Benefits abound for Bar members.

Legal research, telcommunications and office products, oh my! The Florida Bar Member Benefits program provides discounts on these items and more to all Bar members.

The Bar began offering discounts to members in the mid-1980s on rental cars and magazine subscriptions, but quickly expanded its services to include discounts on most of the things attorneys use in their daily practice.

The Member Benefits Committee, chaired by Board of Governors member James Lupino, reviews and evaluates existing benefit programs for Bar members, and makes recommendations to the board on changes or additions to the benefits program. The 18-member panel meets formally at all major Bar meetings and stays in contact though various subcommittee meetings throughout the year.

"I think it's important that the members know and understand that the Bar works very hard to try and get members the best benefits possible in as many areas as we can, whether it's for health insurance, life insurance or malpractice insurance, to discounts with rental cars," said Lupino.

In the past year, the Bar has added new benefits and expanded existing services to assist members. The credit card program, through MBNA has expanded to offer certificates of deposit and money market accounts as part of the package deal for members. Lexis-Nexis, the Bar's computerized legal research provider, has begun...