The Allen County Indiana Bar Association provides educational, social and professional opportunities for members of the legal community in Allen County and surrounding counties. We are dedicated to providing support for area attorneys, judges and paralegals through continuing legal education programs, active committees and legal interest sections.

HistoryThe practice of law in Allen County was established by the activities of the Allen Circuit Court in 1824. The first court was held in Alexander Ewings’ tavern on August 9, 1824. The circuit judge Miles Eggleston was not present and the first  court was before two locally elected non-lawyer side judges, Samuel Hanna and Benjamin Cushman. Circuit Judge Bethuel F. Morris, a resident of Indianapolis, “rode circuit” and presided over the next session of the court on June 6, 1825. A courthouse would no be built until 1831. Until then,  court would be held in various private homes and taverns. The bar grew from a prosecutor, Charles Ewing and his brother William, in 1824; to three attorneys by 1830; twelve by 1840; and twenty-one by 1850. Today the Allen County bar numbers are over eight hundred. In 1875 the bar association became formal with officers. The Allen County Bar Association (ACBA) was established in 1890. In 1922 the ACBA reorangized with requirements for membership and, in 1959 incorporated. The elected presidents administered the Bar Association from their personal law offices until 1956 when the Association established its own office. In 2000, the Association moved into their current headquarters located at 924 South Calhoun Street.

Continuing Legal Education
ACBA offers numerous opportunities for live, online and video continuing legal education programs. Offerings include one-hour section luncheons as well as one and two-day programs. The New Lawyers Section hosts an annual Applied Professionalism program. ACBA members receive a substantial discount on the cost of all CLE programs.

Service to the Community
The ACBA is actively involved in the community.  Every Tuesday evening, you can get free legal advice by calling (260) 423-2358.  ACBA members volunteer with the Volunteer Lawyer Program of Northeast Indiana and Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic.

Commitment to Professional Courtesy
The ACBA is committed to a high level of professional courtesy among our members, the courts and with others who interact with the legal system. We are dedicated to our ‘Commitment to Professional Courtesy’.