Reminder: Membership-Proposal
Deadline Approaching
The Membership Committee meets twice a year to consider proposals for membership. The deadlines for submitting proposals are September 1 and December 15. All members are encouraged to propose for membership candidates of high character, ability, and professional standing. The membership-proposal form can be found on the Institute’s website by clicking on “About ALI,” then “Membership,” then “Proposing Candidates.” The form can be downloaded and completed electronically, then e-mailed to ALI for review. Alternatively, the forms may be printed and mailed to ALI. Please contact Membership Director Beth Goldstein via e-mail (membership@ali.org) or telephone (215-243-1666) for more information.
GUIDELINES FOR PROPOSING OR SUPPORTING
CANDIDATES FOR
MEMBERSHIP
Members are encouraged to propose or support for election to membership in the Institute individuals who have demonstrated excellence in the law, are of high character, will contribute to the work of the Institute, and are committed to its mission (which is “to promote the clarification and simplification of the law and its better adaptation to social needs, to secure the better administration of justice, and to encourage and carry on scholarly and scientific legal work”). While much information about a candidate may be provided on the application form and in the accompanying curriculum vitae, the most important part of the package consists of the proposal letter and the two additional supporting letters. Those letters should address, preferably from the author’s personal knowledge, the candidate’s:
• Professional excellence;
• Experience, interest, and involvement in activities that fall within the mission of the Institute;
• Desire and commitment to participate in, as well as to make potential contributions to, the Institute’s work and activities;
• Achievement—or promise of future
achievement—in the candidate’s chosen endeavor
in the law;
• Professional recognition or standing among his or her peers.
If the Proposer is unable to obtain two supporting letters written from personal knowledge by ALI members, the Membership Committee will consider a supporting letter from a nonmember who is particularly well situated to comment on the professional excellence, achievement, and potential of the candidate.