Why OBA
WE’RE HERE FOR YOU WHEN IT MATTERS MOST
An Ontario Bar Association membership is an investment in your career and a commitment to your profession. Connect with the people, events, knowledge and skills you need for career-long success while developing meaningful relationships with lawyers in Ontario and across Canada.
Did you know? All CBA members get complimentary access to more than 50 professional development programs nationally – with more on the way!
Select each icon below to see everything that the CBA and Ontario Branch have to offer:
Join Renew
Access our resources, practice tools and publications to position yourself for success.
COMPLIMENTARY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Your CBA membership now gives you access to more than 50 hours of accredited professional development programs from across Canada – included with your membership.
Webinars
Instantly stream professional development programs from our catalogue of webinars. Sign up for a complete webinar series or select the webinars that suit you.
Webcast replays with live chat
Save big and gain access to some of the most popular CPD programs from the past year that you may have missed—and complete your CPD requirements for the year.
Members-only programming
Get access to exclusive members-only programming. Choose from over 300 programs covering almost all areas of practice in Ontario and receive special member pricing.
Complimentary programming
OBA Members enjoy complimentary registration for our popular CPD programs, including the Inclusive Leader Series and Mindful Lawyer Series.
Mentorship
Working with a powerful matching interface from Mentorloop, we'll help you find a mentor relationship that suits your interests and time commitment.
OBA’s Institute
Connect with colleagues at Canada’s largest, and award-winning legal conference, spanning five days and offering over 30 CPD programs with numerous networking opportunities.
National conferences
Enhance your expertise, gain knowledge and network with leading professionals in your area of practice.
CBA Wellness
Access complimentary programs from the OBA’s Mindful Lawyer CPD Series as well as CBA wellness programs, resources and complimentary programming. Take our online courses and webinars on mental health in the legal profession.
Inclusive Leader Series
Build an action plan for advancing diversity and inclusion in your organization with this series, which is complimentary for members.
Career Centre
Make your next move with us. Visit the CBA Legal Career Centre for positions available across Ontario and Canada.
CBA CONNECT
Just starting out? Find the support you need to succeed as a young lawyer, articling student or law student.
Connect with colleagues and use your skills to improve legal practice in your area of the law.
Sections
Connect with lawyers who work in your area of practice or share common interests. Increase your business referrals: 80% of OBA Section members report receiving referrals from other Section members.
Committees & Subcommittees
Join us to work on issues that matter to you – from access to justice to equality, ethics, international initiatives, law reform and much more.
OBA discussions
Join our online discussion boards to connect with OBA colleagues in your practice Section. You can search each board by topic, tip or precedent.
OBA community news
Stay current on issues in your area of practice through curated articles, programs and information from your OBA Section Insider and Section website.
Speakers Bureau
Become a thought-leader in your community. The OBA Speakers Bureau helps to promote OBA members as leaders in their area of practice by connecting members to speaking opportunities.
Contribute to our advocacy work and initiatives. Together, we can create change.
Advocacy
We respond to government initiatives to protect the legal profession’s core values.
Court interventions & submissions
We prepare submissions to the government, Law Society of Ontario and regulatory bodies to improve the law and the administration of justice.
Influential connections
We connect practice area leaders with key decision makers: Cabinet Ministers, Chairs of Tribunals and members of the Bench.
Professional initiatives
We develop initiatives that advocate for change, enhance legal practice and prepare the profession for the future.
Access our resources, practice tools and publications to position yourself for success.
Legal toolkits
Tap into our toolkits for sound advice and tips on issues ranging from child rights to legal ethics, mortgage matters and much more.
CBA PracticeLink
Access CBA PracticeLink online for guidance and tools to help you manage your legal future.
Free Member & Public Directories
Grow your client base through inclusion in our Find-A-Lawyer Directory. Plus, add thousands of members to your network and build referrals through our Member-to-Member Directory.
Leading magazines
Get the latest stories and analysis affecting legal practice and your profession in JUST. Magazine and CBA National Magazine.
Canadian Bar Review
This peer-reviewed journal combines theory and practice to shape discussions on today’s most relevant legal issues.