DuPage County Bar Association

What DuPage County Bar Association does

The DuPage County Bar Association (DCBA) is a non-profit professional membership organization founded in 1879 and headquartered in Wheaton, Illinois, serving the attorneys, judges, and legal community of DuPage County. With approximately 2,600 members, DCBA is the largest county bar association in Illinois and is ABA-commended. Its core mission is to support the local legal profession through member services, professional education, public-facing legal assistance, and community programming.

DCBA's product and service surface spans a member portal hosted on the YourMembership.com platform, a Lawyer Referral Service that has routed over $1M in collected fees to member attorneys, Illinois Supreme Court MCLE-accredited continuing legal education programs (including the new 2026 GAL Video Training and Leadership Training Seminar), the DCBA Brief magazine, an Attorney Resource Center, Ask a Lawyer public helpdesks, a Court Security Pass program at $50 per pass, the DuPage Bar Foundation, and a pro se litigant-facing DuPage Legal Aid service. The technology stack is deliberately lean: the third-party YourMembership.com SaaS underpins member management and the directory, with no proprietary platform, public APIs, or AI capabilities disclosed.

Revenue is generated through a diversified set of streams including annual membership dues from ~2,600 attorneys, referral-fee retention from the LRS, CLE program fees, advertising and sponsorship revenue (with Platinum vendors such as LawPay, SmokeBall, and ISBA Mutual), Court Security Pass fees, and ancillary programs. A small operating staff of roughly 6–10 people supports the association, and growth is driven primarily by incremental program launches rather than geographic or vertical expansion.

Name

DuPage County Bar Association

Legal name

DuPage County Bar Association

Website

https://dcba.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1879

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The DuPage County Bar Association (founded 1879, Wheaton, IL) is a non-profit professional membership organization serving approximately 2,600 attorneys in DuPage County with member services, MCLE-accredited CLE programs, a Lawyer Referral Service, publications, and public legal-aid programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Legal Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Legal Services (5411)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Law School Continuing Legal Education (CLE) & Executive Programs (EDAHAIAH)

Keywords

• Legal professional association
• Continuing legal education
• Lawyer referral services
• Bar membership services
• Legal community networking

Headquarters

HQ city

Wheaton

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, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from attorneys, legal community members, affiliates, and other membership categories. Attorney membership includes government, faculty, retired, and senior lawyers. Free membership offered to new admittees and law students.
2. Lawyer Referral Service: Over 3,000 referrals provided annually generating over $1,000,000 in collected fees for member attorneys. Attorneys pay to participate in the referral service and provide complimentary initial consultations.
3. Sponsorships and Advertising: Corporate sponsorships of events, digital advertising in weekly email newsletter (DCBA Docket), print advertising in DCBA Brief magazine. Sponsorships available from $200 for events to comprehensive packages.
4. CLE Programs and Seminars: Continuing legal education programs including section lunch meetings, multi-hour seminars, and on-demand video training. Members receive discounts on seminars.
5. Attorney Security Passes: $50 fee for attorney security passes allowing courthouse access via separate attorney security line. Renewals processed online.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The DuPage County Bar Association is a not-for-profit professional membership organization that provides legal professionals in DuPage County, Illinois with annual membership benefits, accredited continuing legal education (CLE) programs, a public Lawyer Referral Service connecting residents with member attorneys, a monthly law journal (DCBA Brief), and courthouse support facilities including the Attorney Resource Center and attorney security passes. Revenue is generated primarily through membership dues, CLE program fees, lawyer referral participation fees, sponsorships, advertising in the DCBA Brief magazine and Docket newsletter, and event ticket sales.

Product overview

The DuPage County Bar Association operates primarily as a membership-based professional organization rather than a technology product company. The DCBA's core offering is its digital membership portal (powered by YourMembership.com) combined with a suite of member services including the Lawyer Referral Service, accredited CLE programs, the DCBA Brief monthly journal, courthouse helpdesks for self-represented litigants, the Attorney Resource Center, and court security passes. Supporting entities include the DuPage Bar Foundation (501(c)(3) scholarships and grants) and DuPage Legal Aid (pro bono legal services). The organization does not operate as a software platform with modules, APIs, or developer integrations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DuPage Bar Foundation: Charitable 501(c)(3) arm of DCBA providing law student scholarships, community grants, and assistance to DCBA members in need.
• DuPage Legal Aid
• DCBA Brief
• Lawyer Referral Service

