Program areas at Boston Bar Association
Communications: helps the Boston Bar Association identify opportunities for strategic relationships and develops tools and tactics for implementation; formulates message development, consistent with the bba's mission, across a variety of platforms; counsels leaders to communicate with precision, speed, and clarity; coaches lawyers and other members of the legal community to use a wide variety of communications platforms, including new media, with confidence and integrity
Community service: the Boston Bar Association oversees more than twenty public service initiatives, representing thousands of volunteer hours annually. These volunteers provide legal services to the underserved, teach young people about the legal system, and help improve the administration of justice. The bba public service strategy is to effect change through both direct and systemic approaches. Direct volunteerism provides valuable service to people who need it, while providing attorneys who work in Boston significant exposure to residents of the city and community outreach organizations that they would otherwise not encounter. The role of the bba includes administrative and in-kind support as well as volunteer recruitment and training. The success of the bba's public service initiatives would not be possible without developing and cultivating institutional partnerships with a number of community and civic organizations. The role of the bba in these efforts is to educate its members about public service and public service opportunities by convening gatherings that promote a culture of volunteerism and civic engagement.
Government relations: advise Association leadership and membership of public policy developments of interest to the Bar and of significance to the administration of justice.
Sections - the Boston Bar Association held approximately 210 brown bag meetings in a variety of practice areas. These 1 to 1.5 hour programs feature one or two expert speakers. Programs vary in structure and substance to reach the desired target audience, which can be either novice or very experienced. Brown bag meetings can be planned quickly, creating an ideal forum to discuss very current 'hot topics and legislation.
Continuing legal education: the Boston Bar Association held approximately 30 continuing legal education programs in a variety of practice areas. These 3 hour seminars to full day conferences that cover in-depth subjects designed to provide practitioners a comprehensive overview on specific areas of law and often include a networking component. Cle programs are always accompanied by written materials. Cle programs are always available to non-bba members and are provided to members at a discounted price. The bba professional development programs are overseen by a program committee of practioners. Bba cle programs welcome over 1,800 attendees at the live programs, and are viewed by another 1,742 people online via learn online. The main objective of the bba cle program is to fulfill part of the organization's mission to advance the highest standards of excellence for the legal profession by providing members with the tools, relationships, opportunities and resources to develop successful careers and practices. Cle does this through education. Our cle programs are also a great platform to allow our members to speak or present on a specific topic.
Events - the bba and bbf events bring together not only the Boston legal community, but also our business communities, legislators and judges in a congenial atmosphere. They provide a forum for honoring lawyers, legislators, judges, law firms and corporations whose public service contributions are exceptional.
Lawyer referral service - the Boston Bar Association lawyer referral service (lrs) helps clients with specific legal problems find the right legal resource to address their unique needs. The lrs received approximately 4,100 calls from people seeking legal assistance. The objective of the lrs is to help members of the public find the appropriate resources available whether it be an attorney who specializes in their legal needs, or an attorney who will help low-income individuals with reduced fee or pro bono assistance. The Boston Bar Association lawyer referral service is the only referral service in the greater Boston area approved by the american Bar associaton.