AAJ programs recognize members' CLE achievements.

Legal education begins in law school, but you truly gain knowledge once you enter the practice of law. While there is no substitute for experience, AAJ Education can enhance your professional learning with a structured curriculum of programs on subjects pivotal to a successful trial practice. Members who complete programs gain not only knowledge but recognition.

To reward AAJ members for their commitment to keeping abreast of litigation trends, the National College of Advocacy Board of Trustees (AAJ Education's governing body) developed two distinct programs: Advanced Studies in Trial Advocacy (ASTA) and the Achievement Recognition Program (ARP).

The ASTA program has a learning curriculum that provides AAJ members a mastery of trial skills and enhances their ability to achieve justice for their clients. As members complete select seminars and colleges detailed in the ASTA curriculum requirements, they earn credits. Currently, five members have achieved ASTA stares.

The ARP program, created in 1993, recognizes member learning at three levels of distinction: Advocate (30 credit hours); Fellow (200 credit hours); and Diplomate (400 credit hours, including the Ultimate Trial Advocacy Course). After completing each level, members receive a certificate of achievement and acknowledgement of distinction level in the membership directory, on justice.org, and in various AAJ publications. Currently, 87 members have achieved the Diplomate level.

Upcoming seminars that qualify for ASTA credits include the "Nursing Home Seminar," September 27-28; AAJ's "Case Workshop," September 27-30; and the "Damages College," October 5-8. The "Ultimate Trial Advocacy Course: Art of Persuasion," a prerequisite for achieving ASTA status, will be held in March 2008.

To learn more about the Achievement Recognition Program and Advanced Studies in Trial Advocacy, visit www.justice.org/ education or call [phone] or [phone], ext. 612.