Practice Area Sections

Advertising Law covers laws, regulations, and compliance related to advertising practices, including false advertising, endorsements and testimonials, digital and social media marketing, and legal ethics in advertising. It also provides guidance on intellectual property considerations, consumer protection laws, and regulatory bodies such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

AI and the Law covers legal applications and aspects of Artificial Intelligence, addressing its implications across all substantive practice areas, including AI ethics, data privacy, intellectual property, liability, regulatory developments, and best practices for legal professionals.

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) covers mediation and other alternative dispute resolution matters, transcending all substantive practice area boundaries.

Animal Law covers animal rights and welfare regulations and is dedicated to addressing all issues at the intersection of animals and the law, with a focus on educating attorneys about animal law issues.

Antitrust Law covers state and federal regulations and compliance related to competition law and addresses litigation and enforcement on issues such as monopolies, mergers and acquisitions, and price-fixing.

Appellate Law covers appellate practice, writ practice, and other substantive law, addressing procedures and strategies for appealing lower court decisions, appellate briefs, oral arguments, and appellate court rules in appellate practice.

Art Law covers the legal aspects of art transactions, intellectual property, and cultural heritage.

Bankruptcy Law covers Chapter 7, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, and Chapter 13 from the perspectives of both creditors and debtors and addresses discharge, case administration, attachments, and legal ethics relating to bankruptcy cases.

If you are a new attorney, a law student, or awaiting bar results, BHBA’s Barristers is the place for you. There are tons of resources and benefits to help young lawyers navigate the early years of a career, opportunities to network, and resources to grow your skill set. BHBA law student and lawyer members who are 36 years old or under, or who have been licensed for eight or fewer years, are automatically Barristers and welcome to participate in Barrister activities.

Blockchain and Web3 Law covers the emerging areas of blockchain and Web3, including legal issues related to cryptocurrencies, smart contracts, decentralized finance (DeFi), regulatory compliance, and the impact of blockchain technology on the legal profession.

Business Law covers business governance, commercial and financial matters, and competitive practices.

Cannabis Law covers all legal aspects affecting the cannabis industry and includes regulations, compliance requirements, licensing, distribution, taxation, and legal issues surrounding both medical and recreational cannabis use.

Constitutional Law covers the interpretation and application of the U.S. Constitution, individual rights and liberties, separation of powers, federalism, and judicial review. It addresses landmark Supreme Court cases, constitutional amendments, and ongoing constitutional debates and challenges.

Construction Law covers contract negotiation and drafting, construction project management, dispute resolution, and regulatory compliance. It addresses issues such as construction defects, lien laws, insurance, bonding, and the legal roles and responsibilities of parties involved in construction projects.

Criminal Law covers state and federal statutes, criminal procedure, evidence, and legal ethics. It provides forums for counsel on both the prosecution and defense sides to discuss public policy issues, new laws, and best practices in the criminal justice system.

Elder Law covers long-term care, guardianships, and conservatorships and addresses issues related to healthcare, retirement, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, elder abuse, and the legal rights of older adults, providing guidance for attorneys who work with the elderly and their families.

Employment Law covers labor and employment law, including workforce management, discrimination claims, whistleblower claims, harassment, defamation, trade secrets, non-compete agreements, breach of contract, compliance with labor statutes, wage-and-hour disputes, employee benefits, ERISA claims, PAGA claims, class actions, damages calculations, fee-shifting statutes, and recurrent issues in employment disputes.

Entertainment Law is the largest section of its kind in the world and covers a broad range of legal issues pertaining to film, television, music, and emerging digital properties.

Environmental Law covers regulatory compliance, litigation, and natural resource management. It addresses issues related to air and water quality, hazardous waste, land use, conservation, climate change, and the legal implications of environmental policies and regulations.

Ethics & Legal Malpractice Law covers professional responsibility, legal analysis and reasoning, and the standards of conduct for attorneys. It addresses issues related to conflicts of interest, client confidentiality, fiduciary duties, damages, motions, litigation, alternative dispute resolution, malpractice claims, and insurance, providing comprehensive guidance on maintaining ethical practices and preventing legal malpractice.

Family Formation Law covers all legal aspects affecting family formation, including contracts for egg, sperm, and embryo donation; gestational surrogacy; conflict of interest issues; reproductive health; insurance; compensation; and intersections with family law, immigration law, employment law, and estate planning.

Family Law covers prenuptial agreements, dissolution of marriage/divorce, child custody, and domestic violence, child support, spousal support, adoption, guardianship, paternity issues, and family law mediation, providing comprehensive guidance on legal matters affecting family relationships.

Fashion Law covers intellectual property, business transactions, and regulatory compliance in the fashion industry. It addresses issues such as trademark and copyright protection, licensing agreements, international trade, employment law, sustainability, and the legal implications of emerging trends and technologies in fashion.

Healthcare Law covers healthcare regulations, medical malpractice, patient rights, healthcare transactions, and telehealth. It addresses issues related to healthcare providers, insurance, bioethics, privacy and confidentiality, compliance with federal and state laws, and legal challenges in the evolving healthcare industry.

