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Legal Associations in California

With over 242,000 lawyers licensed by the state bar to practice law in California, the legal profession in the Golden State is as diverse as the California landscape.

According to the ABA 2019 National Lawyer Population Survey, California is the state with the second-highest number of resident active attorneys. The survey showed California had 170,117 active lawyers living in the state.

Attorneys in California join state, regional, county, and city-level bar associations for a variety of reasons. Bar associations in California provide networking opportunities, access to publications for a specialty practice area of the law, and discounts on quality CLE seminars.

Voluntary legal organizations in California are often classified as regional, minority, ethnicity, multicultural, or specialty bar associations. 

We created this complete list of California bar associations and legal organizations. If you have an update, correction or would like to list your organization here, then please contact us at support@lawyerlegion.com.


State Bar of California

180 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: (415) 538-2000

www.calbar.ca.gov

Founded in 1927, the State Bar of California as managed the admission of lawyers into practice, investigated complaints of professional misconduct, and prescribed appropriate discipline for misconduct for over 80 years. California was one of the first states to unify its bar association and make it mandatory, and it is the only state bar that operates its own State Bar Court for professional responsibility cases.

With over 242,000 members, it is the largest state bar association in the United States. Although the name of the organization is The State Bar of California, the public often calls the organization the California Bar Association. Prior to becoming an integrated bar, the State Bar's predecessor was a voluntary state bar association known as the "California Bar Association."

Today, the State Bar of California is directly responsible to the Supreme Court of California. It is headquartered in San Francisco and has branches in Los Angeles and Sacramento. 

The State Bar of California certifies lawyer referral services in California. Find information on the Family Law Section and the Criminal Law Section.


California Board of Legal Specialization

California Board of Legal Specialization

ls.calbar.ca.gov

California was the first state in the United States to approve a legal certification program. Under California Rule 1-400(D)(6), a lawyer may not claim he or she is a specialist unless he or she is certified by either the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization or an entity approved by the Board of Governors. Board-certified lawyers in California may seek and obtain more than one certification if otherwise qualified. 


California Lawyers Association

https://calawyers.org/

Founded on January 1, 2018, the California Lawyers Association became the home to the Sections and California Young Lawyers Association (CYLA) that were previously part of The State Bar of California. The Sections are voluntary organizations of attorneys who share an area of interest or focus on a practice area of the law. The CYLA is comprised of all California attorneys who are in their first five years of practice or are 36 years of age or younger. 
 

Consumer Attorneys of California

Consumer Attorneys of California

www.caoc.org

The Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC) was founded in 1961 as a professional legal organization that provided continuing legal education to its members, including many of the top personal injury lawyers in California. Prior to 1995, the CAOC was known as the California Trial Lawyers Association (CTLA). Today, the CAOC has grown to more than 3,000 attorneys in California who focus on representing... Read more »


California Attorneys for Criminal Justice

California Attorneys for Criminal Justice

www.cacj.org

The California Attorneys for Criminal Justice (CACJ) was formed in 1973 and has grown to over 2,000 members. The CACJ is the country's largest statewide organization of criminal defense lawyers in California. The CACJ works to defend the rights of the accused, provides quality continuing legal education courses, preserves due process, and... Read more »


California DUI Lawyers Association

California DUI Lawyers Association

www.california-dui-lawyers.org

The California DUI Lawyers Association (CDLA) was founded in 1989. As an affiliate of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), California DUI attorneys in CDLA promote the rights of the accused and a fair criminal justice system. CDLA is focused on issue impacting the DUI and drunk driving defense attorney... Read more »


Academy of California Adoption Lawyers

www.acal.org

Attorneys who are members of the Academy of California Adoption Lawyers (ACAL) represent clients in adoption and assisted reproduction cases. The Academy of California Family Formation Lawyers (ACFFL) is a subsidiary of the ACAL. Many of the most well-established adoption law attorneys in California belong to these trusted non-profit organizations... 


California Employment Lawyers Association

www.cela.org/

CELA is a statewide organization of more than 1,000 employment law attorneys in California focused on representing plaintiffs. The employment law attorneys in CELA protect the rights of California's workers and provides its members with practical training from the employee advocate's point of view. Employment law cases often include employment discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, class actions, unpaid wages, discriminatory termination or hiring practices, and wage and hour disputes, and whistleblowing and Qui Tam actions.


