AMERICAN COLLEGE OF TRIAL LAWYERS CONDEMNS
VIOLENCE IN RESPONSE TO ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTE

NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF. (January 6, 2021) – The American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL) abhors the violence that has disrupted the orderly process of transferring power pursuant to the will of the electorate. Blame for the actions of the demonstrators rests not just with the demonstrators themselves but also with those who have fomented and encouraged it. The ACTL calls on our leaders to do everything in their power to put a stop to the violence now. 

The United States is a nation founded on the rule of law.  Our differences are decided at the ballot box and through debate, not with guns and armed conflicts in the streets and the halls of democracy.  While peaceful demonstrations are rightfully protected by the Constitution, those who refuse to peacefully accept the Constitutional process for transfers of power injure our Nation and threaten the fabric of our democracy with anarchy.  We call on every lawyer to speak out and take action to advance the rule of law and put an end to this travesty of our Constitutional processes.

The College strongly supports the independence of the judiciary, trial by jury, respect for the rule of law, access to justice, and fair and just representation of all parties to legal proceedings.

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About the American College of Trial Lawyers

The American College of Trial Lawyers is composed of preeminent members of the trial bar from the United States and Canada and is recognized as the leading trial lawyer’s organization in both countries.  Founded in 1950, the College is an invitation only fellowship. The College thoroughly investigates each nominee for admission and selects only those who have demonstrated the very highest standards of trial advocacy, ethical conduct, integrity, professionalism, and collegiality. The College is dedicated to maintaining and seeking to improve the standards of trial practice, professionalism, ethics, and the administration of justice through education and public statements on important legal issues relating to its mission. For more information about the College, visit its website at www.actl.com.

CONTACTS:

American College of Trial Lawyers
Dennis J. Maggi, CAE, Executive Director
dmaggi@actl.com
949.752.1801

Etre Communications
Leslie Strickler
leslies@etrecommunications.com
804.240.0807