Can my firm join AILA?
No. Here's why only individuals may join AILA.
AILA Membership is strictly with individuals, not firms, organizations, or other groups of people. Even single-attorney firms are inherently ineligible for AILA membership. The reasoning for this restriction is in the eligibility requirements for AILA Membership:
Except as otherwise stated in Section 2.1 of the Bylaws of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, any attorney is eligible to be a Member of the Association if the attorney:
- is licensed to practice law and is an active member in good standing of the
bar of any state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia; - was an active, approved Member of the Association and has maintained
Membership in the Association without interruption, since June 14, 2007; or - is employed full-time as a law professor at a law school accredited by the
American Bar Association and is eligible for full membership in the American
Bar Association but is not admitted to practice in any state or territory of the
United States or the District of Columbia.
No individual may be a Member of the Association if the individual:
- is in the employ of the Federal Government of the United States or in the
employ of any state or local government. provided, however, that any such
non-eligible individual may apply for Membership in the Association under
the rules and regulations established by the Board; - in the three (3) years immediately preceding their application for
Membership, was suspended or disbarred by any court, mandatory bar
association, administrative agency, or other disciplinary authority; or - is not in compliance with the law applicable in every place where the
individual maintains an office for the practice of law.
These membership requirements could only apply to an individual, not to firms, organizations, or other groups of people.
Contact Membership@AILA.org for more information.