CMBA membership is open to attorneys and judges, paralegals, law students and other affiliates. Together, we serve as the collective voice of the legal profession in Greater Cleveland, both bench and bar. Membership to the CMBA means having a sense of belonging that comes with tangible and intangible benefits for your career, profession and community.
There are many reasons to join the CMBA, but if you need some starters, here are the top 10. We also invite you to watch our member testimonials videos to learn why others have joined.
1. CONNECT WITH YOUR LOCAL LEGAL COMMUNITY
The CMBA is the only local organization that uniquely supports Cleveland-area attorneys. Through networking, education, events, a job board and other career and business development opportunities, we help bring our profession together.
2. BE A BETTER LAWYER
Learn from fellow attorneys and judges in person at CMBA events. Enhance your professional development through high-quality CLE programs, and educate yourself with insightful and relevant articles in the CMBA Bar Journal.
3. BE A LEADER
Set the pace in the legal community by serving on a task force or committee, participating in a section, publishing CMBA Bar Journal articles, helping produce or present CLE seminars, or working with the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation.
4. GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
Serve the community and help improve the image of lawyers by participating in national award-winning Justice For All such as The 3Rs, Cleveland Homeless Legal Assistance Program, High School Mock Trial Competitions, Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, and more. The programs and more are funded by the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation .
5. EXPAND YOUR BUSINESS AND CLIENT BASE
Build relationships, network and gain referrals through activities and programs, CLEs, section and committee work, volunteer projects, and the opportunity to join the CMBA Lawyer Referral Service at the member rate.
Members enjoy discounts at the CMBA (CLE, publications, events and more) as well as around Greater Cleveland through various relationships with local product- and service-providers.
7. GET FREE ACCESS TO POWERFUL LEGAL RESEARCH
CMBA attorney members have free access to Fastcase, offering unlimited access to the case law database for the Ohio Supreme and Appellate Courts, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the U.S. Supreme Court, and nationwide statutes and regulations.
8. USE THE CMBA CENTER
Our state-of-the-art training and conference rooms afford members comfortable, technology-equipped space, including a wireless internet signal covering the entire facility, access to teleconference units and areas in which to work or meet with clients in an “office away from the office” setting, all in a central, downtown location.
9. STAY INFORMED
Members receive the monthly CMBA Bar Journal and the daily CLE MetroBar Briefs email that includes links to relevant local, national, and international legal stories to keep members up-to-date.
10. BE A VOICE FOR THE PROFESSION
Let your voice be heard in areas in which the bar makes public statements and works to improve the administration of justice in our community. Get involved in our work with the judiciary, bar admission, grievances and more.
Our members just enjoyed the CMBA's first-ever, cabaret-style evening at Nighttown -- THE CMBA SINGS. The event was a triumph for the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation, raising more than $2,000 for its programs and initiatives. For more info, click here.
Membership also affords you access to members-only benefits like the CMBA's Connections Program and its MVP Discount Progam. These are just two ways we help our members make the most of their membership. Click on the images to learn more.