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 Mission

Provide professional development and CLE for members.
Deliver services to our members
Build a spirit of legal community and promote bench/bar relationsIncrease participation and diversity of our membership
Represent and protect the interests of the profession
Promote civility and collegiality among our members.

Applications for Membership

Attorney Membership: includes Government, Retired, Faculty, Complimentary-first year admittees. Join through our online application or download the PDF application.
Associate Membership: non-lawyer membership/DCBA member sponsorship required—To join, download the PDF application.
Student Membership: law school or paralegal school. Membership is free, or you may include a subscription to the DCBA Brief magazine for $20. Join through our online application or download the PDF application.

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. Associate member dues are also prorated according to the month in which you join.