What Detroit Bar Association does

The Detroit Bar Association is a nonprofit professional membership organization founded in 1836 in Detroit, Michigan. It is the oldest bar association in Michigan and one of the three oldest in the United States, serving lawyers, judges, and law students across Southeastern Michigan, with primary operational reach in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and Washtenaw Counties. Its mission centers on supporting the legal community through member services, professional development, ethics and grievance functions, and judicial candidate evaluations.

Its core products span content, programming, and member services. Detroit Lawyer Magazine is distributed to a reported reach of more than 27,000 legal professionals and underpins the association's communication and advertising surface. LawyerTube™ is a video platform that extends content delivery beyond print, while the Detroit Legal Services Virtual Clinic, Pro Bono Gateway, Detroit Bench and Bar Society mentorship program, and thirteen specialized sections provide programmatic depth. An affiliated Detroit Bar Association Foundation operates as the 501(c)(3) philanthropic arm, enabling tax-deductible fundraising for pro bono, diversity, and access-to-justice initiatives such as Project Clean Slate and the 25 in '25 Diversity and Inclusion Challenge (in partnership with the Ingham County Bar Association).

The business model relies on four disclosed revenue streams: member dues, event registration fees and sponsorships, transactional job board postings (ancillary unit pricing reported at approximately $25), and publication advertising. The organization operates with a small staff footprint (estimated 1-10 employees) and depends on elected leadership and committee volunteers for governance. No public-source financials, capital raises, or M&A activity are reported, consistent with a long-tenured, dues-anchored association structure.

Name

Detroit Bar Association

Legal name

Detroit Bar Association

Website

https://detroitlawyer.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1836

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Detroit Bar Association is a nonprofit professional membership organization founded in 1836 serving lawyers, judges, and law students across Southeastern Michigan through publications, mentorship, pro bono programs, and virtual legal services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Detroit, Michigan

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: Primary revenue stream from membership fees. The association offers free first-year membership to new attorneys following admission to the bar, with subsequent membership generating recurring dues revenue.
2. Job Board Postings: Job postings are available for $25 per posting, providing a transaction-based revenue stream for the association.
3. Event Fees and Sponsorships: Revenue generated from event registrations (Annual Dinner, Archer Gala, Mardi Gras, Golf Outing, Trivia Night, Jingle Mingle) and corporate sponsorship tiers including Executive, Premier, Patron, and Sustaining sponsorships.
4. Publication Advertising: The Detroit Lawyer Magazine reaches over 27,000 lawyers and judges, generating revenue through advertising and sponsorship placements. The magazine also includes patron spotlights on various law firms.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Detroit Bar Association is a nonprofit professional membership organization founded in 1836 serving licensed attorneys and judges in Southeastern Michigan. It sells membership subscriptions, sponsorships, paid event tickets, advertising in the Detroit Lawyer Magazine, and job board postings, and bundles these with member programs including the Bench and Bar Society, sections/committees, LawyerTube, the Pro Bono Gateway, and the Detroit Legal Services Virtual Clinic.

Product overview

The Detroit Bar Association is a professional membership organization for lawyers established in 1836, offering a platform of interconnected programs and services. The core offerings include membership with access to professional development programs (Detroit Bench and Bar Society, New Lawyer Boot Camp), the Detroit Lawyer Magazine publication, the LawyerTube™ video content platform, the Pro Bono Gateway volunteer portal with the Detroit Legal Services Virtual Clinic, the JCEC judicial evaluation program, a job board, and organized committee/section memberships across 13 practice areas. The Foundation serves as the nonprofit charitable arm supporting access to justice initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LawyerTube™: A video platform that allows attorneys to post informative videos about their expertise, practice areas, and successes for public access.
• Detroit Lawyer Magazine

