Becoming a WBA Member

By joining the Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia, you make a statement in support of advancing women in the legal profession and demonstrate your commitment to promoting the welfare of all women in the community. The WBA provides a synergy that can enhance your career on many levels.

Whether you are looking to increase your professional visibility through WBA leadership positions, to take advantage of the many personal and professional development opportunities, or simply to network with colleagues, the WBA can meet your needs. WBA memberships run on anniversary dates: your membership will need to be renewed one year from the date you joined.

If your firm is interested in learning more about WBA, or the WBA members at your firm want to learn how to get involved, you can schedule a Road Show with our membership committee. Click here for our Road Show flyer.

Membership Features

We encourage our members to become involved in one or more of our committees or forums. The experience gained is invaluable, and provides a great foundation for further leadership positions.

Through our committees and forums, the WBA organizes a wide variety of dynamic programs. Typically held during lunchtime or after work, our programs address topics that include substantive legal issues, practice development, career development, and matters of general concern to all women. These programs feature experts, authors, dignitaries, and government officials, many of whom are our very own members. In particular, the WBA’s Mentoring Committee and Membership Directory offer valuable professional development tools to members. Our Mentoring Program matches new attorneys with more experienced practitioners to provide support and advice.

Membership in the WBA opens doors. Through your involvement in the WBA, you have the opportunity to network with women and men who are at the very top of our profession. Members of the WBA support each other, developing mentoring relationships, serving as role models, and creating opportunities for one another.

The Membership Directory is a vital resource for networking, finding referrals, and promoting one’s practice to the community at large.

The WBA hosts a series of showcase events that provide members an opportunity to meet and hear from prominent individuals in the Washington metropolitan area.

We all know it’s awkward to toot your own horn. Let the WBA promote your accomplishments and achievements in our newsletter and on our website. We are committed to advancing women as leaders and role models in the profession.

The WBA maintains a commitment to improving the lives of women and children. Through our members, we support many community service projects and programs to support the community. The WBA is a strong supporter of the Women’s Bar Association Foundation, our sister organization, which provides grants to organizations that promote women as leaders and role models.

WBA Members enjoy the following benefits:

  • The opportunity to network with almost 800 members, both women and men, from the judiciary, law firms, corporations, non-profits, and the government.
  • The ability to stay up to date with the latest at the WBA with our bi-weekly News and Events emails.

  • Preferential registration fees for many WBA programs and events.

  • Online Job Bank: Accessible only with your member password, the online job bank lists career opportunities within private firms, corporations, the government, and non-profits.

  • Online Member Directory: This resource puts the entire WBA membership at your fingertips, making networking easier than ever. Finding fellow members is just a click away.

Select a Membership Level

MOST POPULAR
WBA Sustaining Member

Dues: $350 per year

Sustaining members help the WBA meet financial and operational goals that result in improved programs and services for all members. In exchange, Sustaining Members receive the following benefits:

  • WBA lapel pin
  • No-cost registration for select WBA events
  • Listing in WBA News & Events email (once a month)
  • Listing on WBA website (ongoing)
  • Invitation to VIP Reception at WBA/WBAF Annual Dinner
  • Name badge ribbon recognition at WBA/WBAF Annual Dinner
  • Listing in WBA/WBAF Annual Dinner event program

MOST BENEFITS
Mussey-Gillett Founders Membership

Dues: $1,000 per year

Named after our founders, Ellen Spencer Mussey and Emma M. Gillett, this is the highest level of individual membership level, and provides dedicated members the opportunity to support the success and financial sustainability of the WBA. For those individuals who already give so much to the WBA, the Founders Membership provides a targeted giving opportunity, and a mechanism for the WBA to recognize its high contributing individuals. In exchange, Sustaining Members receive the following benefits:

  • Sustaining Membership,* one year (includes all benefits of Sustaining Membership, including WBA lapel pin, no-cost registration for select WBA events, listing in WBA News & Events email [once a month], listing on WBA website (ongoing), Invitation to VIP Reception at WBA/WBAF Annual Dinner, Name badge ribbon recognition at WBA/WBAF Annual Dinner, Listing in WBA/WBAF Annual Dinner event program)
  • One ticket to the Holiday Tea (must be signed up by November 30; commitments after that date will be honored for the following year’s event)
  • One Friend-level sponsorship to the Annual Dinner (must be signed up by April 30; commitments after that date will be honored for the following year’s event)
  • Website recognition
  • Podium recognition at Showcase events
  • Recognition on program materials for all Showcase events

Large Firm
200+ Attorneys

Dues: $150 per year

Employed by a firm or for profit organization with 200 or more employees (refers to firm size, not office)

Mid-Size Firm
100-199 Attorneys

Dues: $125 per year

Employed by a firm or for profit organization with between 100 and 199 employees (refers to firm size, not office)

Small Firm
< 99 Attorneys

Dues: $100 per year

Employed by a firm or for profit organization with between 1 and 99 employees (refers to firm size, not office size)

In House
Counsel Member

Dues: $125 per year

Employed as in
house counsel

Solo Practice
Member

Dues: $75 per year

Solo
practitioner

Government
Member

Dues: $75 per year

Employed by a local or federal government

Non-Profit
Member

Dues: $75 per year

Employed by a non-profit organization

Associate Member

Dues: $125 per year

JD. degree, but not admitted to practice in the United States; one or more years since graduation from law school.

Non-lawyer related to the legal profession or interested in supporting the WBA mission. A J.D. degree is not required.

Lawyers in Transition Member

Dues: $50 per year

Attorneys who are unemployed

Attorneys who are members of the Military Spouse JD Network (membership is free for this organization; click here for information: http://www.msjdn.org/)

Student
Member

Dues: $30 per year

Currently enrolled full-time as an undergraduate or enrolled in law school

Up to one year after
graduation if student
does not receive a job offer

Retired Member

Dues: $75 per year

Attorneys retired from practice

Judicial Member

Dues: Complimentary

Member of the Judiciary

OUR MISSION

Maintaining the honor and integrity of the profession; promoting the administration of justice; advancing and protecting the interests of women lawyers; promoting their mutual improvement; and encouraging a spirit of friendship.