About
The American College of Real Estate Lawyers is the select national association of preeminent commercial real estate lawyers focused on service to clients, colleagues and the profession. Admission is by invitation only after a rigorous screening process. ACREL's distinguished, nationally-known lawyers have been elected to fellowship for their outstanding legal ability, experience and high standards of professional and ethical conduct in the practice of real estate law.
The American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL) was founded in 1978 by Frederick S. Lane of Boston, Massachusetts, John A. Gose of Seattle, Washington and Ray Potter of Phoenix, Arizona. A steering committee of organizers first met in Pebble Beach, California and, after preliminary meetings in Dearborn, Michigan and Arlington, Virginia, articles of incorporation were filed in the District of Columbia in 1980. The College has grown from its 125 charter Members to a current membership of over 1,000 prominent real estate lawyers practicing in 50 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The College is a nonprofit corporation qualified for exemption from federal income taxation under Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The purposes of the College as stated in its Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws are to gather together lawyers distinguished for their skill, experience and high standards of professional and ethical conduct in the practice of real estate law, who will contribute substantially to the accomplishments, achievements and good fellowship of the College and to the best interests of the bar and the general public through the fulfillment of objectives of the College, which specifically include: to promote high standards of professional and ethical responsibility in the practice of real estate law; to improve real estate law and practice; to make available to the bar and to the public authoritative educational materials in real estate law and practice; to inform the Members of the most current developments in real estate law and practice; to address issues of importance to real estate law by participating in law reform matters and legislative, administrative and judicial initiatives when appropriate; and to cooperate and consult with national, state and local bar organizations, government agencies and other groups which have an interest in real estate law and practice.
The College holds two in-person meetings a year, which each feature cutting-edge programming in all fields of Real Estate Law, administrative and substantive committee meetings, and opportunities to network with industry thought leaders from across the US. Between meetings, Fellows of the College remain engaged through regular committee meetings, the ACREL referal network, College communications, and regional meetings.