Comments on: Do Bar Associations Really Benefit Solos?

By: Shawna-Leigh Baker

Shawna-Leigh Baker — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:35:37 +0000

A reader of ours, Ed Walters, pointed out an update to our state bar counts in this article: “Because the State Bars of Oregon, West Virginia, and Georgia have all switched from Casemaker to Fastcase in the last 18 months, Casemaker now has 26 state bar associations, and Fastcase has 20 state bars, as well as dozens of voluntary bar associations.”

By: Daniel M. Mills, Esq., Manager, PMAS, The DC Bar

Daniel M. Mills, Esq., Manager, PMAS, The DC Bar — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:29:52 +0000

Kat: Glad to help. Call me at 202.626.1312 or email at dmills@dcbar.org

By: Daniel M. Mills, Esq., Manager, PMAS, The DC Bar

Daniel M. Mills, Esq., Manager, PMAS, The DC Bar — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 17:47:20 +0000

The D.C. Bar is the second largest mandatory bar in the USA. The services are free to our membership who pay annual dues of $237.00.

By: Debra L Bruce

Debra L Bruce — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 17:49:30 +0000

Todd, good point about under-representation of solos in bar associations. I think it is sort of a self-selection process. Many solos feel overwhelmed by the business and administrative aspects of practicing law. They don’t think they have time to get involved. What they may be missing, however, is the opportunity for “crowd-sourcing” of techniques and information that would help them be more efficient and effective.

By: Debra L Bruce

Debra L Bruce — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 16:53:08 +0000

Carolyn, you really hit on one of my frustrations with bar associations….often they have useful content and valuable resources, but you can’t find them. That’s a big reason why lawyers think the bar doesn’t do much for them. The “just in time” access sucks. Sometimes I use something on a bar website, but then can’t find them again. I know it is there, but can’t find it! Grrr!

By: D. Todd Smith

D. Todd Smith — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 15:01:51 +0000

Like so many other things in life, bar associations are what you make of them. In my experience, local bars and practice-area sections offer the most value in terms of networking, low-cost CLE, and leadership opportunities.

It’s often true that solos are underrepresented. If you don’t like the way a bar association is run or what it offers, get involved and change it from within.

By: Carolyn Elefant

Carolyn Elefant — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 01:17:49 +0000

Thanks – I have to do another update. One problem that I did encounter in gathering this information (back in 2009 last time) is that many of the bar sites had terrible navigation and it was difficult to find information, even when I was aware that it existed. I also outsourced collection of some of this data and was not sufficiently vigilant in my oversight – though many LPM advisors weighed in with tips and I updated the chart. I’ve got to update it again and make it more legible.

By: Michael D. "Mickey" Fox

Michael D. "Mickey" Fox — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 17:51:50 +0000

And you are correct… “until you are licensed.” I urge you to take a moment and calculate the fees (bar registration and CLE requirements) and consider the cost of maintaining your license which can be quite a drain on a young solo.

By: Debra L Bruce

Debra L Bruce — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 16:30:59 +0000

I agree that CLE and other programs offered by bar associations often cost too much for solos and new lawyers. Discounting the cost of membership is not enough, if the benefits offered are still too expensive to take advantage of.

Perhaps you can point out these comments to your bar association. If they will follow the example of the bar associations that provide low-cost services to solos and new lawyers, perhaps that would allow them to cut their budgets for disciplinary actions.

By: Debra L Bruce

Debra L Bruce — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 16:12:09 +0000

Carolyn, thanks for posting the link to your chart on the offerings from different bar associations. That’s a valuable resource for readers. I am wondering what the “LPM” designation is. It says “no” for Texas in that column. Texas does have a Law Practice Management Program. Here is the link: http://www.texasbarcle.com/cle/LMHome.asp.