The FBA has 20 substantive law sections and 5 career divisions which you may join. In addition to networking opportunities, many sections and divisions distribute quarterly newsletters providing current information on their particular area of the law. View List
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The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Section provides a forum for the exchange of information critical to lawyers and in-house counsel who represent parties in adversarial settings. The section designs discussions, lectures, and training programs for lawyers preparing to integrate formal alternative dispute resolution into their practices, for counsel already experienced at resolving disputes through third party intervention, and for attorneys wanting to serve as neutrals, mediators, and other ADR practitioners.
Chair.......................Jeffrey Paquin
Dues.......................$15
Annual Events........ meetings, luncheons, ADR in Environment ProgramThe Antitrust and Trade Regulation Section sponsors programs on matters involving federal antitrust and trade regulations including legislation and procedural improvements impacting the civil and criminal antitrust practice; enforcement exemptions and immunities; mergers and monopolies; premerger notification and remedies; and activities of the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the DOJ.
Chair.........................Christopher J. Kelly
Newsletter..................Antitrust Report
Dues..........................$15
Annual Events...........Variety of section meetings, luncheons, programsThe Appellate Law Section deals with the practice of appellate law in federal courts. Dedicated to the enhancement and improvement of appellate practice, its committees monitor the development of the federal appellate rules, offer topical and timely articles, seminars, luncheons and receptions on appellate law and practice, and strive to improve the appellate abilities of lawyers and interested law students, develop the appellate bar in each Chapter and Circuit, and promote pro bono participation at the appellate level. Members of the Federal Bar Association, and interested law students, are all welcome to join.
Chair........................
Newsletter.................
Dues.........................
Annual Events...........The Bankruptcy Law Section is composed of lawyers and judges interested in federal bankruptcy and insolvency matters. Professionals from across the country are members. The section provides regular updates regarding legislation and cases of interest. In addition the section is a cosponsor of an ethics seminar presented annually in Los Angeles and a bankruptcy primer presented in Dallas in the fall.
Chair.........................Gerrit Pronske
Newsletter..................Bankruptcy Briefs
Dues..........................$10
Annual Events...........Variety of section meetings, luncheons, programsThe Corporate and Association Counsels Division is open to all members who are past or present members of a corporate or association counsel staff. The division will strive to better address the professional needs of the members and encourage greater involvement in the association activities.
Chair........................ Dan Gadra
Newsletter..................The Alert
Dues......................... $10
Annual Events...........Variety of section meetings and seminarsThe Criminal Law Section is a section with a mission to enhance the practice of criminal law in all federal courts (civilian and military), as well as to foster a productive and ongoing dialogue among the federal bench, defense bar, and prosecutors.
Chair........................ Kevin McGrath
Newsletter..................In Hot Pursuit of Federal Criminal Justice
Dues......................... $10
Annual Events...........Variety of section meetings and seminarsThe Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources Section is concerned with new and significant legislation, regulatory programs, and national policy in the areas of energy and environmental law. The scope of the section ranges from environmental concerns and waste control efforts in this country to the use of America's public lands. The jurisdiction of this section stretches to the U.S. energy policy and encompasses the exploration, development and use of our natural resources.
Chair......................... Ann H. Clarke
Newsletter.................. EENR Pursuits
Dues.......................... $15
Annual Events............Variety of meetings, luncheons, and seminarsThe Federal Career Service Division is dedicated to issues affecting federal lawyers. Its membership consists of present and former federal government attorneys. The division has several committees and task forces which are concerned with matters facing attorneys as professionals. It addresses all aspects of the professional environment in which attorneys work, including: the hiring, classification, and qualifications for attorneys in government; and issues such as "soft landing" or "downsizing". It monitors proposed legislation affecting government attorneys; it takes positions on issues affecting them; and it participates as amicus curiae in appropriate court cases. It holds monthly meetings, and it presents annual seminars.
Chair........................ Neysa M. Slater-Chandler
Newsletter................. First Thursday
Dues......................... No Charge
Monthly Events......... Luncheon meeting at the FBA (including teleconference)
Annual Events.......... Variety of seminarsThe Federal Litigation Section consists of six committees concerned with the fundamental practice of law in the federal courts. A wide range of topics in the field of federal court trial practice is monitored by committees which focus on federal rules of procedure, the U.S. Claims Court, trial and appellate practice and the improvement of the quality of advocacy. Also within the scope of the section are the topics of federal tort laws and the practice of law relating to the military service.
