In 2004 attorneys on both sides of the border met in San Diego to form the Binational Lawyers Association.  The purpose was to build professional relationships for exchanging perspectives of law and to learn the legal culture of each jurisdiction.  Meetings were informally held at “Athen’s Market” in downtown San Diego`.  It was until 2013 that founding members decided to formalize the organization and changed its name to the Binational Bar Association or BBA.