Section Membership

The Access to Justice Section focuses the attention of the bar on the legal needs of those who cannot afford counsel and supports lawyers who provide representation through legal service organizations, court-appointed criminal defense or other pro-bono activities.

The Business Law Section works to improve the practice of both in-house and outside business counsel through seminars, practical forums, legislation and committee activity in a wide variety of areas including high technology, small business, bankruptcy, banking and commercial law.

The Civil Litigation Section meets with decision-makers and experts at seminars and informal forums and is regularly involved with such issues as workers' compensation, auto insurance, management of the trial court, tort reform and discovery rules.

The Criminal Justice Section provides a forum for all criminal practitioners -- defense and prosecution -- to exchange ideas, experiences and positions. This results in well-balanced education programs and legislative review. The shared perspective also enhances the MBA's ability to effectively represent the criminal litigation bar as a whole.

The Family Law Section works to improves the Probate and Family Court's accessibility and efficiency for the benefit of lawyers, judges, staff and the public. This section keeps its members current with educational seminars, updates on legislative activity and bench/bar networking opportunities.

The General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section assists members by studying the needs and concerns of solo, small firm practitioners, providing a forum and clearinghouse for the exchange and dissemination of ideas and information, motivating and assisting the MBA to address members' needs and concerns, and encouraging, identifying and promoting programs, benefits and services for solo and small firm practitioners.

The mission of the Health Law Section Council is to (1) discuss, debate, and educate others on important issues related to health law, such as health care reform, regulation, quality, safety, access, finance, debt, and insurance; and (2) and advocate for measures that improve policies and practices in these areas through our courts, legislature, government agencies, and health care providers.

The Immigration Law Section creates a focal point for its members to access information relevant to immigration issues and questions, network with other specialized practitioners to respond to the needs of a growing client base in the immigration field, and reach out to and collaborate with other existing sections dealing with immigration law issues.

The Individual Rights & Responsibilities Section advocates for the protection of individual rights, with an emphasis on those who are under-represented in the judicial system.

The MBA's Judicial Administration Section serves to promote the fair and efficient administration of justice within courts of the commonwealth. With members from both bench and bar, the section monitors the needs of the Massachusetts Courts and supports proposals for enhancing their efficiency.

The Juvenile & Child Welfare Section will enable practitioners who represent clients in abuse and neglect, delinquency, youthful offender and status offender cases to meet in one forum to address the variety of issues affecting children and families. The section will provide opportunities for members to work on projects involving proposed and current legislation, develop and present CLE seminars, roundtables and open section meetings and publish articles.

The Labor & Employment Section brings together representatives of employees, employers, labor organizations, the neutral sector, state and federal agencies, arbitrators, and mediators, to provide a forum for all segments of the employment bar.

The Law Practice Management Section provides practical education, tools and assistance to the business of practicing law by focusing on issues of law office marketing, budgeting and finance, management and use of technology to enhance the practice of law so that lawyers may better serve clients while improving the quality of their own lives and practices.

The Probate Law Section concentrates on legal and practical issues in the areas of estate planning, elder law and probate administration and litigation. Section members are involved in Probate Court procedures, shaping legislation and practice methods toupdate and improve practice areas.

The Property Law Section monitors and comments on legislation, litigation and real property practice trends affecting attorneys who deal with commercial, residential, landlord/tenant, convenyancing and environmental concerns.

The Public Law Section, comprised of both public and private sector attorneys, is a forum for discussion and education concerning the unique aspects of practice as a government lawyer and as a private attorney representing, dealing with, or practicing before government agencies.

The Taxation Law Section reviews and develops legislation, provides educational services to the section and the bar and serves as the liaison between the section membership and the MBA House of Delegates.