The Federal Bar Association Welcomes All Law Students!
Law Student Associate Membership is FREE to all new applicants. This membership includes up to three years of associate membership while enrolled in law school as well as a free first year of membership as a professional member upon graduation. Apply for your free membership here.
The Federal Bar Association wants to help ensure that you have a successful career practicing law! The FBA has nearly 100 professional chapters across the United States tasked with building partnerships with their local law schools, and will work with affiliated law school student chapters to create opportunities that cater specifically to law students considering federal practice.
Why FBA? The FBA is your home for comprehensive information on the federal judiciary and federal practitioners, to help you start building your professional network, and for access to resources to help your career through graduation and beyond.
Learn More About The Law Student Division Here
Benefits of Membership
Joining the FBA entitles you to membership within the national organization as well as within your local FBA chapter. Members receive a host of special benefits designed to uphold the mission of the FBA and support each member’s career within the federal legal system. Association activities and member benefits are organized into five primary categories.
You’re in Good Company
Advocacy
The organization’s headquarters are located outside of Washington, D.C., in Arlington, Va., giving it the proximity necessary to remain engaged on behalf of its members.
- Government relations efforts as defined by the FBA Issues Agenda
- Annual Capitol Hill Day
- Monthly updates on recent government relations developments
Publications and Communication
As part of your membership, you will receive and have access to:
- FBA website (www.fedbar.org)
- The Federal Lawyer magazine
- Bi-monthly eNewsletter
- Section, division, and chapter newsletters
- Judicial Profile Index (archived)
Networking and Leadership
The FBA is large enough to have an impact on the federal legal profession, but small enough to provide opportunities for networking and leadership. The FBA is governed by a 15-member, elected, Board of Directors and numerous volunteer members.
- More than 95 chapters across all federal circuits
- 24 practice area sections
- Six career divisions
- Volunteer leadership opportunities within each chapter, section, and division
Legal Career Center
The Legal Career Center is an online resource for both employers looking to hire and job seekers looking for a position within the federal legal community. Employers have the option of posting jobs available to the FBA Legal Career Center only, or to the Legal Job Exchange Network that reaches thousands of potential candidates through the network of partner job boards. Job seekers have free access and can use the Legal Career Center to post resumes, search for jobs, and prepare for interviews, as they launch their careers.
Education
The FBA offers more than 700 credit hours of continuing legal education (CLE) at both the national and local level throughout the year.
- National CLE conferences
- Bi-monthly CLE webinars
- Local chapter-sponsored CLE events
Member-Only Advantages
- Member Plus affinity program
- Online membership directory
- Optional public directory listing
- Discounted rates for CLE, networking events, publications, and other services
Dues rates:
- First year law student… $50 FREE!
- Second year law student…$30 FREE!
- Third year law student… $20 FREE!
- One-year of Professional membership after graduation… $115 FREE upon submitting bar admission information
- If you are enrolled in a non-traditional law school program, you are still welcome to join the FBA for free! Please contact membership@fedbar.org to get started (include name of law school, law degree pursuing, and expected graduation date).
Student memberships expire on September 30th of the year of graduation as indicated on the join application – click here to JOIN TODAY (for FREE!). Once you become a professional FBA member, you may then join the Younger Lawyers Division.
Questions? Send an email to membership@fedbar.org and we’ll be glad to help.