California Lawyers for the Arts

http://www.calawyersforthearts.org/

CLA supports the creative community by providing dispute resolution, education, and representation from its offices in Santa Monica, Sacramento, San Francisco, and Berkeley. Formerly known as the Bay Area Lawyers for the Arts and Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts - Los Angeles, members of CLA support this important service organization. CLA manages a State Bar of California Certified Lawyer Referral Service that provides referrals to qualified attorneys only for creative artists, arts organizations and those with arts-related legal matters.


County and City Level Bar Associations in California


Alameda County Bar Association - Founded in 1877, the Alameda County Bar Association is headquartered in Oakland, CA. The non-profit organization has nearly 1500 members. Benefits of membership in the Alameda County Bar Association include educational opportunities, discounts on MCLE events, invitations to social networking events, professional development, and a chance to shape the legal community in Alameda County. The ACBA has programs for a range of legal professionals, from judges and attorneys to paralegals and law students. The ACBA also manages a lawyer referral service in Alameda County.

The Bar Association of San Francisco - Since 1872, the Bar Association of San Francisco has been providing San Francisco legal professionals with networking and pro bono opportunities in order to better serve the local community. The BASF promotes diversity within the legal profession and provides services to disadvantaged and underserved individuals in San Francisco. The organization provides networking programs for attorneys and manages a lawyer referral service for San Francisco and the surrounding areas.

Beverly Hills Bar Association (BHBA) - The Beverly Hills Bar Association is a nationally recognized major metropolitan bar association in California. The BHBA serves the more than 16,000 lawyers who live or work on the Westside of Los Angeles. The mission of the non-profit professional association is to serve its members, to lead the legal profession and to advocate for justice in the community. The BHBA offers continuing legal education programs, seminars and events, publications, and special services. Additionally, members have access to numerous professional and leadership growth opportunities, public service programs, pro bono service, and legislative advocacy activities each year. The BHBA also sponsors a lawyer referral service in Beverly Hills, CA.

Butte County Bar Association - The Butte County Bar Association is located in Chino, CA. The mission of the BCBA is to advance the role of law and legal process in Butte County California through advocating efficient court administration and access to legal services for all and supporting legal education and the resolution of conflicts. The BCBA expands the knowledge of law practice management, economics, and ethics, while encouraging a positive image of the profession.

Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles (CAALA) - With nearly 2,800 members, the CAALA is the largest local association of plaintiffs' attorneys in the United States. The CAALA protects individuals from unsafe products, unsafe medicine, unfair business practices, and unscrupulous, negligent corporate conduct.  The Consumer Attorneys in CAALA subscribe to the highest standards of quality legal representation and ethical conduct. The attorneys who are members in CAALA are powerful advocates for victim's rights and equal access to justice.

Century City Bar Association - The Century City Bar Association in Los Angeles provides many benefits of members including networking programs, a monthly publication called “The Century City Lawyer,” the Annual Installation Dinner and Award Ceremony, and quality CLE Programs offered throughout the year. The mission of the Century City Bar Association is to enhance and promote the sense of community among Century City lawyers.

Contra Costa County Bar Association - Tracing its roots back to 1955, the mission of the Contra Costa County Bar Association is to represent its members and to advocate on their behalf. The organization educates its members and the public concerning the law, the legal profession, and the judicial system. By providing a means of communication both among its members and the public, the organization provides services that will support its members in their legal practice. With offices in Concord, CA, the Contra Costa County Bar Association manages a lawyer referral service for all of Contra Costa County, CA.

Eastern Alameda County Bar Association (EACBA) - The EACBA in Catro Valley was established to advance the legal profession through education, philanthropy, public service programs and promotion of a spirit of friendship and common interest among its members. The EACBA serves attorneys throughout Eastern Alameda County including Livermore, Pleasanton, Hayward, Dublin, and Alameda.

El Dorado County Bar Association - The El Dorado County Bar Association in Placerville, CA< was established in 1972 when local attorneys joined together to promote the legal profession and improve their skills. Today, the association has more than 80 members who are practicing attorneys in El Dorado County, CA. The mission of the El Dorado County Bar Association is to meet the professional needs of local lawyers and to enhance and advance the administration of justice.

