Membership

Membership in the Zurich Bar Association

Who can become a member of the Zurich Bar Association?

Any individual whose place of work is in the Canton of Zurich, who is licensed by law to practice as an attorney in Zurich, and who is either self-employed or employed by a member of the Zurich Bar Association.

I am joining a large law firm. Can I become a member?

If there are several attorneys in a law firm, then membership can only be acquired or maintained as long as all the attorneys are members of the Swiss Bar Association and, if they regularly practice in the Canton of Zurich, are also members of the Zurich Bar Association.

I am opening an office together with another attorney. Do we both have to become members of the Zurich Bar Association?

Yes. As soon as someone in your law office is a member of the Zurich Bar Association, then the other attorneys must also become members.

I plan to open an office together with an economist who is not a licensed attorney. Can I do that as a member?

Members can form partnerships with professionals who are not attorneys, as long as their services are in close connection with those of the attorney. Such partnerships must maintain the character of a law firm. Furthermore, the members of the Zurich Bar Association in such partnerships must make sure that the other professionals follow the professional and ethical rules stipulated by law and the Zurich Bar Association.

I recently passed the Bar Exam and I am starting a job in the legal department of a bank. Can I become a member of the Zurich Bar Association?

No. Only attorneys who practice law in the Canton of Zurich either on their own or as employees of attorneys who are themselves members of the Zurich Bar Association can become members. Attorneys, even though licensed as attorneys, who serve as legal counsel or consultants for a business do not meet these requirements.

I am admitted to a foreign bar. Can I become a member of the Zurich Bar Association?

Yes, if you have a business domicile in Zurich or are employed by a Zurich law firm and, in addition, are registered in the list as per art. 28 BGFA or registered in a cantonal attorneys' register.

What do I have to do to become a member of the Zurich Bar Association?

Send the following documents to the Secretariat of the Zurich Bar Association, Bahnhofstrasse 61, P.O. Box 2392, CH-8022 Zürich, Tel. +41 (0)44 211 51 81, Fax +41 (0)44 211 51 82:

1.	Application
2.	short curriculum vitae including particulary your education and professional activities
3.	two letters of recommendation from active members of the Zurich Bar Association (from two different law firms). Please have the writers sent their supporting letter directly to the Secretariat.
4a.	Attorneys who have passed the Zurich bar exam: Certification of the Zurich Supreme court showing your disciplinary record, if you were licensed more than half a year ago; otherwise, a copy of the Supreme Court's resolution granting the license as an attorney
4b.	Attorneys with licences of other cantons: Certification regarding entry in the attorneys' register in the Canton of Zurich or of another canton, including - if the registration took place more than 6 months ago - an extract concerning disciplinary measures which have not been deleted; otherwise a copy of the resolution concerning registration in the attorneys' register
4c.	Attorneys with foreign licences: Confirmation concerning registration in the cantonal public list as per art. 28 of the Federal Law on the Freedom of Attorneys (BGFA) and a certificate concerning the qualification as an attorney of the home country, or a confirmation of the registration in the attorneys' register in the Canton of Zurich or an other canton.

Who evaluates my application?

The board examines the application, as soon as all documents are complete. After the monthly meeting of the board at which your application is considered, you will receive a personal letter from the president of the Zurich Bar Association as well as various enclosures (statutes, members' directory, etc.). Furthermore, you will later be invited to one of the biannual receptions for new members.

For all further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Secretariat.