Joining some 300 other emerging leaders of lawyer organizations from across the country at the American Bar Association’s Bar Leadership Institute (BLI), March 15-17 was Sonia Miller-Van Oort of
Minneapolis, MN, President-Elect of the Hennepin County Bar Association.

The BLI is held annually in Chicago for incoming officials of local and state bars, special focus lawyer organizations, and bar foundations. The seminar provides the opportunity to confer with ABA officials, bar leader colleagues, executive staff, and other experts on the operation of such associations.

Miller-Van Oort joined ABA President Karen J. Mathis of Denver, Colorado, and ABA President-Elect William H. Neukom of Seattle, Washington, in sessions on bar governance, finance, communications, and planning for a presidential term.

Various ABA entities briefed the participants on resources available from the ABA for local, state, national, and specialty bar associations and foundations.

The BLI is sponsored by the ABA Standing Committee on Bar Activities and Services and the ABA Division for Bar Services as part of the Association’s long-standing goal of fostering partnerships with state and local bars and related organizations.