COMMON MAPS
Map version new-york activity top-down
Main site Contact
Menu
↑ parent activity group ·
research dossier

FEDERAL BAR COUNCIL
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 131970940 · Form 990 · FY2023 · Medium ($1M-$10M) · federalbarcouncil.org
revenue
$2.6M
expenses
$2.6M
net assets
$2.5M
employees
8
volunteers
67
mission · from form 990

TO ADVANCE THE SCIENCE OF JURISPRUDENCE, PROTECT THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AND UPHOLD THE HIGH PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS FOR THE FEDERAL JUDICIARY.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Federal Bar Council is a professional association of lawyers practicing in federal courts within the Second Circuit, established in 1932. It promotes excellence in federal practice, fosters relationships between the bench and bar, and supports pro bono representation through initiatives like the Access to Counsel Project. The organization offers professional development, CLE programs, and recognition awards, and collaborates with the Federal Bar Foundation to fund educational efforts.

named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Access to Counsel Project (A2C)
Increases pro bono representation for civil pro se litigants in the Second Circuit by mobilizing a Pro Bono Corps, offering mentorship through the A2C Pro Bono Advisory Panel, and providing training and resources.
Federal Bar Council Quarterly
A publication in its 32nd year, providing members with articles on judicial appointments, legal history, and practice developments in the federal courts.
Pro Bono Trial Skills Training Programs
Skills-based training offered in partnership with the American College of Trial Lawyers and NITA, using interactive small-group methods to prepare lawyers for pro bono litigation, starting with deposition training.
Second Circuit Pro Bono Manual
An online compendium developed by the A2C Pro Bono Advisory Panel and practitioner volunteers, offering guidance on case law, discovery, and strategic issues in pro bono cases within the Second Circuit.
Second Circuit Redbook
Annual compendium of judicial biographies, court information, and a membership directory, distributed to members as a professional resource.
activities · 7 groups

What they do

  • Professional Certification and Continuing Education 3 activities
    • Operating professional development and mentorship programs
      Runs an American Inn of Court program and a Pro Bono Advisory Panel to promote professional relationships, mentorship, and skills development among judges, lawyers, and pro bono attorneys.
    • Providing continuing legal education (CLE) programs
      Organizes and delivers continuing legal education programs on topics including anti-money laundering, federal rules updates, artificial intelligence, and criminal law, with unlimited free access for members.
    • Providing skills-based legal training
      Offers skills-based training programs in deposition and trial advocacy using the NITA interactive method in small-group settings to enhance legal practice capabilities.
  • Legal Profession Standards Advocacy 2 activities
    • Advancing federal jurisprudence and judicial standards
      Advances jurisprudence, protects the administration of justice, and upholds high professional standards for the federal judiciary through institutional leadership and programming.
    • Advocating for judicial and procedural reforms
      Lobbied for the establishment of law clerks for federal district judges and the adoption of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and adopted resolutions on matters of professional integrity, such as opposing the removal of Jewish lawyers in Romania in 1938.
  • Pro Bono Legal Representation and Support 2 activities
    • Developing and publishing pro bono legal resources
      Created and maintains the Second Circuit Pro Bono Manual, an online resource offering legal guidance, case law, and strategy for pro bono attorneys handling civil pro se cases.
    • Supporting pro bono representation in civil pro se cases
      Supports federal courts in the Second Circuit by mobilizing members, recruiting attorneys into a Pro Bono Corps, and conducting outreach through the Access to Council Project to promote pro bono representation for civil pro se litigants.
  • Historic Preservation Support Grants 1 activity
    • Funding historical, educational, and public programming initiatives
      Funds historical exhibits, lectures, educational programs, and publications through the Federal Bar Foundation to support legal education and public engagement.
  • Professional Networking Events 1 activity
    • Hosting judicial and legal community engagement events
      Organizes annual events including the Fall Bench & Bar Retreat, Winter Bench & Bar Conference, Law Day Dinner, and Thanksgiving Luncheon to foster interaction among judges, attorneys, and legal professionals.
  • Recognition and Awards Programs 1 activity
    • Presenting awards for legal excellence and public service
      Presents the Learned Hand Award, Emory Buckner Medal, Whitney North Seymour Award, Thurgood Marshall Award, and Cornelius W. Wickersham, Jr. Awards annually to recognize excellence in federal jurisprudence, public service, pro bono work, and law student achievement.
  • Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
    • Publishing legal periodicals and reference materials
      Produces and distributes the Federal Bar Council Quarterly, The Second Circuit Redbook, and a coffee table book on Second Circuit courthouses to inform members about judicial developments, court information, and legal history.
financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$2.65M
Contributions & grants$00%
Program service revenue$2.41M91%
Investment income$23K1%
Other revenue$215K
expenses
Total expenses$2.61M
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$826K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$3.18M
Cash$2.10M
Investments$0
Liabilities$680K
Net assets$2.50M
Liquid reserves9.7 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2023 · YoY revenue +4.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023

