[1] In 1873, a special act of the Legislature established "The Bar Association of the State of New Hampshire" as a voluntary membership organization, making it the oldest statewide bar organization in the United States.
In 1967, NHBA petitioned the Legislature to amend its acts of incorporation to change its name to "New Hampshire Bar Association".
The next year, the New Hampshire Supreme Court unified the bar (making membership mandatory for practicing law in New Hampshire) for a three-year trial period.
In 1972 Court ordered that unification "be continued without limitation of time".
[3] The Bar enforces the rule that New Hampshire lawyers must complete 12 credits of Continuing Legal Education each year.