The Kansas Bar Association is a voluntary organization dating back to 1882 that currently serves about 7,000 legal professionals such as paralegals, law students, attorneys, and judges. As a general organization, the Kansas Bar Association works to advance the professionalism and legal skills of lawyers and encourage public understanding of the law. As a legislative advocate, the association lobbies for important legal issues and provides information to its members about pending legislation that is of interest to the association itself or to the public.