The National Trial Lawyers

What The National Trial Lawyers does

The National Trial Lawyers is a private professional membership association headquartered in Dothan, Alabama, founded in 2005. The organization serves civil plaintiff and criminal defense trial lawyers in the United States through four membership tiers: the invitation-only Top 100 and Top 40 Under 40 designations, invitation-only Specialty Associations across 23 practice areas, and an open General Membership tier. Members gain national recognition, CLE access, and exposure to a network spanning all 50 states.

The organization's product portfolio centers on the connect.law digital hub, which combines a members-only education platform, the Attorney Share referral network for cross-jurisdiction case referrals and co-counsel collaboration, on-demand CLE webinars, and a curated job listings marketplace. Complementing the platform are 10+ annual national conferences (Trial Lawyers Summit, Big Truck and Auto Summit, Business of Law, Lanier Trial Academy, Law-Di-Gras, Mass Torts Made Perfect, TBI Med Legal, and others) drawing 12,000+ attendees per year, recognition programs including the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame and Golden Gavel Awards, and The Trial Lawyer Magazine as a publishing arm.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of recurring annual membership dues (auto-renewing across four tiers), event registration fees with member-exclusive pricing, and one-time sales of recognition products (plaques, acrylics, trophies, badges) through the NTL Shop. The GTM motion is community-led and event-driven, with growth primarily fueled by member referrals, invitation-based selection, and the prestige of the Top 100 / Top 40 Under 40 designations. No external funding, M&A activity, or revenue figures have been disclosed.

Name

The National Trial Lawyers

Legal name

The National Trial Lawyers

Website

https://thenationaltriallawyers.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The National Trial Lawyers is a private professional membership association that recognizes and serves U.S. civil plaintiff and criminal defense trial lawyers through invitation-only Top 100 and Top 40 Under 40 designations, Specialty Associations, an open General Membership tier, the connect.law digital hub with an Attorney Share referral network, and 10+ annual national conferences.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Legal Professional Association Services

NAICS

Offices of Lawyers (541110), All Other Legal Services (541199)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Legal Reference (Statutes, Case Law, Practice Guides) (EDAGAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Criminal Defense (BPAHAAAN)

Keywords

• Professional membership association
• Trial lawyer recognition
• Legal continuing education
• Trial lawyer conferences
• Attorney referral network

Headquarters

HQ city

Dothan

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees with automatic renewal option. Membership tiers include Top 100, Top 40 Under 40, Specialty Associations, and General Membership. Members receive recognition plaques, desktop acrylics, trophies, and exclusive member pricing on events.
2. Event Registrations: Revenue from registration fees for annual conferences and events including Trial Lawyers Summit, Big Truck and Auto Summit, Business of Law, Lanier Trial Academy, Law-Di-Gras, Mass Torts Made Perfect, and others. Members receive exclusive discounted pricing.
3. Recognition Products: Sale of member recognition products including exclusive member plaques, desktop acrylics, trophies, and merchandise through the NTL Shop. Auto-renewal memberships are charged annually with 7-day advance notice.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The National Trial Lawyers is a professional membership association that sells invitation-based and open membership tiers (Top 100, Top 40 Under 40, Specialty Associations, General Membership) to civil plaintiff and criminal defense trial lawyers across the United States. It monetizes members through annual dues, paid registrations at 10+ annual conferences (Trial Lawyers Summit, Big Truck and Auto Summit, Business of Law, Lanier Trial Academy, Mass Torts Made Perfect, Law-Di-Gras, TBI Med Legal), recognition products (plaques, trophies, badges), and a members-only digital hub (connect.law) that delivers CLE, Attorney Share referrals, and job listings.

