Guidelines for Proposing a Candidate for Membership

The election of individuals to The American Law Institute begins with a confidential nomination by an ALI member who is well acquainted with the candidate's work, which is then supported by seconding letters from two additional ALI members. In sponsoring a candidate for membership, the nominating ALI member affirms his or her personal assessment that the candidate meets the primary criteria of excellence and outstanding professional achievement in his or her area of expertise.

Members are encouraged to propose or support for election to membership only 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 proposal 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 be substantive and specific while addressing, from the author's personal knowledge, the candidate's:

• Professional excellence and recognition or standing among his or her peers;
• Experience, interest, and involvement in activities that fall within the mission of the Institute;
• Anticipated desire and commitment to participate in, as well as to make potential contributions to, the Institute's work and law reform activities;
• Achievement—or promise of future achievement—in the candidate's chosen endeavor in the law.

It is the responsibility of the sponsors to make sure that, to the best of their ability, the candidate's nomination remains confidential until the candidate is advised of favorable action. ALI staff will contact the candidate to confirm that they (1) accept the nomination; (2) are committed to ALI’s mission and are willing to participate in its important work; and (3) are willing to complete and submit a membership biographical questionnaire and any other requested materials.