San Mateo County Bar Association
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
PROMOTE THE HONOR AND DIGNITY OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION, TO EDUCATE ITS MEMBERS, TO FOSTER THE HIGHEST PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS, TO ENCOURAGE COLLEGIALITY AND TO MAINTAIN COOPERATION BETWEEN ITS MEMBERS AND THE JUDICIARY, (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)TO FURNISH EXCELLENT INDIGENT CRIMINAL DEFENSE, TO ASSIST THE PUBLIC IN ACCESSING LEGAL SERVICES, TO PROVIDE AND RECOGNIZE PUBLIC SERVICE AS IT RELATES TO THIS MISSION, AND TO ADVANCE THE FAIR AND EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE FOR ALL.
- Income
- $27.5 million
- Spending
- $27.1 million
- Employees
- 30
- Volunteers
- 220
- Highest pay
- $432,648, chief defender of the pdp
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- THE PRIVATE DEFENDER PROGRAM (PDP) WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1968. THE COUNTY OF SAN MATEO (THE COUNTY) DOES NOT HAVE A TRADITIONAL PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE AND SO THE COUNTY HAS CONTRACTED WITH THE ASSOCIATION TO PROVIDE INDIGENT CRIMINAL DEFENSE. THE PDP DELIVERS HIGH QUALITY LEGAL SERVICES TO CLIENTS OTHERWISE UNABLE TO HIRE COUNSEL AND IT DOES SO AT SUBSTANTIAL SAVINGS TO THE TAXPAYERS OF SAN MATEO COUNTY. PROVIDED LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO OVER 20,000 INDIVIDUALS WHO COULD NOT AFFORD THEIR OWN ATTORNEY IN ADULT CRIMINAL, MENTAL HEALTH, CHILD DEPENDENCY,AND JUVENILE CRIMINAL MATTERS.
- LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICE: THE SAN MATEO COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION, IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES PROSPECTIVE CLIENTS A REFERRAL TO AN ATTORNEY IN THE AREA OF LAW NEEDED FOR A NOMINAL FEE OF $35. THE CLIENT GETS TO CONSULT WITH THE ATTORNEY FOR 30 MINUTES REGARDING THEIR LEGAL MATTER. THE ATTORNEYS ARE PRIVATE PRACTITIONERS. THE LRS PROGRAM ASSIST THOSE IN NEED OF LEGAL SERVICES TO FIND A QUALIFIED, INSURED ATTORNEY OR OTHER APPROPRIATE LEGAL SERVICES, INCLUDING DISPUTE RESOLUTION; AND PROVIDES THE PUBLIC WITH GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT APPROPRIATE LEGAL SERVICES. THE LRS PROGRAM ALSO HAS ATTORNEYS WHO HAVE AGREED TO LOWER THEIR FEES CHARGED TO CLIENTS CALLED MODEST MEANS. ONCE THE INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN REFERRED TO AN ATTORNEY WE SEND OUT A CLIENT SATISFACTION SURVEY TO TRACK RESULTS. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)THE LRS PROGRAM PROVIDES FREE WORKERS' COMPENSATION REFERRALS, FREE REFERRALS FOR WILLS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS, AND REFERRAL FEE WAIVERS FOR LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS WHO QUALIFY.
- MCLE PROGRAM: THE SAN MATEO COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION IS A LICENSED PROVIDER OF MINIMUM CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION REQUIRED FOR ALL ATTORNEYS WITH ACTIVE LICENSES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. THE SMBA OPERATES UNDER THE RULES FOR MCLE PROVIDED BY THE STATE BAR OF CALIFORNIA. THE APPROVED JURISDICTION IS SAN MATEO COUNTY. THE PROGRAM TRACTS "PATICIPATORY AND SELF-STUDY ACTIVITY" MCLE FOR ALL THE MEMBERS INCLUDING THE JUDICIARY. LICENSEES ARE ASSIGNED TO COMPLIANCE GROUPS SET BY THE STATE BAR AND DESIGNED TO ACCOMODATE MEMBERS BASED UPON THEIR LAST NAMES. THERE ARE 3 COMPLIANCE GROUPS A-G, H-M, AND N-Z. SMCBA HOLDS OVER 100 HOURS OF MCLE EACH YEAR TO HELP MEMBERS MEET THEIR NEEDS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(6) business league.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 1968.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.