A few months ago, we conducted a survey to get your feedback on how the CCCBA is doing and what we can do better. Below is a summary of the notable results, though the most helpful portion of the survey was probably the individual comments and suggestions made by members. The CCCBA staff and board of directors appreciates your input, and will certainly take it all into account as we move forward. Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the survey.
Who Responded?
- 223 responses, ranging from 0 – 45 years in practice, averaging 13 years.
- 43 percent sole practitioners, 22 percent firm partners/shareholders and 17 percent firm associates/of counsel.
- Top Practice Areas: Litigation (35 percent), Estate planning, probate, trusts (29 percent) and Family law (26 percent).
Top Reasons for Membership
- To be part of the local legal community.
- Provides information on my practice area/keeps me current.
- Provides networking opportunities.
General Satisfaction
No significant dissatisfaction (<6 percent for all categories).
Top 3 Areas:
- MCLE Programs (58 percent are very satisfied, 26 percent are somewhat satisfied).
- Section service/membership (53 percent are very satisfied, 24 percent are somewhat satisfied).
- Contra Costa Lawyer Magazine (50% are very satisfied, 31% are somewhat satisfied).
Major lack of awareness or use of: Discounts on products and services (42 percent) and LRIS (42 percent).
Social Events
- Section-sponsored events are No. 1 by far (75 percent attend, 40 percent frequently).
- Substantial majorities never attend Food From the Bar Comedy Night or Bar Fund Gala; the No. 1 reason is timing.
Communications
- 89 percent said the frequency of all communications is just right; 87 percent said the frequency of emails is just right.
- The most effective forms of communication are:
- Weekly email broadcasts – most say just right frequency and content, and most read on the computer, some on mobile devices.
- Section communications.
- Contra Costa Lawyer magazine print edition.
- Social networking is still far behind (76 percent indifferent or said it’s ineffective).
Contra Costa Lawyer Magazine
- Most read it and do so in print (67 percent frequent, 22 percent occasional); the majority read online sometimes, mostly on the computer (28 percent frequent, 28 percent occasional).
- General satisfaction with the coverage of various areas.
Social Networking
- Large percentages use Facebook socially and LinkedIn professionally.
- Most do not use Twitter at all, and those who do, use it for personal, not professional purposes.
Steve Steinberg is an IP and business litigation attorney at Vasquez Benisek & Lindgren (VBL) whose practice focuses on patent and trade secret litigation and complex business disputes in both federal and state courts. He has represented networking technology and social media companies in patent infringement cases, defect claims against suppliers, disputes arising out of mergers and acquisitions, and prosecuting and defending claims for misappropriation of trade secrets.
