Hillsborough County Bar Association

What Hillsborough County Bar Association does

Hillsborough County Bar Association (HCBA) is a voluntary professional bar association founded in 1896 and headquartered at the Chester H. Ferguson Law Center in downtown Tampa, Florida. It serves approximately 4,000 attorneys, judges, paralegals, law students, and legal professionals in Hillsborough County through a portfolio of member services: continuing legal education (in-person at the Law Center, virtual via Zoom, and on-demand CD/MP3), 30+ practice-area sections and committees, a ~1,000-member Young Lawyers Division, an award-winning bimonthly Lawyer Magazine, the Bar Leadership Institute, and an extensive annual events calendar of 100+ programs including the Bench Bar Conference, membership luncheons, and the Judicial Food Festival. Its public-facing service is the ABA-certified Lawyer Referral & Information Service, which connects the community with member attorneys and offers free 30-minute consultations in specified legal categories.

HCBA operates on a diversified nonprofit revenue model. Annual membership dues are tiered from $25 (students) to $350 (affiliates), with the standard attorney tier at $265; complimentary categories cover judges, honorary members, and newly admitted attorneys. Secondary streams include CLE seminar fees ($50–$170 per course, plus the new $99/$299 AI Summer Series bundle), Lawyer Magazine and event sponsorships, advertising, and facility rentals at the Chester H. Ferguson Law Center's meeting and event spaces. A separately governed 501(c)(3) charitable arm, the Hillsborough County Bar Foundation (established 1996), manages the Supreme Court-created Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program, runs the annual Law & Liberty Dinner (which has channeled over $1 million in grants since 2005), and connects members to pro bono opportunities through partnerships with Bay Area Legal Services, Guardian ad Litem, Wills for Heroes, and other community organizations.

The organization's technology stack is built on YourMembership.com association management software, which handles member-facing website, dues invoicing, event management, email marketing, the career center, and a buyer's guide; no proprietary AI capabilities, APIs, or developer integrations are documented. HCBA's competitive position rests on a 130-year institutional legacy, deep integration with the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit (Chief Judge holds an ex-officio board seat), a national reputation for programming, and a community-led go-to-market model in which members are acquired and retained through networking, events, CLE, and section participation rather than paid acquisition.

Name

Hillsborough County Bar Association

Legal name

Hillsborough County Bar Association

Website

https://hillsbar.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1896

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Hillsborough County Bar Association is a 129-year-old voluntary bar association serving roughly 4,000 attorneys, judges, and legal professionals in Hillsborough County, Florida, from its Chester H. Ferguson Law Center in downtown Tampa. It delivers continuing legal education, 30+ practice-area sections, the ABA-certified Lawyer Referral Service, the Lawyer Magazine, and 100+ annual events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (813920), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Civil Liberties & Constitutional Rights Advocacy (BPAGAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Legal Aid & Client Advocacy Services (BPAGAEAM)

Keywords

• Bar association membership
• Continuing legal education
• Lawyer referral services
• Legal community networking
• Professional development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Tampa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from approximately 4,000 members across multiple categories including attorneys ($265), government/military ($110), paralegals ($75), students ($25), with complimentary memberships for honorary members, judges, and first-year bar admittees. Additional section dues apply for Trial & Litigation and Marital & Family Law sections ($25 each). The bar year runs July 1 to June 30.
2. CLE Seminars and On-Demand Content: Continuing Legal Education seminars offered in-person at the Chester H. Ferguson Law Center and virtually, plus CD and MP3 downloads for on-demand learning. Members receive discounted rates; non-members pay higher fees. Over 60 courses available covering ethics, professionalism, technology, and various practice areas.
3. Sponsorship and Advertising: Marketing opportunities including Lawyer Magazine advertising (mailed to 3,600 members 6x/year), website and e-newsletter sponsorships, event sponsorships (Bench Bar Conference, Judicial Food Festival, membership luncheons), and YLD event sponsorships. Section and committee sponsorships available for targeted practice area access.
4. Lawyer Magazine: Award-winning magazine published six times annually to over 3,800 members, available in print and digital formats. Revenue generated through advertising sales to legal industry vendors and service providers.
5. Meeting and Event Space Rental: Facility rentals at Chester H. Ferguson Law Center including Cohen Hall (150 seated/300-400 standing), Kerr Lobby, Yerrid Conference Center, Wagner Lounge, Smith Boardroom, Gillen Mediation Room, and Stiles Conference Room. Discounts available for HCBA members and active-duty military/nonprofits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Hillsborough County Bar Association (HCBA) is a voluntary bar association serving approximately 4,000 attorneys, judges and legal professionals in Hillsborough County, Florida. Its core offerings include annual membership subscriptions, an ABA-certified Lawyer Referral & Information Service, Continuing Legal Education seminars (in-person, virtual and on-demand), the bimonthly Lawyer Magazine, meeting and event space rentals at the Chester H. Ferguson Law Center, and practice-area sections, committees and pro bono programs.

