Questions and Answers

Q. How much is it to join? 

A. A one-time non-refundable application fee of $500.00.  If accepted, you become a lifetime member of the organization.  There are no renewal fees or annual dues for ongoing membership.  Once a member, always a member.

Q. What are the requirements of being accepted?

A. You must be a member in good standing of your local and state governing boards and you must have obtained a verdict, award and/or settlement in a civil case of 2 million dollars ($2,000,000.00) or more as lead counsel. Lead counsel means that you were the primary lawyer handling the case and the one credited with winning the case.  The $2,000,000.00  may be a combination of offers, settlements and verdicts against several parties arising from the same incident, that, when added together, amount to $2,000,000.00 present value for the client.  Husband and wife verdicts, awards and settlements may be added together so long as they arise from the same incident and amount to a present value of at least 2 million dollars. Third party automobile claims, when added to underinsurance settlements or arbitration results are acceptable means of adding up awards so long as the cases arise out of the same incident and result in an accumulated result of at least 2 million dollars.  If you have any questions, please feel free to write or call us for a further explanation.

Q. What are the benefits of joining?

A. If accepted, you will become a member of perhaps one of the most exclusive trial lawyer groups.  The pre-requisite of a multimillion dollar result excludes the majority of lawyers.  The lawyers who do qualify for E.L.A. have distinguished themselves by agreeing to handle a major case and have come through with a successful conclusion that resulted in a multimillion dollar award for the client.  Members receive a beautiful desktop award commemorating their acceptance into E.L.A. that can be viewed by friends, colleagues and clients.  Members can add this achievement to their already impressive resumes.  Members can continue to go up our ladder of honor with the ultimate goal of becoming a platinum class member (10 or more multimillion dollar results). Members are categorically listed on our official web site available for viewing over the internet in three different locations on the site; in the state section, in the alphabetical name section and in the classification section (Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Member).  Join the “cream of the crop” of trial lawyers.  Add your name to the “ELITE” lawyers of America.

Q. How does the class designation portion work?

A.  Members are categorized into classes of members.  Members who obtain additional multimillion dollar awards, verdicts and/or settlements after becoming a member will notify the organization and can move up the classification system until finally achieving the ultimate goal of “Platinum Class”.  Platinum, Gold, and Silver emblems will be sent to members to add to their membership plaques.  The class system is as follows:

 Platinum: 10 or more multimillion dollar awards, settlements and/or verdicts as lead counsel.

 Gold: 5 to 9 multimillion dollar awards, settlements and/or verdicts as lead counsel.

 Silver: 2 to 4 multimillion dollar awards, settlements and/or verdicts as lead counsel.