Product overview

The National Trial Lawyers is a professional membership organization offering tiered membership programs (Top 100, Top 40 Under 40, Specialty Associations, and General Membership) for civil plaintiff and criminal defense trial lawyers. The organization provides a comprehensive suite of products including connect.law (a members-only digital hub with Attorney Share referral network, CLE webinars, and job listings), NTL Events (annual conferences including Trial Lawyers Summit, Big Truck and Auto Summit, Business of Law, and Lanier Trial Academy), Trial Lawyers Magazine, and recognition programs (Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame, Golden Gavel Awards, Trial Lawyer of the Year). The portfolio also includes specialty certifications for 24+ practice areas and the Voice for Justice newsletter. The organization serves over 12,000 annual attendees across its events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Top 100: Invitation-only organization composed of premier trial lawyers from each state or region who meet stringent qualifications in civil plaintiff and/or criminal defense law.
• Top 40 Under 40
• Specialty Associations
• General Membership
• connect.law
• Trial Lawyers Summit
• Big Truck and Auto Summit
• Business of Law Conference
• Lanier Trial Academy
• Law-Di-Gras
• Mass Torts Made Perfect (MTMP)
• Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame
• Golden Gavel Awards
• Voice for Justice

Products and services

• NTL Top 100 Membership Invitation-only annual membership recognizing premier trial lawyers in civil plaintiff and criminal defense law from each state or region; provides national recognition, networking access, member plaques, and exclusive event pricing.
• NTL Top 40 Under 40 Membership Invitation-only annual membership recognizing top trial lawyers aged 40 or under practicing civil plaintiff or criminal defense law; supports career advancement, visibility, and peer recognition.
• NTL Specialty Associations Membership Invitation-only annual memberships across 24+ specialty practice areas (TBI, trucking, medical malpractice, mass tort, products liability, nursing home, workers' compensation, immigration, class action, etc.) offering networking, case referrals, and CLE.
• NTL General Membership Open annual membership for licensed attorneys in good standing practicing civil plaintiff or criminal defense law; includes access to CLE programs, premier legal events at member pricing, and educational resources.
• connect.law Members-Only Digital Hub Members-only digital hub for NTL members offering education, litigation strategy, business insights, Attorney Share referral networking, on-demand CLE webinars, session replays, profile management, and job listings.
• NTL Annual Conferences Portfolio of paid annual national conferences (Trial Lawyers Summit, Big Truck and Auto Summit, Business of Law, Lanier Trial Academy, Mass Torts Made Perfect, Law-Di-Gras, TBI Med Legal) offering CLE credits, networking, and trial advocacy training for plaintiff and criminal defense attorneys.
• The Trial Lawyer Magazine Professional legal publication providing articles, industry news, member spotlights, and advertising opportunities for the trial lawyer community.
• Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame Recognition program honoring remarkable trial lawyers, both past and present, who have made significant contributions to the American legal tradition through a lifetime of service.
• Golden Gavel Awards Annual awards program recognizing excellence and achievement among trial lawyers and law firms, including categories such as Trial Lawyer of the Year, Trial Team of the Year, Most Influential Trial Lawyers, Most Influential Law Firms, and Lifetime Achievement Award.
• NTL Recognition Products (NTL Shop) Online storefront selling member recognition products including plaques, desktop acrylics, trophies, Top 100 badges, Top 40 Under 40 badges, and Specialty Association merchandise.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.