Product overview

The Hillsborough County Bar Association operates as a voluntary bar association offering a portfolio of member services rather than a technology product. Core offerings include the Lawyer Referral & Information Service (ABA-certified), Continuing Legal Education programs (in-person, virtual, and on-demand), the bimonthly Lawyer Magazine, and meeting/event space rental at the Chester H. Ferguson Law Center. The organization also provides sections and committees for practice-area networking, the Young Lawyers Division, Bar Leadership Institute, pro bono programs, and manages the HCBA Foundation as its charitable arm. No AI-enabled products or technical integrations are documented.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lawyer Magazine: Award-winning magazine published six times per year, sent to members and available in digital format
• Young Lawyers Division (YLD)
• Hillsborough County Bar Foundation
• Chester H. Ferguson Law Center

Products and services

• Lawyer Referral & Information Service (LRIS)
• Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Programs
• Lawyer Magazine
• Meeting and Event Space Rental at Chester H. Ferguson Law Center
• Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program
• Bar Leadership Institute (BLI)
• Law & Liberty Dinner (HCBA Foundation fundraiser)

Quantifiable outcome

• 100+ events per Bar year with 400-500 attendees at signature events
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Florida BarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHCBA works closely with The Florida Bar as a local voluntary bar association. The Florida Bar provides CLE reporting integration for HCBA members to report their CLE credits through the Florida Bar website. HCBA's Lawyer Referral & Information Service is backed by The Florida Bar and certified by the American Bar Association.
• Bay Area Legal Services (BAVLP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBAVLP is the primary pro bono partner providing training and volunteer opportunities for HCBA members. The organization offers free training in various practice areas through seminars, online, or DVD. BAVLP posts monthly listings of available pro bono cases. HCBA members can participate in the Bay Area Volunteer Lawyers Program to take pro bono cases.
• Are You SafeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit organization that helps victims of domestic violence by providing legal assistance such as help obtaining restraining orders and injunctions. Provides free training video regarding the injunction process, case law, and evidentiary portions of injunction hearings.
• Guardian ad Litem ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHCBA partners with Guardian ad Litem to provide volunteer opportunities for attorneys to serve as advocates for children who are victims of abuse, neglect, or abandonment. The program provides 30 hours of free training plus support staff.
• Bay Area Legal Services (Free/Low-Cost Aid)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBay Area Legal Services offers assistance with many legal issues including foreclosures, family law, and taxes. The organization runs the Family Forms Clinic using volunteer attorneys to help people complete family law paperwork. HCBA's Lawyer Referral & Information Service connects members with BAVL services.
• Stetson University College of Law - Veterans Law InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as an additional resource for veterans needing legal assistance beyond the MVAC Veterans Legal Assistance Registry. HCBA refers veterans to Stetson's Veterans Law Institute when their legal issues fall outside the Registry's 17 subject matter areas.
• Wills for HeroesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHCBA-supported program providing essential legal documents (wills, health care advance directives, durable powers of attorney) to Hillsborough County's first responders and their spouses or domestic partners. One hour of training enables attorneys to participate.
• Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library / Read to DreamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHCBA supports the John Germany Young Readers 'Read to Dream' Initiative, a volunteer reading program addressing lowest reading levels in Hillsborough County public schools. HCBA's Military & Veterans Affairs Committee chair or liaison serves as YLD liaison to the Read to Dream program.
• Hillsborough County Bar FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished in 1996, the HCBF is a 501(c)(3) organization that serves as the charitable entity working in conjunction with HCBA. The Foundation manages the Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program, hosts the Law & Liberty Dinner, and provides grants to legal aid organizations. Foundation President serves as ex-officio HCBA Board member.
• Crossroads for Florida KidsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides training videos (eligible for CLE credit) and assigned mentors to prepare attorneys to represent vulnerable children in dependency cases and delinquency proceedings.
