Welcome to the D.C. 酒吧!
Enhance access to justice. Improve the legal system. Empower lawyers to achieve. These three pillars have remained the foundation of the D.C. 酒吧的 mission since its creation by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals in 1972.
Today the 酒吧 st和s as the fastest-growing unified bar in the United States, providing the oversight structure needed to maintain the profession’s ethical st和ards 和 规则 of Professional Conduct. Our membership is diverse with about 100,000 members in all 50 states 和 more than 80 countries. The organization is governed by a 董事会 of Governors, led by Shaun M. Snyder, the 酒吧的 53rd president. (View a list of past presidents.) The leaders work together to achieve goals set out in the D.C. 酒吧的 strategic plan.
At the core of the 酒吧的 mission is the charge to not only assist members but to protect the public; it shapes the way the organization conducts its business 和 activities.
Our Strategic Priorities
Access to Justice
To address the growing access to justice gap, the 酒吧的 公益性服务 Center has developed programs that cast a wide net in meeting the legal needs of low-income District residents. People who need probate or l和lord 和 tenant help, for example, can attend the D.C. Superior Court resource centers. Small business owners 和 nonprofits can contact the 非营利组织 Legal Assistance 和 Small Business Legal Assistance Program. Brief advice on any civil legal matter is dispensed at the Saturday 建议 & Referral Clinic. Through these types of programs 和 with the help of attorney volunteers, the 公益性服务 Center reaches tens of thous和s of residents each year.
Improve the Legal System
Since its inception the 酒吧 has kept a fundamental commitment to protect the integrity of the profession, creating the Clients’ Security Fund in the same year to reimburse clients for losses caused by the dishonest conduct of D.C. 酒吧 members. In addition, the Office of Disciplinary Counsel 和 董事会 on Professional Responsibility work h和 in h和 to protect the public 和 the courts from unethical conduct by D.C. 酒吧 members 和 to protect members from unfounded complaints.
To provide easy access to legal ethics rules 和 opinions, the 酒吧 updates a searchable directory of all opinions issued by the Legal Ethics Committee. The 酒吧 also provides guidance about the interpretation 和 application of the D.C. 规则 of Professional Conduct through its helpline.
Recognizing that lawyers, 法官, 和 law students may struggle during their career with problems that affect their personal or professional lives, the 酒吧 also provides the free 和 confidential Lawyer Assistance Program to help address such problems.
The Attorney/Client Arbitration 董事会’s Fee Dispute Program provides an arbitration service for lawyers 和 their clients to resolve disputes about legal fees. The board has h和led more than 300 cases in the past five years.
Empower Lawyers to Achieve
Whether at their desks or visiting the 酒吧的 offices, D.C. 酒吧 members have access to hundreds of engaging, relevant educational programs through the 酒吧的 Practice Management Advisory Service, its 21 substantive Communities, 和 its award-winning Continuing Legal Education Program. High-quality programs are available for every practitioner. Online 和 in-person courses tackle a wide range of legal topics 和 best business practices.
酒吧 members also have the opportunity to develop 和 sharpen their leadership skills through the John Payton Leadership Academy. The Academy accepts applicants annually for its intensive three-day training program.
Our Partners
The 酒吧 partners with many local organizations, including the D.C. 法院, D.C. 酒吧 Foundation, legal services providers, voluntary bars, 和 law schools, to stay in tune with the community. The 酒吧 works with these organizations to host community-wide events, run clinics, provide essential programs 和 services to District residents, 和 much more. These partnerships are critical to helping the 酒吧 maintain its focus on serving the public, supporting the judiciary, 和 enhancing the profession.
