Membership of the IAML is by invitation only. Lawyers who are interested in joining the Academy are asked to submit information about their legal practice, and must satisfy established criteria for membership to obtain the approval of both the US Board of Admissions, and the main Board of Admissions. The process is a rigorous one, designed to ensure that the very high level of expertise within the Academy is maintained.

Existing fellows are encouraged to apply for judicial fellowship on appointment to the bench, or for non-practicing fellowship on retirement. The experience and authority which these fellows bring to the Academy is highly valued, and they make a significant contribution to Academy meetings.

Members
Since 1986, the IAML has grown steadily, the US Chapter now has over 210 fellows from 32 states, and the Academy contains over 380 fellows from all over the world.

Benefits
The Academy enables fellows handling international family law to obtain legal assistance of the highest calibre in another country. Fellows of the Academy each receive a list of fellows, the Certified List, which is updated annually. This acts as a guide to the most prominent individuals worldwide practising matrimonial law. A number of governments and other professional bodies are also now using the Academy membership list to locate family law specialists throughout the world.

The Academy contains a wealth of experience of international practice, and fellows frequently seek advice from other fellows on questions ranging from points of practice to identifying possible contact names in those countries not yet represented. The Academy provides fellows with an invaluable network of contacts throughout the world.

Meetings
The Academy holds an annual meeting, at a different venue each year, and the US and Canadian Chapters also meet annually. US Chapter fellows are also invited to attend the meetings of the European Chapter. Each meeting includes a substantial educational programme on family law, in which fellows and guest speakers of the highest quality advise on family law in different countries, and compare the law on family topics in those countries.

These meetings provide a wonderful opportunity for fellows to update themselves on legal developments throughout the world, and also allow them to establish or renew contact with fellow international lawyers.

Active participation in Academy meetings provides the fellows with an enjoyable way to develop their professional life, both in terms of their personal network of contacts and of their legal knowledge. In addition, the Academy keeps all of its fellows in touch with one another through regular newsletters, which advise fellows on major developments in family law in various countries, and on other topics of interest.

Website
The website is another valuable source of information on the most competent international family practitioners in the countries represented, and promotes exchange of information between the fellows.

The Academy website provides outline details on the work of the Academy, and on the fellows of the Academy, to the general public. Individual members of the public, and other professionals, including other lawyers, are therefore able to identify legal expertise from around the world, and are offered information on some of the key issues in international family law. The Academy has made presentations both in the US and in England in relation to legal reforms, and sends representatives to relevant international conferences, promoting the harmonisation of law, particularly in financial matters. The Academy also comments to the media in its capacity as an organisation of family law specialists.