ABOUT THE DELAWARE STATE BAR ASSOCIATION (DSBA)

The Delaware State Bar Association • 704 North King Street, Suite 110 • Wilmington, DE 19801

DSBA, est. 1923

Phone: (302) 658-5279

Executive Director:  Mark S. Vavala, Esq.

The century old history of the Delaware State Bar Association is marked by evolving efforts to promote ethical conduct by lawyers, to require and offer high quality continuing legal education, to protect the public from the unauthorized practice of law, to review and make recommendations regarding Delaware’s court system and to foster the mentoring of new lawyers.  Service to the public is another hallmark of the Association. Encouraging and facilitating pro bono work, providing a lawyer referral service and offering various legal handbooks are a few examples of the Association’s efforts in public outreach.  The Association also has remained true to one of its earliest goals: “the cultivation of fraternal relationships among the lawyers of Delaware.” This goal has been achieved through a consistent effort to communicate news among members and to sponsor social events. Today, members of the Association enjoy the monthly Bar Journal, luncheons, receptions and the annual Bench and Bar Conference.

The purposes and objects of the Association include the following:  the advancement of the science of jurisprudence, securing proper statutory reforms, preserving proper standards for members of the Bar, maintenance of honor and dignity in the profession, upholding principles of legal ethics and professional responsibility, cultivation of fraternal relationship among the Bench and Bar of Delaware, perpetuation of legal history and all such other and proper purposes as befit the practice of law and the proper public perception of the profession.  In addition, it is the responsibility of the Association to speak on behalf of the courts and to preserve their honor, integrity, high standards and proper remuneration, as well as to promote and increase diversity and inclusion in the bar, on the judiciary, and in the profession.

HISTORICAL INFORMATION

INFORMATION AND MEDIA

The treasured history of the Delaware State Bar Association has been captured by and described through interviews with pillars of the Delaware legal community. Through these interviews and tributes (links below), the integrity and honor of the Delaware bar and its members is handed down and carried on.  Assisting with the effort to capture the Bar’s history is the Richard S. Rodney Inn of Court, which has compiled a set of materials entitled Reflections on our Predecessors:  Some Judges and Lawyers Who Helped Make the Delaware Bar and Bench What it is Today.”  This body of work includes “respected judges and lawyers speaking about some ‘greats from Delaware’s legal past.'”  The Delaware State Bar Association extends its sincere gratitude to the Inn for making these materials available to the Bar Association and to the public.

THE ORAL HISTORY PROJECT (funded by the Delaware Bar Foundation and produced by DSBA)

View the  ORAL HISTORY PROJECT INTERVIEWS.

LEADERSHIP

DSBA has been privileged to be led by some of the great attorneys in Delaware.  Its presidents come from varied backgrounds but serve with one goal in mind: to better represent the members who choose this association as its representative in the community and the profession.

To see the list of those who have led the Delaware State Bar Association, go to THE PRESIDENTS OF THE DSBA PAGE.

DSBA’s 100th Anniversary Gala

DSBA celebrated its 100th Anniversary on Sept. 29, 2023 at the Offices of Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, (the old Daniel L. Herrmann Courthouse).  This terrific event was attended by over 400 members and featured remarks from Chief Justice Collins J. Seitz, Jr., DSBA President Kate Harmon, the chair of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee the Honorable Kathleen M. Miller, and David A. White, who chaired the 100th Anniversary Committee.  There were also tributes from Governor John Carney, the General Assembly and a video tribute from DSBA member President Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Below, are some pictures from the event.  For more pictures and the ability to download a photo, please visit this LINK.