Number of members: over 11,000 nationally

Cost: $80 — San Diego chapter (must also join National Chapter)

Date founded: 1946

Mission Statement: The American Immigration Lawyers Association is the national association of immigration lawyers established to 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 its members.

Number of members: 750+

Cost: $100 — in practice more than 3 years; $85 — in practice less than 3 years;

$50 — judges & public sector attorneys; firm membership discount program available

Newsletter: Yes, quarterly

Date founded: 1972

Mission Statement: To promote the highest ideals of the legal profession — competence, ethics, professionalism and civility — through relevant and interesting educational programs and frequent informal interaction with other members of the bar and bench who embrace these ideals.

Notable Facts: Chapters in San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County, Northern California, San Joaquin Valley; annual seminar at 

resort destinations, even years in Hawaii; biennial one-day trial skills seminar in San Diego; dinner programs; 

“Meet the Judge” brown bag lunch programs; “nuts and bolts” lunch programs. 

Contact: President Richard D. Gluck, Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann

Number of members: 900+

Cost: $25 to $755 (depending on the years of practice)

Member benefits: List serve access, deposition bank, vendor discounts, networking events, educational seminars, community service opportunities, job bank, complimentary subscription to Trial Bar News.

MCLE credit: Yes

Newsletter: Trial Bar News

Date founded: 1960

Mission Statement: CASD is an organization of trial lawyers in San Diego County who work to preserve and protect the legal rights of consumers.

Notable Facts: CASD is committed to supporting the needs of trial lawyers in San Diego County in all areas of their practice by 

inspiring excellence in advocacy through training and education. 

Contact: Bonnie Benitez, executive director, bonnie@casd.org 

Member benefits: Receive e-mail alerts about latest motions posted, access and ability to download motions, post your own motions, and post calendar events.

MCLE credit: Yes

Newsletter: Monthly

Date founded: 1974

Mission Statement: To lend assistance to members and others who are in need of assistance on issues relating to the representation of the accused by all legal means. 

Notable Facts: Founded by members who went on to become state and federal court judges. Members are considered to be the elite of the San Diego criminal defense community. 

Contact: Ben Kington, bk@boyce-schaefer.com

Number of members: 100

Cost: $20 for law students/associate members; $75 for judges; $50-60 for attorneys, depending on years in practice.

Member benefits: Listing in the EBGBA Attorney Directory

Newsletter: Bi-yearly

Date founded: 1976

Notable Facts: EBGBA represents the interests of African-American attorneys, judges, law professors and students in the county of San Diego. The nonprofit organization’s mission statement articulates its commitment to “defending the legal and human rights of African-Americans; eliminating the root causes of poverty, powerlessness and racism; preserving the high standards of integrity, honor and courtesy in the legal profession; and promoting the professional and personal interests of individual members.”

Contact: President Udoka Nwanna

Number of members: over 16,000 nationwide

Cost: $30 for law students; $75-$160 for attorneys; $95 for retired members

Member benefits: Benefits include networking with federal practitioners in our local area and nationally, a subscription to the 

San Diego Chapter quarterly newsletter, opportunities to get to know members of the local federal judiciary at social bench/bar and CLE events; and discounts for most FBA-sponsored social and CLE events, including the very popular Judith N. Keep Federal Civil Practice Seminar and State of the District programs held every year.

MCLE Credit: More than 700 hours of CLE credit available

Publication: The Federal Lawyer

Contact: Hubert Kim

Number of members: 50

Cost: $15 for students, $25 for attorney (1-3 years of practice), $50 for judge, legal professional, and attorney (+3 years)

MCLE credit: Free to members, various topics

Newsletter: News by e-mail

Date founded: 1978

Mission Statement: The Filipino-American Lawyers of San Diego is committed to ensuring that attorneys of color, particularly Filipino-American attorneys, have access to equal opportunities in the legal profession. It aims to develop multicultural solutions, 

to foster diversification and to sustain multicultural coalitions in all channels of the legal system.

Notable Facts: Annual dinner held every January, free community law school, scholarships for law students taking the Bar Exam

Contact: President Melissa Deleon, melissa@rechslawoffice.com, (619) 696-6200

Number of members: 100+

Cost: $65 per year

Member benefits: 4 MCLE Sections, Discount on Annual “Hard to Get” Credits Seminar, Annual telephone directory, listing on website, monthly section meetings, discount on annual dinner.

MCLE credit: Free to members

Newsletter: Yes

Date founded: 1962

Notable Facts: The Regional Bar for East San Diego County

Contact: President Carolyn Brock, carolyn@crbrocklaw.com

 

Number of members: 2,000 

Cost: $70 for attorneys, $50 for public sector attorneys, $20 for students, Free for judiciary.

Member benefits: seminars, MCLE, conferences, events, social networking, scholarships, pro bono events and mentorship

MCLE credit: Yes 

Newsletter: Yes 

Date founded: 2000 

Mission Statement: IABA is a non-religious, independent organization and is not in any way affiliated with any other organization. IABA is not a lobbying or advocacy group, but primarily an educational organization. As such, IABA seeks to educate and inform 

the Iranian-American community about legal issues of interest, and to ensure that the American public at large, as well as our 

representatives and other government officials, are fully and accurately informed on legal matters of interest and concern to the 

Iranian American community. In addition, IABA strives to publicize and promote the achievements of Iranian American lawyers 

and other legal professionals. 

Contact: Arshan Amiri, sandiego@iaba.us

Number of members: 50+

Cost: $40 for California private attorneys; $20 for California public sector attorneys; $10 law students 

MCLE credit: Yes

Date founded: August 2007

Mission Statement: The Korean-American Bar Association of San Diego (KABA-SD) was established to provide Korean-American attorneys and law students in the greater San Diego area the opportunity to network and socialize with each other; offer legal, 

educational, political, charitable, and other services to the Korean-American community; and advance Korean Americans in the legal profession. To further its mission and preserve the cultural heritage of our community, KABA-SD hosts events, such as informational workshops, mentoring programs, fundraisers, and other networking and social activities. KABA-SD works with minority and 

community organizations on matters of common concern and is open to all those interested in furthering KABA-SD’s objectives.

Contact: kaba.sd@gmail.com