New Hampshire Bar Foundation History

Stanley M. Brown - The New Hampshire Bar Foundation Founding Directors, attorneys Stanley M. Brown, Fred W. Hall, Jr., Joseph M. Kerrigan, N. Michael Plaut, and Gordon M. Tiffany, convene at the law office of Stanley Brown in Concord to establish the New Hampshire Bar Foundation as a charitable, nonprofit, 501 (C) 3 organization.

First Grant - The Bar Foundation makes its first grant to the New Hampshire State Law Library to purchase legal publications.

Bar Foundation’s First Home - The New Hampshire Bar Foundation and New Hampshire Bar Association purchase 18 Centre Street to house both organizations. The Bar Foundation initiated the capital campaign and Jack Middleton was credited for its success.  

Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA) Program - The NH Supreme Court approves the IOLTA Program, establishing New Hampshire as the second state in the country, following Florida, to operate an IOLTA Program. The New Hampshire Bar Foundation is named recipient of IOLTA revenue to be used for charitable purposes as outlined in Rule 50.

Bar Foundation's IOLTA Program - 374 lawyers and 70 firms participating first year, generating over $63,000. Grants committee formed to review grant applications and make recommendations for funding to the Board of Directors.

Fellows Program created as a Bar Foundation membership program to recognize excellence in the science of jurisprudence.

Honorary Fellows Program initiated to recognize senior, esteemed members of the Bar who demonstrate significant, long-term commitment to the Bar Foundation.

First Honorary Fellow - Retired NH Supreme Court Justice, John W. King, unanimously chosen to become first Honorary Fellow.

Legal History Project created to collect and preserve the recollections of senior members of the legal community through oral history interviews with senior lawyers, judges, and court staff.

First Move - The Bar Foundation and Bar Association move to new quarters at 112 Pleasant Street. Capital Campaign raises $600,000 to the credit of Jack Middleton and Tom Richards.

Advancement of Justice Fund established to improve access to justice and to support law-related public education initiatives.

The Justice Society is formed in response to donor requests for planned giving opportunities. Justice Society funds are part of the Bar Foundation's endowment and are disbursed through the Justice Grants Program.

NH Remembrances held at Franklin Pierce Law Center is the first public event highlighting several Legal History Project interviews with New Hampshire attorneys.

Robert E. Kirby Award established in memory of Bob Kirby, a young lawyer "of great skill, civility and good humor" who died in 1996 at the age of 35. New Hampshire attorneys, 35 years old or younger, who demonstrate the traits of civility, courtesy, perspective and excellent advocacy, are eligible candidates.

Frank Rowe Kenison Award established to recognize individuals who make substantial contributions to the administration of justice and the legal profession.

Bar Foundation Initiates Statewide Legal Service Planning with NH Legal Assistance, Legal Advice and Referral Center, and NH Pro Bono Referral Program to develop a more fully integrated legal service system in New Hampshire.

Bar Foundation Annual Grants Exceed $1 Million for the first time.

First Justice Grants from endowment approved by Board of Directors. Bar Foundation endowed funds now represent $500,000 of philanthropic capital.

25th Anniversary of New Hampshire Bar Foundation - More than $16 million invested since 1982 by the Bar Foundation in New Hampshire nonprofit organizations that provide civil legal services for the disadvantaged and law-related education programs.

Bar Foundation Initiates Three-Year Campaign for Legal Services and raises $950,000.

Eleven Leadership Banks offer interest rates on IOLTA of 2% or greater, providing 89% of the revenue for the Bar Foundation IOLTA Grants Program.

Nearly $1 Million Donated to the Bar Foundation during its Campaign for Legal Services. Beneficiaries of the campaign, NH Legal Assistance, Legal Advice & Referral Center, and the NH Pro Bono Referral Program, assume management to continue fundraising for their organizations.

Bar Foundation Relocates (with New Hampshire Bar Association) to 2 Pillsbury Street, Suite 300, Concord, NH.

IOLTA and Justice Grants exceed $1.73 million in one year to 24 nonprofit programs serving the civil legal needs of New Hampshire residents.

Bar Foundation tops $20 million in grants to New Hampshire nonprofits since 1977.

New Hampshire Bar Foundation celebrates its 30th anniversary.

Eighteen Leadership Banks offer interest rates on IOLTA of 2% or greater, providing 89% of the revenue for the New Hampshire Bar Foundation's IOLTA Grants Program.