Products and services

• Lawyer Referral Service A public service connecting DuPage County residents with member attorneys in criminal law, family law, personal injury, wills/probate, and real estate. Generates over 3,000 referrals annually and over $1,000,000 in collected fees for member attorneys. Referred attorneys provide a complimentary initial 30-minute consultation.
• Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Programs Illinois Supreme Court-accredited MCLE provider offering seminars, on-demand video training, and section lunch programs. Includes specialized offerings such as Domestic Relations Guardian Ad Litem Video Training ($500 member/$700 non-member), Probate GAL Training ($299 member/$499 non-member), and Domestic Relations Mediation Training ($60 member/$120 non-member).
• DCBA Brief Magazine The official monthly journal of the DCBA featuring substantive law articles, judicial profiles, and DCBA news. Award-winning publication indexed on Westlaw. Subscription included with attorney and affiliate memberships; advertising available from $195.
• Attorney Court Security Pass $50 annual pass allowing expedited entry to the 18th Judicial Circuit court building via a dedicated attorney security line, bypassing the public security line. Renewals processed online.
• Attorney Resource Center (ARC) A facility on the third floor of the DuPage County Judicial Center providing attorneys with workspace between court appearances, e-filing station, WiFi access, printer, coatroom, and free coffee. Open to member and non-member attorneys.
• Ask a Lawyer Helpdesks Weekly courthouse helpdesks in the DuPage Judicial Center assisting self-represented litigants in family law (divorce, custody), guardianship, and civil law (small claims, evictions). Volunteer attorneys provide form assistance and general guidance.
• DuPage Bar Foundation Charitable arm of DCBA providing law student scholarships (Ambassador, William J. Bauer, Bertram Rathje, Alfred Woodward), community grants to legal organizations, and assistance to DCBA members in need. Governed by 19 DCBA members.
• DuPage Legal Aid Free legal services operated by the DuPage Legal Assistance Foundation handling family law cases and Chapter 7 bankruptcy for qualifying low-income residents of DuPage County.
• Membership Directory Searchable online directory of DCBA members including attorneys, legal community members, and affiliates, searchable by name, company, practice area, city, law school, and languages.
• Career Center Attorney and law office staff placement service for members seeking positions or paralegal assistance, powered by CareerWebsite.com.

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered platinum sponsor, website sponsor and core.

• LawPayplatinum sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum corporate sponsor of DCBA. LawPay provides payment processing solutions specifically designed for law firms, integrated with member directory and website.
• First National Bank of Brookfieldplatinum sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum corporate sponsor of DCBA. Financial institution providing banking services to legal community.
• SmokeBallplatinum sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum corporate sponsor. Legal practice management software provider.
• OVC, INC (Lawyer Marketing)website sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial website sponsor providing digital marketing solutions including website development, SEO, content writing, and pay-per-click advertising. Won Gold Stevie Award for Marketing or Advertising Agency of the Year.
• ISBA Mutualplatinum sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum corporate sponsor. Malpractice insurance and legal professional liability coverage provider.
• American Bar AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDCBA holds a seat in the ABA House of Governors. DCBA President Elect participates in meetings twice yearly, voting on issues facing the legal profession.
• Illinois State Bar AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDCBA maintains active relationship with ISBA. Association leadership includes legislative and ISBA Liaisons who advocate views before Illinois General Assembly.
• DuPage Legal Assistance FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner501(c)(3) organization founded over 40 years ago by DCBA members. Operates DuPage Legal Aid providing free legal services. Shares first floor of Bar Center.
• DuPage Bar FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished 1997 as charitable 501(c)(3) arm of DCBA. Provides law student scholarships, community grants, and assistance to members in need. Governed by 19 DCBA members.
• 18th Judicial Circuit CourtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDCBA maintains strong bench-bar relationship. Judges participate in section meetings and networking events. Helpdesks operate within courthouse for pro se assistance.
• DuPage County GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBar Center located near DuPage County complex and Judicial Center Facility. Partnership for courthouse security passes and attorney access.
• YourMembership.comcoreTechnology or IntegrationAssociation management software provider powering DCBA website, membership database, event registration, and email marketing.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Chicago Bar Association: Cook County-based bar association and one of the largest local bar associations in the U.S. Closely comparable operating model—membership dues, CLE, lawyer referral service, sections, and a flagship legal publication—and competes for Illinois-attorney mindshare.
• Illinois State Bar Association: Statewide bar association serving Illinois lawyers with overlapping CLE, sections, advocacy, and member services. Directly comparable business model to DCBA but operating at the state level; DCBA maintains an active liaison relationship with ISBA.

Others

• Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois: Illinois funder of civil legal aid and pro bono programs. Comparable peer for DCBA's DuPage Legal Aid subsidiary and a benchmark for legal-aid funding and program delivery in the state.
• DuPage Bar Foundation: DCBA's charitable 501(c)(3) arm established in 1997, providing scholarships, community grants, and member assistance. Comparable to other county bar charitable foundations in structure and scope.
• DuPage Legal Assistance Foundation: 501(c)(3) subsidiary of DCBA founded in 1975 that operates DuPage Legal Aid. Shares the Bar Center facility and is governed by DCBA members; comparable legal-aid peer organizations include similar county-funded legal aid foundations.

Broad incumbents

• National Bar Association: National professional association for Black attorneys, judges, and law students. Comparable bar-association operating model (membership, CLE, advocacy, sections) at a national scale and a relevant peer for benchmarking association programming.
• American Bar Association: National bar association with overlapping CLE accreditation, publications, and member services. DCBA holds a House of Governors seat, signaling formal integration; ABA approval also legitimizes DCBA's Lawyer Referral Service.

Regional players

• Kane County Bar Association: Neighboring Illinois county bar association serving Kane County. Closely comparable model (dues, sections, CLE, lawyer referral) for a similar-sized suburban Chicago legal market; useful as a direct regional comp.
• Lake County Bar Association (Illinois): Suburban Chicago county bar association serving Lake County, Illinois. Comparable membership, CLE, and lawyer-referral model; relevant peer for suburban-association economics in the greater Chicago metro.
• Will County Bar Association: Adjacent Illinois county bar association serving Will County attorneys with a similar membership, CLE, and referral offering. Comparable structure but operates in a different geographic territory; relevant for benchmarking member value and pricing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/dupagebar
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dupage-county-bar-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/dupagecountybarassociation
• TikToktiktok.com/@dupage.county.bar?_t=8hAe3g8UKS6&_r=1

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries2 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 DuPage County Bar Association