• The Bank of TampaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHCBA members qualify for a free Minaret Diamond account with no minimum balance or monthly service fee. Benefits include free checks, no foreign ATM fees, and refund of surcharge fees up to $25/month.
• LexisNexisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOffers HCBA members a 30% discount on all books and online legal research packages. Contact Mark Crockett at 813-390-7304 for member discount information.
• Florida Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company (FLMIC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHCBA members who are board-certified can receive a 10% reduction in insurance premiums. FLMIC was created by The Florida Bar.
• 8am LawPayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHCBA members receive 3 months with no monthly fee when starting with LawPay for legal payment processing. Built for legal professionals with IOLTA compliance and trust/operating account reporting.
• Thompson Brand ImagesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHCBA members get 10% off at this photography studio for office photos, head shots, holiday parties, and events.
• Trial Consulting ServicesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHCBA members receive 10% discount on all trial research including mock trials, exhibit boards, trial graphics, and professional presentations.
• SGP AdvisorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHCBA partners with SGP Advisors to offer a new major medical employee benefits program through Aetna for HCBA members. Includes health, dental, vision, life, web-based enrollment, mobile application, and wellness offerings.
• YourMembership.comcoreTechnology or IntegrationAssociation management software provider powering the HCBA website since 1998. Provides member-facing online community, website and membership management, member invoicing/dues system, email marketing, event management, career center, and buyer's guide products.
• Thirteenth Judicial Circuit CourtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHCBA works closely with the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit on multiple programs including the Local Professionalism Panel, Pro Bono Committee, Bench Bar Conference, and Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program. Chief Judge serves as ex-officio HCBA Board member.
• Hillsborough County Public School SystemminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHCBA partners with the school system for Law Week activities, mock trials, courthouse tours, and the Read to Dream literacy initiative.
• Friends of the LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with HCBA on the Read to Dream program to place volunteer readers and mentors in reading sessions with at-risk and underserved children.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Miami-Dade Bar Association: One of the largest voluntary county bars in Florida serving Miami-Dade attorneys with analogous CLE, referral, section, and pro bono programming.
• Orange County Bar Association (Florida): Another large Florida voluntary bar association serving attorneys in Orange County, with member CLE, sections, events, and lawyer referral service comparable to HCBA's offerings.
• Jacksonville Bar Association: Northeast Florida voluntary bar association providing CLE, sections, social events, and lawyer referral services in the same category as HCBA.
• Dallas Bar Association: Large Texas voluntary bar association with membership CLE, sections, lawyer referral, and publication products that mirror HCBA's core service mix in a comparable Sun Belt metro.
• Broward County Bar Association: Florida voluntary county bar serving Broward attorneys with CLE, sections, networking, and pro bono programs; operates on the same model as HCBA at similar scale in a neighboring market.

Broad incumbents

• The Florida Bar: Statewide mandatory bar for all Florida attorneys. HCBA complements The Florida Bar by delivering local programming, CLE, and community engagement, and coordinates with it on CLE reporting and the LRIS.
• American Bar Association: National voluntary bar association with similar member services (CLE, sections, publications, advocacy). HCBA's LRIS is ABA-certified, evidencing direct overlap in service model at a national scale.
• Chicago Bar Association: Major metropolitan voluntary bar with member CLE, lawyer referral, sections, and a foundation; closely parallels HCBA's structure and revenue streams at a much larger scale.
• New York City Bar Association: Large, established metropolitan voluntary bar with CLE, lawyer referral, sections, publications, and a member-owned building; a scaled-up analog to HCBA's service model.

Regional players

• Atlanta Bar Association: Regional voluntary bar in a peer Southeastern metro market offering CLE, sections, lawyer referral, and pro bono programming comparable to HCBA's portfolio.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/HCBAtampabay
• Xx.com/HCBATampaBay

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Hillsborough County Bar Association