Bar Association of San Francisco

The Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF), established in 1872, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the legal community and the public in the San Francisco Bay Area.

With a membership exceeding 5,300 individuals, law firms, corporate legal departments, and law schools, BASF offers a comprehensive suite of services and programs aimed at promoting equal access to justice, advancing professional growth, and fostering diversity within the legal profession.

Membership and Professional Development

BASF provides its members with numerous benefits designed to enhance their legal careers.

Members gain access to exclusive networking events, thought-provoking webinars, and career development opportunities.

The association also offers Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs to ensure that legal professionals stay informed about the latest developments in the field.

Additionally, BASF publishes the "San Francisco Attorney" magazine and the monthly "BASF Bulletin," which provide insights into legal trends, member achievements, and community news.

Public Services and Community Engagement

BASF is deeply committed to community service through various programs:

• Justice & Diversity Center (JDC): Founded in 1977, the JDC is one of the largest nonprofit providers of free legal and social services to low-income individuals and families in the Bay Area. Its initiatives include the Homeless Advocacy Project, which offers legal assistance to those facing homelessness, and Diversity Educational Programs that support minority students pursuing legal careers.
• Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS): Established in 1946, LRIS connects individuals with qualified attorneys across more than 100 areas of law. The service is certified by the State Bar of California and recognized by the American Bar Association as a model lawyer referral program. A thirty-minute consultation with a referred attorney is available for a nominal fee, waived for injury matters.
• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): BASF offers mediation and arbitration services to help resolve disputes outside of the courtroom, providing a more efficient and cost-effective means of conflict resolution.
• Barristers Club: Serving attorneys in their first ten years of practice, the Barristers Club offers professional development, networking opportunities, and community service projects to support the growth of emerging legal professionals.

Advocacy and Public Policy

BASF actively engages in public advocacy to promote equal justice and oppose discrimination in all its forms.

The association's efforts include organizing task forces, such as the Marriage Fairness Task Force in 2008, to address significant legal and social issues affecting the community.

Location

BASF's headquarters are located at 50 Fremont Street, Suite 1700, San Francisco, California 94105.

The office is conveniently situated near the Embarcadero BART and Muni stations, as well as the Transbay Terminal, facilitating easy access for members and the public.

Locations:

• San Francisco, CA, USA: Headquarters located at 50 Fremont Street, Suite 1700, near major transit hubs.

Through its diverse programs and services, the Bar Association of San Francisco continues to uphold its mission of championing equal access to justice and promoting excellence and diversity within the legal profession.