The American College of Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only national legal society, has tapped two local litigators for membership: Steve Anderson of Walker, Tipps & Malone and Bob Boston of Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis.

The stated mission of the College is "to improve and elevate the standards of trial practice, the administration of justice and the ethics of the trial profession." It accepts a limited number of members from each state and requires that lawyers have at least 15 years of trial experience in order to be considered as potential fellows.

Only about 30 practicing Nashville attorneys are in the ACTL.

Anderson, a 1988 graduate of Vanderbilt Law School, is a founding partner of Walker, Tipps & Malone. His practice is mainly focused on the defense of serious personal injury and wrongful death cases, the majority of which are medical malpractice claims.

Boston is a partner and serves on board of directors at Waller Lansden. His practice there focuses on complex commercial litigation, including representation of employers in labor and employment litigation and dispute resolution. He earned his law degree at the University of Tennessee in 1981.