The Academy is a group of truly elite trial lawyers representing both sides of the Bar:  prosecutors and defense lawyers in criminal cases, and plaintiffs' and defense counsel in civil litigation (including business and personal injury cases).  While the majority of the Fellows come from the U.S., the Academy includes lawyers from more than 30 countries.  Fellowship is by invitation only, and trial lawyers are invited to become Fellows only after an extremely careful vetting process that includes discreet inquiries of both judges and other trial lawyers of high standing.