June 17, 2015 – The 2015-16 State Bar of Wisconsin dues and Wisconsin Supreme Court assessment statements were sent in May to all Wisconsin-licensed lawyers. Send in your dues by July 1 to avoid late fees.
State Bar of Wisconsin dues for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2015, are $254 for full dues-paying active members. The rate is the same as last year.
Full dues-paying members will pay $254, the same amount as last year. Active new members (lawyers admitted to their first bar after April 30, 2013), as well as inactive members, will pay half dues of $127. Nonvoting judicial members will pay $170. Each member has the option to deduct the portion of their dues that pays for the State Bar’s legislative activities. That amount totals $5.25.
Emeritus members will continue to pay no State Bar dues.
Access Your Statement Online
If you do not receive your statement by late May, visit myStateBar at WisBar.org to download and print your statement. Click on the myProfile tab to access your statement. During June and July, you may pay your dues by phone by calling Customer Service at (800) 728-7788.
After remitting payment, you can visit myStateBar to verify that the State Bar has processed your payment. Your receipt and membership card should arrive within two weeks from the date the Bar receives payment.
Supreme Court Assessments Remain at Current Level
To assist the Wisconsin Supreme Court and avoid duplication of effort, the State Bar collects all the payments assessed by the Court in addition to your annual dues. State Bar dues and assessments vary based on membership classification. The four Wisconsin Supreme Court-imposed assessments remain the same for the third year.
The supreme court-ordered fees include assessments supporting:
*The court assesses active-licensed attorneys and judicial members $50, paid to the Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation, to fund civil legal services for people who cannot afford an attorney.
For information and answers to frequently asked questions regarding the annual dues statement, visit the member FAQ on WisBar.org or call (800) 728-7788.
Learn More about Your Member Benefits
Visit WisBar.org to access your guide to these exclusive programs and services, representing hundreds of tools and resources designed to help you succeed in your practice. New benefits include:
OfficeMax Partner Advantage Program
Enjoy a significant cost savings on more than 25,000 products, including furniture, technology, paper, and services online or in person at OfficeMax. For more information, go to WisBar.org.
Dental Insurance
For information on group dental insurance now available, see the Membership & Benefits area on WisBar.org or this story in InsideTrack.
Member Programs Help You with Your Practice
Take advantage of all the programs and services the State Bar offers, including:
Ethics Hotline – You have access to guidance and help in resolving questions regarding Wisconsin’s Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys. Call the Ethics Hotline at (608) 229-2017 or (800) 254-5154.
Practice411 – Does a concern about managing the business side of your office or firm keep you up at night? Help is as close as your computer or phone, thanks to the State Bar Law Office Management Assistance Program.
Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program (WisLAP) – Legal professionals are human and deal with human issues ranging from stress and anxiety to depression and addictions. WisLAP can help provide assistance and a listening ear at those times when you need someone to turn to. Call the 24-hour helpline at (800) 543-2625 or visit the WisLAP page.
