Membership

AHIA Membership: Your Edge in Hospitality Law

Connect and Collaborate: Build a powerful network of experienced and capable legal professionals in the hospitality industry. AHIA provides numerous opportunities to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and foster valuable professional relationships.

Learn and Grow: Stay ahead of the curve with access to cutting-edge educational resources designed FOR hospitality attorneys BY hospitality attorneys. We're committed to advancing legal knowledge and best practices within the hospitality industry.

Expand Your Reach: Increase your visibility and connect with key decision-makers in the hospitality industry. AHIA provides platforms and opportunities to expand your professional reach and build valuable connections.

How We Deliver These Benefits:

  • Meetings: AHIA hosts two meetings each year, in April and October, providing valuable opportunities for networking, education, and collaboration with fellow members.
  • Educational Programs: AHIA offers informative webinars and programs for members and other industry professionals, covering the latest legal trends and challenges.
  • Referral Network: Our membership comprises recognized and experienced legal counsel, creating a trusted network for competent and ethical client referrals.
  • Member Communication: AHIA fosters direct communication and collaboration among its members through a dedicated listserv. This valuable resource enables members to easily connect to discuss industry trends, share expertise, collaborate on projects, refer clients, and engage in robust conversations on relevant legal topics
  • Online Directory: AHIA maintains a comprehensive online directory of its members. This directory is dynamically updated as members join or update their profiles, ensuring access to the most current information. The directory is a valuable resource for both members seeking to connect with colleagues and members of the public looking for qualified hospitality law attorneys.

AHIA Membership Categories and Criteria

AHIA offers two membership categories: General Membership and Emerging Leader - Associate Membership. The Board of Directors makes all membership decisions in its sole discretion, which discretion will not be applied arbitrarily or for any discriminatory or improper purpose.

General Membership:

General Membership is open to attorneys providing services to businesses, associations, or legal entities within the hospitality industry. General Members have full voting rights.

  • In-House Counsel: Attorneys serving as in-house counsel for hospitality industry concerns must meet the following minimum qualifications:

    • Membership in good standing with at least one state bar association (or international equivalent), or voluntary inactive bar status under circumstances that do not reflect negatively on the attorney's character or fitness to practice law.
    • At least five (5) years of law practice experience serving as in-house counsel with a hospitality industry entity that operates or owns a hospitality enterprise.

  • Outside Counsel: Attorneys not serving as in-house counsel must meet these minimum qualifications:

    • Membership in good standing with at least one state bar association (or international equivalent).
    • At least ten (10) years of law practice experience, with at least 50% of their practice dedicated to serving hospitality industry clients for the most recent five (5) years.
  • Membership Fee: General Members' annual membership fee is $350.

Apply for General Membership

Emerging Leader - Associate Membership:

This category is designed for attorneys with a growing focus on hospitality industry legal practice who do not yet meet the requirements for General Membership. Associate Members do not have voting rights.

  • Eligibility Requirements:

    • Minimum Law Practice Experience:
      • Three (3) years of law practice experience.
      • In-House Exception: Attorneys practicing in-house for a hospitality industry entity that operates or owns a hospitality enterprise require a minimum of one (1) year of experience.
    • Industry Practice Focus:
      • A minimum of 25% of the applicant's legal practice in the past year must have been dedicated to the hospitality industry.

  • Membership Fee: Emerging Leader - Associate Members enjoy a reduced annual membership fee of $175.

Apply for Emerging Leader Associate Membership

Definition of Hospitality Industry: The "Hospitality Industry" encompasses, but is not limited to, hotels, restaurants, casinos, cruise travel, lodging, public places of amusement, and those engaged in the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) industry.

Approved by the Board of Directors October 2024