An oral history of the Bay Ridge Lawyers Association
As told by long-time member Ray Ferrier
BAY RIDGE — The Bay Ridge Lawyers Association is a local neighborhood bar association, however, it is much more than that too. This little association is a pioneer, a leader in continuing legal education, and has become one of the most prestigious around boasting over 200 members including nearly 50 judges.
Started in 1954, the BRLA was formed by a group of local attorneys from Bay Ridge, who wanted to get together to discuss problems and issues they were facing in the legal community. It started out informally, but quickly snowballed into regular monthly meetings in and around Bay Ridge.
“They wanted to get together to discuss the problems and issues that they had in the practice of law,” said Ray Ferrier, who is the oldest living president of the association. “This was in the days before continuing legal education. They got together at a restaurant, drank coffee, got dinner, and discussed whatever they had to do.”