Marketing Summary and Biography Enhancements
In addition to being recognized and included among the best construction lawyers in the bar, Fellowship in the CLSA provides the opportunity to add among biographical honors and awards “Fellow, Construction Lawyers Society of America.” CLSA Fellow internet icons/badges are available for marketing purposes at www.ConstructionSociety.org/fellows-only/fellow-internet-badges/. Fellows who have achieved “Senior Fellow” status may optionally use that designation in place of “Fellow.” Fellowship in the CLSA also offers automatic and complimentary memberships in both the Diversity Law Institute (www.DiversityLawInstitute.org) and the Trial Law Institute (www.LitCounsel.org/about/trial-law-institute). Thus, we request that our Fellows also include under affiliations or professional associations the designations “Member, Diversity Law Institute” and “Member, Trial Law Institute.” With diversity currently being at the forefront of law firm inclusiveness and business development, DLI affiliation serves as verification of one’s commitment to the concept and cause, and is affirmation among all Fellows of diversity’s mission in the CLSA.
The CLSA also recognizes trial prowess and reputation with bio-includable honorary trial order distinctions (www.ConstructionSociety.org/about/honorary-trial-orders). Depending upon a Fellow’s qualifications, one may also include in his or her bio “Barrister, Order of Maximus” (or Optimus or Equitas).
If a Fellow decides to participate in the Practice Institute Program, he or she may choose to become a Co-Founder, Charter Member, or simply a Member in whichever practice institute one decides to take part (www.constructionsociety.org/about/practice-institutes-of-the-clsa/). Currently in development is the International Academy of Alternative Dispute Resolution (IAADR) in conjunction with and as a joint venture with the Litigation Counsel of America (LCA). Institute involvement truly serves as a referral network and publicity base for and among members. The CLSA will entertain any number of specialty institutes proposed.
Both the honorary trial orders and institutes are also complimentary to Fellowship, subject to individual institutes’ adopted bylaws.
Conferences and Symposia
We utilize our Fellows as speakers for our annual international conference and periodic symposia. The CLSA 2019 International Conference & Induction of Fellows was held September 11-13, at The Broadmoor in beautiful Colorado Springs, Colorado. The conference included an agenda with the most impressive array of speakers and presentations in construction law and legal marketing. The CLSA 2020 International Conference & Induction of Fellows will be held at the Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore, in Santa Barbara, California, on September 16-18. For registration and information, see “Events” at www.ConstructionSociety.org/Events/. To present at an upcoming CLSA event or for sponsorship opportunities, please contact Beth Rich at Beth.Rich@ConstructionSociety.org.
We also have regional meetings, such as the North American Construction Law Symposium (NACLS) series in which 14 Fellows speak for 30 minutes on any construction law subject they wish, with 14 additional spaces for observer/contributors during the eight-hour event. North American Construction Law Symposium III was held on December 5, 2019, in New York City. The Symposium received rave reviews for its content, format, and networking opportunities.
North American Construction Law Symposium IV will be held December 3, 2020, at the Harvard Club of New York City. Attendance is limited. NACLS participation makes an excellent bio inclusion (e.g. “John Smith, Arbitrating with a Story, North American Construction Law Symposium IV, Construction Lawyers Society of America, New York, New York, December 3, 2020″). Online registration will be available soon.
Diversity Recognition
Diversity Law Institute Law Firm Diversity Awards and the Diversity Law Institute Diversity Awards are designated annually by the DLI selection committee in recognition of efforts toward and achievement of diversity among qualifying law firms and individuals throughout North America. Fellows and firms who share in the DLI and CLSA’s commitment to promote a more diverse, equal, and inclusive legal profession are eligible for recognition.
Please nominate firms or individuals you deem deserving of recognition for efforts in support of diversity by contacting Avery Henry at Avery.Henry@DiversityLawInstitute.org.
Authorship and Publication Opportunities
We encourage our Fellows to write bio-includable, citable articles, essays, and comments for inclusion in Construction Commentary & Review (www.ConstructionSociety.org/construction-commentary/), the Court Journal of Science & Technology and the upcoming Journal of Trial Presentation. Commentary submission guidelines are designed with busy practitioners in mind. Members of our Fellows’ firms are also given preference for publication. In addition to scholarly articles, the Commentary also publishes a variety of recognition-garnering features on Fellows that include trial, arbitration, appellate and settlement results, community service, bar activities, other press releases, articles published elsewhere, and any other notable event(s) that may raise the profiles of CLSA Fellows. Once published, we work with our Fellows or their marketing directors/consultants in getting their inclusion released in the press, as mentioned above.
Individual Awards
The CLSA presents annually the Founders’ Cup, Edward P. Meyerson Lifetime Achievement Award and the President’s Trophy (www.ConstructionSociety.org/awards). Awards are given based upon Fellow input and research by the society. The CLSA also presents throughout the year CLSA Community Service Awards to CLSA Fellows and others who are active in charitable, community and/or bar service.
Law Firm Awards and Recognition
The CLSA Law Firm Awards are presented annually, both among the NLJ 500 largest law firms in the U.S., as well as boutique firms for outstanding work, as selected by the CLSA Law Firm Awards Panel (www.ConstructionSociety.org/awards/clsa-law-firm-awards). All Fellows are invited to serve on this important selection body. Internet badges are available for the marketing purposes of firm designees.
Case Referrals
The CLSA Referral Network provides Fellows the opportunity to cross-sell services among clients that need multi-jurisdictional representation or consultation. Referrals among Fellows are made frequently throughout the year. (www.ConstructionSociety.org/about/clsa-referral-network/)
Law Firm Diversity Recognition Opportunities
Fellows’ firms that qualify for Diversity Partner status by virtue of CLSA sponsorship or participation in the Diversity Law Institute may display “Diversity Partner” internet badges for a variety of marketing or professional purpose(s). Another firm value derives from Fellows’ firms’ blogs being included as “friends” in the Commentary and the developing website for the Trial Law Institute.
Lifetime Benefits
Upon full or partial retirement, our Fellows are appointed Fellow Emeritus status, with complimentary dues for life.
CLSA Scene
With all our events, we take every opportunity to create photo-ops that may be used in our Fellows’ marketing efforts (www.ConstructionSociety.org/event-pics/).
Our Pro-Marketing Approach
We are anything but old school in our approach. We utilize LMA legal marketing consultants in building firm value into CLSA Fellowship. We want our Fellows and their firms to get noticed and publicized. We are extremely supportive of our Fellows, we recognize that firm value is a must, and we excel for the betterment of our Fellowship of elite construction lawyers. We are on the cutting edge of where the profession of law is going.
Simply put, even preeminent and successful lawyers must continually build their personal biographies in today’s professional economic environment. In that regard, we will continue to be instrumental to our preeminent CLSA Fellows in maintaining and enhancing their elite status.