I recently wrote an article for Bar Leader on how Bar Associations can function as “conveners,” bringing together different groups of lawyers, as well as members of the public, to work on common issues.

“We do it less often because it’s really hard,” Tim Groshens, executive director of the Minnesota State Bar Association. believes. “Most lawyers identify themselves as a type of lawyer, whether it’s an IP lawyer, family law lawyer, public defender or prosecutor.”

But maintaining a united legal profession requires bars to convene lawyers across practice areas, geographic areas, and other forms of division, Groshens said.