Find the Right Membership. Make Your Stand.

The NACDL community is as diverse as the criminal defense profession itself — public defenders, private practice attorneys, law students, investigators, and advocates all have a place here. When you join, we'll ask you a few questions about your practice to determine the membership category for which you qualify. Browse the categories below to get a sense of where you might fit, and take your place in the fight for a fair and humane criminal legal system.

Attorneys

Regular Member $359

Criminal defense attorneys in private practice, admitted to the bar more than six years.

New Lawyer $219

Private attorneys in their first six years of practice, based on date of first admission to the bar.

Public Defender $154

Full-time attorney at government Public Defender office or legal services nonprofit. Does not include assigned counsel or contract work.

Military $234

Full-time, active duty military lawyers engaged primarily in criminal defense.

Judge $234

Full-time members of the judiciary.

Law Professor $234

Full-time faculty at accredited law schools.

International $224

Criminal Defense Lawyers who hold passports from countries other than the United States and Canada. (International members receive digital access to The Champion® in lieu of a print subscription; print copies are available upon request with applicable shipping charges.)

Non-Attorneys

Associate Member $234

Persons who are not criminal defense lawyers, but whose work supports the criminal defense profession, including non-lawyers who support the goals and objectives of NACDL.

Investigator $234

Non-lawyer who supports the work of criminal defense lawyers.

Law Student FREE

Students in an accredited law school working toward a J.D. degree. Click here for more information.

Enhanced Membership

Open to active criminal defense attorneys and full time law professors, enhanced membership options recognize those who go beyond standard membership to invest more deeply in NACDL's mission and the criminal defense community. All include an expanded online directory profile and elevated peer recognition.

Sustaining Member $559

An enhanced membership for attorneys who want to deepen their commitment to NACDL and the criminal defense community. Sustaining members support NACDL's mission at a higher level while enjoying an expanded online directory profile and the recognition that comes with elevated membership.

Presidents Club $789

For attorneys who want to demonstrate an even stronger commitment to NACDL and its mission. Presidents Club membership carries the distinction of belonging to one of NACDL's most dedicated member groups, with an expanded online directory profile and the recognition of peers across the criminal defense community.

Life Member $7,500

Life membership is a permanent commitment to NACDL and its mission — pay once and never pay dues again. Includes an expanded directory profile and recognition at NACDL events. Payable in full or in five annual installments of $1,500. Our Member Services team is ready to guide you through the process personally — call 202-872-4001 or email memberservices@nacdl.org.

  • Please Note: Prosecutors are not permitted to become members of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, to attend its CLE seminars, nor to purchase its educational products. A member is understood to have resigned by becoming a prosecutor in any local, state or federal office or by working in any other capacity which is in conflict with NACDL's objectives and purposes.

Need help? Email memberservices@nacdl.org

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