BLI 2025 Application Open Until October 4, 2024
Nominate a 26th JD Bar Member for the BLI Class of 2025
Bar Leadership Institute
Program Purpose and Overview
Purpose
- Develop their personal leadership potential and skills to become a leader in the Bar/Foundation
- Become aware of leadership opportunities with the Bar/Foundation and the greater Charlotte community
- Consider pressing Bar and community issues with peers and presenters of the highest caliber
- Develop a spirit of lasting collegiality with their fellow participants
Program Overview
Participation in the Bar Leadership Institute (BLI) includes 15 hours of CLE credit, facilitation and individual coaching by leadership consultant Dave Newell, a two-day retreat, registration at the Bar & Foundation's annual Bar Leadership Dinner and Graduation Reception.
Those 15 hours of CLE credit are offered over the course of six sessions featuring special guests. CLE credit is only awarded to those in attendance. Make-up work is required to graduate from BLI but does not count as CLE credit. Session topics include the following:
- Leading Through Listening: Applying the Art of Listening to Leadership
- Leading Through Relationships
- Diversity and Inclusion in Mecklenburg County's Legal Community and Justice System
- Leading Through Story: How Stories Offer Influence and Insight
- Bus Tour: The Role of Race and Poverty on Mecklenburg County's Past and Future
- Leading Through Service
Past presenters have included Bar and civic leaders, law professors, and judges. Most importantly for many BLI alum, the BLI offers a meaningful opportunity to connect with fellow BLI participants.
Upon completion of the program, participants are encouraged to reflect on the BLI experience and to consider potential avenues of leadership within the Bar & Foundation, the participant's firm or organization, and the community. In an effort to further participants’ impact, each member of the class is expected to engage in the work of the Bar or the Foundation (through, for example, committee membership, section leadership, etc.) beginning in the upcoming fiscal year.
Applications and Selection Criteria
Applications
The application for 2025 will open on September 4, 2024 and close on October 4, 2024.
Download the BLI 2025 Application Checklist
Have someone you want to nominate? Send their name and email address to Meghan Tinkham: mtinkham@meckbar.org
Selection Criteria
- Commitment and motivation to serve in positions of leadership
- Up-to-date on 26th Judicial District Bar Member Dues
- A record of public service and service to charitable organizations
- A minimum of three years practicing law
- Ability to attend all six sessions, weekend retreat, Kick Off Dinner and Graduation
- Willingness to engage meaningfully in the work of the Bar and/or the Foundation following graduation from the BLI
For questions or more information, contact Associate Executive Director Meghan Tinkham at mtinkham@meckbar.org.
Program Dates, Tuition, and CLE Credit
2025 Program Dates/Times (Tentative and Subject to Change)
Activity | Date | Time | Location |
Application Opens | Wednesday, September 4, 2024 | Online | |
Application Deadline | Friday, October 4, 2024 | Online | |
Acceptance Notification | November 7th/8th | ||
Bar Leadership Dinner | Thursday, January 23 | 5:30pm-8pm | The Terrace at Cedar Hill |
Retreat Day 1 | Friday, January 24 | 8:30am-5pm | Whitewater Center |
Retreat Day 2 | Saturday, January 25 | 8:30am-5pm | TBD |
Session 1 | Wednesday, January 29 | 5:30pm-8pm | TBD |
Session 2 | Wednesday, February 12 | 5:30pm-8pm | TBD |
Session 3 | Wednesday, February 26 | 5:30pm-8pm | Uptown |
Session 4 | Wednesday, March 12 | 5:30pm-8pm | Midtown |
Session 5 | Wednesday, March 26 | 3:30pm-8pm | TBD |
Session 6 | Wednesday, April 2 | 5:30pm-8pm | Uptown |
Graduation | Wednesday, April 9 | 6pm-9pm | TBD |
All BLI programming for 2025 will be live and in-person. Dates, times, and locations (including virtual contingencies) are subject to change at the BLI Committee's discretion.
Individual Coaching Sessions
Two (2) One-Hour Sessions as Scheduled with BLI Facilitator Dave Newell and his colleagues.
Program Tuition
All qualified 26th JD Bar members are encouraged to apply. The total tuition for participation in the BLI is $1,100, of which $100 must be paid by the participant. The remaining $1,000 may be paid by the participant or by the participant's employer. If accepted, payment is due before the program kicks off and may be paid online or by check (payable to the 26th Judicial District Bar). Financial assistance may be available to those working in the non-profit sector but is limited and awarded at the discretion of the BLI Committee. If you are interested in financial assistance, indicate in the application the amount you are requesting. A payment plan may also be available.
Continuing Legal Education Credit
It is expected that 15 hours of CLE credit will be awarded to BLI participants who complete the program. Of those hours, 7.5 are ethics hours and 7.5 are general hours. CLE credit is only awarded to those in attendance, missed sessions will not be awarded CLE credit. Make-up work is required to graduate from BLI but does not count as CLE credit.
BLI Alumni
Bar Alumni and the Class of 2024 at the Kick-Off Dinner on January 25, 2024.