It is dedicated to promoting excellence in federal practice and fellowship among federal practitioners; encouraging respectful, cordial relations between the bench and bar; and to promoting the rule of law.

The Federal Bar Council is assisted in its mission by the Federal Bar Foundation, which lends financial support to promote historical exhibits, lectures, educational programs and publications. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) rendering contributions to the Foundation tax deductible.

Over twenty former Trustees of the Federal Bar Council have gone on to service in the federal judiciary. Among them is the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, who served as Vice President of the Federal Bar Council from 1978–80.