Immigration Law covers immigrant and non-immigrant visas, work permits, removal, deportation, exclusion, administrative and judicial review, and citizenship and naturalization.

In House covers all aspects of in-house counsel practice, including corporate governance, regulatory compliance, risk management, management of outside counsel, and internal investigations. It addresses a wide variety of substantive practice areas as well as the unique legal challenges faced by attorneys working within corporate legal departments. This section is limited to current in-house attorneys.

Inclusion covers all aspects of inclusion in the legal profession, including diversity initiatives, equal opportunity practices, and strategies for creating inclusive workplaces. It addresses issues related to cultural competence, bias reduction, mentorship programs, and the promotion of underrepresented groups within the legal community, aiming to foster a more equitable and inclusive environment for all legal professionals.

Insurance Law covers policy formation, coverage disputes, regulatory compliance, and claims handling. It addresses issues related to various types of insurance such as life, health, property, and casualty, as well as topics like bad faith litigation, reinsurance, risk management, and the legal responsibilities of insurers and policyholders.

Intellectual Property Law covers all areas of intellectual property law, including patent, trademark, and copyright, in both traditional and new media, as well as software.

International covers foreign legal topics such as international trade, intellectual property, transnational environmental treaties, human rights, global security issues, and international monetary policy. This section also provides a networking community for lawyers in other substantive practice areas whose work includes international clients or practice.

Law Practice Management deals with information crucial to solo and small firm practitioners, including technology, marketing, law office management and automation, client relations, and HR (attorney and staff recruitment, training, and retention).

Litigation covers the substantive and procedural law governing the complete process of resolving a legal dispute. It includes topics such as the rules of civil procedure, discovery, evidence, motions, trial advocacy and civility.

Mergers & Acquisitions Law covers all legal aspects of mergers and acquisitions, including deal structuring, due diligence, regulatory compliance, and post-transaction integration. It addresses issues related to corporate governance, antitrust considerations, financing, valuation, negotiation strategies, and the legal implications of mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures.

Military Law covers the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), court-martial proceedings, and the rights and responsibilities of military personnel. It addresses issues related to military benefits, administrative law, military justice, legal assistance for service members and veterans, and the intersection of military and civilian law.

Nonprofit Law covers the formation, governance, and operation of nonprofit organizations. It addresses issues related to tax-exempt status, regulatory compliance, fundraising, board responsibilities, charitable giving, and the legal challenges faced by nonprofit entities. This section also provides networking opportunities for attorneys at nonprofits who practice in other substantive areas of law.

Paralegals & Legal Assistants covers all aspects of the roles and responsibilities of paralegals and legal assistants, including education, certification, and professional development. It addresses issues related to legal research, case management, document preparation, ethical considerations, and the critical support they provide to attorneys in various practice areas.

Personal Injury Law covers perspectives from both plaintiff and defense attorneys and includes new laws, case law updates, trial strategies, settlement negotiations, medical expert testimony, insurance coverage issues, product liability, and emerging trends in personal injury litigation.

Privacy & Cybersecurity Law covers data protection, regulatory compliance, and incident response. It addresses issues related to data breaches, information governance, privacy rights, cybercrime, and the legal implications of emerging technologies, providing guidance on best practices for safeguarding sensitive information.

Professional Development covers professional development for attorneys, including mentorship programs, skill-building workshops, career advancement strategies, and networking opportunities. It addresses issues related to leadership, ethics, practice management, and the continuous improvement of legal expertise and professional growth.

Public & Administrative Law covers the functioning of government agencies, regulatory compliance, and administrative procedures. It addresses issues related to rulemaking, adjudication, public policy, government contracts, and the legal principles governing the actions and decisions of public authorities.

Real Estate Law covers areas of interest to real estate practitioners, including acquisition, finance, leasing, eminent domain, and land use (including zoning, Coastal Commission, and CEQA compliance).

Sports Law covers athlete representation, contract negotiation, and regulatory compliance. It addresses issues related to sports organizations, endorsement deals, intellectual property, dispute resolution, doping regulations, and the legal implications of emerging trends and technologies in the sports industry.

Startup Law covers business formation, funding, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance. It addresses issues related to venture capital, equity agreements, employee compensation, corporate governance, and the legal challenges faced by emerging businesses in various stages of growth.

Tax Law covers all areas of federal, state, and local taxation, including tax planning, compliance, controversies, and the impact of tax laws on various practice areas.

Trusts & Estates Law covers estate planning, trust administration, probate of decedents’ estates, avoidance of probate, and the protection of incompetents and their assets through guardianships and conservatorships.

Wellness focuses on promoting mental health, resilience, and overall well-being as essential components of professional competence in the legal field.

Workers’ Compensation Law covers the rights and responsibilities of both employers and employees. It addresses issues related to workplace injuries, benefit claims, medical treatment, dispute resolution, regulatory compliance, and the legal processes involved in workers’ compensation cases.