Thank you for visiting the Bay Area Lawyers Network website. Since 1996, BALN has been providing a forum for experienced specialists from a variety of practice areas to meet and discuss topics of the day. Our members are lawyers with ten or more years experience in a particular field of law, and a practice that concentrates on that area. Many members have more than twenty or thirty years of experience.

BALN is certified by the State Bar of California, as a provider of MCLE credit, and all of the presentations made at the BALN functions offer one hour of MCLE certification. Most of the lectures include fifteen minutes of discussion on ethical issues, as well. Once every year or so, we have a special guest speaker to address us on the required MCLE topics such as those relating to the prevention, detection and treatment of substance abuse in the practice of law.

Our group meets monthly at the prestigious City Club of San Francisco, where we first enjoy a social gathering with refreshments and the opportunity to catch up with one another, introduce our guests, and talk about BALN affairs. This is always followed by a sit-down luncheon accompanied by the featured speaker's program. The presentations are frequently amazing or awe-inspiring, and almost always useful. The ethics discussions are particularly a topic that evokes a lot of discussion.

Each member has the opportunity to make a presentation about his or her area of practice. In recognition of preparing to do the presentation, the speaker receives three hours of MCLE credit, plus an additional hour for the actual presentation, or four hours total. All other attending members receive certificates for one hour MCLE credit.

The combination of a luxurious and comfortable private club to meet regularly with the members, and having the opportunity to network with legal professionals and earn required MCLE credit, is a real winner. This convenient and easy way of earning up to 27 hours of MCLE credit over three years includes many hours of ethics.

Members are invited to bring guests (attorneys) to luncheons, as we encourage gradually expanding our membership, with an eye toward involving practitioners from additional fields. Lawyers may also contact BALN to arrange to attend one event as our guest, and to learn about what we have to offer.

Our website's Areas of Practice section offers descriptions of individual members' expertise, as well as links to contact them directly with an inquiry. Should you have questions about BALN, feel free to contact me directly at 650-366-5800.

Sincerely,
Clifford A. Blackman
Chairman