Products and services

• Detroit Bar Association Membership Annual membership subscription for licensed attorneys that provides access to sections, committees, the Detroit Lawyer Magazine, LawyerTube, the Pro Bono Gateway, the Job Board, and member benefits from partner vendors. Free in the first year following bar admission; dues apply thereafter.
• Detroit Lawyer Magazine Regular print and digital publication of the Detroit Bar Association distributed to over 27,000 lawyers and judges in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and Washtenaw Counties. Available for advertising and sponsorship placement by law firms and vendors.
• LawyerTube Trademarked video platform that allows member attorneys to post videos about their expertise, practice areas, and successes, accessible to prospective clients and members.
• Detroit Bar Job Board Online employment board priced at $25 per posting, allowing legal employers to post positions and job seekers to search legal openings in the Detroit legal community.
• Section and Committee Memberships Member-organized groups covering 13 practice areas (ADR, Auto No-Fault, Business/Commercial Litigation, Civil Rights, Criminal Law, Estate Planning & Probate, In-House Counsel, Medical Malpractice Defense, Medical Malpractice Plaintiff, Small Firm & Solo, Work-Life Balance, Fish & Game, and Barristers) plus committees including Diversity & Inclusion, Pro Bono/Access to Justice, JCEC, and Social Media.
• Detroit Bench and Bar Society Mentorship and continuing legal education program modeled after the American Inns of Court, bringing together lawyers, judges, and law students to cultivate civility, integrity, and excellence in legal practice.
• New Lawyer Boot Camp Orientation and training program for newly admitted lawyers entering the legal profession in Michigan.
• Detroit Legal Services Virtual Clinic
• Pro Bono Gateway Online portal connecting Detroit Bar members with pro bono volunteer opportunities including the Detroit Legal Services Clinic, expungement clinics, and partner legal aid programs.
• Judicial Candidate Evaluation Committee (JCEC) Biennial evaluation program providing fair, impartial assessments of judicial candidates to advance integrity and public confidence in the courts.
• Annual Dinner and Signature Events Sponsorships Sponsorship tiers (Executive, Premier, Patron, and Sustaining) for signature events including the Annual Dinner, Archer Award Gala, Mardi Gras, Golf Outing, Jingle Mingle, Trivia Night, and Night Out with the Bench and Bar, plus paid event registrations.
• Detroit Bar Store Online store selling Detroit Bar Association branded merchandise and apparel to members and the public.

Quantifiable outcome

• 27,000+ legal professionals reached through Detroit Lawyer Magazine
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 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.

• Lakeshore Legal AidcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for the Detroit Legal Services Clinic providing pro bono legal advice and referrals. Lakeshore Legal Aid serves as a key resource partner, providing hotline services (888-783-8190) and directing clients to appropriate legal assistance. The partnership supports access to justice initiatives for low-income residents and seniors.
• Michigan Children's Law Center (MCLC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPro bono partnership for representing children in Wayne County Juvenile Court, including AWOL matters and competency evaluation cases. MCLC seeks volunteer attorneys to represent foster children in various legal matters, providing training and support.
• Wayne County Third Circuit Court Family DivisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCourt partnership for the Detroit Legal Services Clinic and various access to justice initiatives. The court collaborates with the DBA on referrals and the virtual legal clinic program.
• 36th District CourtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCourt partnership for the Detroit Legal Services Clinic providing referrals and collaboration on access to justice programs for Detroit residents.
• State Bar of MichiganminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on access to justice initiatives and referral services. The State Bar provides referrals through 800-968-0738 and hosts the Pro Bono Calendar.
• Michigan Legal HelpminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelf-help resource partnership providing legal information and tools for Michigan residents navigating legal issues.
• Legal Aid and Defender AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for providing initial advice and brief service at LAD's office on various legal civil matters through pro bono attorney volunteers. LAD provides hands-on training, mentoring and support.
• Wayne County Dispute Resolution CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for free and low-cost mediation and facilitation services, relying on volunteer mediators for busy court dockets in Wayne County.
• Ingham County Bar AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in the 25 in '25 Diversity and Inclusion Challenge, bringing together both bar associations to promote diversity and inclusion within the legal profession.
• University of Detroit Mercy School of LawcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership providing law students for the Bench and Bar Society program and supporting various DBA educational initiatives. Erin Archerd serves on the Board representing the law school.
• Detroit Mercy LawcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnership for the Federal Pro Se Legal Assistance Clinic and Veterans Clinic, providing limited scope legal services to low-income litigants in U.S. District Court.
• Project Clean SlatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Detroit program (created by Mayor Mike Duggan in 2016) providing free expungement services. DBA provides volunteer attorneys to appear via Zoom for expungement hearings throughout Michigan.
• Eastern District of Michigan (Federal Court)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal court pro bono referral program providing assistance for parties without attorneys in the Eastern District of Michigan.
• Michigan State University College of Law ClinicsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership providing Tenants' Rights Manual and clinical resources for pro bono attorneys.
• ABA Retirement Funds ProgramminorGTM or Marketing PartnerExclusive retirement plan provider for the legal community since over 60 years. Offers members competitive pricing and fiduciary protection for law firm retirement plans.
• CG Cyber SolutionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCybersecurity and technology governance services partner offering DBA members 20% off first service plus free consultation for law firm cybersecurity needs.
• Michigan Immigrant Rights CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerImmigration legal services partnership providing training and support for volunteer attorneys on asylum and immigration matters.
• Freedom House DetroitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerShelter and services for asylum seekers seeking legal representation through pro bono volunteer attorneys.
• Detroit Housing NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing housing resource hotline and support for Detroiters with property tax, home repair and eviction questions.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCqFbaG26ZvywP9vihIQ3g_A
• Facebookfacebook.com/DetroitBarAssociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/detroitbarassociation
• Instagraminstagram.com/detroitbarassociation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Detroit Bar Association