Who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
AJA STEPHENS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 60 $181K
ANNA S DENICOLA FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 60 $87K
board members · 23
  • AMY J AGNEW — TRUSTEE
  • BENNETTE D KRAMER — CHAIR
  • BRACHAH GOYKADOSH — CHAIR, FIRST DECADE COMMITTEE
  • BRUCE A GREEN — TRUSTEE
  • CARINE M WILLIAMS — CHAIR, COMMITTEE ON SENTENCING AND ALTERNATIVES TO
  • CARRIE S COHEN — VICE PRESIDENT
  • CELESTE KOELEVELD — CHAIR, PROGRAM COMMITTEE
  • CHRISTOPHER F DRONEY — TRUSTEE
  • CHRISTOS G PAPAPETROU — TRUSTEE
  • COLLEEN K FAHERTY — TRUSTEE
  • DANIEL SLIFKIN — SECRETARY
  • DAVID B ANDERS — CHAIR, FEDERAL CRIMINAL PRACTICE COMMITTEE
  • DAVID B SHANIES — CHAIR, CIVIL RIGHTS COMMITTEE
  • DAVID E PATTON — TRUSTEE
  • DAVID R SCHAEFER — PAST PRESIDENT
  • DAVID Y LIVSHIZ — CHAIR, SECOND CIRCUIT COURTS COMMITTEE
  • ERIC B FISHER — CHAIR, BANKRUPTCY LITIGATION COMMITTEE
  • FRANK H WOHL — PAST PRESIDENT
  • GEORGE B YANKWITT — PAST PRESIDENT
  • GRANT B HERING — PAST PRESIDENT
  • JAMES I GLASSER — TRUSTEE
  • JOAN G WEXLER — PAST PRESIDENT
  • JOHN J KENNEY — PAST PRESIDENT
relationships · 13

Who they work with

  • American College of Trial Lawyers Partner — Co-sponsored the memorial service for Robert B. Fiske, Jr.
  • American College of Trial Lawyers Partner — Partnership to deliver pro bono trial skills training programs.
  • American Inns of Court Network — Member organization participating in the American Inns of Court network.
  • Davis Polk Partner — Co-sponsored the memorial service for Robert B. Fiske, Jr.
  • Federal Bar Foundation Funder — Provides financial support to advance the Council's mission through educational and historical initiatives.
  • Fiske Association Partner — Supported the memorial service for Robert B. Fiske, Jr.
  • Mobilization for Justice Partner — Organization represented by Advisory Panel member Kevin Cremin.
  • NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund Partner — Organization represented by Advisory Panel member Kevin E. Jason.
  • NITA Partner — Collaborates on pro bono trial skills training using the NITA interactive method in small-group settings.
  • National Institute for Trial Advocacy Partner — Organization represented by Advisory Panel member Mark A. Drummond.
  • New York State Legislature Government — Founded the organization by act of the legislature in 1932.
  • Offices of Pro Se Counsel in SDNY and EDNY Government — Works closely with these offices to manage attorney lists and communicate about available pro bono cases.
  • The Legal Aid Society Partner — Organization represented by Advisory Panel member Julie Dona.
strategies · 3

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Bench-Bar Collaboration to Strengthen Professional Standards
    methodology: bench-bar-collaboration
    By promoting collegial interaction between judges and attorneys, the organization strengthens professional standards and mutual respect in federal practice, thereby supporting the rule of law and improving the administration of justice.
  • Committee-Based Professional Development for Legal Excellence
    methodology: committee-based professional development
    By engaging legal professionals in committee work on legal projects and CLE planning, the organization fosters excellence in federal practice and advances jurisprudence through structured, collaborative learning and knowledge production.
  • Mentorship-Supported Pro Bono Model
    methodology: mentorship-supported pro bono service
    By pairing pro bono attorneys with expert panel mentors, the organization supplements existing supervision structures to enhance the quality and capacity of legal representation for civil pro se litigants, increasing effective access to justice.