Bar Leadership Institute
Program Overview
The Bar Leadership Institute is a nine-month program
designed to foster the professional growth and enhance the
leadership skills of a diverse group of Arizona attorneys. The
purpose is to increase participation and visibility in the State
Bar and community-at-large among historically under-represented
groups, with an emphasis on racial, ethnic, cultural, religious,
gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression,
disability and geographic diversity. In 2009 the Bar Leadership
Institute was selected by the American Bar Association to receive
its prestigious Partnership Award.
Since its inception on 2007 the Bar Leadership Institute has
prepared more than 75 diverse attorneys for leadership positions
within the Bar and the Community at large. Each participant in the
class of approximately 15 students receives:
- Up to two years of CLE credit;
- Leadership and related education and training in an
experiential and mentoring learning environment;
- Opportunities to foster relationships with the State Bar of
Arizona, minority, women, diversity and specialty bar associations,
the Judicial, Legislative and Executive Branches of State
government, and community leaders.
Following the program, graduates must commit to one year of
participation in the State Bar in some capacity (be it on a
committee, section, or by special appointment), and/or
participation in another bar association or community
organization.
Program Sessions
Program sessions cover a variety topics ranging from leadership
development, ethics and career development, to conversations with
judges, government attorneys, in-house counsel and executives, to
name a few. Sessions occur monthly starting with an
overnight, kickoff retreat in September.