A
bar association is a
professional body of
lawyers. Some bar associations are responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in their
jurisdiction; others are professional organizations dedicated to serving their members; in many cases, they are both. In many
Commonwealth jurisdictions, the bar association comprises lawyers who are qualified as
barristers or
advocates in particular, versus
solicitors (see
bar council). Membership in bar associations may be mandatory or optional for practicing attorneys, depending on
jurisdiction.