Local Bar Associations
The LGBTQ Bar Association of Maryland is a state association of lawyers, judges and other legal professionals, law students, activists, and affiliate lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender legal organizations.
The Women’s Bar Association of Maryland (“WBA”) is an organization of women and men committed to the full and equal participation of women in the legal profession and in a just society. The WBA believes that a strong community of women in the legal profession is essential to the administration of justice.
The mission and goals of the WBA are to:
- Promote and assist women to obtain positions of influence and leadership within their workplace, the legal profession, the judiciary, and the community
- Raise awareness of and fight biases against women within the community at large, the legal profession, and under the law;
- Promote and effect diversity, equality, and justice under the law and within the legal system;
- Support women in the legal profession in their personal and professional lives;
- Provide opportunities for volunteerism and advocacy on issues affecting women;
- Collaborate with other individuals and organizations to improve the status of women;
- Celebrate the individual and collective achievements of women in the legal profession; and
- Promote full and equal participation of women in society by eliminating all forms of discrimination.
The Alliance of Black Women Attorneys of Maryland, an affiliate of the National Bar Association and the American Bar Association, was established in 1979. As Maryland’s first bar association developed by and for black women, the primary purpose of the founders was the creation of a network to enhance the professional development of African American women attorneys.
The Alliance provides strength, encouragement, resources and support to its members. Initially, the Alliance sought to advance its objectives by way of three primary means: promoting the interests of African American attorneys; improving the skills for the efficient practice of the profession; and increasing the viability and recognition of African American women attorneys. To these ends, the Alliance has been successful.
The Monumental City Bar Association (MCBA) is Baltimore’s oldest and largest specialty bar association. Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, the Monumental City Bar Association has a long legacy and rich history as an advocate for African-American attorneys and the interests of the African American community in Baltimore City.
Embracing a commitment to service and to excellence, our members have made significant contributions to the legal community in Baltimore City and throughout the state of Maryland. Our members serve prominently in the judiciary, state and federal government, law firms, academia, law firms, corporate and non-profit organizations.
The mission and goals of APABA-MD are:
- to promote and improve the quality of legal service to the Asian Pacific American community
- to monitor legislative, judicial and administrative actions that might have significant impact on the welfare of the Asian Pacific American community and inform the community of the existence thereof
- to provide, promote, sponsor or encourage educational workshops, programs, projects and activities to the end that the needs of the Asian Pacific American community for legal services can be adequately served
- to provide support on issues that would strengthen equal opportunities and ensure equal participation and equal treatment of Asian Pacific Americans
- to provide support on issues that could lead to, or aid in, the elimination of discrimination and prejudice against Asian Pacific Americans, and
- to provide career and academic counseling services to Asian American law students.
The Maryland Hispanic Bar Association is a non-profit professional organization that serves the public interest by cultivating the science of jurisprudence and, among other mandates, promoting reform in the law and judicial procedure on behalf of the Hispanic/Latino community; facilitating the administration of justice; and, providing a forum for the consideration of issues and resolutions of concern to the members of the legal profession.
The J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association, inc. is committed to legal excellence, community service, and the advancement of african american minorities in the legal profession. Our membership consists primarily of African American attorneys who live and/or work in Prince George's and Montgomery counties.
The Association was established in 1977 to advance the status of African American lawyers in Prince George's and Montgomery counties. Over 300 attorneys are affiliated with the J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association. Collectively, we aspire to uphold our mission to:
- ensure the continuation of african americans in the legal profession
- defend, protect, and assist in the cultural, socio-economic and political development of african american communities through the vehicle of the law
- educate the general public about their rights and responsibilities under the law
- safeguard and preserve the historical continuation of African American attorneys in Prince George's and Montgomery counties
- conduct continuing legal education programs relevant to African American attorneys
The mission and goals of APABA-MD are:
- to promote and improve the quality of legal service to the Asian Pacific American community
- to monitor legislative, judicial and administrative actions that might have significant impact on the welfare of the Asian Pacific American community and inform the community of the existence thereof
- to provide, promote, sponsor or encourage educational workshops, programs, projects and activities to the end that the needs of the Asian Pacific American community for legal services can be adequately served
- to provide support on issues that would strengthen equal opportunities and ensure equal participation and equal treatment of Asian Pacific Americans
- to provide support on issues that could lead to, or aid in, the elimination of discrimination and prejudice against Asian Pacific Americans, and
- to provide career and academic counseling services to Asian American law students.
The Everett J. Waring / Juanita Jackson Mitchell Law Society of Howard County ("WMLS") is comprised of judges, lawyers, and elected community leaders. WMLS sponsored political forums, participated in public school mentoring projects, performed pro bono legal services, conducted voter registration drives, served at expungement fairs, and interviewed and recommended judicial candidates to the Judicial Nominating Commission concerning hopeful judicial applicants.
The Simon E. Sobeloff Law Society was created to provide a social vehicle to network, encourage civility and build camaraderie among attorneys while celebrating their Jewish heritage and Jewish values in the law. The Society shall serve as a forum for advocating and educating on those matters of mutual interest to Jewish attorneys.
Our vision is to have a legal system that provides justice and fairness for women.
Our mission is to ensure the physical safety, economic security, and autonomy of women throughout the State. We work toward this goal by providing direct legal representation, information and referral services, and legislative advocacy.