First-Timer’s Guide to BLI

Attending the ABA Bar Leadership Institute (BLI) for the first time? Get ready for an inspiring and transformative experience. This guide will help you navigate your first BLI with confidence—so you can make the most of every opportunity, leave with fresh ideas, and take the next step in your leadership journey.

We’ve asked some veteran BLI attendees for their best advice for first-time attendees: 

• Alicia Hernandez is the executive director of the Dallas Bar Association
• Susan McCourt Baltz is the executive director/CEO of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and the St. Louis Bar Association 
• Danielle L. Borel is the chair of the ABA Young Lawyers Division 

*Answers have been lightly edited for style

What is one tip you have for a first-time attendee to have a great experience? 

At plenaries, hang out with your president or executive director and, together, sit with new people. Executive directors and presidents tend to sit together, and it is an opportunity to meet people in both roles from other bars. Meet as many new people as possible.  BLI is a great opportunity to make new friends and connections from across the country.  At smaller sessions, divide and conquer. -AH

My tip for a first-time attendee would be to prioritize building a strong, open relationship with your leader. This is the perfect opportunity to understand their communication style, preferences, and expectations and vice versa. -SMB

Ride the wave of inspiration! Use the journal and workbook provided. Be inspired by the sessions. Then ride that wave of inspiration and start working on your plans for your leadership term. Use your free time to put pen to paper on all the great ideas that emerge during your experience. -DB

What is one thing you wish you knew before going to your first BLI? 

Relax and have fun. It’s a great group of people who are high-achievers AND who are very service-oriented. Just like you! Everyone is very friendly, and the conference has a positive, high energy. -AH

One thing I wish I had known before attending my first BLI was the importance of fully understanding its purpose and expectations. I was still very new in my role at the time and didn’t realize that bringing my president-elect was a key part of the experience. I ended up going solo, which wasn’t ideal. If I had done more research beforehand, I could have made the most of the opportunity and ensured I was fully prepared. I've since added my YLD chair-elect to the invitation list. -SMB

One of the best advantages of going to BLI for me, as a young lawyer leader, was the time I got with my bar president and executive director. This should be as much of a goal for a young lawyer as anything else. -DB

What are some things bar leaders and their executive directors/CEOs should take time to discuss at BLI?

If you don’t already know each other, go to dinner together.  Share your likes and dislikes. Share your work styles. I find it particularly important to understand the president’s work styles, what makes them tick, and what are their pet peeves, pressure points, etc. EDs/CEOs tend to be skilled at being flexible, and the bar team wants to have a great year and make their leaders proud and happy. Understanding each other’s needs goes a long way to a successful year. -AH

Conversations that help clarify roles, build effective partnerships, and foster alignment. Here are some key discussion points:

1. Role Clarification – Discussing the distinctions between the bar leader’s role and the president's role helps to avoid overlap, prevent confusion, and ensures that everyone understands their responsibilities and authority. 
2. Strategic Priorities – Aligning on the bar's mission, vision, and strategic goals is critical for ensuring everyone is working toward the same objectives. Discussing how to prioritize initiatives and how leadership can best support these goals for better focus and unity. 
3. Communication and Expectations – Establishing clear lines of communication between bar leaders and staff. Discussing how to handle challenges, conflicts, and successes ensures that both sides know how to navigate tricky situations and set mutual expectations for progress.
4. Leadership Development and Succession Planning – This topic could involve strategies for growing future leaders within the bar association, ensuring long-term sustainability, and ensuring that leadership transitions are smooth.
5. Resource Allocation and Budgeting – Conversations about financial stewardship, budget constraints or planning new initiatives and prioritizing funding and resources.
6. "Horror Stories" and Lessons Learned – Sharing stories from experienced leaders discussing challenges that others have faced, so new leaders can anticipate and manage them more effectively. -SMB 

What’s one non-BLI Chicago recommendation? (Restaurant, Activity, Museum, etc.) 

My favorites are Second City, an architectural boat tour, and the Chicago Gangsters and Ghost Tour (which includes a lot of interesting history).  -AH

Color Factory is very cool for anyone! I enjoyed it as much as my kids. -SMB 

Second City! It is always fun. I still sing songs from the last show I saw. -DB