Bar Leaders Learn Importance of Associations in Hard Times

Attendance at the 2010 Bar Leadership Institute March 10-11 exceeded expectations, as more than 320 bar association leaders came together for the annual event in Chicago. Bill Bay, chair of the Standing Committee on Bar Activities and Services, welcomed attendees, noting how coming together brings strength in numbers during these hard times.

At the two-day event, bar leaders learned how to work with a board, handle media interviews and develop strategic plans. They also learned about fresh concepts like 360-degree mentoring, an idea presented by futurist Jordan Furlong.

Furlong discussed “The Future of the Profession” on March 12, pointing out the need for associations to rethink the services they offer to their members. He encouraged bar leaders to go beyond traditional offerings to meet the needs of today’s lawyers.

The 2010 BLI represented some new approaches with a shortened program, allowing bar leaders to return home before the weekend and saving their associations the cost of one hotel night. Bar leaders attending found the program valuable

Details on the 2010 Bar Leadership Institute, including program materials and handouts are available here.