Weigh the Benefits of Membership
Established in 1879, the DuPage County Bar Association is the largest county bar association in Illinois with approximately 2,400 members. From educational seminars to community service programs and social functions, the benefits of membership outweigh the dues investment.
Learning
- The DCBA Brief, the journal of the DCBA, is the outstanding monthly publication, written and edited by members of our association. It provides substantive law articles and features the DuPage County legal system as well as information on DCBA happenings. See http://www.dcbabrief.org.
- The Illinois Supreme Court has designated the DCBA as an Accredited MCLE Provider for our seminars and CLE meetings. Members receive discounts on all seminars, skills training workshops and other opportunities to earn IL MCLE credit, including 50-75 hours of free MCLE offerings each year. See our Calendar of Events or sign up for DCBA event emails.
- With more than 20 committees focusing on various aspects of substantive law, DCBA has a group to serve your specific interests. Each committee meets periodically to discuss recent developments and to hear presentations from leaders in their field. See committees.
- A Mentoring Program that matches new attorneys with those who have experience in their field.
- Over 50 free MCLE credit opportunities at committee lunch meetings every year.
Serving
- The DuPage County Bar Foundation promotes justice in our community by providing scholarships for law students, grants to 501(c)(3) legal organizations and assistance to DCBA members in need.
- Lawyers Lending a Hand, a monthly, public service project, provides hands-on help to area non-profit organizations. The group conducts successful coat and toy drives each year, benefitting local charities. Check the Calendar for upcoming projects.
- The DuPage County Bar Legal Assistance Program maintains 3 full-time staff attorneys providing legal services to the indigent, and oversee our program to provide pro bono legal services to the indigent of DuPage County.
- The Judiciary Committee screens and evaluates all judicial candidates from Associate Judges to Appellate Court Justices.
- Mock Trial Demonstrations for middle schools and a Mock Trial Competition for high school students.
Connecting
- A newly redesigned website full of great resources for attorneys who practice in DuPage County, from court rules to ways for you to market your practice online.
- Member-only pages include 24/7 access to civil and criminal court calls, circuit court rule amendments and our searchable online membership directory.
- DCBA fosters a strong relationship between bench and bar. We appreciate the active participation of many judges in our committee and networking events.
- Various seminar and social functions during the year encourage professional connections among members.
- Attorney and law office staff placement service for members who are seeking positions or office or paralegal assistance.
- The Association's leadership includes legislative and ISBA Liaisons who advocate the views of the Association before the Illinois General Assembly and keep our Board informed as to statewide developments in the ISBA.
- Our Lawyer Referral & Mediation Service helps you market your practice and reach out to potential clients. Over 5,000 referrals are made to member attorneys each year. Our Referral Service is also approved by the ABA.
Other Services
- Meeting rooms at the Bar Center for depositions. Call 630-653-7779 for availability and rental information.
- The lawyers-only William E. Hooper Attorney Resource Center on the 3rd floor of the Judicial Center with WiFi access, wireless printer, coatroom and free coffee.
- Award-winning Driver Improvement School, fee dispute arbitration, sale of Local Rules of 18th Judicial Circuit, Real Estate contracts, court security passes, mailing labels and attorney diaries. Vist the DCBA Store or call the office for more information.
Our Purposes and Duties:
The Association purposes are:
- To promote justice and uphold the Constitution of the United States of America and the State of Illinois;
- To foster the highest ethics, integrity and honor of the legal profession;
- To provide education and professional support to its Members;
- To improve the quality of the judicial system and the administration of justice;
- To promote the delivery of legal services to all community members;
- To promote the legal profession through community service and education; and
- To promote the spirit of goodwill, collegiality and civility within the legal community.
The Association shall not discriminate for any reason prohibited by law.
It shall be the duty of every Attorney, Retired, Life and Honorary Member upon request to represent indigent persons or to otherwise support the provision of legal services to the indigent.
Applications for Membership
- Attorney Membership: includes Government, Retired, Faculty, Complimentary-first year admittees. Join through our online application or download the PDF application.
- Legal Community Members: Any non-attorney who is integrally involved in the legal community as a paralegal, legal assistant, law firm administrator, legal secretary, court manager or other court staff. Legal Community Members are not eligible to vote and/or run for the Board of Directors. Upon payment of dues, Legal Community Members may be appointed as a committee chair. Join using a credit card through the online application or download a PDF version.
- Affiliate Members: Any other person who is not admitted to practice law and does not qualify for membership under other categories may apply and become an Affiliate Member, as determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion. Affiliate Members are typically individuals associated with firms or businesses that provide services to the legal community. Affiliate Members are not eligible to vote and/or run for the Board of Directors nor are they eligible to be appointed as a committee chair. Join with a credit card using our online application or download a PDF version.
- Student Membership: Anyone currently enrolled in any accredited law school or paralegal program. Membership is free, or you may include a subscription to the DCBA Brief magazine for $25. Join through our online application or download the PDF application.
- Retired Membership: Any retired person who has been an Attorney Member, Legal Community Member or Judiciary Member for not less than ten (10) years immediately preceding his or her retirement shall pay fifty percent (50%) of the annual dues, based on such person’s membership designation immediately prior to retirement. Upon payment of dues, Retired Members shall continue to be eligible to vote and/or run for the Board of Directors and may be appointed as a committee chair based on such person’s designation immediately prior to retirement.
Dues Investment
All dues rates are prorated according to the month in which you join and Active member dues are based on a graduated scale reflecting number of years in practice. New attorneys who live and/or work in DuPage County are offered a complimentary membership for the first year immediately following admission to practice. See Prorated Dues rates. Special rates are also offered for Government attorneys, Faculty members (full-time law school or paralegal school teachers) and Retired attorneys who wish to remain involved in the bar association. Legal Community and Affiliate Member dues are also prorated according to the month in which you join.