What services does American Board of Trial Advocates - provide?

The organization delivers programs and services focused on advancing its mission through direct service delivery, capacity building, and community partnerships. Services are designed based on community needs assessment and evidence-based practices.

Who can access programs and services?

Programs are available to eligible individuals and groups within the service area. Specific eligibility criteria may apply based on program requirements. Contact the organization directly for detailed information about access and enrollment.

How is the organization funded?

Funding comes from diverse sources including individual donations, foundation grants, government contracts, and earned revenue. Financial information is publicly available through annual reports and IRS Form 990 filings.

How can individuals support the mission?

Support opportunities include financial contributions, volunteer service, program participation, and advocacy. Visit the organization's website or contact staff directly to learn about current needs and engagement opportunities.

American Board of Trial Advocates -

Dallas, TX · Founded 1958

National association fostering excellence in civil trial advocacy and preserving the jury system

Primary audience

General Public

Work area

Community Service

Topic

Social Impact

Contact

Brian Tyson

Website Contact

About Organization

The American Board of Trial Advocates improves ethical and technical standards in civil trial practice while preserving the jury system through education and advocacy. Based in Dallas, TX, the organization operates with $5.2 million in annual revenue and relies on 333 volunteers across regional chapters.

What They Focus On

Policy Advocacy

Advances systemic change through research, policy analysis, and strategic advocacy efforts.

Program Delivery

Implements evidence-based programs designed to achieve measurable outcomes and community impact.

Capacity Building

Develops organizational infrastructure and partnerships to enhance service quality and sustainability.

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2024)

$5.2M

+13.1% vs 2023

Expenses (2024)

$5.4M

+14.4% vs 2023

Assets (2024)

$4.4M

-3.5% vs 2023

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Employees
2024	$5,204,350	$5,365,869	$4,390,030	0
2023	$4,603,099	$4,689,695	$4,551,549	3
2022	$4,387,362	$4,539,642	$4,638,145	0
2020	$3,067,670	$1,969,836	$3,761,572	0
2019	$3,920,196	$3,962,079	$2,663,738	0
2018	$3,645,456	$3,782,250	$2,705,621	0

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

01

Assess Needs

Identifies community needs through data analysis and stakeholder engagement to inform program design.
02

Design Programs

Develops evidence-based programs and services tailored to address identified needs and achieve measurable outcomes.
03

Deliver Services

Implements programs through trained staff and partners to ensure quality service delivery and participant engagement.
04

Evaluate Impact

Measures program effectiveness and collects feedback to continuously improve services and demonstrate results.

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by American Board of Trial Advocates -

Advocacy And Policy

Advances policy priorities through strategic advocacy, coalition building, and engagement with decision makers.

Direct Services

Delivers targeted programs and resources to address community needs and advance organizational mission.

Capacity Building

Strengthens organizational effectiveness through infrastructure development, training, and strategic partnerships.

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind American Board of Trial Advocates -.

Brian Tyson

Executive Director

1 hrs/week

Hon Michael A Lacagnina

Past President

1 hrs/week

Doris Cheng

Corinne C. Hodak

Steven W. Quattlebaum

Phillippe Mario Raymond Reid, Jr.

Yoshiaki C. Kubota

Jennifer Haltom Doan

Lynn M. Leonard

Milestones

1958

Organization Founded

1958

Established to serve community needs and advance organizational mission.

2020

Program Expansion

2020

Enhanced service delivery and broadened community reach through strategic initiatives.

2023

Program Expansion

2023

Enhanced service delivery and broadened community reach through strategic initiatives.

