Erie County Bar Foundation (Old) - Bar Association of Erie County

Erie County Bar Foundation

In 1957, a small group of concerned lawyers who wanted to help a friend in need formed the Erie County Bar Foundation. Over the decades, hundreds of attorneys in Erie County have benefited from the timely assistance of the Foundation, the only bar foundation in the United States solely dedicated to helping members of the profession in times of crisis.

Today, funded almost exclusively by lawyers in Erie County, the Foundation remains committed to helping lawyers and their families who are in crisis or experiencing difficulty in their career, often due to change or unexpected life circumstances.

The Foundation provides confidential financial assistance to attorneys managing illness, substance use disorder, job loss, community or family trauma or similar difficulties.

In addition to providing confidential financial assistance to attorneys, the Foundation also underwrites the BAEC’s Member Assistance Program to provide attorneys access to mental health counseling, educational programs and other resources that support lawyer wellbeing. The Foundation also collaborates closely with the BAEC’s Lawyers Helping Lawyers program and Depression Support Group.

The Foundation partners with UB Law School and other community organizations to holistically support lawyer wellbeing. The Foundation sponsors continuing legal education programs for practicing lawyers and students. The Foundation generally does not provide direct financial aid to law students.

The 2025 Campaign is Underway!

The Erie County Bar Foundation 2025 Campaign has begun! Every donation, big or small, is needed and appreciated! Help your friends and colleagues in need by supporting the great work of the Foundation.

An Open Letter from a BAEC Member

A Message About Giving from a Bar Member

May 29, 2020

Dear Fellow Senior Members of the Bar Association: I write to my fellow bar members to urge you to consider making charitable donations to help

Cookie	Duration	Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional	11 months	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy	11 months	The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.