NLG-SFBA | Membership

Become a Member

Membership in the National Lawyers Guild, San Francisco Bay Area Chapter (NLG-SFBA) is open to attorneys, law students, legal workers (volunteer OR employed), and jailhouse lawyers. If you are not an attorney, law student, or legal workers; and/or if you are part of an organization which partners with the NLG-SFBA, please consider becoming a Friend of the Guild by making a contribution.

As a member of NLG-SFBA, you will receive the following benefits:

  • Discounted rates on local and national CLE programming such as the annual Law for the People Convention;
  • Subscription to local and national publications, such as our monthly online newsletter, Guild Notes, and NLG Review; as well as eligibility to submit articles;
  • Invitations to members-only events and content (e.g. webinars, organizing tools, and other resources);
  • Access to conversations on member-only email lists for NLG-SFBA committees and programs;
  • Eligibility to vote in local and national Guild elections, run for elected office, and propose organizational resolutions;
  • Eligibility to apply for fellowships offered through the NLG National Office;
  • Media exposure and institutional support for your Guild-related work;
  • Developing connections with a community of advocates and legal professionals

 

If you have any questions about becoming a member of the NLGSF, please contact our Membership Coordinator at membership@nlgsf.org, or (415) 285-5067 Ext 2.

Membership Types

Individual membership, annual or quarterly

Individuals paying annual dues over $500 are considered “sustainer members” and are acknowledged at the chapter’s annual Testimonial Dinner.

Click below to join or renew your individual membership.

Law firm membership, annual

Access Guild membership through your firm, which pays dues on behalf of staff according to the chapter’s dues schedule. Sustaining firms are acknowledged at the chapter’s annual Testimonial Dinner.

Click below to to join or renew on behalf of your law firm.

Sustainer membership for law firms

If your law office wishes to become a sustaining firm, please contact the Executive Director (camilo@nlgsf.org) for further guidance regarding specific dues amounts.

If you have any questions about becoming a member of the NLGSF, please contact our Membership Coordinator at membership@nlgsf.org, or (415) 285-5067 Ext 2.

MEMBER DUES SCHEDULE AND DUES WAIVER PROCESS

Suggested Dues Schedule

The NLG relies on membership dues to sustain our operations, and we count on those who can afford to pay higher amounts to help offset the costs of membership for those who cannot. Nevertheless, our membership rates are suggested, sliding scale amounts, as we strive to make participation in the Guild as accessible as possible to all legal practitioners who share our mission, regardless of income.

  • Legal Observer Member: $10-25
  • Legal Worker Member: $10-65
  • Law Student/Recent Law Grads: $25-50
  •  New Attorney Member: $50
  • Attorney Member: $50+
    • Income under 30K: $50-100
    • Income 30-50K  – $100-200
    • Income 50-70K – $200-300
    • Income 70-100K – $300-500
    • Income 100-200K – $500-600
    • Income over 200K – $600-800
    • Retired: $25-800
  • Sustainer Member: $750 or above

Dues Waiver Process

To obtain a dues waiver, members and prospective members should submit a request to the NLG-SFBA Board (board@nlgsf.org). A formal petition is requested because:

  • The chapter is a membership-based nonprofit. All net proceeds should be used for the organization’s purposes, such as serving member interests.
  • It ensures that member data is accurately recorded so that all members have full access to benefits and voting rights.
  • With a written request, the organization may be able to secure a donated membership for you.

This request process is for record-keeping purposes and is not intended to stigmatize members and prospective members. Members who have experienced discrimination, abuse, or stigma on the basis of race, class, age, gender, professional status, or other factors should submit a grievance.