The Federal Bar Association’s (FBA’s) mission has brought together attorneys and judges from all parts of the country and has united them in common service to the federal legal profession. In 2020, the FBA celebrated 100 years of service to its members and the legal community—service that was inspired by the vision of the founders many years ago. From its small beginning in 1920 with 438 founding members, the FBA has grown to more than 15,000 members. To ensure that the FBA is the preeminent bar association for federal practitioners for the next 100 years and to provide goals and direction for the immediate future, the Board of Directors adopted a strategic plan on September 5, 2019. Although the plan was originally structured for a three-year period, some action plans and projects were postponed because resources were allocated to responding to pressing event, membership, and operational issues resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Board of Directors voted to extend the plan through FY2023 on June 11, 2021.

In 2018, the FBA saw the effects of declining membership, a trend that has been impacting most bar and professional societies since 2015. As planning commenced for the association’s centennial anniversary in 2020, the board recognized that the organization is in transition and must evolve to meet the needs of its multigenerational, national membership. Because of the forward-thinking leadership of the board and their openness to an independent review of the association, the strategic planning process offered an opportunity to take a critical look at who the members of the FBA are, what the FBA does, and how the FBA can better serve the needs of its changing membership.

The FBA’s strategic plan focuses on three specific objectives for lasting impact:

  1. Design a sustaining financial model that will support the FBA’s future relevance
  2. Strengthen recognition of the FBA as the advocate for the federal judiciary and as the premier bar for federal practitioners
  3. Modernize the FBA’s governance structure to ensure meaningful and inclusive leadership opportunities

Each objective includes specific and measurable action items that will be monitored quarterly by the Board of Directors. Progress will be reported semiannually to the National Council.

Grounded in the association’s mission, vision, and core values, the plan will guide our actions and articulates objectives that are consistent with the FBA’s commitment to serving as a nonpartisan catalyst for communication between the bar and the bench, as well as between the private and public sectors.

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