youth as an informed citizenry is essential to the preservation of our democratic republic and the fair and equitable administration of justice under the rule of law. Unfortunately, fewer and fewer young people are learning about their rights and responsibilities as citizens. In the overcrowded school day, where achieving student goals on standardized tests in reading and math (such as the FCAT) are top priorities, the teaching of civic values is rapidly disappearing.

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In 2010, the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) U.S. History tests were administered to 31,200 students in grades 4, 8 and 12 across the nation. The results, reported in The Nation’s Report Card, revealed increased proficiency among 8th graders in their knowledge of American History. However, results for the 12,400 students in grade 12 who took the test remained essentially unchanged from 2006. Only 12% of 12th graders performed at the “Proficient” level and only 1% performed at the “Advanced” level. These are the young people who will soon graduate and be eligible to vote and become active citizens.