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Constitution & Bylaws | Dues Information | NHBA Officers & Board of Governors | Guide to Member Resources & Bar Services The New Hampshire Bar Association (NHBA) is a non-profit, court-mandated organization. As a unified bar, all attorneys licensed to practice in the state, and NH judges must belong to the NHBA and pay annual dues. As of July 2007, 4,526 members were within one of the "active" membership status categories (i.e. currently authorized to practice in state). Of these, 3,287 maintained a principal office in-state, with another 1,239 of these "active" category members out-of-state. An additional 1,588 members are on "inactive" status (i.e. not currently authorized to practice in NH) - 504 in-state; 1,084 out-of-state. The total of all membership categories is 6114.
NH Bar Association's "Operating Mission"
The Bar Center, located on the 3rd floor of the 2 Pillsbury Street building in Concord, provides a venue for many Association activities, including CLEs and committee and section meetings. Conference rooms and small meeting rooms are available to members at no charge on a space-available basis. Members wishing to reserve meeting space for Bar-related or practice-related functions may do so through the Association's receptionist. Scheduling preference is given to Bar Association sections, committees, work groups and events. Adequate advance notice is needed for room set-up; those utilizing the room may be required to assist in arranging the room and returning it to its standard configuration. Meeting space may be utilized 8:30 a.m. ~ 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Ample parking is available in the building parking lot. For those wishing to rent our Seminar Room in the lower level of the 2 Pillsbury Street building, please see our rental policy. Association Purposes & StructureThe NHBA purposes and structure are outlined in detailed in our Constitution and ByLaws. A brief detailing is posted below. In fulfilling its stated purposes, the Bar's programs and activities are designed to serve the needs and interests of the membership, the public and the administration of justice.The NHBA conducts two membership meetings each year--a Mid-Year Membership Meeting in January and the Annual Meeting in June. The "Bar year" runs from July 1 through June 30. In addition, the NHBACLE department presents over 70 continuing legal education programs each year at various venues around the state. As a member service, the NHBA publishes the New Hampshire Bar News, a twice-monthly newspaper featuring important information from the New Hampshire Court System as well as articles on current legal issues and news about Association services and activities. Also published by the Association, on a quarterly basis, the New Hampshire Bar Journal features in-depth analysis of important developments and issues in the law. Board of GovernorsAn elected Board of Governors which meets bi-monthly governs the Association. The Board is responsible for adoption of a budget prior to the start of each fiscal year (June 1-May 31). The budget is developed by the Finance Committee, which is composed of Association members and chaired by the President-Elect. Active members from around the state vote for officers and governors-at-large, with active members in each county electing their county representative. Nominations are made by February 15; voting takes place between March 15 and April 15. The Board of Governors is composed of six officers, eleven county governors and five governors-at-large (no more than three of whom may come from the same county). The officers serve one-year terms; the county governors serve two-year terms and the governors-at-large serve three-year terms. No member of the Board receives compensation for services rendered in connection with the performance of Board duties. CommitteesStanding and special committees direct much of the programming of the NHBA. Standing committees are created by the Bylaws for the investigation and study of matters relating to the accomplishment of the general purposes, business and objects of the Association of a continuous and recurring character. Special committees are created or extended by the President or by resolution of the Association or the Board of Governors. Special committees address matters related to specific purposes, business and objects of the Association which are of an immediate and non-recurring nature. Committee members are appointed by the incoming Bar President and serve for one-year terms, which may be renewed. Each committee is assigned a staff liaison to work with them throughout the year. Please contact Denice DeStefano for more information or to submit your name for consideration. SectionsThe By Laws of the Association allow for the creation of sections "devoted to the improvement of the professional knowledge and skill of the members thereof in particular fields of law." The Association currently has 21 sections, which members may join for $40 dues annually, per section. Interested professionals in related fields may subscribe to a section for $60. Law students may subscribe to a section for $15, annually. Section subscribers are welcome to attend most section meetings and may join the section's ListServ. Please contact the Sections Coordinator for more information. History of Structure1873 - Association incorporated as "The Bar Association of the State of New Hampshire" 1967 - Association petitions Legislature to amend acts of incorporation to change name to "New Hampshire Bar Association" 1968 - New Hampshire Supreme Court unifies bar for a three-year trial period 1972 - New Hampshire Supreme Court decrees unification "be continued without limitation of time, under the court's continuing jurisdiction" NHBA Past Presidents County and Local Bar Presidents Past Midyear Meeting Award Recipients 2007 Annual Meeting Awards and Recognition |
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