16 Best Lawyer Communities To Join In 2024
Lawyer communities are a great way to learn from other legal experts who've got their finger on the pulse of the law practice, as well as find opportunities to mentor or be mentored by others in your line of work. There are a ton of great communities to join—some online, some in-person.
Here's a summary of each community to help you learn who it's for and why it's great, to help you find a group of other lawyers to learn from and share your insights with.
Best Lawyer Communities Shortlist
Here's a shortlist of the best lawyer communities I think are worth joining in 2024:
- American Bar Association — For general legal resources
- LawyerSmack — For private lawyer-to-lawyer chats
- Above the Law — For legal news and insights
- Reddit r/Lawyertalk — For verified lawyers to discuss the profession
- LawLink — For professional networking among attorneys
- The Law Society — For support and advocacy in the legal profession
- Justia — For free case law and codes
- The Federalist Society — For conservative and libertarian legal perspectives
- National Lawyers Guild — For progressive social justice issues
- The National Trial Lawyers — For trial attorney resources and networking
- Clio Community — For legal practice management tips and networking
- Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) — For industry-specific legal resources and networking for corporate lawyers
- Reddit r/LawFirm — For small to mid-size law firm owners to exchange strategies and advice
- Nextlaw Referral Network — For cross-border referrals and legal industry innovation
- International Lawyers Association — For global legal collaboration and networking
- Thomson Reuters Legal Professional Community — For tailored support and tools for small law firm operations
Find more details about each community below.
The 16 Best Lawyer Communities
1. American Bar Association — For general legal resources
The American Bar Association (ABA) is the foremost national organization representing the legal profession in the United States, dedicated to advancing the rule of law.
- Audience: Lawyers, judges, law students, and paralegals
- Size: 400,000+ members
- Membership Cost:
- Lawyers - $75 to $450 (dependent on years since Bar Admission)
- Law Students - Free or $25 for Premium Membership
- Other Professionals - $75 to $150
- Platform: Online resources, physical publications, and nationwide events
Why Join:
The American Bar Association Communities provides access to a broad network of professionals, continuous learning through CLE (Continuing Legal Education) programs, and up-to-date resources on various legal topics, including the ABA’s CLE Member Benefit Library with over 500 programs covering topics to meet CLE requirements and top-tier CLE, peer-reviewed scholarly journals.
The membership also covers discounts and offers on practice-enhancing products from brands like GE, Mercedes-Benz, and UPS, as well as hotels and health and life insurance.
2. LawyerSmack — For private lawyer-to-lawyer chats
LawyerSmack is a private community providing a secure, online space for lawyers to communicate, share knowledge, and network with peers worldwide. It has 100+ different Slack channels that allow lawyers to engage in discourses, including interests and hobbies.
- Audience: Licensed attorneys
- Membership Cost: $365 annually
- Platform: Slack
Why Join:
The community is highly praised for having solo, practice-area-specific, and even parenting and sports channels with thousands of advice, discussions, and messages from practitioners, making them feel less isolated in their field. Membership can also lead to networking opportunities, client referrals, and exclusive discounts and deals from supporting partners.
3. Above the Law — For legal news and insights
Above the Law is a critical resource for staying informed on the latest developments in the legal field and provides a behind-the-scenes look at the legal industry, offering news, commentary, and advice on law firms, law schools, lawsuits, judges, and more.
- Audience: Lawyers, law students, and legal professionals interested in the latest legal industry trends
- Membership Cost: Free
- Platform: Weekly newsletter and in-person events
Why Join:
Above the Law offers commentary on issues affecting law practices, legal education, and judiciary matters and insights about the profession’s notable figures and influential institutions.
4. Reddit r/Lawyertalk — For verified lawyers to discuss the profession
Reddit r/Lawyertalk is a subreddit dedicated to verified lawyers for legal discussions about the profession, sharing experiences, and exchanging professional advice.
- Audience: Verified lawyers who are Reddit users
- Size: 75,000+ members
- Membership Cost: Free
- Platform: Reddit
Why Join:
Reddit r/Lawyertalk is designed to eliminate public exposure, allowing lawyers to discuss sensitive legal matters, share and vent experiences with their clients, and seek advice from fellow legal professionals. Posts can be categorized into different topics, such as “I need to vent”, “Career Advice”, “Best Practice”, and “I love my client.”
