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.