NACDL - National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

You are NACDL's best recruiter. The referral program rewards you for it — but the tools below make it easy. Start with the sample email to reach colleagues personally, then stay active on social media to amplify NACDL's message to a wider audience. Together, a personal note and a shared post can do more to grow this community than any ad campaign ever could.

Sample Email

Subject: You should join me at NACDL

Dear [Name],

I wanted to reach out personally to invite you to join the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

I know you may have questions about whether it's worth it. Here's my honest answer: the best reason to join NACDL is to be around attorneys like the ones already in it. The community of criminal defense lawyers I've connected with through NACDL has made me better at my work — and reminded me that I'm not doing this alone.

Dues are a real consideration, and I get it — money is tight for most of us. But membership delivers tangible value that offsets the cost, and the broader impact is hard to put a price on. When you join NACDL, you're not just investing in your practice — you're investing in a fairer criminal legal system for everyone.

Beyond the community, membership delivers real practical value. You'll get discounts on CLE programs and practice resources, access to The Champion® magazine, 6 free online CLE credits annually, and access to NACDLConnect — an online network where thousands of defense attorneys share strategy, refer cases, and support each other every day.

And at a time when the government's power to prosecute and punish is expanding, NACDL is fighting back at every level — and your membership helps fund that fight.

When you join, be sure to enter my name in the "referred by" field on the membership application. You can get started at nacdl.org/joinnow or contact Member Services at 202-872-4001 or memberservices@nacdl.org with any questions. I'd love to welcome you into this community.

Best,
[Your name]

Be Active on Social Media

One of the easiest ways to strengthen NACDL's voice is to amplify it. Follow NACDL on social media, like and share our posts, and help us reach criminal defense professionals who haven't yet found their community. Every share extends our reach — and your network trusts you in a way no ad ever could.

Follow and Engage with NACDL

• Facebook
• X
• Bluesky
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• Instagram
• Youtube

Share Your Experiences

And if you want to share something in your own words — or from your own camera roll — here are a few ideas:

• Post a photo from an NACDL event and tag us. Your network sees the community in action, not just a membership pitch.
• Share a post about why you joined or what membership has meant to your practice.
• Use one of these as a starting point:

  Proud NACDL member. If you're a criminal defense professional who hasn't joined yet, I'd love to have you in this community. nacdl.org/joinnow

  The best reason to join NACDL? The attorneys already in it. nacdl.org/joinnow