Fresno County Bar Association - Incorporated by twelve Fresno attorneys on June 19, 1882, the Fresno County Bar Association has grown to provide a great diversity of programs, services, and information. The FCBA serves the needs of its members, the judiciary and the community. The organization publishes a monthly newsletter called “BAR BULLETIN” that goes to more than 1,500 attorneys and judges in Fresno County, CA.

Glendale Bar Association - The Glendale Bar Association seeks to enhance the professional practices of its members by offering information, services, career development, and networking opportunities to attorneys in Glendale, Burbank, and Pasadena. The Glendale Bar Association also assists the public by various services and programs including the Glendale lawyer referral service. Benefits of membership include a listing in the membership directory.

Kern County Bar Association - The Kern County Bar Association with offices in Bakersfield, CA, provides leadership in advancing the professional interests of the membership and serving the legal interests of the community. Members of the KCBA enjoy social and networking opportunities and the organization’s monthly publication called “Res Ipsa Loquitur.” Sections of the Kern County Bar Association include the Alternative Dispute Resolution, Bankruptcy, Criminal Defense, In-House Counsel, Family Law, Estate Planning, Trust and Probate, Women Lawyers and Young Lawyers.

La Jolla Bar Association - Formed in 1984, the La Jolla Bar Association provides a professional association for lawyers who practice or live in La Jolla, California, and the San Diego Golden Triangle area. The La Jolla Bar Association is a Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) provider certified as such by the State Bar of California. 

Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA) - The LACBA is a powerful network of attorneys with more than 21,000 members. The members and staff are dedicated to helping the legal community meet the challenges of practicing law and serving the public. The Los Angeles County Bar Association provides publications, resources, information, opportunities to expand your practice and increase your expertise. Join the organization to stay informed and find opportunities for meaningful pro bono work. The Los Angeles County Bar Association also manages a Lawyer Referral Services (LRS) in Los Angeles, CA

Monterey County Bar Association - The Monterey County Bar Association promotes access to the legal community in Monterey County while fostering fellowship among members in Salinas and Seaside, CA. The organization promotes attorney and public education. It enhances the public perception of the legal profession and provides Continuing Legal Education to enhance the skills, knowledge and best practices of its members. The Monterey County Bar Association manages a lawyer referral service in Monterey County, CA.

Marin County Bar Association - The Marin County Bar Association has more than 700 members. The MCBA in San Rafael, CA, supports bar association members, serves as a liaison to the Marin County courts, educates the community, and enhances access to legal services. The benefits of joining the Marion County Bar Association include networking opportunities, CLE seminars, the monthly Marin Law newsletter, monthly membership meetings, and the MCBA print and online directory.

North County Bar Association - Since 1956, the North County Bar Association in Vista, CA, has been dedicated to providing its members with programs and services promoting the development of the legal profession. The NCBA works for the establishment and improvement of County and State Judicial and Administrative facilities in Northern San Diego County.

Orange County Bar Association - With over 9,000 members, the Orange County Bar Association in Newport Beach, CA, provides a wide variety of programs, services, and opportunities for its attorney members, the judiciary, and the community. The OCBA is one of the largest voluntary bar associations in California. Members meet regularly in sections and committees dedicated to various areas of law and issues of concern to the legal community. For the last 50 years, the Orange County Bar Association manages a lawyer referral service in Orange County, CA.

Palo Alto Area Bar Association - Founded in 1934, the PAABA is unique in that it straddles two counties and two bar associations. The Palo Alto Area Bar Association (PAABA) was formed to provide a more personal and more responsive professional association for attorneys in the mid-Peninsula, ranging from Mountain View, Los Altos, Palo Alto, Portola Valley, Woodside, Atherton, Menlo Park, CA. Community activities include a golf tournament, community law night, and a Lawyer Referral Service in Palo Alto, CA.

Pasadena Bar Association - Founded in 1917, the Pasadena Bar Association helps its members to develop and improve their practice of law by providing information, services, networking, career development programs, and other resources. Members of the Pasadena Bar Association are classified in different categories including the following: Active members, Barristers, New Admittees (first year to State Bar of California), Judicial Officers, Retired/Inactive and Student members. Benefits of membership include a listing in the online attorney referral directory.

