2025 Cohort

DBA Entrepreneurs in Community Lawyering

The Dallas Bar Association’s attorney incubator program, “Entrepreneurs in Community Lawyering” (ECL) provides resources, coaching and mentoring to attorneys launching their own practices. The program “incubates” a cohort of attorneys over a one year period to help launch financially sustainable practices that serve clients of modest means – everyday people who earn too much to qualify for free legal assistance but can’t afford to pay exorbitant fees for legal services. ECL attorneys help with all types of legal matters from custody disputes and immigration to housing issues to basic estate and business planning.

Who Can Participate?
Attorneys with a strong interest in helping everyday people and a deep commitment to community service.  All participants must complete an application and interview process and be invited to participate. ECL members must demonstrate determination, an entrepreneurial spirit, dedication to providing access to justice and a firm commitment to the program.  Sustainability of the applicant’s proposed practice area is also critical.  Our program admits 8 to 10 lawyers per year.

Apply for the Program
Click here to Apply for the Program

For More Information
For more information email ECL@dallasbar.org.

Click here to view an article about the 2026 ECL Class from the April 2026 issue of Headnotes.

2023 ECL Participants