WASHINGTON, D.C., May 18, 2012 – The American Bar Association General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division honored the Columbus Bar Association, of Columbus, Ohio, with the 2012 Solo and Small Firm Project Award for its dedication to assisting newly minted lawyers by creating Columbus Bar “inc.” The award, which recognizes bar leaders and associations for their successful implementation of a project or program geared toward solo and small firm lawyers, was presented to the CBA inc at a luncheon during the division’s 2012 Spring Meeting May 18 in Charleston, S.C.

The CBA created Columbus Bar inc — short for “incubator”— to help new lawyers establish solo law practices. Columbus Bar inc is a first-of-its-kind program designed to support the successful development of new lawyers in an environment that offers an array of business resources.

The CBA provides an office facility, equipment, training and specially designed networking opportunities to help new lawyers build practices based on sound business principles. Among the most beneficial aspects of the program are mentors that participants can access to offer guidance on a variety of law-office management and legal issues as well as specific practice areas, including criminal, probate, domestic and collections.

Inc participants are frequently featured in Columbus Bar publications, and the program is promoted to law firms, small businesses and other partners who might refer routine legal transactions to participants to help them generate a client base and revenue, and to give participants experience in a variety of areas. Participating attorneys also receive referrals from the Columbus Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service and Lawyers for Justice Program, and they are required to perform pro bono work to help the underserved in the community.

The ABA General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division is the only ABA entity exclusively devoted to solo practitioners and small firm lawyers.  The division, with over 27,000 members, serves as the voice of the “Main Street lawyer.”  Solo and small firm practitioners represent half of the nation’s lawyers, and the General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division provides a community for them within the ABA.

With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world.  As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.