Placer County Bar Association - Membership levels in the Placer County Bar Association in Auburn, CA, include attorney member, judge/commissioner level, affiliate member and associate member. Benefits of membership include a listing in the membership directory, discounts on the annual dinner and Spring MCLE, monthly newsletter and notices of special events. The mission of the Placer County Bar Association is to promote the professional interests of lawyers within the legal profession and within the framework of local, state and federal governments, through education, interaction, leadership, and philanthropy.

Queen's Bench Bar Association - The Mission of Queen’s Bench is to foster professional and social relationships among women lawyers and to promote equality and opportunity for all women through education, programs, and community outreach. Formed in 1921, the Queen’s Bench Bar Association is a non-profit voluntary membership organization made up of attorneys, judges and law students. The administrative office of the Queen’s Bench Bar Association is located in San Mateo, CA.

Riverside County Bar Association - The mission of the Riverside County Bar Association (RCBA) is to serve its members, communities, and legal system. Founded in 1894, the organization accomplishes its mission by providing continuing legal education, fee arbitration, dispute resolution, and other services. It offers an arena in which to resolve problems that impact the justice system and attorneys who are practicing in Riverside County, CA. Membership activities include the opportunity to become involved in a variety of legal entities: the State Bar Conference of Delegates, Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court, Mock Trial, Dispute Resolution Service (DRS), the RCBA Fee Arbitration Panel, Public Service Law Corporation (PSLC), and the Lawyers Referral Service (LRS) in Riverside County, CA.

Sacramento County Bar Association - Founded in 1918, the mission of the SCBA is to enhance the system of justice, the lawyers who serve it, and the community served by it. The Sacramento County Bar Association is an active, vibrant community of dedicated lawyers in the Sacramento community. The SCBA publishes a Bi-Monthly full color Magazine, Annual Legal Directory,  and a weekly eNewsletter all with an on-line version that has embedded.com click through to all published websites. The SCBA also manages a lawyer referral service in Sacramento, CA.

San Bernardino County Bar Association - The San Bernardino County Bar Association is California’s oldest continuously operating bar association. It has been serving the legal community in San Bernardino for more than 130 years. Today it has grown to more than 1,000 members in Southern California’s Inland Empire and the High Desert. It also manages an ABA certified lawyer referral service for San Bernardino County, CA.

San Diego County Bar Association - The SDCBA is the region's oldest and largest law-related organization. SDCBA is dedicated to serving San Diego's lawyers. The SDCBA is headquartered in downtown San Diego. As the voice for San Diego's diverse legal community, SDCBA strives to provide members with tools to enrich their practices. With more than 50 unique sections, committees and divisions, benefits of membership include more than 300 hours of quality continuing legal education each year, award-winning publications, mentor programs, and networking opportunities. The San Diego County Bar Association also manages a Lawyer Referral Service in San Diego, CA.

San Fernando Valley Bar Association - For more than eighty years, the SFVBA has served members and the public with distinction as one of the premier local bar associations in California. With more than 2,000 members, the organization serves the San Fernando Valley legal community. Founded in 1926, the San Fernando Valley Bar Association continues a historical tradition of responding to the challenges and needs of the local legal community. The SFVBA also manages the San Fernando Valley lawyer referral service in Tarzana, CA.

San Joaquin County Bar Association - Since 1940, SJCBA has served the legal community of San Joaquin County. This non-profit membership organization has several committees and sections that oversee and conduct many of the events, MCLE courses, LRS, CAC, and other San Joaquin Bar Association programs. The SJCBA manages the San Joaquin Lawyer Referral Service in Stockton, California, which is certified by the State Bar of California and the ABA.

San Luis Obispo County Bar Association - The San Luis Obispo County Bar Association provides quality MCLE programs on a broad spectrum of legal issues and developing areas of the law, including speakers at the top of their fields. The SLOCBA also has a variety of Sections and Committees for its members. The benefits of membership also include a listing on its website. The SLOCBA manages a lawyer referral service for San Luis Obispo County, CA.

