|
MSBA Ranked High in Service to Members
~Members hold MSBA in high esteem~
By Janet Stidman Eveleth
A recent MSBA member survey shows members hold their
Association in high esteem and believe MSBA effectively represents lawyers’
professional interests across the state. A large majority – 73 percent – believe
MSBA effectively promotes member services, while an overwhelming 86 percent rank
“MSBA’s quality publications” as the Association’s top member benefit. In
addition, a solid majority, roughly 70 percent, feel the Association promotes a
positive image of lawyers and considers it a respected authority on questions of
ethics and standards of practice.
Overall, MSBA’s first online member survey, conducted last October and November,
reflects a high level of satisfaction for membership in MSBA and for the
practice of law in general. “Surveying our members’ needs and assessing their
opinions is the traditional starting point of MSBA’s planning process,” explains
Paul V. Carlin, MSBA Executive Director.
In general, 72 percent of the respondents consider membership in the Association
to be valuable. It is heartening to discover that 96 percent of the respondents
feel they have a good professional relationship with their colleagues, 92
percent are “proud to be a lawyer” and 85 percent find their work environment
satisfactory.
MSBA’s 2005 member survey results point to some interesting trends. MSBA’s
rating as an effective and respected leader in the legal community and as an
effective and valuable attorney resource continues to be very strong. The survey
results indicate that MSBA is serving the needs of its members very well and
they are generally happy with the Association’s array of member benefits.
Publications continue to be the most popular membership benefit, as they were in
the 1998 MSBA member survey, underscoring the need for communication.
MSBA’s last member survey was conducted in 1998 via direct mail. “The 1998
survey was key because it served as a baseline to compare and identify any
changes in our members’ opinions,” Carlin reports. “It is interesting to note
that the response to our 1998 six-page paper survey was actually higher than our
first electronic survey. However, without the printing and postage costs, the
2005 survey entailed considerably less expense.”
Generally, Maryland lawyers appear to be far more satisfied today than they were
even 10 years ago and find greater collegiality and professionalism amongst
their colleagues. Members are actively involved in CLE to enhance their legal
skills and knowledge and still prefer live seminars as their means of CLE.
Members are also pleased with MSBA’s pro bono efforts and Bar/Bench
relationship.
Survey Results
According to the survey, the Maryland Lawyers’ Manual once again captured the
lead as MSBA’s number one member benefit, with an 85.1 percent rating; the
Manual was rated the top member benefit in MSBA’s 1998 member survey, too. The
other two 2005 top benefits are MSBA’s Ethics Opinions, with 84.7 percent,
followed by the Maryland Bar Journal, with 80.9 percent.
Actually, the Association’s publications comprise the top six member benefits,
with MSBA’s Bar Brief e-newsletter, the Bar Bulletin and Section newsletters
following the Maryland Bar Journal. This parallels the findings of MSBA’s 1998
member survey, in which the Ethics Opinions, the Maryland Bar Journal, the
Bar
Bulletin and Section newsletters followed the Maryland Lawyers’ Manual
in
capturing the lead. In the 2005 survey, MICPEL discounts, MSBA’s Lawyer
Assistance Program and the Resolution of Fee Disputes program were also
considered important.
In terms of professionalism, over 70 percent rated their quality of professional
life as very good or good and, given the choice, 61 percent would continue to
practice law today. Sixty-five percent have achieved a balance between their
work and family time, 63 percent felt they had adequate time for friends and
family, and 64 percent considered their law practice time requirements to be
reasonable.
This certainly beats MSBA’s 1988 Lawyer Satisfaction survey that uncovered
widespread dissatisfaction among lawyers. Sixteen years ago, many Maryland
lawyers complained about high levels of stress and the lack of time for a family
or personal life in the daily practice of law. At that time, only one-third were
“somewhat satisfied”, and an alarming one-third were so disillusioned with law
practice that they were considering leaving it.
The 2005 survey findings disclose 88 percent of those polled feel they are
serving and helping people in their legal work, 84 percent plan to remain in the
practice of law for the foreseeable future and 80 percent enjoy their work as
attorneys. Sixty-five percent were pleased with their balance of time between
work and family, 64 percent felt their practice time requirements were
reasonable, and 62 percent believed they are fairly compensated. A majority of
members – 67 percent – feel MSBA enjoys a good relationship with Maryland’s
Judiciary, and 61 percent believe the overall image of lawyers continues to
decline.
In addition, over half of the respondents indicate that MSBA effectively
promotes pro bono activities, represents legislative interests and provides
technology assistance to members. According to the survey, 57 percent of the
respondents have their own Web domain or business website, and 44 percent visit
MSBA’s website less than once a month, while 17 percent visit it weekly, mostly
for news about MSBA meetings.
Turning to CLE, 92 percent are supportive of CLE and participate in it to get
up-to-date on the law. Eighty-five percent prefer in-person CLE seminars, and
most often they are sponsored by MICPEL. Forty-three percent agree that MSBA
provides quality CLE programs at its Annual Meeting. Some of MSBA’s member
vendor services attracted lower ratings and these will be scrutinized. Carlin
attributes this to “members lacking an awareness of the advantages of these
member benefits.”
All of MSBA’s plethora of member services and benefits were examined last month,
when MSBA President Neil Helfrich convened a special Planning Conference in
Columbia. On April 7-8, 70 lawyers and judges delved into the survey results
(see story Page 5) and analyzed them to help determine MSBA’s future direction.
A full Committee report will be presented to the MSBA Board of Governors at its
May Meeting.
|
