President’s Message

Welcome to the Western Trial Lawyers Association (“WTLA”) web page.  I’m John Leader, 2024-2025 president of this remarkable organization.

WTLA is a unique group offering twice yearly high-quality, specialized continuing legal education to plaintiff’s lawyers at some of the nicest places in the world.   Our ski seminar rotates among various western ski resorts (this year, Jackson Wyoming), and the Fairmont Kea Lani in Maui is home to our annual summer seminar.  We schedule half-day education seminars so that attendees can spend the rest of the day enjoying these remarkable locations.  The photo included above is from Maui.

Attendees can satisfy CLE requirements through our top-quality and diverse group of speakers, who address issues important to plaintiff’s lawyers.  Our attendees are consistently impressed and more than satisfied with the quality of our speakers.  These seminars provide a unique opportunity to learn from some of the best lawyers in the country, but in a somewhat intimate setting.  Because WTLA’s events are smaller than those of other plaintiff organizations, we offer a unique camaraderie to attendees, speakers and vendor consultants.  

And there is a second important benefit.  WTLA has multiple sponsors, that is, companies who offer litigation services specially tailored to plaintiff’s lawyers.  Attendees will often come away from their seminar with new, top-notch consultants to support their cases.

WTLA seeks and welcomes new and diverse plaintiff lawyer attendees, regardless of experience level.  At the same time, many attendees return every year as part of our WTLA family.

If you’re interested in joining WTLA and/or attending a seminar, feel free to contact me (john@leaderlawaz.com) or our Executive Director, Ligia McDonald (lmcdonald@cartwrightlaw.com) with any questions.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve as President of this unique and remarkable organization, and we look forward to you joining us at one of our two seminars.

WTLA is an IRS 501(c)(3) organization.

John Leader

President, WTLA