FAQ: Brad Bondi for D.C. Bar Association President
1. Why is Brad Bondi running for president of the D.C. Bar Association?
Brad Bondi is running to strengthen the D.C. Bar, expand its programming and enhance its member benefits. Brad plans to expand educational programs, career development and pro bono opportunities. His priorities include providing free on-demand continuing legal education (CLE), increasing the number and scope of its educational programs, increasing opportunities to engage in pro-bono activity, and providing swift, no-cost certificates of good standing. With over 26 years as an active D.C. Bar member, Brad aims to draw on his extensive leadership experience to enhance the Bar’s mission and serve its diverse membership.
2. What experience does Brad bring to this role?
Brad has a proven record of leadership and service:
He has been a practicing lawyer and active DC Bar member for twenty-six years.
He has been engaged in D.C. Bar-sponsored pro bono work for over twenty years.
He was elected twice to leadership roles in the DC bar, serving six years on the steering committee of the Corporations, Finance, and Securities Law community (formerly called section).
He is a nationally recognized litigation partner, board advisor, and the Global Co-Chair of the largest practice group at Paul Hastings LLP, spanning 23 offices worldwide.
He served on the Executive Staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as counsel to two SEC commissioners.
He served briefly as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney on detail from the SEC.
He served as Deputy General Counsel and one of three lead investigators at the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission.
He teaches securities law as an adjunct professor of law at Georgetown University Law School, where he earned his LLM.
He is an active board member of the Atlantic Council, Piedmont Environmental Council, the University of Florida Foundation, the University of Florida Law Center Association, and Stacy Fuson Foundation. He previously served on the boards of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, the National Sporting Library and Museum, the Economic Crime and Cybersecurity Institute, the Great Meadow Foundation, Virginians for the Arts, New York Lawyers for Public Interest, Arlington Soccer Association, and the Florida House on Capitol Hill. He has served as a Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor since 2005 and his Little Brother is now his adopted adult son.
He has been described as “the first choice among Boards of Directors and Audit Committees of the Fortune 500 when their company is faced with SEC or DOJ problems” by Securities Docket Newsletter.
3. Is Brad’s campaign connected to national politics or partisan agendas?
No. The DC Bar is not a political organization and has absolutely nothing to do with national politics. The DC Bar puts on programming; it does not issue political statements or invoke itself in political matters. It also does not control or influence any disciplinary matters, which fall under the separate DC Court of Appeals.
Brad’s effort to run for D.C. Bar president began months before the federal elections and is entirely independent of national politics. He has emphasized, “The Bar has a non-partisan mission, which I intend to vigilantly protect against any push to politicize it.” His focus remains on practical, profession-centered initiatives, not political ideologies.
4. How will Brad ensure the D.C. Bar remains non-partisan?
Brad has a long history of staying above the political fray, drawing on his non-partisan leadership in law firms, government, non-profits, and D.C. Bar sections. He pledges to keep Bar activities free from partisan influence, ensuring it serves all members—regardless of their beliefs or backgrounds—while upholding its core mission.
5. What specific benefits does Brad plan to deliver for D.C. Bar members?
Among his priorities, Brad has called for:
Free on-demand Continuing Legal Education.
More programs to support professional development.
Expanded pro bono opportunities.
Streamlined and no-cost administration of certificates of good standing.
Improving the accessibility and searchability of DC Bar resources.
6. How has Brad contributed to the D.C. community?
Brad has lived in the D.C. community for 26 years. Beyond his elected leadership roles at the DC Bar and pro bono work, he has been active in charities and philanthropy. He is an active board member of the Atlantic Council, Piedmont Environmental Council, the University of Florida Foundation, the University of Florida Law Center Association, and Stacy Fuson Foundation. He previously served on the boards of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, the National Sporting Library and Museum, the Economic Crime and Cybersecurity Institute, the Great Meadow Foundation, Virginians for the Arts, New York Lawyers for Public Interest, Arlington Soccer Association, and the Florida House on Capitol Hill. He has served as a Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor since 2005 and his Little Brother is now his adopted adult son.
He founded and endowed “The Bondi Family Land Conservation and Battlefield Preservation Fund” to preserve historic battlefields and nearby farmland in Virginia. He created and permanently endowed the “Bradley J. Bondi Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship Fund” at the University of Florida College of Law for newly admitted students (of any background) entering UF Law who demonstrate a commitment to advancing the causes of diversity, equality, unity, and inclusion through their past or ongoing activities that embody the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King of “a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” All students are eligible for the scholarships without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation and identity, national origin, age, military or veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. He also founded and sponsored "The Traci Grieshaber Zeller '99 Memorial Award" at the University of Virginia Law School in memory of a beloved colleague who suddenly passed away in late 2024.
