Founded in 1958 as the John W. Peck Cincinnati Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, this strong Chapter prides itself on fostering camaraderie and mutually supportive relationships between the federal judiciary and the bar. Acting on a regional scale, the Chapter merged with the Northern Kentucky Chapter in 2000. Today, the Chapter has tremendous support of the federal judiciary and membership includes several Sixth Circuit judges, as well as virtually all district judges, magistrate judges, and bankruptcy judges on both sides of the Ohio River, and numerous attorneys who practice civil and criminal law in both public and private sectors.
Now known as the “Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky John Weld Peck Chapter,” we not only boast the longest name of any FBA Chapter, but we also span 3 U.S. Districts (Southern District of Ohio, Eastern District of Kentucky and Southern District of Indiana) and two Circuits (6th and 7th).
The Chapter hosts several informative and social events: Judges’ Night Happy Hour, bi-annual luncheons, Lunch ‘N Learns, Lunch with a Judge – we like to eat- bench bar conferences, and a variety of continuing legal education programs including a bi-annual Attorney Admission CLE for those desiring admission to federal practice. For more specific information, please see our Chapter Calendar.
The Chapter is proud to support law school students by awarding scholarships to University of Cincinnati and Salmon P. Chase (Northern Kentucky University) law students. In 2015, we formed affiliate student divisions at UC and Chase. We offer a diversity scholarship in conjunction with the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio that helps provide financial scholarships to law students. In addition to the scholarship, winners have the option to serve as judicial interns during the summer semester. Additionally, our Chapter is committed to serving the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky area through community service. Once a month, members serve a meal at Tender Mercies, a downtown shelter in Cincinnati. We also have provided financial support to charitable organizations with goals consistent with those of the FBA.
In 2017, under the leadership of Dan Donnellon, the Chapter formed a Gender Equity Task Force to address issues facing women in the legal profession. Recognizing the importance of the work undertaken by the Task Force, the Chapter soon thereafter converted the Task Force into the Chapter’s Gender Equity Committee. In the interest of broadening the scope of the Gender Equity Committee, and further enhancing the diversity, equity, and inclusion of the legal profession and the community as a whole, the Chapter recently converted the Gender Equity Committee into the Chapter’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Annually, beginning in 2020, the Committee recognizes a select group of individuals, who are four to eight years in practice, to receive the PLEDGE award. The PLEDGE award aims to spotlight the professional successes of exceptional lawyers in the greater Cincinnati area at a critical point in their careers. The Chapter believes in supporting and retaining today’s talented lawyers so they can become tomorrow’s leaders and advocates.
Throughout the years, our Chapter has taken on a significant role at the Sixth Circuit and National levels. We have periodically hosted the Sixth Circuit Practice Institute. The next Practice Institute will take place on October 29, 2024. In 2004, the Chapter proudly hosted the Federal Bar Association’s National Annual Meeting and Convention. One of our past Presidents, District Judge Michael Newman, served an impressive term as President of the National Federal Bar Association; and, Cincinnati Past President Tom Schuck held the same National title in 2004-2005. The Chapter also regularly participates in Capitol Hill Day, helping the Government Relations Committee share its agenda with Senators and Congresspersons.
Simply put, our Chapter is devoted to the aims of the Federal Bar Association. We stand together dedicated to the success of those attorneys who practice in the federal courts in the Ohio River tristate area. Furthermore, we are committed to supporting our federal judiciary.