The Chicago Bar Association

What The Chicago Bar Association does

The Chicago Bar Association (CBA), founded in 1873 and headquartered at 321 South Plymouth Court, Chicago, is a private, nonprofit professional membership organization serving attorneys and legal professionals in the Chicago metropolitan area. CBA operates as the central institutional hub of the regional legal community, with member segments spanning large, medium, and small law firms, solo practitioners, corporate counsel, government attorneys, and judges — described in source material as encompassing virtually all influential Chicago legal professionals.

The organization delivers a diversified portfolio of products and services built on a non-proprietary technology stack consisting of a primary website (chicagobar.org), a dedicated CLE/learning platform (learn.chicagobar.org), a podcast (@theBar, distributed via Legal Talk Network), a LexBlog publication (CBA at the Bar), and YouTube video content (CBA TV). Core products include the Lawyer Referral Service ($30 administrative fee plus 15% of referred legal fees), CLE seminars and webcasts (unlimited access at $160/year via the CLE*Advantage* Plan), the Judicial Evaluation Committee (providing HQ/Q/NR ratings for Cook County and Illinois Appellate Court candidates), Attorney Fee Dispute Resolution, and the Call-A-Lawyer free public consultation program. CBA also operates the wholly-owned CBA Insurance Agency (since 1993) providing legal malpractice and other insurance to attorneys, and the Chicago Bar Foundation (affiliated 501(c)(3)) leads the Investing in Justice Campaign with 150+ participating organizations.

CBA's revenue model combines recurring annual membership dues (bar year June 1–May 31), recurring CLE*Advantage* subscriptions, transaction-based LRS fees, insurance commissions, advertising and sponsorship revenue (from legal-tech vendors including InfoTrack, Clio, MyCase, TimeSolv, CosmoLex, Tabs3, and Accounting Solutions), and event revenue (including The Bar Show, a 95-year musical comedy tradition, and the Barrister Big Band Benefit Ball). Go-to-market is primarily direct individual membership (online, phone, mail) supplemented by community-led growth through the Young Lawyers Section, committee structures, and 25+ bar association partnerships. Public-facing programs (Law at the Library, Call-A-Lawyer, Speakers Bureau, Judicial Voters Guide) extend reach to consumers, voters, and pro bono clients.

Name

The Chicago Bar Association

Legal name

The Chicago Bar Association

Website

https://chicagobar.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1873

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Chicago Bar Association is a nonprofit professional membership organization founded in 1873 serving attorneys and legal professionals in the Chicago metropolitan area through membership dues, CLE programming, a lawyer referral service, insurance agency, judicial evaluation, and public-facing legal assistance programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from lawyers and legal professionals. The CBA bar year runs June 1–May 31. Dues are paid online, by check, or through installment plans. No dues increase was noted for 2019-2020.
2. CLE Seminars and Webcasts: Continuing legal education (CLE) seminars, webcasts, and committee meetings generate revenue. The CLE*Advantage* Plan offers unlimited seminars for $160 per year (includes in-person, webcast, and DVD). Free seminar coupons are issued in June and January for CBA-hosted West LegalEdcenter seminars.
3. Lawyer Referral Service (LRS): The LRS charges a $30 administrative fee at the initial attorney consultation, remitted by the attorney to CBA. Additionally, referred attorneys remit 15% of all legal fees from referred clients back to CBA.
4. CBA Insurance Agency: CBA Insurance Agency, a subsidiary, provides insurance solutions (including Legal Malpractice) to attorneys and law firms, generating revenue through insurance commissions. Operating since 1993.
5. Advertising & Sponsorship: CBA sells advertising space and sponsorships on its website, publications (CBA Record magazine), and at events. Sponsors include InfoTrack, Clio, MyCase, TimeSolv, CosmoLex, Tabs3, Accounting Solutions, and others offering member discounts.
6. Event Revenue: Revenue from events including The Bar Show (musical comedy revue — a 95-year tradition), the Barrister Big Band Benefit Ball, Law Day Celebration, and other social/luncheon events. Early bird pricing for The Bar Show was $40 main floor and $35 mezzanine.
7. Legal Bookstore: CBA operates a Legal Bookstore at its headquarters (open Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.–1:45 p.m. and 2:45–4:30 p.m.), selling legal publications and materials.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

The Chicago Bar Association (CBA) is a private, nonprofit professional membership organization for attorneys in the Chicago metropolitan area. It sells annual membership to lawyers and legal professionals and delivers member services including continuing legal education (CLE) seminars and webcasts, networking, advocacy, and member benefits such as insurance discounts. The CBA also operates public-facing services such as the Lawyer Referral Service, Call-A-Lawyer program, Law at the Library, and Judicial Voters Guide that connect the general public with CBA member attorneys and provide public legal education.

