Bar Associations - Student Memberships

By joining bar associations, law students can benefit from attending the programs and network with member attorneys. Below are a list of bar associations for consideration.

On this page:

UB School of Law

  • UB Law Alumni Association
     While not technically a bar association, UBLAA offers up a number of benefits for law students, including networking opportunities, "power hours", and discounts to events.
     Member Webpage: https://www.law.buffalo.edu/alumni/formMembership/studentMembership.html
    Most Recent Graduating Class and Current Students: Free
    Full Membership: Ranges from $35 to $75 per year; $1200 for lifetime membership.

New York

Western New York Bar Associations

  • Bar Association of Erie County
     Membership Webpage: http://www.eriebar.org/MemberCenter/Membership/BecomeaMember
    Student Membership:  FREE, includes all privileges other than voting privileges.
    Full Membership: Ranges from $110 to $225 per year, depending on years of experience.
  • Minority Bar Association of Western New York
     Membership Webpage: https://www.mbawny.com/
    Student Membership:  $10 per year.
    Full Membership:  Ranges from $50 to $95 per year, depending on years of experience.
  • Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, Western New York Chapter
     Membership Webpage: https://www.wbasnywny.org/join-us
    Student Membership:  $10 per year.
    Full Membership:  Ranges from $70 to $95 per year, depending on years of experience.
  • Women Lawyers of Western New York
     Membership Webpage: https://www.wlwny.org/
    Student Membership:  $10 per year.
    Full Membership:  $40 per year

State-Wide Bar Associations

  • New York State Bar Association
     Membership Webpage: http://www.nysba.org/membership/
    Student Membership:  FREE, with discounted (typically by around 50%) membership into the sections.
    Full Membership: Ranges from $60 to $275 per year, depending on years of experience, plus additional costs for practice area sections.
  • Asian American Bar Association of New York
     Membership Webpage: https://www.aabany.org/page/510
    Student Membership:  $15 per year.
    Full Membership:  Ranges from $75 to $125 per year, depending on years of experience.  (Note: different rates for Public Sector practitioners).
  • L.G.B.T. Bar Association and Foundation of Greater New York
     Membership Webpage: https://www.lgbtbarny.org/membership-plans
    Student Membership:  $0 - $15 per year (for premium)
    Full Membership:  Ranges from $75 to $125 per year, depending on years of experience.  (Note: different rates for Public Sector practitioners).
  • Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY)
     Membership Webpage: https://www.wbasny.org/content/membership-resources/join-wbasny/
    Student Membership:  $20 per year.
    Full Membership:  Ranges from $55 to $250 per year, depending on years of experience.  (Note: different rates for Public Sector practitioners).

County Bar Associations (NY)

National Bar Associations

  • American Bar Association - Law Student Division
    Membership Webpage: https://abaforlawstudents.com/
    Student Membership: Basic membership is FREE; Premium membership is $25.
  • National Bar Association - Nation's oldest and largest national network of predominantly African-American attorneys and judges.
    Membership Webpage: https://www.nationalbar.org/
    Student Membership:  FREE
    Full Membership:  $125 - $250 per year

Pennsylvania

District of Columbia

Canada