A key component of the Catholic Bar Association is to encourage and support the formation, growth, and influence of local associations of catholic attorneys. It seeks to have at least one local affiliate formed in every diocese in the United States, with a long term vision of similar affiliates throughout the world. To do so, the CBA is building on the pre-existing, well established guilds of Catholic lawyers throughout the United States. Indeed, it is these guilds that see the need for a national Catholic association and have come together to bring it about. Accordingly, CBA was structured so that it is the local affiliates themselves who will control the national organization, through the guidance of its advisors. This is done by entrusting to the Local Affiliates the power to elect the CBA's board of directors and exercise control over CBA's fundamental mission and direction. For every 25 individual CBA members affiliated with a Local Affiliate, the Local Affiliate has one vote at the annual General Assembly wherein the key business of CBA is conducted.
In short, CBA exists to serve you, the Local Affiliate!
Notice of Regional, National, and International events
Leadership Opportunities
Advocacy Opportunities
Local Event Advertising
Marketing Support and CBA Logos/Marks
$50 Discount for Individuals on CBA Membership
Discounts on CLE with Catholic institutions
HOW TO FORM A LOCAL AFFILIATE OF THE CBA
Until further notice of proposed Internal Revenue Service rule-making with respect to subordinate group exemption, all applicants for CBA Affiliation are assumed to be independent, pre-existing organizations. The affiliation requirements for these organizations are as follows:
1.Local Affiliate Organizing Documents: The mission of the Local Affiliate must be compatible with the mission of the CBA, as demonstrated by its organizing documents, namely its Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and/or other comparable organizing documents;
3.Charter Agreement: The Local Affiliate must submit the Local Affiliate Charter Agreement for Independent Affiliates (included in the application packet), which will be countersigned by the CBA President upon approval by its Board of the Application;
4.Template for an Episcopal Letter of Support: The CBA recommends and prefers that the Local Affiliate should obtain a letter of affirmative support from its Local Ordinary concerning its formation, operation, and intention to affiliate with the CBA. Such letter, if obtained, shall be submitted with the Local Affiliate Application;
5.Template for an Episcopal Notification Letter: In certain circumstances, however, the Local Affiliate may determine that obtaining said letter of affirmative support would be infeasible or impractical, in which event, the Local Affiliate shall, in the alternative, notify its Local Ordinary of the Local Affiliate’s formation, operation, and intention to affiliate with the CBA. A Local Affiliate selecting this alternative must submit a copy of the notification letter with its Local Affiliate Application; AND
6.Individual Member Application (optional): At least one individual member of the Local Affiliate must be or become a Catholic Attorney Member of the CBA. This individual can join the CBA online, or join as part of the Local Affiliate application process with the Individual Membership application form included in the application packet.
NOTE: Unless the CBA, the Local Ordinary, and any pre-existing Local Affiliate in the Diocese determine otherwise, the Local Affiliate must be the only CBA Local Affiliate operating therein.
A key component of the Catholic Bar Association is to encourage and support the formation, growth, and influence of local associations of catholic attorneys. It seeks to have at least one local affiliate formed in every diocese in the United States, with a long term vision of similar affiliates throughout the world. To do so, the CBA is building on the pre-existing, well established guilds of Catholic lawyers throughout the United States. Indeed, it is these guilds that see the need for a national Catholic association and have come together to bring it about. Accordingly, CBA was structured so that it is the local affiliates themselves who will control the national organization, through the guidance of its advisors. This is done by entrusting to the Local Affiliates the power to elect the CBA's board of directors and exercise control over CBA's fundamental mission and direction. For every 25 individual CBA members affiliated with a Local Affiliate, the Local Affiliate has one vote at the annual General Assembly wherein the key business of CBA is conducted.