5. LawLink — For professional networking among attorneys
LawLink is the first social network specifically designed for attorneys, facilitating professional networking, collaboration, and the exchange of knowledge and opportunities.
- Audience: Attorneys and legal professionals seeking to network and collaborate with peers
- Size: 200+ members
- Membership Cost: Free
- Platform: Website
Why Join:
Law Link’s network promotes a deep exchange of legal knowledge and mutual trust among its members, providing a framework for cross-border cooperation. The group’s structure offers all-around service, and coordination with independent member offices, and provides a network of lawyers for a client’s legal needs, including litigation, negotiation, corporate, commercial, general legal advice, arbitration, and mediation.
6. The Law Society — For support and advocacy in the legal profession
The Law Society is the professional association representing and governing solicitors of England and Wales. It provides guidance, training, and advocacy to uphold the profession's standards.
- Audience: Solicitors in England and Wales
- Size: Over 140,000 solicitors
- Membership Cost: Starts at £150
- Platform: Online and through in-person events
Why Join:
The Law Society allows solicitors to connect with experienced solicitors for advice, and access to resources, including legal practice updates, regulatory guidelines, and professional development courses.
The Law Society also runs Find A Solicitor, a database of 200,000 legal professionals that clients can use for information about organizations, firms, and people providing legal services.
7. Justia — For free case law and codes
Justia Connect is Justia’s exclusive membership program that offers benefits and resources to lawyers, legal professionals, and law students.
- Audience: Lawyers, law students, and anyone needing detailed legal information
- Membership Cost:
- Free
- Justia Connect Pro Monthy - $19.99
- Justia Connect Pro Yearly - $16.65
- Platform: Website, exclusive membership dashboard
Why Join:
The membership increases lawyer profile visibility through their Justia Lawyer directory, has access to webinars to stay updated with legal trends, sends daily alerts on developments in jurisdiction and practice areas, and offers discounts on legal products and software.
8. The Federalist Society — For conservative and libertarian legal perspectives
The Federalist Society is an organization that fosters discussion and debate about conservative and libertarian legal philosophies among lawyers, judges, and academics.
- Audience: Lawyers, judges, law students, and academics interested in conservative and libertarian legal principles
- Size: 90,000+ members
- Membership Cost:
- Students - Starts at $5
- Lawyers - Starts at $50
- Platform: Website forum and online and in-person, including debates, panels, lectures, and webinars/image
Why Join:
The Federalist Society is a crucial platform for those who support conservative and libertarian viewpoints in the legal field. It provides a forum for debating and discussing important legal principles influencing the law and public policy.
9. National Lawyers Guild (NLG) — For progressive social justice issues
The National Lawyers Guild is an association for lawyers that advocates for the rights of individuals and communities by promoting progressive changes in the legal system.
- Audience: Lawyers, law students, and legal workers committed to advocating for social justice and civil liberties
- Size: 9,000+ members
- Membership Cost: Income-based rates starting from $25 to $800
- Platform: Workshops, panels, public demonstrations, and legal support activities
Why Join:
The National Lawyers Guild aims to change the political and economic system by recognizing the rights of workers, women, LGBTQ people, farmers, people with disabilities, and people of color. Members work together to address economic inequality, and social justice through advocacy, education, and legal intervention. The community unites lawyers who value human and ecosystem rights over property interests.
10. The National Trial Lawyers — For trial attorney resources and networking
The National Trial Lawyers Community is a professional organization comprising premier trial lawyers across the United States. Its goal is to promote excellence and innovation in the legal profession, particularly in the areas of civil plaintiff and criminal defense law.
- Audience: Trial lawyers, including civil plaintiffs and criminal defense attorneys
- Membership Cost: Membership is by invitation only and fees apply upon acceptance
- Platform: Online resources and in-person events like conferences and educational programs
Why Join:
Joining The National Trial Lawyers allows you to tap into a network of highly qualified trial attorneys and engage in exclusive professional development opportunities. It has a competitive edge through high-quality educational programs, advocacy training, and unique networking events.
