The Association of Business Trial Lawyers (ABTL) was founded in Los Angeles, California in 1973 to develop a better forum for the discussion of business trials. This included an aggressive effort to promote communication between the bench and bar. The ABTL is unique in providing a forum in which litigators and judges meet together to address issues important to business trial lawyers. Judicial participation in ABTL programs and events is very strong, in part, because the ABTL includes all business litigators, including both plaintiff-focused and defense-focused practices.