Enhanced Membership Options

As a Life member, you open the door for enhanced connections with other members, greater visibility in the NACDL community, and a life-long commitment to NACDL's vital work toward a fairer criminal justice system.

Why Become a Life Member?  

  • Life members receive an elegant crystal sculpture engraved with the NACDL logo, your name, and the words Life Member. 
  • You’ll have an expanded profile in the online membership directory, linked to your listing in both the Member-To-Member and the free, public Find-A-Lawyer directories. Browse the Life member directory.
  • When other members, especially life members, are looking to refer a case outside of their jurisdiction, expertise, or capacity, they’re more likely to refer it to another Life member.  And of course, you’ll never have to pay NACDL membership dues again.

The reason most people give for becoming a life member is that they believe in the work NACDL does toward making the criminal justice system fairer, and want to make a long-term commitment to that work.

There are lots of other benefits of NACDL membership that are available to all members. If you haven’t checked them out lately, please take a look at the list. Those are, of course, yours for life, as well as others we will add going forward.

Cost: The dues rate for Life Membership is $6,500, payable in a lump sum, or in five annual installments of $1,300.

To get started, download the application here or call Member Services at 202-872-4001.

There are two other enhanced membership options for criminal defense attorneys in private practice in addition to Life Membership:

Sustaining Membership: A donor membership that includes an expanded profile with photo & bio in the online membership directories.  Annual Dues: $549  

Presidents Club Membership: A donor membership that includes an expanded profile with photo & bio in the online membership directories. Annual Dues:  $779  

Featured Products

Explore keywords to find information

RECENTLY ADDED & UPCOMING

  1. The Champion
    /Nacdl/media/image_library/StayInformed/Champion/ChampionCovers/March-April-2025.jpg?ext=.jpg

    March/April 2025

    What are the evidentiary implications of field sobriety tests in marijuana cases? Does the odor of marijuana give officers probable cause to search a vehicle?

  2. Amicus Brief
    /Nacdl/media/image_library/Elements/global/amicus.png

    Jenner & Block LLP v. U.S. Department of Justice

    Brief of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and New York Council of Defense Lawyers as Amici Curiae in Support of Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment.

  3. News Release
    /Nacdl/media/image_library/Elements/global/newsrelease.png

    News Release ~ Law Enforcement Executive Order

    NACDL Warns Executive Order's Dangerous Overreach Undermines Community Safety and Trust in Police – Washington, DC (April 29, 2025) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) expressed deep concern regarding the Executive Order titled "Strengthening and Unleashing America’s Law Enforcement to Pursue Criminals and Protect Innocent Citizens," cautioning that several of its proposals represent a dangerous overreach that undermines these goals by jeopardizing individual rights and the legitimacy of law enforcement in the eyes of the community.

  4. Event
    /Nacdl/media/image_library/Learn/nacdlcleinstitute/2025_Post-Dobbs_Trial_Tactics_2025-02-26_v02_Event-Listing_2.jpg?ext=.jpg

    Trial Tactics for Pregnancy-Related Cases: Skills for Every Defender

    LOCATION: The University of Texas School of Law, Austin, TX
    DATE: May 16-17, 2025
    COST: FREE (registration is required)
    CLE Credit: Up to 14.5 credits 

  5. Webinar
    /assets/img/nacdl_og.png

    Collaborative Approaches to Appellate Defense: Recognizing Clients' Legal Expertise

    WHEN: Thursday, May 8, 3:00-4:30pm ET / 12:00-1:30pm PT
    CLE CREDIT: not available
    COST: Free