http://mylawlicense.blogspot.com/2010/08/perfect-aba-finds-10-no-9-no-8-no-4.html

http://blog.simplejustice.us/2010/08/07/the-seduction-of-the-aba.aspx?ref=rss

As always you raise good points. And thank you for the great work you have done on the task force (and SPU as faculty!) educating those on cloud-computing and virtual office technology. These two are becoming increasingly critical when a lawyer considers going solo or staying solo because it keeps them cost-effective and highly competitive.

And, as others have commented, it is the sections, whether geographically highly localized or practice area ‘localized’ which present the greatest perceived value. This is the greatest request. But there is much, much work to be done. And as many have pointed out, solos don’t have the luxury of the work and time commitment it takes to participate in the ABA fully while they struggle to build and maintain their solo practices/livelihoods. When you work for a firm that cuts you a check and supports your time and efforts for association involvement it’s very different. But then, again, that person does not necessarily have the solo’s needs at heart nor reasonably understands the solos needs. So, the pendulum naturally swings in favor of the greatest representation, larger firms. It’s a vicious cycle

However, this is nothing new! The ABA has always focused primarily on larger firms and Big Law needs even when times were flush in the legal profession and solos still needed services. So, I’m clearly more skeptical than you and with good reason. I’ve always believed you ‘follow the money’ and as the ABA follows the ‘loss of money through loss of membership’ they are looking to the solos to stop the bleeding.

ABA: I’m a solo criminal defense attorney focused on defending servicemembers in our armed forces (I took Chuck Newton seriously when he said to niche my practice). The court system I operate under is very streamlined, very transparent, and very easy to research. So, I’m not seeing it. Although, I did have a client accuse me of not being a licensed attorney because I am not a member of the ABA.

AUSA: The Association of the US Army. Again, they tout their lobbying, but benefits for servicemembers have never been higher, largely because of the folks working at the Pentagon, not lobbyists from AUSA. Again, I’ll pass.

Alumni Organizations. You know, I’m not even going to touch this one.

I could go on and on.

I do think that they are aware that the membership of the bar is changing significantly and will continue to do so dramatically as the baby boomer generation of attorneys slowly begins to retire. Sure, they are concerned for the bottom line just like any organization would be, but I’ll choose to see these new changes as a positive acknowledgment and baby steps in the right direction. Because the ABA does have influence on state bars, internationally and even over the public’s perception of our profession, I think that it can’t hurt to continue to make sure that the needs of the solo practitioner are represented within the ABA – especially as they look at proposing regulations on cloud computing that could affect our practices or influence our state bars into taking similar action. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Without the participation of other solos, it won’t get very far.

This ‘repackaging’ is the same thing. There is nothing new being offered, just a repackaging of the same stuff with a lower price tag and a ‘portal.’ They aren’t hearing those who are speaking even when they are people like yourself who actively participate with the goal of helping.

You can lead a horse to water….