To say that I am active in bar associations would be an understatement. I’m a bar junkie. I know it.

I enjoy going to bar association meetings. I like meeting other attorneys (especially when they are not opposing counsel to a case). I have fun at the MSBA Annual Meeting and look forward to a couple of days in Ocean City every June. Aside from personal satisfaction, however, what are the benefits of membership?

Some benefits come in the form of discounts and programming. For example, as a member of the MSBA and the Baltimore County Bar Association, I am able to obtain discounts on shipping to insurance to legal software.

But, for me, the true benefit of bar membership stems the opportunity to meet colleagues and develop a network of referral sources (and friendships). The true benefit of membership is networking.

All private practitioners must be cognizant of developing business. As a young lawyer, it is easy to perform work and bill hours at the direction of a partner or senior associate. One of the hardest aspects to master in the business of law is to bring in clients. This is where the bar associations can help.

Meeting other attorneys in other practice areas may lead to referrals. I handle only a certain segment of cases as a business and construction law attorney. So, if a family law or criminal law matter arises, these cases are referred out. Conversely, referrals on business and construction law matters are sent to me by colleagues that only do family or criminal law.

In the past three weeks, I have gotten three referrals through attorneys I have met as part of the state and Baltimore County bar associations. While merely attending a bar function will not result in immediate referrals, being committed to an organization will. It does take time, but it’s worth it.

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