A Case for Bar Associations

The Bencher—March/April

By Judge Jacqueline Powell

In Florida, membership in the Florida Bar is mandatory to maintain a valid license to practice law. Voluntary bar associations, on the other hand, are not mandatory for maintaining a license, but they may prove essential to an attorney’s career because of the invaluable help and resources they provide.

While there are numerous voluntary county and state bar associations in Florida—not to mention the national voluntary bars associations—I must confess that I did not value the importance of membership in voluntary bar associations until I became a solo practitioner.

My first year out of law school, when the membership was free for most voluntary bars, I participated in a few but not consistently. After that first year, as an assistant public defender, I did not see the value in joining a voluntary bar. I was lulled into the silo mentality. After all, the office provided support for the issues we all face every day and there was always someone I could talk to or run an issue by.

When I transitioned to private practice, it was pretty much the same; the firm paid my mandatory Florida Bar dues. And again, I fell into the idea that the firm had its own community that provided the support necessary for me to function well. Then, 12 years later, I needed to find new employment and I realized I had nowhere to turn. I only knew the people I had worked with and had not been exposed to any other areas of law. For the first time, I thought, “How do I overcome this short-sightedness?”

When I opened my own firm, I immediately renewed my membership in the local Broward County Bar Association. I joined the small firm section and attended its monthly meetings and continuing legal education (CLE) sessions. Those sessions provided necessary information for setting up the firm and the requirements for practicing in a particular city. When I wanted to transition into family law, I joined the family law section and began attending its CLE sessions. I quickly learned that there were like-minded people who I could call on at any time for support.

After I was elected to the bench in Broward County in 2018, I immersed myself in as many bar associations as I could. Becoming active in voluntary bar associations is invaluable, particularly for young lawyers and law students. Voluntary bars provide a space for engagement with other attorneys and offer a plethora of information in one place.

Taking part in CLE, pro bono services, mentorship programs, and general programs, while also learning best practices from other practitioners, all help to maintain the integrity of the legal profession. Each voluntary bar may have its own focus, but the end result is the same: to hold every lawyer to a higher standard.

Bar associations provide an effective conduit between the bench and bar in many ways. First, they provide camaraderie. Bar associations host regular networking sessions, typically in person and via videoconferencing. These relaxed environments allow attorneys and judges to get to know each other. Young attorneys can meet and talk with more seasoned attorneys. They can workshop an idea about a case or seek career advice.

Second, bars offer education. The Florida Bar requires attorneys to complete 30 CLE hours every three years. The voluntary bars provide numerous opportunities to meet these requirements. Some are free and others are offered at a minimal cost. Some are held via Zoom and others in person. The Broward County Bar Association hosts an annual Bench and Bar Conference. Judges, lawyers, and other legal-related organizations serve on the committee. At the all-day conference, attorneys hear from judges and seasoned lawyers on various topics. It is well-attended by judges and attorneys not only in Broward County but also the neighboring counties of Palm Beach and Miami-Dade.

The family law section of the Broward County Bar Associations hosts an annual luncheon for the sole purpose of providing family law updates. Again, the attorneys in attendance receive CLE credits and have networking opportunities.
Bars also provide education to the public. I have been called to serve on panels such as navigating small claims court and eviction court. Other colleagues have participated in probate and estate fora put on by bar associations in collaboration with other community organizations.

Third, voluntary bars promote professionalism. The Zoom era has produced lawyers who have never had the opportunity to practice in open court. As a judge, I see the dimming effects of this. Some lawyers do not know how to behave in court and/or how to treat each other. The bar associations are tasked with implementing programs to educate attorneys on professionalism and civility.

Fourth, voluntary bars promote leadership. Becoming a member of a voluntary bar offers numerous leadership opportunities. Attorneys can serve on committees that will expose them to the various issues that may come up in the practice of law. Many who serve on committees eventually become the president or serve on the board of directors of these organizations. I currently serve as the co-chair of the mentorship committee of the Broward County Bar Association, and I am the president of the Stephen R. Booher American Inn of Court. I previously served on the professionalism committee. I cannot count how many times I have been able to use the skills I learned in those roles in my time on the bench.

Similar to the bar associations, the American Inns of Court provide valuable resources and opportunities for its members, including CLE sessions and pro bono programs. Growth opportunities are available to young lawyers as they interact one-on-one with judges and seasoned lawyers in a smaller setting.

Because there are so many voluntary bar associations, it may seem overwhelming to know which to join. You don’t have to join all of them. Just find one that suits your needs and become active in it.

Judge Jacqueline Powell serves on the County Court Bench of the 17th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She the president of the Stephen R. Booher American Inn of Court.