Chair........................Richard Pocker
Newsletter................. Sidebar
Dues......................... $10
Annual Events...........Annual Federal Litigation Seminar, a variety of seminars, receptions, luncheons, and programsThe Financial Institutions and the Economy Section is composed of seven committees which are concerned with the operation and health of savings and loan institutions, the banking and housing industries, and other investment institutions in the United States. Although the scope is primarily restricted to this country, the section also examines the influences of the international economic community on the U.S. financial structures. Included are the specialized fields dealing with securities and small business law.
Chair........................ Paul Huey-Burns
Dues..........................No charge
Annual Events...........Banking Agenda Breakfast, variety of seminars, receptions, discussions, meetings, luncheonsThe Government Contracts Section is concerned with the research and development, and the acquisition and sale of property and services by or on behalf of the government. Its scope includes comparable foreign government contracts with U.S. firms and individuals, foreign military sales, federal grants and assistance, pertinent claims and disputes, bid protests, construction and boards of contract appeals.
Chair..........................Stacia Davis Le Blanc
Newsletter.................Government Contracts
Dues..........................$20
Annual Events............Variety of luncheons, meetings, Western Briefing Conference, Procurement Policy Leadership Seminars, co-sponsor of the annual Board of Contract Appeals Judges ReceptionThe Health Law Section focuses on matters involving health care finance, Medicaid/Medicare fraud and abuse, public health, mental health, food and drug regulation, medical malpractice, and other issues relevant to health care service provision. Active liaisons are maintained with related bar and scientific organizations.
Chair........................ Matthew Caspari
Newsletter..................Federal Health Lawyer
Dues.........................$10
Annual Events............Variety of luncheons, meetings, and programsThe Immigration Law Section of the Federal Bar Association was established in October 1990 to recognize the ever-increasing importance of immigration law on the federal legal scene today. The section has assembled a committee structure comprised of some of the most distinguished names in the field. Ongoing projects include the FBA's Annual Immigration Law Seminar as well as several chapter seminars on new legislation. Anyone interested in participating is welcome and should contact the chair or vice chair.
Chairs........................Douglas Weigle
Newsletter..................Green Card
Dues..........................$10
Annual Events............Variety of luncheons, meetings, CLE programsThe Indian Law Section of the FBA focuses on Native American Laws in the United States. One Indian law scholar claims that the Supreme Court accepts cases involving Indian law issues at a rate higher than any other area of law. As tribes begin exercising the powers necessary to govern in the modern world many conflicts arise and find their way into the federal courts. The Federal Bar Association responded to this rapidly developing area of federal law by creating the Indian Law Section which consists of four committees: Indian Law Development; Public Education, which focuses on educating the public about federal Indian Law cases; Tribal Justice, which works to strengthen tribal court systems; and the Newsletter Committee.
Chair.........................D. Michael McBride III
Newsletter..................Federal Indian Law
Dues...........................$15
Annual Events...........Indian Law Conference in Albuquerque, NM, the Washington, D.C., Indian Law Conference co-sponsored with Native American Bar Association and DC Bar Association held in the fall, and a variety of luncheons and meetingsThe Intellectual Property and Communications Law Section is composed of four committees concerned with the impact of law on the production, processing, and distribution of information. The section's jurisdiction includes the areas of telecommunications, patents, trademarks, copyrights, and computer technology.
Chair.........................
Newsletter..................IPC Legal Browser
Dues...........................$10
Annual Events............Variety of luncheons, seminars, and meetingsThe International Law Section is composed of six committees concerned with all aspects of public and private international law. The section, whenever possible, makes appropriate recommendations to the agencies of the US government and the Congress for the solution of international law problems referred to it by the association or as deemed necessary by the section. The basic charter of the section is to maintain an exchange of information on developing international law through communication within the association and with other international bar associations and organizations. The section's jurisdiction includes efforts to insure human rights in every country of the world, to build a better understanding of the domestic and foreign regulations of our international trade as well as of the customs laws, the development and use of the world's resources, and an examination of the rules governing space travel and exploration.
Chair.........................Beatrice A. Brickell
Newsletter..................The Globe
Dues..........................$10
Annual Events............Great Debate, luncheons, seminars, and meetingsThe Judiciary Division is involved in subjects relating to the Federal Judiciary, including administrative and military tribunals. It addresses matters of interest to the judiciary, judges and their staffs. Division activities include monitoring of and commenting on legislative, executive, and other actions impacting the Federal judiciary, as well as the sponsoring of professional and educational programs. This division provides a unique voice for judges in reacting to public concerns
Chair.........................