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

Hon Andrew Edison National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Hon Bryan F Foster National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Hon Caroline E Baker National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Hon Christina Comstock National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Hon Coreen Wilson National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Hon Daniel H Sleet National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Hon Elizabeth Ray National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Hon John M Pacheco National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Hon Laura A Tighe Ret National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Hon Melissa S May National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Hon Rosemary T McGuire National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Hon W Thomas Sullins National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Alan David Toporek National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Alfred F Belcuore Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Alistair B Dawson National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Andrew J Schwaba Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Andrew Russell Blank National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Andrew Weinstock Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Aubrey B Harwell Jr National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Baldemar Garcia Jr Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Benjamin C Bunn National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Benjamin H Davidson II Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Bobby L Dallas National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Bradley M Corsiglia National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Breen Arntz National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Brent M Langdon National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Brian C Dretke National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Brian G Steller National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr C Dennis Barrow Jr National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Carlos Rodriguez Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Chad A Swanson Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Charles A Bentley Jr National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Charles A Deluca National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Charles A Mayr Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Charles A Stewart III Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Charles D Neal Jr National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Christopher A Duggan National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Christopher E Knight National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Christopher J Schulte National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Christopher M Hanlon Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Christopher W Phillips Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Clarence Davis National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Clinton L Kelly National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Craig M Peters Treasurer 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Daniel Harwin Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Daniel J O'Brien National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Daniel J Scully Jr National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Daniel JT Sciano National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Darryl E Baker National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr David C Hutchinson National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr David C Prather Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr David D Towler National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr David L Welch National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr David Lincoln Woodard Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Dean M Cordiano National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Don Jackson National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Donald Hamilton Kidd National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Douglas M DeGrave National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Dwaine M Massey National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Eliott V Nixon National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Eric G Kahn National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Eric V Traut National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Eron Zachary Cannon Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Frank E Lamothe III National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Frank Sabo Jr Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Gary P Thimsen National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Geoffrey Sessions Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Gerald F Richman National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Gilbert A Dickinson National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Greg G Rizio Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Gregory L Gowan National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr H Sam Mabry III Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr J Douglas Compton Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Jack B Baldwin National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr James A Varner National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr James Bryan Moseley Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr James E Beasley Jr Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr James E Wren Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr James M Hartman National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr James N Floyd Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr James R Lance Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr James R Rosen National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Jason S Bell Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Jeffrey A Adelman National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Jeffrey L Goodman National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Jeffrey M Tillotson Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Jeffrey Portnoy National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Jeffrey S Davis National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Jeffrey T Roberts National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Jesse Gubernat Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Joe L Lovell National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Joel D Nelson Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr John A Bailey Jr Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr John A Banahan National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr John A Hobson Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr John A Massalon Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr John A Zohlman III National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr John C Howell Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr John E Sweeney National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr John H Howard National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr John J Barton National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr John Morrison National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr John N Demas Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr John R Rodman National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr John Scott Mann Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Joseph A Gerling National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Joseph J Kalbac Jr National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Joseph L Amos Jr National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Joseph L Reese Jr National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Joseph W Shea III National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Kenneth M Oliver National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Kevin A Isern Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Kevin J McCarthy National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Kirby D Shealy III National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Lars Berg Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Luis Cardenas National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Manuel A Reboso National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Marco Mercaldo National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Mark A Avera Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Mark B Connely National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Mark D Lammers Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Mark E Anderson National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Mark E Larson National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Mark J Arndt Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Mark J LeWinter National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Marquette Wolf National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Matthew B Hayhurst Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Matthew D Green National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Matthew R Pearson National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Mel C Orchard III Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Michael F Perley National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Michael Robert Janes Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Michael Scott Bucci National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Michael T Wise Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Moses Lebovits National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Patrick C Barry Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Patrick J Hagerty National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Patrick Rock Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Paul Timothy Kelly National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Pete T Patterson National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Philip M Hymanson Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Powell M Leitch III Chapter Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Mr R Scott Costantino National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Reid Wm Martin National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Ricardo Echeverria National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Richard B Collins National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Mr Richard H Schoenberger National Board Representative 1.00 hrs/week

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2024)

$139K

Highest Paid

$54K

Brian Tyson

Compensated Officers

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Brian Tyson	Executive Director	$0	$53,524	$53,524	1
Molly Mcdonald	Foundation Associate Executive Director	$0	$40,882	$40,882	—
Sarah Wahlert Kersh	Associate Executive Director	$0	$36,313	$36,313	1
Nichole Tabaska	Finance Director	$0	$8,580	$8,580	1

