President's Message

Steven P. Hollman

The Court of Federal Claims Bar Association is a voluntary, non-profit organization dedicated to serving the community of the Court of Federal Claims, also known as the “People’s Court.”  Uniquely, the Bar Association is comprised of members of the private bar who litigate claims against the Federal Government and members of the Department of Justice who defend the Federal Government in regard to those claims, and it strives to maintain institutional balance in serving these constituencies, the Judges and Court personnel, and the public.  The Bar Association is dedicated to educating its members and the public concerning the Court of Federal Claims and its unique jurisdiction, promoting excellence in advocacy before the Court, and facilitating the expedient administration of justice in cases litigated before the Court.

Perhaps owing to the Bar Association’s unique constituencies and the Court’s distinct jurisdiction, many practitioner’s find that the Bar Association distinguishes itself by the degree to which it promotes collegiality among litigation adversaries.  Indeed, the levels of respect and collegiality that permeate Bar Association activities make active service to the Bar Association richly rewarding.  Public and private practitioners work closely together in a singularly cooperative spirit to achieve common purposes.

To preserve this cooperative spirit and collegiality among members of the Court community, we encourage all practitioners before the Court, whether frequent or occasional, to join the Bar Association and to participate actively in its activities.  To fulfill its educational mission, the Bar Association makes available to its members Inside 717, which provides timely information on new decisions of the Court and other significant developments relevant to all areas of the Court’s jurisdiction; it distributes the recently revised Deskbook for Practitioners, a handy reference guide to the history and case law of the Court; and it organizes “Brown Bag” continuing legal education sessions featuring panels of distinguished practitioners and judges addressing significant issues and procedures relating to Court practice.

Bar Association members also receive discounts to all Bar Association and Court public events, including the signature Law Day celebration, scheduled this year for May 7th and expected to include Solicitor General Elena Kagan as the featured speaker, and the Court’s Judicial Conference, scheduled for October 27th.  Members enjoy these and multiple other opportunities to interact with the Court and other practitioners, to share issues of common concern, and to stay informed about and participate in matters affecting the practice of law before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.

We hope that you will join us as a member of the Bar Association and as an active participant in our activities.

Please use this website as a source of information concerning our programs and events.  And please do not hesitate to contact me at president@cfcbar.org with your ideas about how the Bar Association can serve you better.

Steven P. Hollman, President
U.S. Court of Federal Claims Bar Association