Maria Vathis Hon. Michael Newman Hon. Michelle Burns Federal Bar Association April 26, 2013 Chapter Bench/Bar Relationships Federal Bar Association

Developing Partnerships with Judges Involving Judges in your Chapter Enhances membership; allows members to develop relationship with judges outside the courtroom Enriches chapter programming; resources and speakers for events Ensures dialogue between the court and the FBA A viable avenue to assist the court as appropriate Members value judges participating - TOP reason for joining the FBA and the FBA differentiator Judges provide their own perspective and insight Access to courtrooms, chambers and court facilities Access to the court website and mailing list– opportunity to expand chapter membership and cross promote activities

Federal Bar Association Developing Partnerships with Judges Which Judges to Involve? US District Judges US Magistrate Judges US Bankruptcy Judges Court of Appeals Judges Administrative Law Judges State District Judges State Appellate Judges

Federal Bar Association Developing Partnerships with Judges Synergies Between Bench and Bar Allows chapter to further the judges goals consistent with FBA’s mission Satisfy the court’s need for particular educational programs Lobby on issues important to judges  Increase judicial pay, COLA  Nomination and up/down votes on judicial nominees  Additional judgeships in underserved areas  Courthouse construction  Security issues Participation in court-sponsored programs Help judges with special projects

Federal Bar Association Ways to Involve Judges Establish relationships with judge’s law clerks and court clerks Find judges who will help – judges who are already FBA members or with existing relationships with members Ask for a meeting with your Chief Judge and/or other appropriate judges, explain the FBA and offer chapter assistance Share with judges what the FBA and the chapter are doing to further the bench’s goals Appoint judges to leadership positions and/or board of directors Make Judges honorary members Offer discounts to judges on events and activities Help the court – donated needed items, offer pro bono assistance

Federal Bar Association Developing Partnerships with Judges Design Programs to Involve Judges Co sponsor programs Mix judge and lawyer panels Mock oral arguments Small luncheons Judicial receptions “State of the Court” programs Do’s and Don’ts with Judges Panel discussion on famous local cases Events honoring judges – judicial investiture, retirement receptions, judicial portraits Attendance at judicial conferences Purely social events

Federal Bar Association Maintaining a Strong Existing Bench/Bar Relationship Don’t be complacent – like any other relationship, you have to work on it Repeat successful programs and other initiatives your Chapter has done with the judges Borrow other chapters successful programs and initiatives As incoming Chapter President, ask for a meeting with your Chief Judge and/or other appropriate judges Ask them what they would like to see your Chapter do, and listen Let your judges know what the FBA and your Chapter is doing to further the bench’s goals Consider having one or more judges, or the court clerk, on your Leadership Ladder

Federal Bar Association Honorary Membership for Judges Bestowed at the request of a Chapter Circuit court judges, district court judges, magistrate judges and bankruptcy judges may be honorary members while they serve as judges Cost-free to the judges and the Chapter They receive all the FBA membership benefits Some Chapters offer it to all of their eligible judges, others offer it selectively to chief judges, judges that participate in FBA programs, or others You MUST notify National – they don’t become honorary members of the FBA until they are added to the National database

Federal Bar Association Developing Partnerships with Judges Be flexible and sensitive to your judges’ attitudes and local practices - no one-size-fits-all approach Hosting judges for meals Judges as Chapter Executive Committee members or as officers Chapter functions on court premises Fees for Chapter programs held on court premises; discounted admission for FBA members Links to the Chapters website from the court websites. Postings of FBA events on court websites Use of the ECF PACER system

Federal Bar Association Developing Partnerships with Judges Questions? Comments?