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Member Categories

Following are some options for joining or rejoining NACDL, and a list of membership categories.  This will give you an idea which is the appropriate member category for you. When you join online, you'll be asked a series of questions so the system can determine the most appropriate member type, based on your work. 

 

 

 

First Time Member Join
Renewing Member Renew Membership
Former Member - Rejoining
Download an Application

If you have questions about eligibility, please contact Member Services at 202-872-4001, or by email at memberservices@nacdl.org.

Membership Categories Dues 
Regular Member - Criminal defense attorneys in private practice, admitted to the bar more than six years. $354
Public Defender - Full-time attorney at government Public Defender office or legal services nonprofit. Does not include assigned counsel or contract work. $149
New Lawyer - Private attorneys in their first six years of practice, based on date of first admission to the bar. $214
Law Professor - Professors employed full time on the faculties of accredited law schools. $224
Military - Full-time, active duty military lawyers engaged primarily in criminal defense. $224
Judge - Full-time members of the judiciary $224
Associate Members - Persons who are not criminal defense lawyers, but whose work supports the criminal defense profession, including non-lawyers who support the goals and objectives of NACDL.  $224
International - Criminal Defense Lawyers who hold passports from countries other than the United States and Canada. International members do not receive a print version of The Champion®. You can access the online magazine here. Print copies can be requested, but shipping charges will apply. $214
Investigators - Non-lawyer who supports the work of Criminal Defense lawyers $224
Law Student - Students in an accredited law school working toward a J.D. degree. Membership is FREE. Click here for more information.  FREE
Life Member* - One-time contribution or 5 yearly installments of $1,300 each. Expanded online profile. $6,500
Presidents Club * - Donor Member, with an expanded online profile $779

Sustaining Member * - Donor Member, with an expanded online profile.

$549

For your protection, we cannot accept credit card information by email. 

Prosecutors are not permitted to become members of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, to attend its CLE seminars, nor to purchase its educational products. A Member is understood to have resigned by becoming a prosecutor in any local, state or federal office or by working in any other capacity which is in conflict with NACDL's objectives and purposes.

Featured Products

RECENTLY ADDED & UPCOMING

  1. The Champion
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    March/April 2025

    What are the evidentiary implications of field sobriety tests in marijuana cases? Does the odor of marijuana give officers probable cause to search a vehicle?

  2. Amicus Brief
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    Jenner & Block LLP v. U.S. Department of Justice

    Brief of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and New York Council of Defense Lawyers as Amici Curiae in Support of Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment.

  3. News Release
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    News Release ~ Opposition to Actions Against Law Firms

    Nation’s Defense Bar Reiterates Opposition to Actions Against Law Firms – Washington, DC (March 18, 2025) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) remains deeply concerned over recent executive orders targeting law firms, most recently Paul Weiss and Perkins Coie, and repeats its call to uphold the right to counsel and the independence of the legal profession. Despite a ruling blocking the action against Perkins Coie, the administration has continued to target law firms representing disfavored clients and positions, threatening the right to a zealous defense.

  4. Event
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    Trial Tactics for Pregnancy-Related Cases: Skills for Every Defender

    LOCATION: The University of Texas School of Law, Austin, TX
    DATE: May 16-17, 2025
    COST: FREE (registration is required)
    CLE Credit: Up to 14.5 credits 

  5. Webinar
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    Collaborative Approaches to Appellate Defense: Recognizing Clients' Legal Expertise

    WHEN: Thursday, May 8, 3:00-4:30pm ET / 12:00-1:30pm PT
    CLE CREDIT: not available
    COST: Free