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Brian Tyson	Executive Director	$0	$46,023	$46,023	1
Molly Mcdonald	Foundation ASSOC Executive Director	$0	$35,153	$35,153	—
Sarah Wahlert Kersh	Associate Executive Director	$0	$30,084	$30,084	4.75

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Brian Tyson	Executive Director	$0	$69,453	$69,453	1
Molly Mcdonald	Foundation ASSOC Executive Director	$0	$34,593	$34,593	1
Sarah Wahlert-Kersh	Associate Executive Director	$0	$28,925	$28,925	1

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Brian Tyson	Executive Director	$0	$64,624	$64,624	—
Molly Mcdonald	Associate Executive Direct	$0	$35,530	$35,530	—
Sarah Wahlert-Kersh	Associate Executive Direct	$0	$28,617	$28,617	—
Karan Wright	Financial Director	$0	$25,959	$25,959	—
Luther J Battiste	President	$0	$658	$658	—

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Bryan Tyson	Executive Director	$0	$62,073	$62,073	—
Molly Mcdonald	Associate Executive Director	$0	$34,651	$34,651	—
Sarah Wahlert-Kersh	Associate Executive Director	$0	$27,890	$27,890	—

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$29K Grants Given

3 Organizations

Top Grantees

3 total

Foundation of the Federal Bar Association Arlington, VA

$13K

Civics Learning Project Portland, OR

$10K

Texas Tech Law School Foundation Lubbock, TX

$7K

Foundation of the Federal Bar Association Civics Learning Project Texas Tech Law School Foundation

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Contact

Get in touch with American Board of Trial Advocates -

Phone

(214) 871-7523

Social

Visit Website

2001 Bryan St 3000 Dallas, TX 75201

American Board of Trial Advocates -

What They Focus On

Financial Information

How They Work

Assess Needs

Design Programs

Deliver Services

Evaluate Impact

Programs and Initiatives

Advocacy And Policy

Direct Services

Capacity Building

Team & Leadership

Brian Tyson

Hon Michael A Lacagnina

Molly McDonald

Mr Charles H Baumberger

Mr Craig Lewis

Mr Daniel J Culliton

Mr David H Burrow

Mr Don C Keenan

Mr Donald B Black

Mr Donald R Shultz

Mr Edward J Nevin

Mr F Dulin Kelly

Mr Frederick W James

Mr Gordon S Rather Jr

Mr H Gilbert Jones

Mr Harry T Widmann

Mr Henry J Bogust

Mr James A George

Mr Joel W Collins Jr

Mr John L Holcomb

Mr John V Phelps

Mr Lewis R Sifford

Mr Luther J Battiste III

Mr Mark P Robinson Jr

Mr Michael P Maguire

Mr Michael T Callahan

Mr Patrick C Simek

Mr Reece Williams

Mr Richard J O'Keeffe

Hon Jerome B Abrams

Hon Nelly N Khouzam

Hon Wendell Mortimer Jr

Mr Brian A Cardoza

Mr Bryan R Reid

Mr Charles L Henke

Mr Christopher J Beeman

Mr Curtis W Fenley III

Mr Daniel V Kohls

Mr David E Cherry

Mr David G Halpern

Mr Eugene Brown Jr

Mr Hans G Poppe

Mr J Kevin Morrison

Mr James E Tamm

Mr Jamie D Travis

Mr John H Kim

Mr John K Courtney

Mr Joseph Alan Callier

Mr Joshua A Whitman

Mr Lish Whitson

Mr Pedro Raul Alvarez Jr

Mr Peter W Riley

Mr R Bruce Hurley

William D. Shapiro

Doris Cheng

Corinne C. Hodak

Steven W. Quattlebaum

Phillippe Mario Raymond Reid, Jr.

Yoshiaki C. Kubota

Jennifer Haltom Doan

Lynn M. Leonard

Milestones

Organization Founded

Program Expansion

Program Expansion

Associated People

Board of Directors