Melanie Carpenter Admitted to American College of Trial Lawyers
Congratulations to Melanie Carpenter, Woods Fuller Shareholder, for her induction as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers - one of the premier legal associations in North America.
The induction ceremony at which Carpenter became a Fellow took place recently before an audience of approximately 625 during the recent Spring Meeting of the College in Phoenix, Arizona.
Founded in 1950, the College is composed of the best of the trial bar from the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Fellowship in the College is extended by invitation only and only after careful investigation, to those experienced trial lawyers of diverse backgrounds, 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. Lawyers must have a minimum of fifteen years trial experience before they can be considered for Fellowship.
Membership in the College cannot exceed one percent of the total lawyer population of any state or province. There are currently approximately 5,800 members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, including active Fellows, Emeritus Fellows, Judicial Fellows (those who ascended to the bench after their induction) and Honorary Fellows. There are 25 members in South Dakota and Carpenter is the third woman to be inducted from the state.
“I am honored to be inducted into this prestigious organization and am excited to be a part of its continued missions to support the right to jury trail and promote access to justice,” says Carpenter regarding the induction.
The College maintains and seeks to improve the standards of trial practice, professionalism, ethics, and the administration of justice through education and public statements on independence of the judiciary, trial by jury, respect for the rule of law, access to justice, and fair and just representation of all parties to legal proceedings. The College is thus able to speak with a balanced voice on important issues affecting the legal profession and the administration of justice.
Carpenter has been practicing with Woods Fuller for 27 years. She represents Woods Fuller clients with litigation and employment law needs. Melanie is a member of the South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association, South Dakota Defense Lawyers Association, and the International Association of Defense Counsel. She is the past President of the South Dakota chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates and a current member of the Board of Directors for EmBe in Sioux Falls.