His career reflects a deep commitment to both the legal profession and the broader D.C. community.
7. What sets Brad apart as a candidate?
With a career spanning private practice, public service, and academia, plus decades in a variety of leadership and pro bono services, Brad brings a unique blend of skills and a proven track record. Colleagues across political lines and practice areas recognize him as a diligent, capable professional devoted to strengthening the Bar. He has received endorsements from a wide and diverse range of D.C. Bar members that spans the full political spectrum, including Senate-confirmed attorneys that have served in the most recent Democrat and Republican administrations.
8. How can I learn more about Brad’s plans for the D.C. Bar?
Visit BradBondi.com for more details on Brad’s vision, experience, and initiatives. You can also contact the campaign team here with questions or to get involved.
9. How will Brad support younger attorneys or new Bar members?
Brad plans to expand educational programs, career development and pro bono opportunities. His proposal for free on-demand CLE will ease the financial burden on new and younger members, ensuring they have access to high-quality resources to grow their careers. Brad became active in bar programs and pro bono as a young lawyer, and he wishes for other young lawyers to have similar opportunities.
10. What is Brad’s approach to improving Bar efficiency?
Brad plans to expand educational programs, career development and pro bono opportunities. He wants to streamline administrative processes, reduce programming costs, and enhance the Bar’s digital offerings. Drawing on his leadership experience in law firms and non-profits, Brad’s goal is to make the Bar more responsive and practical for its 118,000 members.
11. Why does Brad emphasize pro bono work?
Brad firmly believes pro bono work is a cornerstone of the legal profession. Reflecting his own lifelong commitments, Brad seeks to expand opportunities for D.C. lawyers to contribute to the community as well as provide new and practicing attorneys other avenues to diversify their skills and gain invaluable experience.
Brad has been very active in pro bono and charitable matters his entire career, has donated generously his time and money to charitable causes, and he strongly believes that lawyers should give back to the community.
12. How will Brad represent the diversity of the D.C. Bar’s membership?
Brad’s 26 years as an active member of the Bar give him a broad perspective on the Bar’s diverse needs. His focus on expanding educational programs, mentoring and career development, enhancing pro bono opportunities and improving Bar-related administrative efficiencies reflects a non-partisan consensus view for all members. Respect for different views and backgrounds is a core value Brad has always held in his professional and personal life.
13. How does Brad’s legal service background inform his vision?
Brad has garnered numerous recognitions as an outstanding attorney with a reputation for integrity and honesty. It has made him a sought-after attorney among Boards of Directors and Audit Committees of the Fortune 500. His experiences have honed his skills in leadership, problem-solving, and client service. Further, his years in public service and his non-profit work inform his commitment to continue to serve the public good. Serving as President of the DC Bar is an extension of these values.
14. Will Brad prioritize certain practice areas over others?
Brad’s platform is designed to benefit all members, from corporate lawyers to government lawyers to solo practitioners. His leadership in the Corporations, Finance, and Securities Law Community (formerly section) of the DC Bar, however, gives him insight into how to be effective and implement his initiatives within the organization.
15. What inspired Brad to run for D.C. Bar president?
Brad’s commitment to the D.C. Bar and his belief in its non-partisan mission inspired him to step up. His proposed agenda is focused on strengthening the Association and expanding opportunity for all members.
16. How will Brad measure success as Bar president?
As a result of a focused agenda, Brad will gauge success by tangible outcomes: increased participation in free CLE and pro bono programs, faster administrative services, and positive feedback from members across the Bar.
17. Did anyone in the Administration ask him to run?
No. Brad did not discuss his desire to run with anyone in the administration, and he will not discuss bar matters with anyone in the administration.
Brad decided to run long before the national election. He firmly believes that the DC Bar should remain non-partisan and non-political, and he will fight vigorously to prevent the bar from becoming a political organization. “The D.C. Bar is not, and must not become, a political organization,” Brad said. “I will fight vigorously against any attempts externally or internally to change that. The D.C. Bar should continue its role as a nonpartisan, nonpolitical organization committed to the service of its members.”
18. How was Brad selected to run?
Brad expressed his interest to the DC Bar and the nominating committee of the bar chose Brad and another candidate for the slate of candidates.
19. Does the DC Bar have any involvement in bar disciplinary matters?
No. The DC Bar President has no involvement in any disciplinary matters. Disciplinary matters are handled by a separate committee overseen by the DC Court of Appeals.
20. Does the DC Bar President have unilateral power?
No. The DC Bar President chairs a committee that oversees the programs of the DC Bar, such as Member Services, Public Service and Outreach, Pro Bono Initiatives, Career Development, and Continuing Legal Education. The President lacks unilateral authority.