For years I have wondered why there are multiple bar associations?  You have to be a member of the Florida Bar to work as a lawyer in the state but then add local bar associations, Inns of Court, specialty associations for specific areas on law, the list is endless.  So why should a lawyer join the Manatee County Bar Association (MCBA)? 

This question brings me back to my arrival in Bradenton a long time ago, a wise sage told me you know Andre, life is really about relationships. That gave me pause, as a young associate I had come to believe life was about hours and cash flow. Sometimes, you have to take a step back and realize we are in a profession where relationships matter, not only socially but yes to grease the tracks to get deals done, cases resolved and build business.

The monthly MCBA meetings are a catalyst for camaraderie, networking and referrals, new opportunities, learning new schools of thought that could help you win a case, or simply discussing an idea and accepting another’s perspective. Not to mention your dues include a great lunch and an interesting speaker covering topics concerning our local community and profession such as an update from the U.S. Assistant Attorney General to Judge Smith on Manatee County history. This of course is counterintuitive to the email generation. Too many times have I seen young associates get into email wars over simple issues that could have been easily resolved by picking up the phone. Perhaps there is wisdom under our local rules requiring attorneys to meet and confer to resolve discovery disputes or organize for trial. Something about personal human interaction that gets the job done.

Further to the point of getting to know your local bar, the MCBA holds several events at no costs to members, the Holiday party in December, the Beach Party on Holmes Beach, the beach Fun Run along with a series of events held by the Young Lawyer Division. Again, all of these offer the opportunity to meet fellow members and judges on a social basis so you know who is on the other end of the email, phone or Zoom.

Let me digress, an important factor in what we do is trust, trust in the person we are dealing with, trust in their representations and trust in their commitments. An email stream does not lend itself to trusting the person on the other end. Trust is a matter of degree, a personal relationship creates a high degree of trust which will result in more open communication and confidence, a .com relationship I would suggest is a much lower on creating a trusting relationship. Meeting fellow local practitioners at MCBA meetings and events goes a long way to knowing who you are dealing with.

There are other association benefits as well to help you build your practice. For example, the membership directory which is located on MCBA’s website and can be accessed 24/7 by the public; weekly eblasts with “News You Can Use”; and the informative Inter Alia. These last two publications help keep you current with local events that effect our profession.

The MCBA further works to represent your interests. For example, the bar created a committee to work with the clerk’s office to help address many of the problems our members were having in filing documents. This issue and other member concerns were brought to the Clerk of Court to be addressed and we continue to interact with her bringing her member concerns. There are several committees within the MCBA that you may find beneficial to join.

Our bar further organizes for our community local CLEs (which includes the monthly membership luncheon) put on by local members and judges. What a better way to understand local procedures and other requirements by having the local judge of the division speak to it. This information as they say is “priceless”.

Outside of the practice support itself, the MCBA offers community service opportunities such as Big Brother, Big Sister, Habitat for Humanity and this year’s Thanksgiving Meal project with Ray Bellamy. No requirement to participate, just another opportunity the bar gives you to make the world a little better.

The total package, that’s what the MCBA offers you to enhance your practice, your profession and your involvement in our community. If you are a member we thank you, if not we hope you reflect on this article and join and if you have an associate or friend suggest they get involved!

DISCLAIMER:  The views and opinions expressed in each Inter Alia article are solely those of its respective author and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the MCBA or its Board of Directors.