May 4, 2011 – The 2011-12 State Bar of Wisconsin dues and Wisconsin Supreme Court assessments statement will be mailed this week. State Bar dues remain at $224 for full dues-paying active members for the eighth consecutive year, and the four court assessments are down $5 for a total of $243.

Supreme court-ordered assessments

The supreme court-ordered fees include assessments supporting the Board of Bar Examiners (BBE), Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR), Public Interest Legal Services Fund, and Wisconsin Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection. The State Bar serves as a pass-through for the court assessments, collecting these fees as part of the dues statement so the members need write only one check.

The fees for full active licenses for lawyers in practice three or more years include: $13 to the BBE, $155 to the OLR, and $25 to the Wisconsin Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection. The BBE assessment is down $5 and the OLR, WisTAF, and the Fund for Client Protection remain unchanged from last year. The court also assesses all active-licensed attorneys and judicial members $50 for the Public Interest Legal Services Fund, paid to the Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation to fund civil legal services for people who cannot afford an attorney.

Dues and assessment rates may vary based on membership classification. Dues and assessments for July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2012, are due to the State Bar by July 1, 2011.

If you do not receive your statement by mid-May, visit myStateBar to verify the State Bar has your current address on file. If you have not yet paid your dues, you will see a link to download a dues form. If the State Bar has processed your payment, it will be noted on your page. Your receipt and bar card should arrive in one to two weeks from the date the Bar receives payment. For assistance, contact the State Bar at (800) 728-8877 or service@wisbar.org.

Update your area of practice

The State Bar is updating its list of practice areas via this statement to better understand current practice in Wisconsin. This information will help the State Bar to develop programs, products, and services that meet your needs while delivering more relevant communications to you.

“If we can obtain more accurate information from our members about their individual practices, we can reduce the number of communications we send them for seminars and books that do not relate to their practices,” says PINNACLE Director Bill Connors. “That is good for our members, good for the environment, and good for PINNACLE.”

Please take a minute to fill out the Areas of Practice and Focus of Practice sections on the back of the form. This information will help the State Bar to further pinpoint the correct communications for each member.

State Bar member benefits: An overview

Have you wondered what you get for your State Bar membership dues? Visit WisBar to access your guide to exclusive State Bar member benefits. The offerings in this guide represent hundreds of tools and resources specifically designed to help you succeed in your practice, and enrich your career and personal life. Here’s an overview:

• Practice management and marketing support: Turn to these resources to help you create, improve, and maintain an efficient and profitable practice.

• Lawyer assistance programs: Success can come at a personal price. These resources can help you address potential issues before they adversely affect the quality of your life and career.

• Education and publications: Law is an ever-evolving field. Whether you’re concerned about gaining new insights or maintaining your CLE credits, State Bar educational resources are available in a variety of learning formats. From unlimited access to live or on-demand seminars to specialized multiple-day events, or access to a comprehensive library of treatises, systems books, and other publications, these resources save you hours of research and help you stay on top of your game.

• WisBar.org. With pages of free content and instant access to Fastcase legal research, legal news and practical analysis, and directories of lawyers and court personnel, make WisBar your first stop for your information needs.

• Government advocacy: Law isn’t just shaped in the courtroom – the halls of government and arena of public opinion influence the law, too. The State Bar is constantly working to advance the practice of law in all these areas.

• Leadership opportunities: The State Bar offers numerous opportunities to get involved, while helping influence the direction of the legal practice in Wisconsin. Use these opportunities to gain valuable skills, peer recognition, and leadership experience, and build life-long friendships.

• Public service: Public service programs and services offer many meaningful ways to give back to the profession and those unable to access affordable legal services.

• Special savings: Explore your access to many discounted affiliated programs that will help you save money and benefit your practice. With more than 20 programs available – from retirement services to insurance programs to credit card processing and secure online client payment services – it’s worth taking a look.

However, the State Bar’s service doesn’t end with this guide. If you have a specific question, concern, or request, contact the State Bar at (800) 728-8877 or service@wisbar.org.