The Southeast District Bar Association was first recognized by the State Bar of California on June 16, 1934. It incorporated September 12, 1956 as a non-profit mutual benefit corporation. The Association has a Board of Trustees consisting of four officers, the immediate past president and eight trustees. The four officers and trustees are elected by the active members and hold office for one year.

Membership in the Southeast Bar consists of active, retired and honorary members, together with members of the local judiciary. Every lawyer who is an active member of the California State Bar in good standing is eligible to be an active member in the Southeast District Bar Association.

General Membership meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Rio Hondo Country Club, 10627 Old River School Road, Downey, California 90241, preceded by a cocktail hour beginning at 5:30 p.m. Each meeting has a featured speaker and generally those attending will receive MCLE credit.

The Southeast District Bar Association has a strong tradition of comradery between the bar and the bench. The Southeast Bar hosts several activities throughout the year and traditionally features an annual trip for attorneys, judges and their families. In the past, these trips have included such places as Washington D.C., Mexico City, La Paz, Spain, the Mexican Riviera, Hawaii, England and other locations.

The Lawyers Referral Service is a non-profit organization, certified by the State Bar of California and meets American Bar Association standards. It has been serving the Southeast area for the past 39 years. The Referral Service is designed to help the public find an experienced lawyer for their legal problems. Attorneys interested in joining the referral service sign up in the fields of law which they practice and are referred clients based upon a rotating system.