State Bar of Wisconsin

Membership status and dues

• Membership status options
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Membership status options

Only active members of the State Bar of Wisconsin may practice law in Wisconsin, as outlined in SCR Chapter 10.  There are four membership status options available to State Bar members: active, inactive, emeritus, and judicial.

• Active status: Active status is required to practice law in Wisconsin.  While on active status, you must comply with continuing legal education requirements and pay the fees required of active members.
  
  If you are currently on inactive status and wish to transfer to active status, the first step is to contact the Board of Bar Examiners to determine what your CLE requirements are.  Once you have complied with this requirement, you will be issued an authorization from the Board that will indicate you are authorized to make the change from inactive to active.
  
  Once you have received the authorization, it will be necessary for you to contact the State Bar in writing and request active status.  We will then inform you of the amount due to upgrade your fees to the active rate.
  
  If you have been inactive for 10 or more consecutive years, it also will be necessary for you to show proof of active membership from another state or petition the Supreme Court of Wisconsin.
  
  Active members may practice law in Wisconsin, have full member benefits and may vote in Bar elections.
  
  To find out what your CLE requirement would be, contact the Board of Bar Examiners, Room 715, 110 E Main St., Madison, WI 53703, (608) 266-9760.
  
  
• Inactive status: Inactive membership is for those who are eligible for active membership but are not engaged in the practice of law in this state.
  
  If you wish to transfer to inactive status, you need to inform the State Bar in writing.  You will not be allowed to practice while inactive, and the dues payment drops to one-half of the Bar dues and one-half of the assessments.  The inactive member does not contribute to the Wisconsin Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection.
  
  As an inactive member, you are not subject to the CLE requirement.  Inactive members may not practice law in Wisconsin but are eligible for most State Bar benefits except the right to vote in Bar elections.
  
  If you wish to return to active status, you must contact the Board of Bar Examiners to determine if you have any make-up CLE requirements.  Once you have completed any requirements, you will be able to request active status from the State Bar.  If you have been inactive for more than 10 years and wish to transfer to active, you must show proof of active membership from another state or petition the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
  
  
• Emeritus status: Emeritus status is for attorneys over the age of 70.  It allows you to practice law if you wish, and has all the privileges of active membership.
  
  As an emeritus member, you will not be subject to any future CLE requirements.  If you are unsure as to whether you have completed all past requirements, please contact the Board of Bar Examiners, Room 715, 110 E Main St., Madison, WI 53703, (608) 266-9760.
  
  As an emeritus member, you will receive full membership benefits without payment of State Bar dues or Supreme Court Board assessments.  You will pay only for the Wisconsin Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection when there is an assessment.  The assessment ranges from $0 to $25 per year.
  
  
• Judicial status: If you are assuming a judicial post, you should change your membership status to judicial with the State Bar.  You will need to choose either voting or non voting status; voting pays full dues portion, non voting pays two thirds of the full dues.  Judicial members do not pay board assessments, but do pay into the Wisconsin Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection.  You may not practice law while under Judicial status.  Judicial members do not comply with regular CLE credits, but most must comply with judicial education.  Municipal judges can choose judicial status if they are required to take judicial education.

If you wish to change your membership status, you must submit a written request to: State Bar of Wisconsin, Membership Department, P.O. Box 7158, Madison, WI 53707-7158.

You may submit your written request when paying annual State Bar dues and Supreme Court assessments.  If you send them in with your statement, please call the State Bar for the proper fees for your new status.