The Minnesota Lavender Bar Association (MLBA) is a voluntary professional association of LGBTQ+ legal professionals, promoting fairness and equality for the LGBTQ+ community within the legal industry within Minnesota at large. Founded in 1996, the MLBA has been a visible presence within Minnesota’s legal profession and has been building community between members through quality educational programs, networking opportunities, and social events.
MLBA membership is open to LGBTQ+ and allied attorneys, law students, and other legal professionals. Current MLBA members include legal professionals from large and small firms, corporate counsel, solo practices, government agencies, nonprofits, academia, the judiciary, and those working in nontraditional attorney roles.
The Minnesota Lavender Bar Association is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and accomplishes most of the association’s tasks and goals through the four working committees (visit the Committees Page for more information). Members are encouraged to participate in the organization by volunteering on one of the committees or by helping with one of the many events sponsored by MLBA.
THE BENEFITS OF JOINING MLBA ARE MANY AND INLUDE:
- MLBA Online Directory: A networking tool for members, the directory includes a list of attorneys serving the LGBTQ+ community, highlighting attorneys who specifically serve the transgender community.
- Monthly Subscription to the MLBA Newsletter: Receive MLBA’s monthly e-newsletter featuring important news, MLBA events, and other LGBTQ+-related topics, legislative developments and career opportunities.
- Networking and Social Opportunities: MLBA provides many opportunities for its members to meet, socialize, and connect with other like-minded community members and friends of the LGBTQ+ legal community.
- Education and Events: MLBA provides opportunities to earn CLE credits while learning about relevant areas of the law effecting the LGBTQ+ community and the legal profession. Discounts on membership and events: Enjoy discounts on MLBA’s Annual Conference and memberships such as to the National LGBT Bar Association.
Visit MLBA’s “Become a Member” page to become a member now.