The DUI Defense Lawyers Association (known as "DUIDLA") was incorporated in June of 2014. The organization became a 501c(6) non-profit organization in order to promotes excellence in aggressively defending those charged with DUI or DWI related crimes across the United States.
DUIDLA provides training and education to its members who include many of the top DUI attorneys across the United States. At last count, the organization had approximately 800 members. The stated purpose of DUIDLA is:
"To protect and ensure by rule of law those individual rights guaranteed by the state and Federal Constitutions in DUI-related cases; to resist the constant efforts which are being made to curtail these rights; to encourage cooperation between lawyers engaged in the furtherance of these objectives through educational programs and other assistance; to serve as the first and last line of defense of the Constitution; to assist attorneys and public defenders in obtaining advanced training in DUI related areas through our education scholarship grants."
Members are encouraged to take on leadership positions within the organization. DUIDLA prides itself on transparency and intends to:
DUIDLA serves attorneys, both private attorneys, and public defenders, in obtaining knowledge and advanced training in DUI-related areas. The organization is a network of women and men across the country committed to DUI education and outreach.
DUIDLA conferences bring in hundreds of the most active DUI defense attorneys in the United States and Canada.
The 2022 Fall Seminar was scheduled for September 8 - 10, 2022, in Austin, TX. Participants could attend either In-Person or through Live Stream.
The presentations included:
The 2023 Spring Seminar is scheduled on April 20 - 22, 2023 in Nashville, TN, at The Westin Nashville, 807 Clark Pl., Nashville, Tennessee 37203. The organization offers two ways to register for the seminar - either In-Person and Live Stream.
Topics for the seminar include:
The past DUIDLA seminars included:
The DUIDLA Justice Foundation is the charitable arm of the organization which supports the education of lawyers throughout the United States and Canada.
One function of the DUIDLA Justice Foundation is to provide scholarships to younger attorneys and public defenders. The tuition scholarships allow younger attorneys and public defenders to attend advanced training sessions and seminars on DUI defense.
Attorneys who are actively engaged in the defense of DUI-related cases are eligible for membership in the organization. Members are generally required to complete one DUI-dedicated continuing legal education (CLE) seminar per year.
The DUIDLA does not accept members who are employed as prosecutors by any city, state, or federal government or anyone who works in any capacity that is in conflict with the objectives and purposes of the Association.
Charter members include 27 individuals who paid the Charter Membership dues and are not required to pay annual dues. Charter members serve as the initial officers, initial directors, and the DUIDLAJF initial board.
Other membership levels include:
The standing committees on DUIDLA include:
DUIDLA Bad Ass Awards
Over the years, the DUIDLA Awards Committee has designated recipients for the DUIDLA Bad Ass, the highest honor bestowed by the DUI Defense Lawyers Association. Award presented during the Spring or Fall Seminar.
Past recipients include:
The DUIDLA provides a path to becoming a Board Certified Specialist in the area of DUI Defense. To earn your status as a specialist, you must meet the education and experience requirements to sit for the DUIDLA Board Certification Exam and score a passing grade on the exam.
The Board Certification is issued by the DUIDLA Board Certification Committee. DUIDLA has tailored the experience requirements to allow members from across the United States to be eligible for this important distinction. Attorneys who earn Board Certification from DUIDLA must still follow the rules in their home state for advertising this designation.
The suggested resources to study for the board certification exam include:
Questions on the exam require knowledge of the significant US Supreme Court decisions that impacted DUI and DWI cases.
The board certification exam administered by DUIDLA also explores ethical considerations involved in DUI/DWI defense practice. Applicants should also possess a working knowledge of:
The requirements for earning board certification include:
Lawyer Legion maintains a national directory of DUI defense lawyers which includes both DUIDLA members and non-members. To help the public find the best choices when searching for a DUI attorney, Lawyer Legion recognizes attorneys for their involvement and leadership within the DUIDLA and other professional associations. This includes recognition for DUIDLA Founding Members, Charter Members, those who have earned the designation as a "Lawyer-Scientist" from the American Chemical Society, and DUIDLA members who are active on Lawyer Legion and have provided information about their involvement with the DUIDLA.
Use this directory to find a DUI defense lawyer in your local area. Start by choosing your state from the list below.