PLAC is committed to building a strong, diverse bench of talented lawyers who will serve our corporate members for years to come.  We developed the Future Leaders Program to allow both outside counsel and corporate counsel the opportunity to develop their skills, build connections with their peers in PLAC, and to enhance their professional profile within the defense bar. 

PLAC’s Future Leaders Program provides an alternate path to Sustaining membership for outside counsel who have been practicing between four (4) and twelve (12) years. Participation in this program for in-house counsel who have been practicing for up to fifteen (15) years is included as part of each company's annual membership dues - there is no additional cost.

PLAC Future Leaders have the opportunity to work with seasoned PLAC Sustaining members and Corporate members on various projects to enhance their trial skills, practice their client counseling skills, understand and refine their writing and advocacy skills, and network with both current and future leaders of the product liability defense bar. The Future Leaders program gives its members the opportunity to:

• Participate in professional skills exercises such as mock depositions and hearings
• Present at PLAC Conferences and PLAC Webinars
• Serve as co-Coordinating Counsel for a PLAC Amicus brief with a member of the Case Selection Committee
• Work with prominent PLAC members who wish to author articles on topics critical to PLAC members
• Network with corporate counsel and Sustaining members in sessions organized specifically for Future Leaders
• Meet other Future Leaders from across the country through events and informal gatherings

Outside Counsel:

Membership is open to outside counsel who maintain a substantial part of their practice in the product liability, regulatory or appellate areas exclusively for defendants and practice in firms that do not routinely represent plaintiffs in product liability matters.

Membership is held by the individual attorney, not the law firm.

A letter of nomination must be submitted on the applicant’s behalf by a corporate member of PLAC or by a partner at the prospective member’s firm who is currently a member of this organization.

The Membership Committee reviews each nomination.

Membership fees for outside counsel are $1,750 annually. Participation in this program is limited to a maximum of five (5) years in the program or twelve (12) years of practice, after which membership for outside counsel will automatically convert to full Sustaining membership, and the dues rate will adjust accordingly at that time.

In-House Counsel:

Membership is open to in-house counsel who have been practicing for up to fifteen (15) years.

Membership in this program is included as a benefit of your company's membership. There is no additional cost to participate. 

In-house counsel interested in participating do not require a nomination - indicate your interest by contacting us at plac@plac.com.