WWCDA has chapters throughout the world. Membership is free. To become a member of WWCDA, you must be a lawyer in a law firm or a professional in a consulting firm that represents or otherwise assist clients facing government enforcement actions (criminal, civil, regulatory, and administrative), and/or internal investigations, other defense and compliance and ethics matters.
You can see a list of the practice areas that meet this criteria here.
You must also join a chapter where your primary work address is located and meet the additional membership criteria of the particular chapter. The membership criteria for each chapter can be found on the individual chapter webpages. There are four types of membership categories and you must select the category you satisfy according to the chapter criteria.
1. Law Firm Attorney Member
2. Consultant Member
3. Law Firm Attorney Affiliate Member
4. Consultant Affiliate Member
Review the chapter criteria, select which category you satisfy and Apply now.
Membership Criteria & Categories -- Further Explained Below
All chapters welcome as members attorneys who work in law firms and practice in the area of White Collar Defense and Investigations, defined as those who represent corporations, other organizations and individuals facing government enforcement actions (criminal, civil, regulatory, and administrative), and/or internal investigations, other defense and compliance and ethics matters [Click here to see a list of the practice areas that meet this criteria]. This category of membership is called: "Law Firm Attorney Member."
Some chapters may limit Law Firm Attorney membership to those of certain seniority. Although law firm attorneys of all levels (partner, counsel, associate, staff) may apply to join a chapter, for those chapters that limit membership based upon seniority, junior attorneys (who otherwise qualify under the criteria set forth herein) can join the chapter as an "affiliate member," which permits them to participate in certain activities of the chapter and WWCDA. This category of membership is called: "Law Firm Attorney Affiliate Member."
Many WWCDA chapters welcome as members attorneys and other professionals who work at consulting firms (or non-attorney professionals who work at law firms) and assist clients on matters in the White Collar Defense and Investigations field (as previously defined), and who offer support services and referral opportunities to attorneys in private practice. This category of membership is called: "Consultant Member."
Some chapters may limit membership of consulting professionals and/or require a certain seniority. Although consulting professionals who otherwise qualify under the criteria set forth herein may apply to join a chapter, for those chapters that limit membership of consulting professionals or require a certain seniority, the consulting professional can join the chapter as an “affiliate member,” which permits them to participate in certain activities of the chapter and WWCDA. This category of membership is called: "Consultant Affiliate Member."
When completing the membership application, review the chapter membership category rules for your chapter location and select the correct category on the application that you satisfy under that chapter's criteria.
Note that there are two additional categories on the membership application called “Sponsor" and "Alumni Member." The “Sponsor” category is to be used only in unique situations where the applicant is an employee of a sponsor organization, but does not otherwise qualify under the other membership categories and specifically qualifies under the terms of the sponsorship agreement or otherwise is helping WWCDA in some capacity. The "Alumni Member" category is for a former member of WWCDA who no longer works in the private sector at a law firm or consulting firm.
Some WWCDA and chapter events and activities may be limited to law firm attorneys.
Application
If you wish to apply to join a WWCDA chapter, please complete and submit the application below after you have filled in each of the application fields, and chosen the correct membership category and chapter location. Your information will be shared with and transferred to both the WWCDA in the United States as well as the appropriate local chapter relevant to your location. Once your completed application is submitted, we will contact you. If accepted to join WWCDA, you will be notified and invited to take the final required step, which is to complete each field on your WWCDA profile (including uploading your current firm bio and .jpeg photo).
If you have questions or if you work in an area that does not have a chapter, please send an email to membership@wwcda.org.
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