Bar association
Bar association: An organization of lawyers. A mandatory or "integrated" state bar is created by a state's highest court or legislature, and lawyers must join it to practice in that state; it handles admission, discipline and continuing education. Voluntary bar associations, such as the American Bar Association, are private professional groups. In most states, admission to practice law is granted by the state's highest court.
What bar association means
In short, bar association is a term you will meet in court papers, rules and legal research. The definition above gives its usual meaning in American civil practice. However, the exact meaning can depend on the rule, statute or court decision that uses it. So it helps to read the term in context.
Where bar association comes up
The term is used across many kinds of cases. For example, you may see it in pleadings, motions and court orders. To see it in context, browse the motions and procedures library or the Learn the Law topics.
Read the source: Attorney.
How to research the term
Start with the primary source. For example, if bar association appears in a federal rule, read the rule itself and its official notes. After that, check your court’s local rules and any standing orders from the judge. In addition, search recent decisions from your own state or federal district. They show how courts read bar association in practice. Because state rules often differ, our state procedures guide links to each state’s official rules. Above all, make sure the version you read is still in force.
You can read the current federal court rules online for free.
Related legal terms
- Automobile: a self-propelled passenger vehicle designed for travel on roads. In law, an automobile is one kind of motor vehicle. Most statutes use the broader term "motor vehicle" and define it for their own purposes, so read the definition section of the law you are applying.
- Bad faith: dishonest or improper purpose, such as intentionally misleading someone, acting with a motive to harass or delay, or knowingly refusing to meet an obligation.
- Bank: a financial institution that accepts deposits and makes loans, chartered either by a state or by the federal government.
- Bankruptcy: a federal legal process for people and businesses that cannot pay their debts, governed by the Bankruptcy Code in Title 11 of the U.S.
Why precise terms matter
Courts read legal terms closely. As a result, knowing the exact meaning of a word helps you follow orders, rules and filings. Each glossary entry on Lawtopolis is short on purpose and links to the pages where the term is used.
Sources
Sources last reviewed: 2026-10-24
Lawtopolis provides legal information and education, not legal advice. Using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and court rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time; verify every authority against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction about your situation.