American Lawyers Alliance
Keeping the Spirit of Democracy Alive Across the Nation!
Welcome to American Lawyers AllianceAn American Bar Association Related Organization
The American Lawyers Alliance supports Law Related Education in our schools and communities. ALA is about making sure that all Americans know the value of freedom and liberty under the U.S. Constitution. It’s about sharing ideas and cooperative efforts so that we can make a difference in your community.
2025 American Lawyers Alliance Annual Meeting
Fairmont Hotel, 100 Front Street West
Toronto, Canada
August 6 - 8, 2025
Congratulations to our 2025 Teachers of the Year!
Congratulations to our 2025 Scholarship Winners!
Brianna Yang
2025 Catherine G. Jurgemeyer Scholarship Recipient
Congratulations to Brianna Yang from Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania, our 2025 $10,000 Catherine G. Jurgemeyer Scholarship Winner! Brianna was the Salutatorian of her class at Archmere Academy in Claymont, Delaware with a 4.6 GPA and an SAT Score of 1590 and will be attending Yale University this fall. Her superior academic achievements, combined with her amazing law-related and outstanding extra-curricular activities, plus her inspirational essay complete the picture of our perfect Jurgemeyer scholarship recipient.
Charlie Miller
2025 CARR Scholarship for Excellence in Civics and Overall Academics Recipient
Congratulations to Charlie Miller from Apex, North Carolina, our 2025 $10,000 CARR Scholarship for Excellence in Civics and Overall Academics! Charlie graduated from Thales Academy with a 5.39 GPA, an SAT Score of 1600, an ACT Score of 36, and a CLT Score of 117 and will be attending the College of William and Mary this fall. His superior academic achievements, combined with his amazing law-related and outstanding extra-curricular activities, plus his inspirational essay complete the picture of our perfect scholarship recipient.
Congratulations to our 2025 Judicial Civic Education Award Winner!
2025 Judicial Civic Education Award Recipient
Honorable Mae Avila D'Agostino
United States District Judge
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York
Mae A. D’Agostino is a United States District Judge for the Northern District of New York. At the time of her appointment in 2011, she was a trial lawyer with the law firm of D’Agostino, Krackeler, Baynes, and Maguire.
Judge D’Agostino received her B.A. degree magna cum laude from Siena College. While at Siena she was a member of the women’s basketball team. In 1980, she graduated from Syracuse University College of Law, where she was a member of the national champion trial team of the American College of Trial Lawyers’ Mock Trial Competition and recipient of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award for distinguished achievement in the art and science of advocacy. Judge D’Agostino is a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers.
Judge D’Agostino is currently a member of the State-Federal Judicial Council, having served as chair for two years. She is also co-chair of the Second Circuit's civics education committee. Judge D'Agostino has a passion for teaching civics education to children, and was the 2022 recipient of the Judge Duane Award in the Northern District for her outstanding efforts to provide civics education to children of all ages. She is also an annual judge for the final rounds of the New York State High School Mock Trial Competition. Most recently in 2024, Judge D’Agostino was the recipient of the Hon. Leslie E. Stein Gender Equity Award by the Third Judicial District Gender Fairness Committee.
Judge D’Agostino also has a passion for the development of young lawyers. She has a standing order in all of her cases that states: “The Court strongly encourages lead counsel to permit young lawyers to examine witnesses at trial and to have an important role. It is the way one generation will teach the next to try cases and maintain our district’s reputation for excellence in trial practice.” She issues a similar order regarding motion practice.
A Celebration of Life - Rita Thompson, ALA President 2020 - 2021
Past ALA President from 2020 - 2021 and 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Rita Thompson of San Antonio, Texas passed away on Sunday, February 18, 2024. She was an active and integral part of ALA, as well as the Texas Lawyers Auxiliary and the San Antonio Bar Auxiliary. Click below to read about her achievements.
A Celebration of Life - Pauline Krieger, ALA President 2001 - 2002
Past ALA President from 2001 - 2002 and 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Pauline Krieger of Rochester, MN passed away on Friday, February 2, 2024. She was an active and intragal part of ALA. Click below to read about her achievments.
A Celebration of Life - Elouise Williams, ALA President 2000 - 2001
Past ALA President from 2000 - 2001, Elouise Williams of Birmingham, Alabama passed away on August 25, 2023. She was 95 years old. Many current ALA members remember her fondly. Click below to read all the loving tributes.
Justice Stephen Breyer’s thoughts on civic education and advice to ABA’s youngest members.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer spoke remotely to ABA President Judy Perry Martinez during the General Assembly of the 2020 ABA Annual Meeting. The following is an excerpt from that conversation:
“Martinez closed her conversation with Breyer by asking the justice to share a few pieces of advice with the ABA’s youngest members as well as with its more senior attorneys.
Breyer encouraged law students to learn about the government and said he wished civics was restored as a required course. To those who are graduating, he said he couldn’t tell them how to live their lives, but he hoped a few things for them.
“I can hope you’ll find someone to love,” he said. “I can hope you’ll have a job that is rewarding, and I can hope you will participate. Participate in public life. And there are a million ways to participate.
“You can join a local library association. You can try to be a school board member. You can vote. You can learn about the issues going on. You can talk to others.”
To the senior members, Breyer said, like he tells himself, “you just keep going.”
Enjoy Our 60th Anniversary Past President's Slideshow!
ALA by the Numbers
$150,000 +
5,000
12
62
Help ALA Celebrate 0ver 60 Years!
Did you know that your membership in the American Lawyers Alliance allows us to...
- Bestow a Judicial Civic Award annually to recognize and honor a judge for their work in promoting civic education in their community and state.
Click here to read more about our Judicial Civic Award.
- Recognize and honor and rewards Outstanding High School, Middle School and Elementary School Teachers who have made significant contributions in the area of law-related education. Click here to read more about our "Teachers of the Year Awards."
- Gather and distribute hundreds of books from our members to distribute to worthwhile organizations. Click here to read more about our Book Project.
- Honor and reward our local and state auxiliaries who sponsor programs that promote law-related education, good citizenship, and/or an appreciation the United States legal system. Click here to read about our Auxiliary Support Rewards.
- Provide law-related educational materials, videos, downloads, and links for teachers to use.
Click here to read about our Law-Related Educational Materials.
- Annual Dues are only $25.00!
ALA Annual Awards Overview
Law Related Projects and Materials
