There are many benefits in belonging to the CBA and of the many offerings, involvement in the CBA practice groups is a significant value-add. I joined the labor and employment practice group immediately and attended the meetings, which was a great way to connect with the local employment bar and gain substantive knowledge in my practice area. Involvement in the practice group also allowed me the opportunity for speaking engagements and presenting, even as a newer attorney.
I escalated my involvement after several years to join the leadership of the practice group, eventually becoming chair. In this leadership capacity, it became even more of a motivator for me to stay on top of the latest in my practice area to plan relevant meetings. In addition, I had the opportunity to engage with other practitioners to organize our panels and meetings. This further expanded my relationships with the other employment lawyers in the area.
The CBA offers 20 practice groups: bankruptcy, business/corporate law, cybersecurity law, elder law, environmental law, estate planning probate, family law, health law, immigration law, intellectual property litigation, labor and employment law, local government law, nonprofit law, real property law, social and criminal justice, social security, state and federal court practice, taxation, tort and insurance practice, and workers’ compensation. Read below to learn how practice groups have positively impacted CBA members’ careers.
Overall, my involvement in the practice group helped elevate my career through deepening relationships, staying relevant in my practice area, and building leadership skills.
Whittaker is a partner at Dinsmore and the 2024-2025 CBA president.