Faculty of Federal Advocates: Benefits of Membership

A Message from Diane S. King, former President of Faculty of Federal Advocates

What do you get for your $60 per year FFA dues? In other words, why should you keep
paying us? Membership in the FFA is the best deal in town. So often, we join organizations because it is expected but are left to wonder if it’s really worth it. If you have been wondering lately about the FFA, let me remind you why it is a valuable organization to be involved in.

First, we hosted and will continue to host brown bag lunches with the Federal Judges and Magistrate Judges. This is one of the few forums where you can meet Federal Judges on an informal basis and ask questions! All of the Judges and Magistrate Judges who participated have been open, helpful and terrific sports. In fact, I asked a question of Magistrate Judge Boyd Boland last year in a brown bag and he indicated he did not know the answer, but would find out. The next morning, I have a voice mail message from Judge Boland (it was apparent he gets in earlier in the morning than I do) answering my question.

Second, you are invited to attend a number of interesting and relevant CLEs (we have several very good CLEs planned for this year). Last year, Dave Powell’s Courtroom Technology CLEs were packed. This year, we plan to host CLEs discussing civil, criminal and bankruptcy issues as well as specialized educational seminars addressing 42 U.S.C. § 1983 actions and other claims commonly asserted in counsel/co-counsel program.

Third, the FFA manages the Counsel/Co-counsel program with the assistance of volunteer attorney Rick Foster of Cockrell Quinn & Creighton. This program places pro se plaintiffs with volunteer attorneys, including younger attorneys seeking courtroom experience. It provides a tremendous service to the pro se litigants and the courts.

Fourth, we hosted the first ever Bench Bar Roundtable Discussion with the Federal Judges
and Magistrate Judges last November, which was a rousing success, and we intend to host another one this fall. We had exceptional participation from the bench and I still have attorneys raving to me about it being the best CLE they have ever attended.

Last, we have big plans for the future. We have a new lawyer subcommittee that is planning a federal court new lawyer orientation for new admittees, we’re in the process of recruiting nationally recognized attorneys to talk about their high-profile cases and we have an enthusiastic, high energy board with a number of other great ideas that we’re working on.

More information on FFA Programs and Services

Download a Membership Application Form
(in PDF format - requires the Adobe Reader available free from adobe.com)