The Atlanta Lawyer December 2014 | Page 29

Programs Founded by the Atlanta Bar T he Atlanta Bar Association was founded in 1888 and has enjoyed tremendous growth over the years, which is due in part through ambitious efforts from talented men and women that have been involved in the Association and its leadership. The Association has spearheaded efforts to identify community needs which has led to the founding of many prodigious programs that serve the greater Atlanta area, as well developing programs that educate members and further the legal profession. These organizations continue to receive support from the Atlanta Bar Association, some of whom receive financial support through the Atlanta Bar Foundation and Lawyer Referral and Information Services grant program, others through Atlanta Bar staff support, and others through volunteer and pro bono support from our general membership. In 2001, then Atlanta Bar Association President Seth D. Kirschenbaum invited leaders from six minority Bar Associations to meet with the Atlanta Bar Association board at a local resort on September 22- 23, 2001 to identify areas of common interests and concern and to explore the possibility of joint projects for their Associations. At the close of the weekend, the participants decided to formalize the group by establishing the Multi-Bar Leadership Council (MBLC). The MBLC now includes sixteen bar associations and since its creation has hosted judicial candidate forums, several care