- What is the IALDA?

The International Amusement & Leisure Defense Association, Inc. is a non-profit association of lawyers and other professionals who are actively engaged in representing the interests of the amusement and leisure industries. The IALDA is not a trade association or a bar association and membership must be approved by the Membership Committee. The IALDA is an independent organization and not affiliated with any insurance company, brokerage, or law firm.


What is the Mission of the IALDA?

The mission of the IALDA is to promote and protect the legal interests of the amusement and leisure industry.

To achieve this mission, the IALDA will provide a means for members to meet and network with others who practice in similar areas of the law. It will provide a forum for members who handle similar types of industry legal matters to exchange information, share experiences and develop common discovery and litigation strategies. The IALDA will also operate as a clearinghouse for speakers and authors on industry-specific topics and educational seminars for the industry and its insurers.


Who is Eligible to Join the IALDA?

The IALDA is open to lawyers and non-lawyer professionals who meet the association's membership requirements.

Active membership in the IALDA is open to experienced members of the Bar who regularly represent the amusement and leisure industries, including defense counsel, house counsel, corporate, and insurance counsel. Associate membership is open to corporations, organizations, and non-lawyers with a strong interest in industry legal affairs including executives of insurance companies, risk managers, amusement facility owners/operators, state ride inspectors, manufacturers, insurance brokers, independent adjusters, and expert witnesses.


Where are the IALDA Members Located?

The IALDA is a rapidly growing association. Our goal is to have members in all 50 states and every developed country.


What are the benefits of membership in the IALDA?

The IALDA is undertaking an ambitious program of publication and education. Board members of the IALDA have presented educational seminars and have exhibited at the Fun Expo, the World Waterpark Association, Association of Industry Manufacturers and Suppliers (AIMS) and the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) conventions. Other benefits of membership include publication of a newsletter, membership directory, and regional and industry-specific education seminars.

Our first publication is an international compilation of regulatory safety standards with annotations for amusement rides, tramways, and ski lifts. Compiled and edited by former Board member R. Wayne Pierce, this two-volume collection also includes safety materials, legislative history, and a full text of related opinions and court decisions wherever appropriate. The standards are fully indexed for ease of use. This publication will become an essential reference source for the industry.


Who Founded the IALDA?

The seven members of the Charter Board of Directors includes six experienced defense attorneys and one prominent member of the insurance industry.