• Mark Lanier / Lanier Law FirmflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMark Lanier, founder of The Lanier Law Firm, partners with NTL to deliver the Lanier Trial Academy, an intensive trial academy exclusively for plaintiff's lawyers. Mark Lanier has delivered landmark verdicts against industry giants including Johnson & Johnson, Takeda, and Eli Lilly, with the Lanier Law Firm amassing nearly $20 billion in verdicts. The 11th annual academy is scheduled for June 21-24, 2027 in Houston, TX.
• Lanier Theological LibraryminorOthersFounded by Mark Lanier in 2010, the 17,000-square-foot Lanier Theological Library is featured as part of the Lanier Trial Academy with library tours offered to attendees. Located in Houston, TX.
• Marriott Marquis HoustoncoreOthersHost venue for the Lanier Trial Academy 11.0 scheduled for June 21-24, 2027. Hotel reservations available at discounted group rate.
• Archer SystemsminorOthersBig As Texas Partner for Lanier Trial Academy 11.0, one of the event's major sponsors.
• ChartsquadminorOthersBig As Texas Partner for Lanier Trial Academy 11.0, one of the event's major sponsors.
• EvenUpminorOthersBig As Texas Partner for Lanier Trial Academy 11.0, one of the event's major sponsors.
• ReciprocityminorOthersBig As Texas Partner for Lanier Trial Academy 11.0, one of the event's major sponsors.
• The Trial ConciergeminorOthersBig As Texas Partner for Lanier Trial Academy 11.0, one of the event's major sponsors.
• Memorial Park Golf CourseminorOthersPGA-rated golf course and home of the Houston Open, hosting the Meadow Golf Tournament for Lanier Trial Academy attendees.
• Rubenstein LawminorOthersPersonal injury law firm with over 65 attorneys, with attorney Sofia Jordi selected to The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 in Florida.
• Abogados Centro LegalminorOthersAlabama law firm where E. Nathan Harris was re-selected for The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Attorneys, having recovered over $50 million for clients.
• Guatemala SANAminorOthersCharitable project supported by the Lanier Trial Academy, bringing hope to children of Guatemala through high quality health care and education. Net proceeds from the academy benefit Guatemala SANA.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• American Association for Justice (AAJ): AAJ (formerly ATLA) is the largest national trial lawyer association in the U.S., representing plaintiff attorneys through membership, lobbying, CLE, and annual conventions. It is the most direct functional peer to NTL — both serve U.S. civil plaintiff and criminal defense trial lawyers through membership, education, and recognition programs.
• Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum: The Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum is the higher-tier counterpart to Million Dollar Advocates Forum, recognizing attorneys with verdicts and settlements exceeding $2 million. Like NTL, it sells tiered prestige memberships to elite plaintiff trial lawyers.
• Million Dollar Advocates Forum: Million Dollar Advocates Forum is a membership organization recognizing U.S. trial lawyers who have achieved million- and multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements. It mirrors NTL's invitation-only, prestige-driven model specifically within the plaintiff trial bar.
• LawDragon: LawDragon produces annual lawyer and law firm rankings (LawDragon 500, LawDragon 100, etc.) and operates invitation-only recognition communities. It is a close direct peer to NTL in the curated, prestige-designation segment of the legal recognition market.
• Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters): Super Lawyers is a patented attorney-rating service that recognizes top lawyers across practice areas through a multi-phase selection process and publishes state-by-state lists. It directly competes with NTL's Top 100 / Top 40 Under 40 recognition model and operates a similar paid-membership-plus-promotional-content business model.
• National Bar Association: The National Bar Association is the nation's oldest and largest national network of predominantly African-American attorneys and judges. It parallels NTL as a national, recognition-and-membership-driven professional association for trial lawyers, though its mission is broader (includes judges, in-house counsel, and law students).
• Best Lawyers: Best Lawyers is one of the longest-running peer-review-based attorney recognition publications, producing annual 'Best Lawyers in America' lists across practice areas. It directly parallels NTL's invitation/recognition membership model and is frequently co-marketed with recognition badges on attorney websites.
• National Black Lawyers: National Black Lawyers is an invitation-only professional network recognizing top Black attorneys in the United States. NTL explicitly cross-references this organization on its connect.law Job Listings board, signaling that the two operate as adjacent prestige-membership communities in the same trial lawyer ecosystem.

Regional players

• Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA): CAALA is one of the largest regional plaintiff trial lawyer associations in the U.S., serving California consumer attorneys through membership, CLE, and the annual Las Vegas Convention. It competes with NTL in the same plaintiff-trial-lawyer segment but is geographically scoped primarily to California members.

Broad incumbents

• Martindale-Hubbell: Martindale-Hubbell is the legacy legal directory and peer-review rating service, owned by Internet Brands/Expert Institute. While it operates a much broader lawyer directory business, its AV Preeminent and other ratings directly overlap with NTL's recognition-based value proposition for trial lawyers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/thenationaltriallawyers
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-national-trial-lawyers
• Instagraminstagram.com/the_national_trial_lawyers/?hl=en
• Xx.com/TheNTLtop100

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The National Trial Lawyers