Detroit Bar Association Bench and Bar Society
INSPIRED BY THE AMERICAN INNS OF COURT MODEL
The Detroit Bar Association was established in 1836 as a forum for lawyers and judges who sought to improve the administration and quality of justice in their community through education, dialogue, and community activities. All these years later, the Detroit Bar continues to advance these goals through its Bench & Bar Society program.
The Detroit Bar Bench & Bar Society (BBS) is designed to advance the highest standards of legal practice through education, mentorship, and community. We bring lawyers, judges, and law students together to cultivate civility, integrity, and excellence in the practice of law. Through structured discussion and mentoring relationships, we promote ethical conduct, collegiality, and a lifelong commitment to service in the legal profession.
The Bench & Bar Society program is modeled after the American Inns of Court, while incorporating a condensed schedule and additional educational sessions focused on a different legal topic each program year. Participants are assigned to teams, with each team receiving a presentation date and legal topic. Every team is led by a Team Leader, who serves on the state or federal bench. Teams also include Masters, attorneys with at least 12 years of practice (and typically more than 20 years of experience); Barristers, attorneys with at least five years of practice; Associates, newer members of the bar; and Law Clerks, who are law students or non-attorney legal professionals.
Participants are expected to commit to attending all program sessions and to support their colleagues by attending and participating in sessions even when they are not presenting.