Networking Locally: Take Advantage of Your County Bar Association to Meet New Lawyers—and Potential Employers

By Erica L. Morris 
JD ‘15 

I recently had the privilege of taking part in the annual Bridging the Gap event hosted for newly admitted California Bar attorneys by the Contra Costa County Bar Association (CCCBA). This was my first time attending a CCBA event, and I came away with valuable information about what CCBA can offer its members and personal opportunities that will surely enhance my career and grow my network.

We were first warmly welcomed by the Barristers section Chair, Marta Vanegas, and the CCBA’s Sections Liason, Anne Wolf. Then, during the event, we were introduced to many more of the CCCBA’s section leaders—from the criminal defense section to the pro bono section. This association has a section for nearly all areas of law, and even if they do not have a specific section designated to an area of law, they have members who practice in a wide variety of laws.

I learned that there are many GGU alumni interested in this bar association when I arrived.


Furthermore, there were many others present from various law schools that all had a connection to the Contra Costa County. While a county-wide bar association, I felt that this association was smaller than the San Francisco bar associations such that it felt less intimidating, and more welcoming, than the larger events I have attended in the past in the big city. This makes a social introvert, like myself, more comfortable with being involved with a networking event. Also because of this smaller-knit environment, I felt I was able to meet the CCCBA leaders on a more substantive level, even though I had never met them before. I was given at least two contacts during this event, regarding senior attorneys that practice in areas of law I am interested in and that have special needs in my areas of interest that I may be able to get involved in. This is very exciting for me because I am always ready to grow my network and gain more hands-on experience to help me become a better lawyer.

The CCCBA offers its members many opportunities. For example, they have a program where they will pay you to work on cases in criminal defense that the District Attorneys’ office cannot handle because either the DA is overloaded or because there is a conflict of interest. These are paid opportunities, and you do not have to be a criminal defense lawyer to participate. Furthermore, the CCCBA offers an incubator program for start-ups and solo attorneys that work alongside a legal services group that covers all of your overhead! You just have to contribute 100 hours of your own time to pro bono service and obtain your own mal practice insurance. Also, there are many sections to become involved in. For instance, the Barristers section is free for every member and includes mostly young attorneys. There is also a women’s section, which is not just for women, but it works to encourage networking opportunities and career growth for women attorneys! There are many more opportunities than the above, which can all be found on the website or by contacting the CCCBA. I encourage anyone, student or recent graduate, looking for more networking and paid opportunities to become a member and get involved!

Erica Morris is a 2015 graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law, and an Associate at Yaron & Associates in Oakland, California. To find out more about your local bar associations like Erica suggests, attend the “Meet the Bar Associations” event at GGU on Wednesday, April 13 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Last year’s event drew more than 30 bar associations. See here for more details.