When the MSBA, Hennepin County Bar, and Ramsey County Bar Associations combined staff teams in 2019, one of the goals was to identify and increase collaboration where it made sense, while maintaining strong identities and value propositions for each organization. 

With a total of 60 Sections between the three bar associations, there was significant overlap in each group’s membership, a duplication of efforts by volunteer members and staff, and a lack of programming distinction between many of the duplicative Sections. All of this created confusion for members regarding the offerings as well as in matters of Section registration and sign-up. After much consideration and conversation, the MSBA Council, HCBA Board, and RCBA Board each voted to approve a unified Sections model beginning with the 2022-2023 bar year. This change brings together the best of each bar’s programming and combines substantive practice area Sections where there was overlap. 

We are excited to move forward with a unified set of 40 Sections that are stronger and provide gains for all three organizations. These changes are designed to better serve you and support a wider variety of interests and practice areas. As part of this change, some of the Sections you may have been part of will now have slightly different names, due to the combinations. You’ll also notice on your Section signup/renewal that groups are no longer prefixed with MSBA, HCBA, RCBA, and now just display the Section’s name (the MSBA Criminal Law Section, for example, will now just be the Criminal Law Section). Note: The respective New Lawyers Sections will remain as they were. 

As you go through your membership renewal process for 2022-2023, be sure to select any of the new Sections you want to be a part of going forward. Note that individual Section dues apply. If you have any questions on the offerings, please reach out to Section Services Director Kara Haro.