October 20, 2009
JIM ALLISON, CHIEF OF THE U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE CRIMINAL DIVISION, INDUCTED INTO AMERICAN COLLEGE OF TRIAL LAWYERS
DENVER – James (Jim) Allison, chief of the Criminal Division of the Colorado U.S. Attorney’s Office, was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers. Allison, who has been a prosecutor for over 30 years, received the honor at the organization’s annual meeting of fellows, which was held in Boston on October 10, 2009.
The American College of Trial Lawyers is composed of fellows who represent the best of the trial bar in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1950, the College is dedicated to maintaining and improving the standards of trial practice, the administration of justice, and the ethics of the profession. Through its board of regents, its general committees and its state and province committees, the American College of Trial Lawyers engages in a wide variety of activities to further those purposes.
According to an American College of Trial Lawyers brochure, fellowship is extended by invitation only, after careful investigation, to those experienced trial lawyers who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality. Fellows are selected from among advocates who represent plaintiffs or defendants in civil proceedings of all types, as well as prosecutors and criminal defense lawyers. There are more than 5,600 Fellows of the College.
“It is an honor to be selected as a Fellow,” said Jim Allison. “I will continue to represent the United States, being an advocate for the fair and impartial administration of justice.”
The qualifications for fellowship include:
* A reputation for the highest ethics, professionalism and collegiality
* Exceptional courtroom trial skills
* At least fifteen years of active trial practice
“The American College of Trial Lawyers has just confirmed what we in the U.S. Attorney’s Office have known for a long time,” said U.S. Attorney Dave Gaouette. “Jim Allison is one of the best trial lawyers in the United States.”
Jim Allison obtained his under-graduated degree with honors from Ohio University. He then received his law degree from the University of Colorado. Prior to becoming a federal prosecutor, Mr. Allison worked as a Deputy District Attorney and a Chief Deputy District Attorney in Denver. He also lectures for the National College of District Attorneys as well as for the FBI and other federal law enforcement agencies.
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