The Ontario Bar Association is a branch of the Canadian Bar Association, an organization of lawyers formed to provide support by the profession to the profession so that it may render better service to its members and the public. This is accomplished by both education and representation to government on topics of current concern.

The Ontario Bar Association is the only voluntary Association in Ontario to which a practising lawyer, non-practising lawyer, law student or judge can belong whose objectives are broad enough to fill every need of the Bench and Bar, and also the only organization in a position to represent a lawyer if necessary in an adversary posture in negotiations or confrontations with either federal or provincial governments. OBA has the freedom and flexibility to cope with any interest of the legal profession in any situation, regardless of how, when or where it is involved.

Through semi-autonomous provincial branches, which also communicate directly with the national organization, the Canadian Bar Association has an effective voice in representing the lawyers on behalf of the public interest and communicating their concerns in those areas to all the provincial legislatures as well as to committees, ministries and other officials.

The Ontario Bar Association provides lawyers with opportunities to become more efficient and effective, to further their professional education and to keep abreast of current developments within the profession, nationally and provincially. Membership in the Canadian Bar Association entitles lawyers to participate in these educational programs at a lower cost than non-members. In addition, members can take an active role in law reform and law amendment, both provincially and federally.

Meetings of the national organization, the provincial organization and the individual Sections offer the opportunity to meet other members of the profession from all parts of the country with like interests on a basis afforded in no other manner.

The Canadian Bar Association also fosters liaison between lawyers and other professionals, and lawyers and law teachers.

The Canadian Bar Association has been in existence since 1896 and was incorporated April 15, 1921 while the Ontario Branch has been in existence since 1907 and was incorporated on April 22, 1985.

The National Office of the Association is located in Ottawa and the staff of that office serves the National functions of the organization.

Ontario Bar Association
20 Toronto Street, Suite 300, Toronto, Ontario M5C 2B8
Telephone: (416) 869-1047
Fax: (416) 869-1390
Toll-free in Ontario 1-800-668-8900