San Mateo County Bar Association - Founded in 1916, the SMCBA’s offices are in Redwood City. It provides educational programs and volunteer opportunities, and friendly social gatherings to its members practicing law in San Mateo County. The SMCBA manages a San Mateo County Lawyer Referral Service in Redwood City that helps connect people in need of legal assistance with qualified attorneys who are members of the Bar and practice in San Mateo County, CA.

Santa Barbara County Bar Association - With more than 600 members, the SBCBA is a nonprofit organization that administers many programs and activities to benefit attorneys and the public. Members include attorneys practicing in Santa Barbara County, as well as judges, legal administrators, paralegals, law students and members of various other professions. The SBCBA also manages a Santa Barbara County Lawyer Referral Service.

Santa Clara County Bar Association - Founded in 1917, the Santa Clara County Bar Association is a non-profit, voluntary association of attorneys in Silicon Valley that provides training and support to local attorneys who are members of the organization. Today, the organization has grown to more than 3,500 members who practice throughout Santa Clara County. Benefits of membership include a listing on the public directory of attorneys. The organization operates a Santa Clara County lawyer referral service in San Jose, CA.

Santa Cruz County Bar Association – Benefits of joining the Santa Cruz County Bar Association including access to quality MCLEs in a variety of practice areas, networking opportunities with area attorneys and judges at annual receptions, bench/bar and specialty section meetings, a listing on the membership directory and a subscription to the quarterly newsletter Bar Briefs. The SCCBA manages a Lawyer Referral Service for Santa Cruz County. Law students and lawyers with less than one year in the California State Bar are offered free membership.

Santa Monica Bar Association - Founded in 1928, the SMBA offers networking opportunities, special events with the local judiciary, educational seminars, monthly section lunch programs, and continuing education credits. The Santa Monica Bar Association manages a lawyer referral service in Santa Monica which is a California State certified program that also meets ABA standards. The SMBA serves the needs of attorneys throughout the Westside from Santa Monica to downtown Los Angeles, and from Marina del Rey to Malibu.

Solano County Bar Association - Founded in 1950, the SCBA serves the needs of attorneys and legal professionals in Solano County, CA. With offices in Fairfield, California, the organization has grown to more than 400 members who live or work in Solano County. The mission of SCBA is to serve the legal profession and enhance its professionalism, to serve its Solano County community, and to support and improve the justice system. The SCBA also manages a Solono County lawyer referral service in Fairfield, CA. Benefits of membership include educational programs, distinguished speakers, networking opportunities with lawyers and judicial officers and pro bono projects.

Sonoma County Bar Association - The SCBA is a full-service bar association that serves the needs of attorneys and other legal professionals in Sonoma County, CA. Benefits of membership in the Sonoma County Bar Association include opportunities for quality MCLE credits featuring distinguished speakers, convenient educational programs, and networking opportunities with local lawyers and judges. The SCBA also manages a Sonoma County Lawyer Referral Services that helps members of the public find a qualified attorney.

South Bay Bar Association in Torrance, CA - Headquartered in Torrance, CA, the South Bay Bar Association has served the South Bay area of Los Angeles County since it was founded in 1953. Today the organization has grown to more than 300 active members. The South Bay Bar Association has five sections of specialty areas of law that provide the members with opportunities to participate in a wide variety of educational programs and social activities. Benefits of membership include MCLE programs in the area of Probate & Estate Planning, Civil Litigation, Family Laws, Criminal Law, and Alternate Dispute Resolution. The South Bay Bar Association also manages a lawyer referral service in Torrance, CA, that makes more than 2,000 referrals to local attorneys in Torrance, CA, and South Bay (a region of the southwest peninsula of Los Angles County, CA).

Southeast District Bar Association in Norwalk, CA- The SEDBA serves attorneys throughout the Southeast Los Angeles County Area including the Cities of Norwalk, Downey, Whittier, Pico Rivera, La Mirada, Bellflower, South Gate, Huntington Park, Bell, Bell Gardens, Cudahy, Commerce, Vernon, La Habra, Lakewood, Hacienda Heights, Industry and La Puente. For the last 39 years, the Southeast District Bar has sponsored a lawyer referral service in Norwalk, CA, that connects the public with a qualified attorney for their legal problem on a rotating basis.

