Message from the President
Sandra A. Forbes
2026-2027
Welcome to the website of the American College of Trial Lawyers – and for our new Inductees – a very warm welcome to the College. It is my great honor and privilege to serve as the 77th President of the College.
As I begin my term as President, I realize that I have very big shoes to fill as a result of the leadership, dedication and numerous contributions to the College of my predecessor John Day. Thankfully, the College will continue to have the benefit of his wise counsel as he continues on the Executive Committee as Immediate Past President. John and his wife Joy were and continue to be excellent ambassadors for the College and I am grateful that they will be right beside Stephen and me in the coming year.
The College was founded in 1950 and celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2025. It is an organization of the best trial lawyers in the United States and Canada who are recognized for practicing at the highest level of skill, ethics and collegiality. Fellows are invited to join the College after a rigorous investigation process. Our ranks include trial lawyers in civil proceedings of all types, prosecutors/crown attorneys and defence counsel in all manner of criminal and regulatory proceedings and public interest lawyers, from small towns to large cities, and from sole practitioners to members of international law firms.
The College’s Mission Statement is as follows:
The Mission of the American College of Trial Lawyers is to preserve and improve trial practice, civility, professionalism, and the administration of justice by elevating discourse and support for a judiciary free from outside interference, and by advancing trial by jury, the rule of law and access to justice.
This core Mission motivates everything the College does through its various committees, projects, and public outreach. Our committees are actively engaged in important work, including protecting judicial independence through public statements and education; improving the standards of trial practice through skills and ethics training; addressing mental health challenges facing our profession; advancing access to justice; providing positions on significant changes to procedural and substantive law; recognizing significant contributions to our profession and the rule of law through awards; and supporting the next generation of trial lawyers through mentoring and moot court competitions. I cannot do all of our committees justice here so I encourage all Fellows to review the committee section of our website to find a place to contribute and support our Mission.
The College’s Mission is even more important today as we face significant challenges in our profession and in society at large, from the impact of AI to unprecedented challenges to the rule of law in both the United States and Canada. While Fellows have different views and will not always agree on how to address these difficult issues, it is important not to lose sight of the fact that it is our differences that make us stronger and that give the College the power of an influential voice. And, as Fellows of the College, our strong bonds of respect and collegiality are critical to our successful navigation of these challenges together. We are the last line of defence to those who seek to dismantle the rule of law and we must remain united, despite our differences, in our steadfast commitment to protect it.
I am truly honored to serve as the 77th President of the College, and as the third Canadian leading the College. I look forward to strengthening the long-standing bonds of friendship and respect that have always existed between Canadian and American Fellows. While the political landscape has recently strained the relationship between these two countries, I am confident that the bonds of fellowship are strong and will remain so, as we stand united on both sides of the border in our defence of a truly democratic society. Stephen and I look forward to meeting many of you as we advance our Mission and celebrate our fellowship in the coming year.