June 11, 2025 – Statements for Wisconsin Supreme Court assessments and State Bar of Wisconsin membership dues for fiscal year 2026 (covering July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026) were sent in early May. Payments are due July 1.

State Bar Dues Vary by Membership Class

For FY 2026, the amount of your State Bar dues is based on your membership classification:

• Membership dues are $303 for Active and Judicial members.

• Active New members (lawyers admitted to their first bar after April 30, 2023) and Inactive members pay half dues of $151.50.

• Senior Active members (75 and older before July 1, 2025, and actively practicing) pay half dues of $151.50.

• Nonvoting Judicial members pay $202.

• Emeritus Active-Legacy (70 and over and elected before July 1, 2021) continue to pay no State Bar dues.

Each member may deduct the portion of their dues that pays for State Bar activities not germane to regulating the legal profession or improving the quality of legal services, as well as those activities which constitute direct lobbying on policy matters before the Wisconsin Legislature or the U.S. Congress. This portion of State Bar dues is also known as the Keller dues reduction. That amount totals $9.80 for FY 2026 for Active members (amount varies by membership class).

Supreme Court Assessments: What Do They Support?

State Bar membership dues are distinct from annual assessments, which are established and assigned by the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

To assist the Supreme Court and avoid duplication of efforts, the State Bar collects Supreme Court assessments in addition to your annual State Bar dues.

Court assessments for FY 2026 total $285. These assessments support the following:

• Board of Bar Examiners (BBE) – $20

• Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) – $165

• Public Interest Legal Services Fund (WisTAF) – $75*

• Wisconsin Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection (CPF) – $25

* The Court assesses active-licensed attorneys and judicial members $75, paid to the Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation (WisTAF), to fund civil legal services for people who cannot afford an attorney. This amount reflects an increase of $25 for FY 2026 (See “Supreme Court Increases PILSF Fee” (InsideTrack Weekly, March 19, 2025).

Not all member types pay the full Supreme Court assessments. To find out more information, see Maintaining Your Membership on WisBar.org.

How to Pay

You can pay your court assessments and dues online, by mail, or by phone. For more information about paying dues online, visit the FAQs on WisBar.org.

Participants who opted to pay FY 2026 dues through the monthly installment plan should make the final payment in June through the State Bar’s online payment portal.

Note: If your membership is suspended or you are a new member joining after July 1, 2024, you must pay by mail or phone.

Questions? See Membership FAQs and Dues Payment FAQs on WisBar.org or contact Customer Service at (800) 728-7788 or service@wisbar.org.

Keep These in Mind

• Please self-identify in the demographic data section. Please take the time to read the insert accompanying the printed dues statement and provide or verify demographic data.

• Be sure to sign the trust account statement to retain your license – and your permanent notary commission. The Supreme Court rules require that every lawyer and judge sign this statement, regardless of whether you maintain a trust account.

• Suspensions may impact your permanent status as a notary public. Failure to accurately and timely submit the trust account statement may result in loss of permanent notary public status. The Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) may suspend permanent notary commissions of attorneys who are suspended from the practice of law. This means when you are reinstated, you must reapply for a four-year notary public commission and will continue to be reappointed in four-year increments. This matter is solely within DFI’s discretion.

Questions? Contact State Bar Customer Service at (800) 728-7788 or email service@wisbar.org.

Invest in the Profession: Donate to the Wisconsin Law Foundation

Please consider a gift to help support the Wisconsin Law Foundation. Any level of contribution is gratefully appreciated. You can make your donation via Line 9 of your dues form. Your support goes directly towards supporting worthy statewide programs like:

• High School Mock Trial;

• programs that enhance and support diversity in the profession;

• scholarships to assist new lawyers with debt and establishing their practice; and

• grants to innovative programs that improve the justice system.

To find out more about what the Foundation does, read more in this past issue of InsideTrack and see the Foundation's newsletters on WisBar.org.