Stanislaus County Bar Association - With more than 300 active members, the Stanislaus County Bar Association serves attorneys throughout Modesto, CA, and the surrounding areas of Stanislaus County. The Stanislaus County Bar Association promotes professionalism among lawyers and seeks to improve the administration of justice. The SCBA also manages a Stanislaus County Lawyers Referral Service in Modesto, CA. Benefits of membership also include a listing in the  Attorney Directory that allows the public to find an attorney online and includes a profile with a photo, office address, phone number, and link to the attorney’s email address.

Sunnyvale-Cupertino Bar Association - Founded in 1956, the Sunnyvale-Cupertino Bar Association in Sunnyvale, CA, has been serving local attorneys and legal professionals through MCLE programs, social events, and networking opportunities. Benefits of membership include a listing on the membership list and invitations to events.

Tahoe Truckee Bar Association - Since the 1970s, the Tahoe Truckee Bar Association has been serving attorneys and legal professions in the Lake Tahoe and Truckee areas. Members of the association practice in surrounding counties of Nevada County, Placer County, and Reno, Nevada. Many of these attorneys are licensed to practice in both the State of California and the State of Nevada. Benefits of membership include a listing in the attorney directory, invitations to events and networking opportunities, and educational information.

Ventura County Bar Association - Established in 1929, the VCBA is a non-profit cooperation. Today it has more than 1,000 members and 37 different sections, committees and affiliates. The VCBA has a devoted staff and is governed by a 28 member board of directors. The VCBA manages a lawyer referral service in Ventura, CA. Benefits of membership include quality continuing legal education credits, practice resources and development, pro bono and volunteer opportunities. and networking opportunities with local attorneys and judges. 

Western San Bernardino County Bar Association - Founded in 1956, the WSBCBA is located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. The WSBCBA serves attorneys throughout Western San Bernardino County by promoting justice and offering networking opportunities and continuing education programs to its members. The WSBCBA sponsors a Lawyer Referral Service in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, that helps the public connect with a qualified attorney for their specific legal problem.

Wilshire Bar Association - The Wilshire Bar Association in Los Angeles, CA< provides activities and opportunities for attorneys including community out-reach programs, links to legal resources, educational interaction with the judiciary, and continuing education programs. The Wilshire Bar Association serves attorneys in and around Wilshire Boulevard from Santa Monica to downtown Los Angeles, California.

Yolo County Bar Association - The Yolo County Bar Association serves attorneys and judges throughout Woodland and Davis, CA, and the surrounding areas of Yolo County. Members include private attorneys, judges, and attorneys employed by public agencies. Benefits of membership including quality educational resources and networking opportunities. The website provides a listing of the members of the Yolo County Bar Association with a search feature to find attorneys by areas of practice.


Ethnicity, Multicultural or Minority Bar Associations in California


California Women Lawyers - Founded in 1974, the California Women Lawyers (CWL) is a non-profit organization headquartered in Sacramento, CA. The non-profit organization promotes the professional advancement of women lawyers. CWL is the only statewide bar association for women in California. The CWL has represented the interests of more than 30,000 women in the legal profession including lawyers, educators, students, and judges. The organization helps new practitioners expand their client base while helping more experienced attorneys in securing positions on the bench or in leadership roles within the legal community.

Armenia Bar Association in Los Angeles- Founded in 1989, the Armenian Bar Association provides networking opportunities for attorneys of Armenian heritage. The association has helped build and encourage the growth of democratic institutions in the independent Republic of Armenia. The association helps attorneys find pro bono opportunities and legal educational seminars. The association has created liaison work that supports the emergence of a rule of law society in Armenia. Leaders in the organization approve its by-laws, elect a Board of Governors, nominate prominent jurists as honorary members, and set the policy for the fiscal year.

Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County (APABA) - Founded in 1998, the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County is a professional member organization comprised of attorneys, judges, commissioners and law students throughout Los Angeles County. The offices for the APABA are located in Los Angeles, CA. This non-profit organization is the voice for issues of concern to the Asian Pacific Islander community. APABA provides legal education and assistance to underserved Asian Pacific Islander communities and also sponsors programs in professional development, community education, and law student mentorship.

