General Information
The Allen County Indiana Bar Association provides educational,
social and professional opportunities for members of the legal
community in Allen County and surrounding counties. We are dedicated to providing
support for area attorneys, judges, and paralegals through continuing legal
education programs, active committees, and legal interest sections.
History
The practice of law in Allen County was established by the activities
of the Allen Circuit Court in 1824. Judge Betheul F. Morris, a resident
of Indianapolis, “rode circuit” and presided over the Allen Circuit
proceedings, with the assistance of two associate or “side” judges, who
were elected from the County and who were not required to be
lawyers. The practice of law flourished in the County after the
establishment of the Circuit Court and as the area became settled in
the 1800s. The Allen County Bar Association was formed in 1890. The
elected presidents administered the Bar Association from their personal
law offices until 1956 when the Association established its own
office. In 2000, the Association moved into new and expanded
headquarters at 924 South Calhoun Street. The building was purchased
and renovated by the Allen County Bar Foundation.
Continuing Legal Education
The ACBA offers numerous opportunities for
continuing legal education, from
small one-hour section luncheons to all day programs
with nationally known speakers. The ACBA conducts an annual Bench Bar
Conference and an all day technology update. The ACBA also hosts
video replays of programs sponsored by the Indiana Continuing Legal
Education Forum. The New Lawyers Section hosts a boot camp for new
lawyers, giving them the opportunity to interact with judges and
learn about the judges’ policies and procedures for their
courtrooms. ACBA members receive a discount on the cost of CLE
programs. From monthly section-only programs to Last Chance Videos
in December, the ACBA offers numerous CLE sessions for attorneys and
paralegals.
Service to the Community
Whether it is young lawyers presenting “Legal Stuff You Should Know” to
high school seniors or free
legal advice on Tuesday evenings, the ACBA is actively involved in the
community. The ACBA’s Speakers Bureau can
provide attorneys who can speak on various topics related to law. ACBA
members participate in the Volunteer Lawyer Program of Northeast
Indiana, providing free legal assistance to people who cannot afford
to hire an attorney. Family Fun Day at the Courthouse, held downtown
after the parade on the first Saturday of the Three Rivers
Festival, provides an opportunity for children to enjoy games,
clowns, and balloon artists free of charge on the Courthouse Green. The
Probate, Trust and Tax Section annually hosts a free seminar on various
matters related to wills, trusts, and estates.
Commitment to Professional Courtesy
The ACBA is committed to a high level of professional courtesy among
its members, with the courts, and with others who interact with the
legal system. A ‘Commitment to Professional Courtesy’ was adopted
by the Board of Directors in 2004.
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