Mitchell Hamline School of Law

Office of Culture and Inclusion

Law Students’ Guide to Bar Associations

American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) – Minnesota Chapter

The Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), helps Minnesota family law lawyers realize their full potential, giving them the tools they need to uphold the sanctity of family law in our state. If you are interested in joining this project, know that it is designed to help our family law community bridge across differences, and foster a greater belonging and inclusion.

American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)

Founded in 1946, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, voluntary bar association that provides continuing legal education, professional services, information, and expertise to more than 16,000 attorneys who practice and teach immigration law. Promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of AILA members.

When you join AILA, you’ll become part of an unrivaled professional network, enhance your law practice, build community, and promote justice for all.

Anoka County Bar Association (ACBA)

The Anoka County Bar Association is the 21st District of the Minnesota State Bar Association. Membership is just over 300 and is primarily made up of attorneys that live or work in Anoka County. The organization seeks to provide social and educational opportunities to its members and information to the public about the law.

Federal Bar Association (FBA) – Minnesota Chapter

The Federal Bar Association Minnesota Chapter was formed in 1940 and has been active within the state since 1962. The bar association boasts over 900 members and is continuously growing. These members consist of in-house lawyers, government lawyers, law students, judges, private practice lawyers, and other legal professionals. The Federal Bar Association Minnesota Chapter is unique because it maintains a very strong and influential relationship with the federal bench.

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. 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.

Hennepin County Bar Association (HCBA)

Hennepin County Bar Association Diversity Committee

1L Diversity Clerkship

The HCBA 1L Diversity Clerkship Program places first-year law students with Minnesota legal employers for full-time, paid summer associate experiences. Ultimately, the program hopes to provide fair and equitable clerkship opportunities for law students, enriching future partners and leaders in Minnesota’s legal community. Any student may apply, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, or disability.

  • Open to: Minnesota law students from marginalized and/or underrepresented backgrounds.
  • FREE law student membership
  • Contact: Erikka Ryan, eryan@mnbars.org

Hmong America Bar Association (HABA)

The Hmong American Bar Association is a bar association that educates communities, provides continuing legal educational courses and opportunities for members to interact professionally. Building bridges across diverse ecosystems along with local chambers and business networks, to achieve a sustainable development with an equitable future.

Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers (LCL)

Lawyer Concerned for Lawyers (LCL) supports legal professions in Minnesota on any issue causing stress o9r distress. Law school is challenging, even under the best of circumstances. Most law students occasionally feel overwhelmed by the rigor and intensity of learning to think like a lawyer. There are those who have felt they needed help. LCL provides free and confidential peer and professional assistance to law students and their immediate family members. Interested law students are encouraged to get involved in this important work of LCL, including peer assistance.

  • Open to: Law student volunteers
  • Contact: help@mnlcl.org, (651) 646-5590

 

Minnesota American Indian Bar Association (MNABA)

MNABA is a non-profit organization of Native American attorneys, law students, and officers of tribal courts. The organization also welcomes non-Native attorneys and law students who are interested in Indian law. As of 2024, the membership formally adopted the new name “Minnesota Native American Bar Association.” MNABA has been and will continue to be committed to building and maintaining relationships with Twin Cities urban Indian organizations and the 11 tribal communities in Minnesota.

Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association (MNAPABA)

The Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association (MNAPABA) is a community of Minnesota Asian Pacific American and Asian lawyers who support one another, celebrate each other’s accomplishments, create opportunities for dialogue on issues of importance to APAs, and highlight APA issues to the legal community at large. MNAPABA (formerly NAPABA-MN) is an affiliate of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA).

MNAPABA is the local Asian bar association, but welcomes people of all diverse backgrounds and experience, offers individuals professional support and opportunities for growth and mentorship, while being the voice of the APA legal community regarding recruitment, retention, promotion, and recognition of APA attorneys.

Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers (MABL)

The Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers (MABL) is the leading minority bar association whose mission is to promote and support the professional development of Black lawyers, judges, and law students in Minnesota. To this end, MABL is committed to the overall goal of representing the interests of Black citizens and their community in the legal profession and in the judicial system throughout the state.

MABL membership is open to Black and allied attorneys, judges, and law students. Learn more about our membership levels and terms below!

  • Open: Law Students
  • FREE law student membership
  • Contact: Board@MABL.org

Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MACDL)

The Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers is Minnesota’s pre-eminent defense bar association. With more than 350 members statewide, MACDL offers many important benefits of membership for you – and for your clients. Our Mission is to foster, maintain and encourage the integrity, independence, and expertise of the defense lawyer in criminal cases; and to promote the proper administration of criminal justice, including the protection of individual rights. To advance the knowledge of law in the field of criminal defense by lecture, seminars and publications; and to represent and lobby on behalf of the Association before the legislative, executive and judicial bodies which determine policy for the state and federal governments in a manner consistent with the Association and its goals and objectives.

  • Open to: Law Students
  • FREE law student membership
  • Contact: info@macdl.legal, (612) 332-3100

Minnesota Association for Justice (MAJ)

The Minnesota Association for Justice (MAJ) was established in 1954 by a small group of lawyers dedicated to protecting the rights of the injured and accused. The MAJ was created to better represent the overall interests of their clients and their profession as well as to share information, trial strategies and to collectively influence legislation.

Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association (MDLA)

The Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association (MDLA) is an association dedicated to serving the needs of lawyers engaging primarily in the defense and trial of civil disputes. We represent the defense viewpoint in handling problems on legislation, court procedure and practice, either directly or through the Bar Association. We exchange information on court decisions, briefs, witnesses, trends and procedures throughout the State. Exchange information on expert witnesses and to help defense attorneys obtain expert witnesses in various fields. Provide educational and professional development opportunities that benefit the members and civil defense practice.

Minnesota Disability Bar Association (MDisBA)

Founded in 2022, the Minnesota Disability Bar Association is an organization of Minnesota State legal professionals including attorneys, judges, staff, and students with and without disabilities as well as nondisabled allies. MDisBA offers peer support, networking, discussion, and outreach opportunities for our members with a focus on disability-related issues. We define disability broadly to include self-identification of physical, mental, visible or non-visible, permanent or temporary, and active or inactive disabilities. Our goals include educating the legal community about professionals with disabilities. Promote access for and elimination of barriers faced by professionals with disabilities and provide a supportive and inclusive community for professionals with disabilities. Increase disability diversity in the judicial system, improve meaningful opportunities for professionals with disabilities in the legal community, and promote opportunities for allies to support the disability community.

Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association (MHBA)

The MHBA mission is to unify and organize all members of the Hispanic legal community, to promote legal professionals, and to serve as an advocate for the Hispanic community in Minnesota. The MHBA strives to promote professional growth and opportunity for Latino law students and attorneys, to provide community service and to ensure access to justice for all.

In 2004, the MHBA began its Law Student Mentorship Program to mentor the next generation of attorneys in Minnesota. Every year the program kicks off with a reception, where law students are matched with attorneys to provide guidance and an introduction to the legal community in Minnesota.

Minnesota Lavender Bar Association (MLBA)

The MLBA is an active and dynamic organization that builds community between members through quality educational programs, networking opportunities, and social events. The MLBA proudly supports LGBTQ+ and allied efforts that promote equality and diversity in hopes of creating a community supportive of all professionals, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status.

MLBA membership is open to LGBTQ+ and allied attorneys, law students, and other legal professionals. Current MLBA members include legal professionals from large and small firms, corporate counsel, solo practices, government agencies, nonprofits, academia, the judiciary, and those working in nontraditional attorney roles.

Minnesota Minority Recruitment Conference (MMRC)

MMRC is where Twin Cities legal employers interview students of color for summer associate or post-graduation employment. The main event is a full day of formal interviews. All employers are invited to participate, including small, medium, and large firms; corporate legal departments; and public interest, nonprofit, and government entities. Students can also choose to participate in resume review, where they’ll receive feedback from attorneys and legal recruiting professionals in the Twin Cities.

Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA)

MSBA is your trusted source for legal information and continuing education, including news and updates, seminars and training, and tools to keep you informed about the law and the profession. To support you in your emerging legal career, Minnesota State Bar Association, Hennepin County Bar Association, and Ramsey County Bar Association offer complimentary memberships during your law school tenure and while you are studying for the bar exam.

  • Open to: Law students
  • FREE law student membership
  • Contact: info@mnbars.org

Minnesota Women Lawyers (MWL)

When MWL was established in 1972, the organization’s first order of business was to connect with all women enrolled in law school or licensed to practice in Minnesota. Since then, MWL has invited law students, to not only join as a member, but to also get involved! Law student leadership is welcomed at all levels of the organization. Through their active involvement, law students have opportunities to connect with trailblazers, community leaders and one another; to develop essential professional skills; to gain direct leadership experience; to build meaningful relationships; and to contribute to MWL’s collective efforts to advance equity in the profession.

  • Open to: Law students
  • FREE law student membership
  • Contact: dpexa@mwlawyers.org, (612) 338-3205

Ramsey County Bar Association (RCBA)

The Ramsey County Bar Association is Minnesota’s oldest bar association. RCBA has been committed to supporting and informing our members and the community. RCBA provides the members with a wide variety of opportunities including continuing legal education, networking and social events, leadership opportunities, and opportunities to give back to the community. RCBA helps the public find qualified lawyers and resolve disputes. The RCBA provides legal education to members and the public, enhances members’ professional lives, improves the quality and accessibility of justice, and promotes the ideals of the profession through community service. Members can access free and discounted events and programming throughout the year.

  • Open to: Law students
  • FREE law student membership
  • Contact: nfo@mnbars.org, (612) 333-1183

Somali American Bar Association (SABA)

The Somali American Bar Association is a national association of attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students of Somali heritage. The association, which was formed in Minnesota, aims to educate Somalis about the legal system and promotes professional development, networking and mentorship opportunity for its members.

Twin Cities Diversity in Practice (TCDIP)

Members of Twin Cities Diversity in Practice (TCDIP) believe that diverse workplaces benefit all of us. We are committed to attracting and recruiting highly qualified law students of color for employment at Member law firms and corporate legal departments. Whether you are a local or a recent transplant, TCDIP provides opportunities for you to participate in meaningful conversations with experienced attorneys, to spend the summer clerking with top-notch employers, to connect with mentors who can play a role in developing your career, and to participate in our job fair with both private practice attorneys and government employers who hold TCDIP programming in high regard. Our Board of Directors and Members all devote time to getting to students and share more about the Twin Cities legal community.

National bar associations

American Bar Association (ABA)

  • FREE law student membership

Center for Legal Inclusiveness (CLI)

Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA)

  • FREE law student membership

Infinity Project

Minority Corporate Council Association (MCCA)

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA)

National Bar Association (NBA)

  • FREE law student membership

National LGBTBar Association (LGBT Bar)

National Native American Bar Association (NNABA)

  • FREE student membership