Charles Houston Bar Association (CHBA) - Tracing its roots back to 1955, the Charles Houston Bar Association (CHBA) is a nonprofit organization comprised of lawyers, judges, and law students throughout Northern California. The CHBA is located in Oakland, CA. It is an affiliate of the National Bar Association (NBA) representing the interests of African American lawyers, judges and law students throughout Northern California. As a member of the California Association of Black Lawyers (CABL), CHBA is committed to working within the African American community to facilitate access to the justice system and to promote equal protection under the law.

Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County - The Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County has both attorney and non-attorney members who enjoy discounts for social mixers, networking opportunities, and educational events. The OC HBA is an affiliate of the Orange County Bar Association.

Italian American Lawyers Association - Founded in 1977, the Italian American Lawyers Association is a Los Angeles-area bar association known for its outstanding speakers, authentic Italian meals, and an energy that is unique to its bar association. The organization is fully certified by the State Bar of California and represented in the Federated Italo-Americans of Southern California.

Japanese American Bar Association (JABA) - Founded more than 30 years ago in Los Angeles, CA, the Japanese American Bar Association (“JABA”) provides a special forum for members of the legal profession with interests and ties to the Japanese American community to discuss issues, network, and serve the local community in the greater Los Angeles area.

John M. Langston Bar Association - The Langston Bar Association is the oldest bar association in California serving the African American legal community. Originally named the “Langston Law Club” in 1943, the club was founded by attorney Crispus Attucks Wright and other pioneering African American attorneys in Los Angeles. The Club later changed its name to the John M. Langston Bar Association. The organization serves the interests of African American judges, attorneys, law students and related professionals in the greater Los Angeles area.

Korean American Bar Association of Northern California - The KABANOR-CAL in San Francisco, CA, was founded to encourage and promote the professional growth of Korean-American lawyers and law students in San Francisco and throughout Northern California. The organization provides networking opportunities, the exchange of ideas and information among its members and with the local Korean-American community. The organization works with other Asian, minority, and community organizations on matters of common concern.

Korean American Bar Association of Southern California (KABA) - The KABA is an association of attorneys and law students that serves the Korean American community and promotes the interests of Korean-American attorneys throughout Southern California. KABA publicizes issues important to the Korean-American community at large, promotes the advancement of Korean attorneys in the judiciary and the political arena, assists law students through the funding of scholarships and career panels, and promotes networking among Korean-American attorneys and law students. KABA assists the Korean-American community in gaining access to the legal system through such services as monthly pro bono legal clinics.

San Francisco La Raza Lawyers Association - Founded in 1971, the SFLRLA has emerged as one of the oldest and most active Latino bar associations in the United States. The organization provides support and networking opportunities to attorneys in San Francisco, CA, that support the local Latino legal community. 

South Asian Bar Association Northern California Chapter - Founded in 1993, the SABA-NC helps Bay Area South Asian lawyers with opportunities to network and volunteer with others in the South Asian community. The SABA offers MCLE events, monthly luncheons, happy hours, mentorship events for its members, pro bono legal services through its legal clinic, and an invitation to the SABA annual gala. One mission of the South Asian Bar Association of Northern California is to promote alliances between South Asian legal professionals in Northern California and throughout the nation. South Asian counties include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

South Asian Bar Association of Southern California - As one of the oldest and largest South Asian bar associations in the country, the South Asian Bar Association of SoCal is dedicated to the advancement and development of South Asian attorneys and issues affecting the South Asian community. Benefits of membership include fundraising opportunities,j educational seminars, and networking opportunities. SABA-SC is a member organization of the Multicultural Bar Alliance, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (“NAPABA”), the North American South Asian Bar Association (“NASABA”), the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles (“APABA-LA”).

Tom Homann LGBT Law Association - Dedicated to the advancement of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues throughout California, the Tom Homann LGBT Association in San Diego helps GLBT lawyers with networking opportunities and a successful mentoring program. Annual events include an awards dinner, law student receptions, and LavLaw, the largest conference in the United States for GLBT legal issues.


Bar Associations Based on a Specialty Practice Area


California Applicants' Attorney Association in Sacramento, CA - Founded in 1966, the California Applicants’ Attorneys Association (CAAA) is a non-profit corporation that serves California's injured workers and the attorneys that represent them in workers’ compensation cases. Headquartered in Sacramento, CAAA provides the injured worker in California with fair compensation benefits and re-entry into the community as a productive citizen. The organization has more than 1,200 members statewide. The Board of Governors at CAAA includes officers, members-at-large, past presidents, committee chairs and chapter presidents. The organization also has twenty-three (23) working committees.

