A Note about the Methodology
The Division for Bar Services received several calls early this year from bar staff for information about bar association membership trends. The research completed for those initial information requests became more extensive, and this white paper was the result. The first section is based upon empirical information, while the remaining portions of the paper are based on observation and interviews.
While locating absolutely precise membership data can be difficult, the figures collected for the years 1995 through 2000, nevertheless, enable some interesting comparisons. Because most bar associations in this study reported steadily incremental increases or decreases between 1995 and 2000 rather than tumultuous highs and lows, it was most useful to make comparisons based on rates of growth over five years.
Data was available for all 22 voluntary state bars and was gathered for 33 of the 66 existing metro bars. This data was drawn from the 1995 and 1998 Bar Activities Inventory, and the State and Local Bar Association Directory, published periodically by the division. (See the Appendix of this publication for the list of bar associations selected for this study.) While manipulating the data assists us in making some enlightening generalizations, numerous other factors could not sufficiently be addressed in the course of this paper. These factors – market share, for instance – must be considered when evaluating the performance of a bar.
We at the division hope you find this useful, and welcome your feedback.
