Substantive Law Sections

In addition to the connection and belonging we value so highly, it is the collegiality, friendship and professional development borne of Section membership that inspires so many members to participate. Section membership also offers a range of leadership opportunities within the Bar Association and allows our members to remain connected and actively engaged in our Bar community.

SCCBA Sections are groups of attorneys with practices largely dedicated to specific areas of substantive law. These groups gather regularly to discuss issues of particular interest and collaborate to present educational seminars and noontime “brown bag” programs that offer our members free CLEs. Sections may also hold social events, roundtable discussions, and assist attorneys in their practice areas. These Sections are an additional $35 fee to join.

Sections marked with an asterisk* are unique in that the Chair of each these sections, by virtue of their office, is entitled to a voting seat on the Board of Trustees. This honored status is made pursuant to our Bylaws.

If you are interested in joining a specific Substantive Law Section, please contact Stephanie Carman at stephaniec@sccba.com

Stephanie will send you an invoice for the Section fee, and ensure you are on the email roster to receive notifications of upcoming meetings.

Alternate Dispute Resolution

Barristers*

Open to all Association members who have been admitted to practice for 9 years or less -- and at no cost. The Barristers sponsor host of wide variety of activities integrating new lawyers in the general Bar Association. These include educational seminars, meet and greet with learned attorneys and judges, social events, happy hours, coffee in the park and community support projects. The Barristers also provide unique leadership opportunities including committee and board service.

Criminal Law

The SCCBA Criminal Law Section is a substantive law group designed to assist attorneys in the practice area by providing networking opportunities and by meeting continuing legal education needs and professional development interests. Members comprise both the private defense bar and the public defender's office along with members from the District Attorney's office. The Criminal Law section also co-sponsors programs with other sections such as Immigration and Family Law.

Environmental Law

The SCCBA Environmental Law Section is a substantive law group designed to support attorneys in the practice area by providing networking opportunities and by meeting continuing legal education needs and professional development interests. Programs they organize range from water and land use issues, to climate change and sustainability. This section also hosts summer hikes, picnics and other outdoor activities in appreciation of the exceptional environmental resources in Santa Clara County.

Family Law

The SCCBA Family Law Section is a substantive law group designed to assist attorneys in the practice area by providing networking opportunities and by meeting continuing legal education needs, including specialization credits for Certified Family Law Specialists as well as professional development interests. This robust Section offers several sub-committees focused on Minors' Counsel, Family Law Legislation and Social events. The Family Law Section offers dozens of programs and special events including opportunities to meet and work with members of the family law bench, enjoy regular happy hours, and an annual holiday luncheon featuring the Family Law Holiday Chorale.

Immigration Law

The SCCBA Immigration Law Section is a substantive law group designed to assist attorneys in the practice area by providing networking opportunities and by meeting continuing legal education needs and professional development interests. This new and much needed addition in substantive law to our Sections is seeking new members with an interest in sharing their skills, knowledge and best practices in Immigration work.

Insurance Law

Labor & Employment

The SCCBA Labor & Employment Section is a substantive law group designed to support attorneys in the practice area by providing networking opportunities and by meeting continuing legal education needs and professional development interests by offering at several seminars each year including an annual overview of the entire body of case law and statutory changes in the law for the preceding year, an annual fall social, and annual annual wine tasting mixer. The Section also presents recent appellate opinions and case studies at its monthly meeting.

Real Property & Business Law

The SCCBA Real Property Section is a substantive law group designed to support attorneys in the practice area by providing networking opportunities and by meeting continuing legal education needs and professional development interests. The Section offers several seminars each year in those substantive practice areas, including an annual review of the statutory and case law changes to real estate and business law during the previous year. This Section often partners with other Bar Associations in the region, expanding its reach and nurturing professional relationships on a regional basis.

Women Lawyers*

Women Lawyers Section (WLS) is a section of the Santa Clara County Bar Association formed to support women lawyers and judges in our legal community. Associated with with the California Women Lawyers' Association (CWLA), our Women Lawyers Section operates independently of CWL while supporting its efforts in Santa Clara County. WLS offers several meaningful and time-honored programs throughout the year including the Women Lawyers Symposium, the Mary Jo Levinger Woman Jurist of the Year Award ceremony, and certain MCLEs. They also gather for social events and outings such as the monthly Walk & Talk along the trails of San Jose's many parks, joint gatherings with neighboring Women Lawyer sections like San Mateo County Bar Association.

Substantive Law Sections

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