Federal Bar Association of Orange County (FBAOC) - FBAOC serves the needs of attorneys practicing within the federal system in Orange County, California. The FBAOC sponsors the "Bench and Bar" events, CLE events and other social and networking events throughout the year. These events sponsored by FBAOC focus on issues relevant to federal practitioners and provide an important bridge between the many federal judges in Orange County and the attorneys who practice before them. Attorneys are encouraged to join the FBAOC in order to benefit from an ongoing dialogue between the local federal bench and bar.

Alameda County Bar Association - Founded in 1877, the Alameda County Bar Association is headquartered in Oakland, CA. The non-profit organization has nearly 1500 members. Benefits of membership in the Alameda County Bar Association include educational opportunities, discounts on MCLE events, invitations to social networking events, professional development, and a chance to shape the legal community in Alameda County. The ACBA has programs for a range of legal professionals, from judges and attorneys to paralegals and law students.

Interlaw - An International Association of Independent Law Firms - Founded in 1982, Interlaw is an international association of top tier independent corporate commercial law firms in 125 cities worldwide. Located in Los Angeles, CA, its mission is to lead lawyers working together on a worldwide basis to provide quality, cost-effective, value-added legal and business solutions. Interlaw sets itself apart through strong interpersonal relationships, knowledge and information sharing, and the ability to quickly mobilize legal experts globally in support of its clients.

Consumer Attorneys of San Diego - CASD is a professional association that serves and promotes the needs and interests of trial lawyers in San Diego in pursuit of a fair and effective legal system. The CASD preserves and raises the standards of trial advocacy through innovative continuing legal education, and opportunities for its members to support and inspire one another through networking, collegiality and community outreach. Benefits of membership include access to the CASD listserve, educational programs, networking events, document bank, a publication called the “Trial Bar News,” and anatomical trial aids.

Silicon Valley Bar Association - The SVBA is a non-profit association in San Jose, CA, formed in the fall of 2000. Today, it has grown to more than 300 members. SVBA serves attorneys practicing primarily in Santa Clara and San Mateo County. Those attorneys are focused primarily in the area of estate planning, probate, trust and estate administration, civil litigation, trust, and estate litigation, tax law, conservatorship, guardianship, tax-exempt organizations, and elder law. Benefits of membership include continuing legal educational (CLE) courses offered during monthly brown bag meetings, new attorney roundtables, and evening programs. The SVBA provides networking opportunities to attorneys and other legal professions, accountants, trust officers, insurance advisors, and wealth management professionals.

California Applicants' Attorneys Association (“CAAA”) - CAAA is a non-profit organization that provides a powerful and knowledgeable legal voice for the injured workers. Founded on February 21, 1966, CAAA continues a distinguished tradition of supporting injured workers in California from its headquarters in Sacramento, California. Workers’ compensation attorneys in California who are members of CAAA fight to protect the workers’ interest in obtaining fair compensation and the ability to reenter the community as a productive citizen after a workplace injury. Many of the top workers’ compensation attorneys in California belong to CAAA.


Conference of California Bar Associations (CCBA)

Conference of California Bar Associations - Formerly known as the “State Bar Conference of Delegates”, the heart of the non-profit organization is the delegations. The delegations include more than 30 voluntary bar associations across California including legal specialty, minority, local and regional bar associations across the state.

Conference of California Bar Associations (CCBA)Founded in 2002, the mission of the CCBAis to “serve justice in California by bringing together attorney volunteers from across the State representing diverse backgrounds, experience, and expertise to seek, debate, and promote creative, non-partisan solutions to law-related issues.”More than 300 attorneys volunteer their time as delegates representing their voluntary bar association.


Additional Resources

Legal Organizations in San Francisco - Find a list of legal organizations in San Francisco County, CA. Each year, tens of millions of dollars in legal aid funding is distributed by the California State Bar to almost one hundred legal aid organizations. In 2018, nearly $50 million was awarded to 97 organizations. 


 

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