A Modern Bar for a Modern Professional
Guided by our Strategic Plan and our members’ direct feedback, we have reimagined what it means to be a member of the Bar Association of Erie County. We have shifted from a “pay-as-you-go” model to a comprehensive professional membership designed for today’s ever changing and demanding legal profession. We now offer two membership options to best fit our members’ needs: Professional and Basic.
The Professional membership is the best value for attorneys completing 2+ credits annually. It includes unlimited access to our On-Demand library of courses, all our virtual CLEs and all in-person CLEs that are three credits or less.
The Basic membership is best for those who need local bar networking and our traditional benefits without the CLEs.
By bundling your dues and education, you’re not just simplifying your billing—you’re saving money.
More Value. Less Effort. Simple Pricing.
50% Discount for early career attorneys (year 1-6),
retired and affiliate members!
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Best value for attorneys completing 2+ credits annually. 50% discount for Early Career (Admitted 1-6 Years), Retired, and Affiliate Members. Student members join for FREE!-
Unlimited On-Demand CLE Library
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Unlimited Virtual CLEs
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Unlimited In-Person 1-3 Credit CLEs
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All-In-One CLE Hub
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CLE Tracker
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Unlimited Committee Membership
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vLex/Clio Legal Research Tool
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Career Center Access
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Member Assistance Program
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Health Insurance
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Exclusive BAEC Communications
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Professional Ethics Advice
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Social and Networking Events
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Professional Continuity Guidance
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Eligible for Lawyer Referral and Information Services Panel Membership Pricing
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Access to Erie County Real Estate Closing Documents
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Conference Room Space
BASIC MEMBERSHIP
Best for those who need local bar networking and our traditional benefits without the CLE. 50% discount for Early Career (Admitted 1-6 Years), Retired, and Affiliate Members. Student members join for FREE!-
Unlimited On-Demand CLE Library
-
Unlimited Virtual CLEs
-
Unlimited In-Person 1-3 Credit CLEs
-
All-In-One CLE Hub
-
CLE Tracker
-
Unlimited Committee Membership
-
vLex/Clio Legal Research Tool
-
Career Center Access
-
Member Assistance Program
-
Health Insurance
-
Exclusive BAEC Communications
-
Professional Ethics Advice
-
Social and Networking Events
-
Professional Continuity Guidance
-
Eligible for Lawyer Referral and Information Services Panel Membership Pricing
-
Access to Erie County Real Estate Closing Documents
-
Conference Room Space
Why We Updated Our Membership Model
Over the past several years, how members engage with the BAEC has evolved. Attorneys are increasingly seeking flexible, on-demand education, predictable costs, and fewer administrative hurdles. Our previous dues structure required many members to purchase CLE separately throughout the year, making it harder to budget and creating uneven value across the membership.
The new membership model simplifies dues, aligns pricing with how members actually use CLE, and ensures BAEC can continue delivering high-quality education, advocacy, and community for years to come.
What's New?
The Professional Membership: Our new economical choice. Since the average member spends $250/year on CLE, we’ve bundled unlimited on-demand, virtual, and short-form in-person CLE into one flat rate. Switch and save.
Uniform Discounts: Early career attorneys (attorneys practicing 1-6 years), retired members, and affiliate members can all enjoy a 50% discount on their annual membership dues.
Expanded Community: We’ve broadened our “Active Member” definition to include anyone barred in NYS and expanded our “Affiliate” category to welcome court staff, paralegals, and administrators.
A Digital Upgrade: Experience our new On-Demand CLE Library. You can now take our on-demand courses and track your CLE credits right in your BAEC member portal.
Set It and Forget It: Introducing Auto-Pay for annual dues—one less deadline to track.
Simplified Membership Categories
BAEC Membership Dues
| Membership Category | Professional Membership Dues | Basic Membership Dues |
|---|---|---|
| *Student Member +1 | FREE | FREE |
| Attorney Admitted 1-6 Years (50% Discount) | $190 | $150 |
| Attorney Admitted 7+ Years | $380 | $300 |
| Retired Member (50% Discount) | $190 | $150 |
| Affiliate Member (50% Discount) | $190 | $150 |
*Students and one-year post-graduates not yet admitted to practice
BAEC Membership Category Descriptions
| Membership Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Active Member | To join as an Active Member, one must be a member of the Bar of the State of New York. |
| Affiliate Member | To join as an Affiliate Member one must be (i) employed as an administrator, manager, or paralegal by any attorney, legal services organization, court, law firm or law school, (ii) a law school graduate, not eligible to be an Active Member, or (iii) a student matriculated in a law school accredited by the American Bar Association or for one year post graduation. Affiliate Members shall not be entitled to vote but shall have all other privileges of Active Membership to the extent such privileges are not restricted by law or contract to admitted attorneys. No Affiliate Member shall be eligible to serve as a director or officer of the Association. |
| Retired Member | You must certify that you are retired from the practice of law. See 22 NYCRR 118.1(g). |
| Contributing Member | Additional recognition for their contributions to the Bar Association |
| Student Member +1 | To join as a student member, one must be enrolled in law school or one year post-graduation not yet admitted to practice. Student members shall not be entitled to vote but shall have all other privileges of Active membership to the extent such privileges are not restricted by law or contract to admitted attorneys. |
Please keep a look out for emails, printed materials, and your 2026-2027 BAEC invoice, which will be mailed early April. For questions, please call or email BAEC Executive Director Anne M. Noble at 716-852-8687 ext. 119 or anoble@eriebar.org.