Newsletter..................The Federal Jurist
Dues..........................$10
Annual Events............ Supreme Court Review and Preview; Administrative Law Judge Summit; New Judges Reception; monthly luncheons and meetingsThe Labor & Employment Law Section is composed of standing committees and varying numbers of special committees addressing issues in labor/labor relations law as well as all aspects of employment law, including policy development and advice, administrative agency investigations and charges, fair labor standards, affirmative action, work place disabilities, benefits, occupational safety & health, alternative dispute resolution and litigation in the federal, state, and local sectors. The section's membership includes practitioners in the field employed as government, union, and private sector lawyers, judges, mediators and arbitrators. The section's newsletter, The Labouring Oar, features legal updates and articles on issues of interest to the labor and employment bar.
Chair.........................Danuta B. Panich
Newsletter..................Labouring Oar
Dues..........................$15
Annual Events...........CLE luncheons and meetings; receptions; programs planned both independently and in cooperation with chapters, other sections, and other bar associations.The Senior Lawyers Division was formed to bring together those members of the association 55 years and older who, by virtue of their senior status, have a common bond and mutual interests. The division strives to further the objectives of the Federal Bar Association; to stimulate and keep viable the interest of the senior lawyers in the activities of the association; to utilize the wealth of experience and talent for the association; to conduct programs of interest and value to senior lawyers; and to monitor legislative or administrative action of concern to senior lawyers and to communicate a position on these actions to Congress and the administration.
Chair.........................Robert Rappel
Newsletter..................The FBA Senior Lawyer
Dues..........................$10
Annual Events...........Various luncheons, and meetings
- The Social Security Section focuses on one of the largest areas of federal administrative law — the adjudication of Social Security disability claims. It welcomes attorney representatives, agency attorneys and judges and is the only professional association that incorporates the varying interests of all these groups. The section seeks to enhance Social Security practice through professional and educational programs as well as monitoring and commenting on legislative, executive, and agency actions and proposals relating to Social Security law.
Chair......................... Gary Flack
Newsletter................. Social Security Section Newsletter
Dues........................ $10
Annual Events...........Bench Bar Conferences and seminars- Back to Menu
The State & Local Government Relations Section is composed of persons who are involved or interested in how state and local governments address the multitude of federal issues that confront them, from civil rights to employment law and unfounded mandates to environmental concerns. An annual seminar, entitled "The Challenges Facing Local Governments," is held in Dallas and addresses the various aspects of state/local government relations with the federal government and applicable federal legislation.
Chair.........................Edwin P. Voss Jr.
Newsletter..................Spectrum
Dues..........................$5
Annual Events...........Various meetings and luncheons and The Challenges Facing Local Governments Annual SeminarThe Taxation Section is composed of government and private sector attorneys practicing in the area of federal taxation. The section's purpose is to promote the welfare, interests, education, and professional growth and development of members of the Tax Section; to promote high standards of professional competence and ethical conduct in the practice of federal tax law; and to provide opportunities for interaction between tax practitioners in public service and the private sector. The primary mission of the Tax Section is to provide service and value to all Tax Section members.
Chair.........................Edward Froelich
Newsletter..................Tax Report
Dues..........................$15
Annual Events...........Airlie House Conference, Tax Law Conference, Insurance Tax Conference, and writing competition, in addition to various luncheons, seminars, and meetingsThe Transportation & Transportation Security Law Section is concerned with the operation and improvement and safety of the nation’s transportation systems. Included in its jurisdiction are legislation and other developments which affect U.S. air, rail, and water transportation. The section monitors safety improvements and the development of multi-modal forms of transportation.
Chair.........................Daeleen Chesley
Newsletter..................Translaw
Dues..........................$20
Annual Events...........Counsel’s Reception; writing competition; DOT Lawyers’ Lunch Series; various luncheons, seminars, and meetingsThe Veterans Law Section was created to address the changing field of Veterans Law one year after the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims convened for the first time. Members benefit from the interchange between VA attorneys and those who represent VA claimants and keep abreast of fast breaking developments in this area.
Chair.........................Carol Wild Scott
Newsletter..................Tommy
Dues..........................$10
Annual Events............Various receptions, meetings, luncheons, and programsThe Younger Lawyers Division is composed of all members of the Federal Bar Association who are 36 years of age and under or those who have been admitted to practice for 3 years or less. It represents more than one third of the total association membership. The YLD was established in 1960 as a committee and designated as a council in 1967. In recognition of the group's growing importance and unique status within the association, the division was created in 1978. The YLD's purpose is to provide services and information of particular interest to the younger members of the federal legal profession.
Chair.........................Gregory Kolocouris
Newsletter..................YLD Perspective
Dues..........................No charge
Annual Events...........Moot Court Competition, Supreme Court Admission Ceremony, Bill of Rights Program, YFLA Award, Shaw Grant, various meetings, luncheons, and programs
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