The Federal Bar Association Welcomes All Law Students!
Law students may become associates of the FBA for FREE. This includes up to three years of associate status while enrolled in law school as well as a free first year of professional membership upon graduation. Apply for free 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 Affiliation
Being affiliated with the FBA gives you access to the national organization as well as your local FBA chapter. Law Student Associates receive a host of special benefits designed to uphold the mission of the FBA and support each student’s future career within the federal legal system. Association activities and associate 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 and associates.
- 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 affiliation, you will receive and have access to:
- FBA website (www.fedbar.org)
- The Federal Lawyer magazine (digital version)
- Bi-monthly eNewsletter
- Section, division, and chapter newsletters
- Judicial Profile Index (archived)
Networking and Volunteering
The FBA is large enough to have an impact on the federal legal profession, but small enough to provide opportunities for networking and volunteering. 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 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
Associate Rates:
- First year law student… FREE!
- Second year law student…FREE!
- Third year law student… FREE!
- One year of professional membership after graduation… FREE (must submit bar admission information)
- If you are enrolled in a non-traditional law school program, you are still welcome to become a Law Student Associate for free! Please contact fba@fedbar.org to get started (include name of law school, law degree pursuing, and expected graduation date).
Law Student Associates are transferred to professional members on October 1 after graduation – click here to GET ACCESS TODAY. Law Student Associates are eligible to join the Law Student Division. Membership in the Younger Lawyers Division is limited to professional members only.
Questions? Send an email to fba@fedbar.org and we’ll be glad to help.