On January 20, 2018, Spesia & Taylor partner John Spesia was elected to membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and the Illinois Chapter of ABOTA. ABOTA is a nationwide organization of skilled practicing trial attorneys who care passionately about the American trial system. ABOTA is active in all 50 states, with 97 distinct chapters. ABOTA is the premier lawyers’ organization in the United States, and selection for membership in ABOTA carries with it considerable prestige among attorneys, judges, and legislators.
As a member of ABOTA, Spesia will work with the other members of his chapter and the organization as a whole to foster improvement in both the ethical and technical standards of legal practice in the field of advocacy. ABOTA’s mission is to maximize the benefits of the American judicial system to both the general public and individual litigants by making sure that each litigant receives effective and efficient representation. In this way, ABOTA promotes the efficient administration of justice in America, consistent with time-tested and traditional principles of litigation.
Membership in ABOTA is by invitation only, and invitations are extended only to trial lawyers who are of the highest personal character and most honorable reputation. In addition, ABOTA members must meet certain minimum experience and proficiency requirements, such as completing at least ten (10) civil jury trials to jury verdict or hung verdict as lead counsel. Finally, all ABOTA members must be deeply committed to preserving the Seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution, which secures every American Citizen’s right to a jury trial.
