Local, State & National Legal Associations
Opportunities to interact with practicing attorneys.
Professional bar associations provide opportunities for law students to interact with practicing attorneys. Many of these organizations focus on the professional and personal needs of attorneys and law students from distinct racial, ethnic, or religious backgrounds.
Asian American Lawyers Association of Massachusetts (AALAM): This organization is dedicated to promoting and enhancing the Asian American legal profession. Its programs relate to topics like professional development, current issues, and student mentorship. AALAM also offers an annual scholarship award.
Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association (MBLA): Since 1973, this organization has been a viable presence and network in the community for attorneys of color. MBLA sponsors forums on current topics, provides career developing and advancement training for its members, and offers mentorship programs for local law students.
Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association: This voluntary state-wide professional association of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer lawyers and allies promotes the administration of justice throughout Massachusetts for all persons without regard to their sexual orientation or gender identity of expression, educates the Massachusetts legal community about legal issues impacting the LGBTQ community, monitors emerging legal trends and participates in legislative hearing and judicial proceedings affecting members of the LGBTQ community.
Massachusetts Association of Hispanic Attorneys (MAHA): This organization is an affiliate member of the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA). From the California La Raza Lawyers Association in the West to the Puerto Rican Bar Association in the East, and everywhere in between, the HNBA has partnered with bar organizations which represent Latinos.
National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA): This organization strives to promote awareness of race issues in the American legal system. Members are committed to fostering relationships among law students, attorneys, and scholars as well as volunteering in the community.
National Jewish Law Students Association (NJLSA): Representing Jewish law students at over 195 law schools, the NJLSA focuses on assisting student associations with social action, Israel, community service/pro bono, networking, legal and Jewish education programming, as well as general support to Jewish law students at each campus.
National Latina/o Law Student Association (NLLSA): A center for student resources, dialogue, and action, the NLLSA is committed to encouraging student-led encuentros, conferences, and other community-strengthening gatherings. The organization aspires to inform, excite, and empower Latina/o law students so they may be responsive to the legal needs of the communities that surround them.
National LGTB Bar Association: The National LGBT Bar Association is a national association of lawyers, judges and other legal professionals, law students, activists and affiliated lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender legal organizations. The LGBT Bar promotes justice in and through the legal profession for the LGBT community in all its diversity.
National Muslim Law Students Association (NMLSA): The NMLSA is a national network of Muslim law students from across the country. Its goal is to maintain a network in an effort to centralize the access of knowledge amongst current students, as well as those interested in the legal profession.
South Asian Bar Association Greater Boston (SABA): SABA provides a forum for professional networking, development, education, advocacy, and community involvement. The organization serves as a voice for the South Asian legal community as well as the South Asian community at large.
The Boston Lawyer’s Group (BLG): This organization seeks to promote diversity within Boston’s legal community. As a consortium of prominent law firms, corporate legal departments and government agencies, it sponsors forums, educational programs, job fairs, and mentorship programs aimed at increasing diverse legal talent in Boston.
Pipeline To Practice Foundation, Inc.: A non-profit organization that is committed to supporting and nurturing diverse law students at key stages in their academic and professional development by providing access to free programming and coaching throughout law school that is critical to achieving academic excellence, developing the skills necessary to be successful attorneys, creating pathways to leadership positions, and ultimately, to become role models to the next generation of diverse law students.