The Federal Circuit Bar Association unites the various stakeholders in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit community. The Association seeks to improve and facilitate the administration of justice both as a 501(c)(6) membership organization and a 501(c)(3) charitable and educational fund. The educational outreaches include local, regional, national, and international programs, teleconferences, and webcasts—both as sole sponsor and in conjunction with other organizations. The Association sponsors judicial conferences, files public interest amicus briefs, and comments on legislative and judicial nomination matters affecting the Circuit community. It also sponsors judicial portraits, judicial receptions, and a variety of other activities. As an international bar association, the Association offers a forum for common concerns and dialogue among the Bench, the bar, government counsel, private practitioner, litigator, and corporate counsel.
Founded in 1985, the Association developed in the wake of the Federal Courts Improvement Act of 1982. The Association was a collaboration of 35 “Friends of the Federal Circuit” and the Circuit itself. This Act established the Federal Circuit by merging two existing Article III courts, the United States Court of Claims and the United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals. The Association sought to establish a professional, nationwide dialogue between Bench and Bar.