Product overview

The Chicago Bar Association is a professional membership organization providing services to attorneys in the Chicago legal community. The CBA operates a Lawyer Referral Service network connecting the public with member attorneys, offers CLE programming through in-person seminars and webcasts, and conducts judicial candidate evaluations through its Judicial Evaluation Committee. Additional core services include the Call-A-Lawyer free phone consultation program, Law at the Library free legal information series, Attorney Fee Dispute Resolution, CBA Insurance Agency, and CBA Mediation Service. The association supports member development through the Well-Being Coaching Program, Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program, and Young Lawyers Section. The CBA also publishes the CBA Record Magazine and hosts the @theBar Podcast, maintains a Speakers Bureau, and provides free meeting room space at its headquarters. Community initiatives include the Wills for Heroes estate planning program, Racial Justice Coalition, and CBA Symphony Orchestra.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CBA Insurance Agency: Insurance solutions tailored to the legal community, providing coverage since 1993 including legal malpractice insurance.
• @theBar Podcast
• CBA Record
• CBA TV

Products and services

• Lawyer Membership
• CLE Advantage Plan
• CLE Seminars and Webcasts
• Lawyer Referral Service (LRS)
• CBA Insurance Agency
• CBA Mediation Service
• Attorney Fee Dispute Resolution
• The Bar Show
• CBA Legal Bookstore

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 5,000 free simple estate plans drafted for first responders, veterans, and healthcare workers since program inception
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Jenner & BlockcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJenner & Block is a longstanding partner in CBA's Wills for Heroes and Wills for Healthcare Heroes programs, providing volunteer attorneys for free estate planning document execution. The firm also chairs the CBA's Young Lawyers Section Wills for Heroes program and its pro bono program.
• Kirkland & ElliscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKirkland & Ellis partners with CBA on the Wills for Heroes and Wills for Healthcare Heroes programs, contributing volunteer attorneys to help first responders, veterans, and healthcare workers prepare estate planning documents.
• Mayer BrowncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMayer Brown participates in CBA's Wills for Heroes and Wills for Healthcare Heroes programs as a volunteer attorney provider.
• Winston & StrawncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWinston & Strawn provides volunteer attorneys for the Wills for Heroes Program and has been a long-time supporter of CBA's pro bono initiatives. Pro Bono Counsel Maria Kutnick leads the firm's involvement.
• Schiff HardincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchiff Hardin participates in CBA's Wills for Heroes and Wills for Healthcare Heroes programs.
• Chicago Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBA and the Chicago Public Library co-host the Law at the Library series, offering free virtual legal information programs to the public at the Harold Washington Library Center. Topics include environmental law, LGBTQIA+ rights, guardianship, and estate planning.
• Evanston Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBA partners with the Evanston Public Library for the Law at the Library series, offering free virtual legal education programs to Evanston residents.
• Chicago Bar Foundation (CBF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Chicago Bar Foundation is CBA's affiliated philanthropic organization leading the Investing in Justice Campaign with 150+ participating law firms and organizations. CBF also co-sponsored the CBA/CBF Sustainable Practice of Law & Innovation Report (2020) and manages the Online Pro Bono Opportunity Guide.
• Young Lawyers Section Racial Justice Coalition (25+ bar associations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn July 2020, CBA's YLS convened a coalition of 25+ bar associations and legal advocacy groups (including ALA, AABAR, AABA, BWLA, HLAI, Justinians, LAGBAC, SABA, WBAI, and others) to collaborate on service, community engagement, and education to combat racial injustice. Co-chairs: Chastidy Burns (YLS Second Vice-Chair) and Kenny Matuszewski (YLS Public Service Manager).
• Sidley Austin LLPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSidley Austin LLP co-sponsors the Chicago Coalition for Law-Related Education (CCLRE) Citywide Mock Trial Competition, partnering with the Circuit Court of Cook County and the Chicago Board of Education.
• Circuit Court of Cook CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Circuit Court of Cook County, Office of Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans, co-sponsors the CCLRE Citywide Mock Trial Competition in partnership with Sidley Austin LLP and CBA.
• InfoTrackminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInfoTrack provides e-Filing and process serving services. CBA members receive an exclusive 10% discount, featured as a member benefit sponsor on the CBA homepage.
• CliominorGTM or Marketing PartnerClio provides cloud-based legal practice management software. CBA members receive an exclusive 10% discount, featured as a member benefit sponsor on the CBA homepage.
• MyCaseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMyCase provides legal case management and invoicing software. CBA members receive a 10% lifetime discount, featured as a member benefit sponsor.
• TimeSolvminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTimeSolv provides time tracking and billing solutions. CBA members receive a 10% lifetime discount, featured as a member benefit sponsor.
• CosmoLexminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCosmoLex provides integrated case management, billing, and trust accounting software. CBA members receive a 10% lifetime discount.
• Tabs3minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTabs3 provides legal billing, practice management, accounting, payment, CRM, and website solutions. CBA members receive a 10% discount on new orders.
• Legal Talk NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCBA's @theBar podcast is distributed through Legal Talk Network's platform, reaching national listeners on Apple, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google. Legal Talk Network also compiles COVID-19 related podcasts for the legal community.
• WCBAI (Women's Bar Association of Illinois)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWBAI co-sponsors the All Bar Reception (e.g., May 2019 welcoming Mayor Lori Lightfoot) and collaborates on programming with CBA and 18+ other bar associations.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• American Bar Association: The national umbrella professional association for the U.S. legal profession. Comparable to CBA in mission (member services, CLE, advocacy, public-interest programs) but operates at national scale, with substantially larger membership, budget, and policy influence. Provides a benchmark for what CBA could become if it broadened geographically.
• State Bar of California: A mandatory unified state bar in the largest U.S. legal market. Comparable to CBA in legal-services ecosystem but operates at state-wide scale with regulatory functions (admission, discipline) that voluntary bars like CBA do not perform.

