May 5, 2010 – The 2010-11 State Bar 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 seventh consecutive year, and the four court assessments are up $16 for a total of $248.
Supreme court-ordered assessments
State Bar dues ($224) and Supreme Court assessments ($248) for full dues-paying members.
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: $18 to the BBE, $155 to the OLR, and $25 to the Wisconsin Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection. The BBE assessment remains unchanged from last year. The OLR is up $7 from last year. The Fund for Client Protection is up to its maximum of $25 from $16 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, 2010 - June 30, 2011, are due to the State Bar by July 1, 2010. Statements will be mailed this week.
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 received 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 it. For assistance, contact the State Bar at (800) 728-8877 or service@wisbar.org.
The State Bar is updating its list of practice areas 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.
Please take a minute to review the revised list of practice areas on the back of your statement, fill in your top three at the top of the section, and the percentage of time you spend on each area. Thank You!
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. Our practical and positive 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 more than 79,000 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.
