MEMBER BENEFITS

Serving our members of the legal profession since 1906

Membership in VCBA demonstrates your support for the core values of our legal system. The VCBA provides business building, professional development, and networking opportunities. VCBA serves as a liaison to the Ventura County courts, educates the community, and enhances access to legal services.

FREE Member Benefits

VCBA ListServe
The ListServe is intended to facilitate communication among its members by providing the opportunity to post a query on a substantive or procedural issue, request assistance on a case, and receive input from your colleagues.
Click to view list

Citations Publication
Monthly magazine is published and provides substantive legal articles, features, news of the Bar and updates on sections, committees and affiliates.

Job Postings / Career Connections
Employment opportunities, office space and items for sale are posted weekly. All posts are displayed in the order received. Non members pay $60.00 for 60 words or less.

E-Newsletter
Monthly updates on scheduled events,
programs and court notices

Online Attorney Directory
Connect with your colleagues. You can filter your search by Name, Firm, City, or Area of Practice.

MCLE Tracking
The VCBA offers personalized MCLE tracking report based on your participation at its programs.

Discounted Member Benefits

Lawyer Referral Service
This service helps to increase your client base and serves our community by putting people in contact with local attorneys. As of 2019 through April 2022, the LRS has assisted referred over 2,745 Callers, scheduled over 1,300 Appointments, and LRIS panel members have generated more than $1,425,000.00 in attorney’s fees from our referrals.

Continuing Legal Education
The VCBA sponsors numerous seminars on various aspects of the law throughout the year to keep our members informed of current developments in their practice area. MCLE Compliance Information.

Smarter, Faster Legal Research
and Brief Drafting
VCBA Attorneys, meet your new favorite legal research tool. Casetext offers comprehensive content, advanced search features, and one-of-kind writing tools to lawyers like you at an affordable price. All plans include access to legal content such as cases, statutes, and more; the SmartCite Citator; Brief Analyzer; CARA A.I. Search, Parallel Search; and more. Lawyers receive premier support from specialists, as well as extensive self-help resources.

Insurance
We’ve partnered with Association Member Benefits Advisors (AMBA), one of the largest and most trusted insurance brokers in the world, to offer preferred pricing for members of the VCBA on a variety of insurance products, including professional liability, 10 or 20 year level term life, group term life, accidental death and dismemberment, small group medical, and workers’ compensation. AMBA is the broker of choice to many bar associations. For more information please contact Jack Witherspoon at 415-983-5658 or Email Jack
Please note Mercer’s Association business was acquired by Association Member Benefits Advisors (AMBA). As part of this transition, you may see both the Mercer and AMBA names/logos.

VCBA Mailing List
Members may distribute relevant, Bar-approved communications to their fellow members

Networking Member Benefits

Social Events ▪ Mixer’s
Law Day 5K Race/Walk
Golf Tournament ▪ Annual Dinner
Through involvement with the VCBA, members gain valuable contacts and exposure to highly respected members of the legal community. These special events offer many opportunities to network with colleagues from the bench and bar.

Pro Bono & Community Outreach Opportunities
VCBA members are encouraged to give back to the community and are provided with opportunities to perform pro bono service and/or join in community service activities.

Section Membership
Network with your peers and learn about developments in the law you practice.

Serve on a Committee
Be a part of the Association’s leadership. Involvement in committees is a great way to make a positive impact on the justice system and network with your colleagues.

Barristers
The Barristers are newer attorneys who have practiced less than seven years and are 36 years of age or younger. Free to join if a VCBA Member.

State Bar of California Lawyer Assistance Program

The State Bar’s Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP) helps attorneys (active, inactive, or disbarred), State Bar applicants, and law students who are struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, substance use issues, or personal and career concerns.

Services Offered

LAP counselors can provide you a free assessment of your situation and assist you in getting the help you need, whether it’s for mental health issues, substance use issues, or career transition. Some short-term services are free. If you join a group or need additional services, fees may apply. Financial assistance is available for qualified participants. Contact our office for more information. Participation is confidential as mandated by Business and Professions Code section 6234.

Voluntary services for attorneys
Voluntary services for law students/State Bar applicants
Monitored LAP
LAP Pamphlet
The Other Bar Pamphlet
The Other Bar Information

For more information, complete this form, give us a call (877-LAP-4HELP or 877-527-4435), or send an email to LAP@calbar.ca.gov. Contacting us is confidential.

Free MCLE Presentations

The LAP hosts free, virtual or in-person presentations on wellness strategies for legal professionals. Topics include addressing substance use and mental health issues that can impair the ability to practice law competently. These one-hour presentations qualify for an hour of MCLE competency credit and are appropriate for:

Attorneys
Law firms
Bar associations
Government agencies/organizations
Conferences, seminars, and conventions

To schedule a presentation, please complete a request form.

Orientation and Assessment

As a California attorney (active, inactive, or disbarred), you can receive a free professional mental health assessment and an opportunity to participate in the Lawyer Assistance Program without making a long-term commitment.

When you contact our office, you will speak to someone who can discuss your problem and find out what services you need. Remember, all communications are strictly confidential.

LAP Resources for Attorneys

The Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP) helps current, former, and disbarred attorneys, law students, and State Bar applicants dealing with mental health and/or substance use issues affecting their personal and professional lives. Here are self-help resources you can use to assess and support your well-being.

Self-Assessment Tests

Have you ever been depressed, anxious, or concerned about your use of alcohol or drugs? If so, we encourage you to complete one or more of the self-assessment tests below.

These tests cannot serve as a substitute for a professional evaluation, however the results can help you decide if you should contact the LAP for a more thorough professional assessment.

Short-Term Counseling

The State Bar provides free, short-term counseling for attorneys who need help with a difficult personal problem or career transition. You can access up to two free one-on-one counseling sessions with a local therapist who specializes in working with legal professionals around any personal issue or concern impacting work productivity—stress, burnout, depression, career concerns, or relationship issues.

Career Counseling

You can also access up to two free one-on-one sessions with a career counselor for participants who:

Have difficulty finding meaningful work
Find their current employment unsatisfying
Want to better utilize their law degree

Support Groups

Attorneys interested in ongoing support can participate in a weekly group meeting with other legal professionals. Groups are facilitated by a qualified mental health professional. There is a fee for group participation. Financial assistance is available for qualified participants. Contact our office for more information.

For more information, complete this form, give us a call (877-LAP-4HELP or 877-527-4435), or send an email to LAP@calbar.ca.gov. Contacting us is confidential.

VBCA MEMBERS

Membership Application
Member Benefits
Mebership Log-in
Lawyer Referral Service