Direct peers

• New York City Bar Association: The Association of the Bar of the City of New York is the closest geographic analog to CBA: a large, prominent voluntary metropolitan bar association offering CLE, public service programs, lawyer referrals, and committee-based advocacy. Its scale and programming closely mirror CBA's.
• New York State Bar Association: A large voluntary state bar association providing CLE, practice sections, publications, and advocacy. Comparable to CBA in service mix, governance model, and member-benefit economics, with similar structure of section-based programming for specialized practice areas.
• Los Angeles County Bar Association: One of the largest U.S. metropolitan bar associations, operating in the LA legal market with member services, CLE, lawyer referral, and public-interest programs. Highly comparable in scale, mission, and product mix to CBA.
• Boston Bar Association: A long-standing voluntary metropolitan bar association in a major U.S. legal market. Operates CLE, section programming, pro bono initiatives, and public-service programs that closely parallel CBA's offerings.
• Houston Bar Association: A large metropolitan bar association serving Houston-area attorneys with CLE, sections, and public-interest programming. Provides a relevant peer for benchmarking CBA's member services, event programming, and lawyer-referral economics.
• Cook County Bar Association: A Chicago-area voluntary bar association focused on African-American attorneys. Overlaps with CBA's market, programming categories (CLE, networking, advocacy), and pro bono mission, providing a niche peer in the same geography.
• National Bar Association: The nation's oldest and largest national network of predominantly African-American attorneys and judges. Comparable to CBA in mission of professional development, advocacy, and public-interest programming, but operating nationally with a distinct membership focus.

Regional players

• Illinois State Bar Association: The mandatory state-wide bar association operating throughout Illinois. Directly comparable in scope of CLE, member services, and policy advocacy, and competes with CBA for Illinois-attorney mindshare at the state rather than metropolitan level.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/chicagobarassoc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/chicagobar
• Facebookfacebook.com/The-Chicago-Bar-Associa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-chicago-bar-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Chicago Bar Association