Pennsylvania Bar Association Membership

Every participating member of the WBA is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association because the WBA pays your membership fees to the state bar. The PBA offers you many services including legislative lobbying, state publications, seminars, and discounts on many services.

Committees

The WBA has over 30 committees. Membership in a substantive committee, a young lawyers committee, the information technology committee and/or a public service committee are just some of the ways you can become involved in your local bar association.

CLE Seminar Discounts

All WBA members receive a discounted rate of $30 per credit hour (if preregistered and prepaid; rate is $40 per credit hour if not preregistered and prepaid) at each Westmoreland Bar Association CLE seminar. Non-members pay $50 per credit hour.

Health Insurance

The WBA, through USI Affinity, has several health insurance plan options available to attorneys. To receive specific information on the hospitalization coverage, please contact Bob Cagna at USI Affinity at 1-800-327-1550.

Use of the WBA Building

WBA members can use the Bar Headquarters to meet clients and hold depositions at no cost (There is a cost for members to use the building for mediations. Click here for building usage fees.). A fee is charged to non-members for any use of the building. To make a room reservation, call the Bar office at 724.834.6730. Rooms are available Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on a first-come-first-served basis.

Public Service

The WBA, along with the Westmoreland Bar Foundation, operates the Pro Bono Program and serves the indigent residents of the county by representing them in civil matters. Volunteer attorneys are always welcomed and needed.

Lawyer Referral Service

The WBA Lawyer Referral Service processes hundreds of referrals per year. With an annual fee of just $125 and the presence of the service in each phone book, this is the best marketing dollar available for Westmoreland County attorneys. Contact the Bar office or visit the Member Resources area of this site for an application.

Mentor Program

The WBA Mentor Program is operated through the Ned J. Nakles American Inn of Court. Contact the Bar office for more information and a schedule of meetings.

Credit Card Payment System

WBA members now qualify for preferred rates and special benefits in a merchant credit/debit card program offered through Commercial National Bank of Pennsylvania (CNB). The plan enables you to accept credit or debit cards for payment from your clients.

By using the card-payment system, you can improve cash flow in your practice and reduce accounts receivable, all while saving time for your staff and money for you.

Participants in the CNB program for WBA members can benefit from:

• same- or next-day deposit of transacted funds;
• acceptability of all major credit cards and debit cards;
• a reduced rate on MasterCard and VISA transaction charges;
• the ability to maintain your current banking relationship.

For information on the special WBA-member card program from CNB, call Marsha Salley at 724.532.2475.

Full-Participating

Full-participating membership is available for those attorneys who maintain their principal office and practice primarily in Westmoreland County.

Associate

Associate membership is available for those attorneys who maintain their principal office and practice primarily outside of Westmoreland County.

Senior

Senior membership is determined by the guidelines of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Attorneys who are 70 years of age or older and have been members of the PBA for 25 years or more are eligible for Senior status.