What is the BarAlliance Consortium?

The BarAlliance Consortium is an affiliation of bar organizations in partnership with other law-centric professional organizations and other various member services providers.

Why a consortium?

Until now bar associations and other legal membership organizations have had to rely on membership management systems designed for the global association market. Or in the alternative, a bar has had to become its own software developer and build a custom system. In contrast, the BarAlliance Consortium approach is focused on utilizing the shared knowledge and experience of many bar associations to build one bar-specific system we can all share. This shared system is being built solely to address the unique challenges and day-to-day operating requirements for bar organizations. This approach promises to bring lower technology costs, more robust association management/IT options, and enhanced member satisfaction.

What is the BarAlliance framework?

Using Microsoft .NET as the primary development toolset, BarAlliance has built the Bar Alliance Framework based on Web Services, which helps bars connect their members and their staff using ubiquitous internet-connected technologies.

By using .NET and Visual C# to construct the Framework, BarAlliance's system architects have developed a system of web-connected computing which enables bar organizations to more simply integrate their membership systems with easy to use (and deploy) web-based architecture.

BarAlliance Framework services allow for flexibility in integration and deployment that have been previously unavailable to bar associations. The Framework, built on top of LegalSpan's RulesMatrix technology, provides a way for bars to adopt powerful new technologies while keeping in place their own specific business practices, conventions and "rules".

What are the technical aspects of this approach?

BarAlliance Technical Services offerings include Database Migration, Change Management, and Database hosting. Bar staff training and on-going technical support is also provided and maintained by this group of dedicated professionals.

Who should participate?

Any and all bar associations that face challenges to the integration of all member data for efficient and effective management. Since BarAlliance is founded on a core platform of 4 distinct functions with additional optional modules, each membership association can build their own database management system with respect for their own needs and financial constraints.

What are the benefits of participation?

There are many benefits of this consortium. First, all members benefit from a data management system developed specifically by and for bar associations by a company deeply involved in bar issues. Secondly, each member benefits form the savings in development costs shared by all participants, with fees paid on a monthly basis with a reasonable start up investment. Thirdly, each bar will be able to customize their system starting with 4 core modules, adding numerous optional features, all based on a monthly fee. Additionally, as the host, BarAlliance will continue to develop the system keeping it “evergreen” and ultimately viable for the changing and growing needs of the nation’s bar and legal associations.

Who is building and managing the BarAlliance Framework System?

The Consortium is looking to LegalSpan as an existing, trusted bar partner to build and maintain the new membership management system. With LegalSpan’s existing positive bar relationships and its knowledge of web-based technology, the resulting system will be trusted, stable and current technology. Going forward, LegalSpan has eagerly agreed to operate in a Consortium environment.