11. Clio Community — For legal practice management tips and networking
The Clio Community is an online forum dedicated to users of Clio's legal software, focusing on practice management tips, networking, and maximizing the use of Clio’s features.
- Audience: Legal professionals using Clio’s software, including attorneys, paralegals, and law firm lawyers and administrators
- Size: 150,000+ members
- Membership Cost: Free for Clio users
- Platform: Site forum
Why Join:
The Law Community is Clio’s online customer forum where members can exchange tips, discuss best practices, and share advice on using Clio effectively within their practice. Through this legal community, law professionals can learn more about pilot programs, seek tips on how to make their law firm more successful, connect with like-minded members, see how other legal professionals are innovating their firms, and be updated on Clio events, feature enhancements, and firm resources.
12. Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) — For industry-specific legal resources and networking for corporate lawyers
The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) is a global community that provides resources, education, and networking opportunities specifically for in-house counsel.
- Audience: In-house legal counsel and corporate lawyers
- Size: 45,000+ members
- Membership Cost:
- Individual members - $99 to $750
- Corporate membership - $3,950 to $25,250
- Platform: Online resources and in-person events, conferences, and local community chapters
Why Join:
The Association of Corporate Counsel has more than 60 chapters across the globe, allowing the members to connect with fellow ACC members in the region. Joining a local chapter provides opportunities to earn CLE/CPDs, network, exchange information with other in-house counsel, and gain industry-specific knowledge. Membership also offers free and unlimited access to CLE/CPD credit and one CLE/CPD On-Demand program each month.
13. Reddit r/LawFirm — For small to mid-size law firm owners to exchange strategies and advice
Reddit r/LawFirm is a subreddit where owners of small to mid-sized law firms can discuss management strategies, share advice, and seek peer support.
- Audience: Owners and managers of small to mid-size law firms
- Size: 59,000+ members
- Membership Cost: Free
- Platform: Reddit
Why Join:
Reddit r/LawFirm is a Reddit community for law firm owners facing unique challenges that differ from larger practices. Members can share practical advice, learn from peers’ experiences, and discover innovative strategies to manage their firms more effectively.
14. Nextlaw Referral Network — For cross-border referrals and legal industry innovation
NextLaw Referral Network is a global digital platform designed to connect law firms to facilitate cross-border referrals and foster innovation in the legal industry.
- Audience: Law firms and legal professionals interested in international networking and innovation
- Size: 38,000+ members
- Membership Cost: Free
- Platform: Virtual collaboration and connection
Why Join:
The Next Law Network community’s reach spans across the globe, giving members referral and collaboration opportunities, increased business engagement, and expanded client service. The community is not territorially exclusive and members can apply from any of their office locations.
15. International Lawyers Association — For global legal collaboration and networking
The International Lawyers Association (ILA) is a network that fosters collaboration and networking among lawyers worldwide, promoting international legal exchanges.
- Audience: Lawyers, law firms, and legal professionals engaged in international practice
- Membership Cost:
- Membership fee: £25
- Annual renewal: £15
- Life membership: £250
- Platform: Website and through in-person international conferences and meetings
Why Join:
The International Lawyer’s Association fosters links between practitioners of different jurisdictions, promotes speedy justice, encourages legal training and higher education standards, and advocates against human rights violations in partnership with UN Human Rights and ECHR. Membership also gives access to discounted continuous professional development courses, seminars, and events.
16. Thomson Reuters Legal Professional Community — For tailored support and tools for small law firm operations
The Thomson Reuters Legal Professional Community provides specialized resources and tools to support small law firm operations. Legal experts from Thomas Reuters participate and moderate, ensuring members’ questions are answered.
- Audience: Owners and operators of small law firms
- Size: 6,500+ members
- Membership Cost: Membership is included with subscriptions to Thomson Reuters products starting from $611.15 to $1,616.70
- Platform: Website, exclusive membership dashboard
Why Join:
Community members have access to exclusive content, get answers to product questions, and join in peer-to-peer legal discussions on topics from industry trends and technology to start a law firm. The community-exclusive dashboard functions similarly to a typical social media platform, free of spam and ads, and filled with interactions on how to practice law, manage firms, and growing law practice.
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