May 4, 2016 – For the fiscal year starting July 1, 2016, State Bar of Wisconsin dues remain at $254 for full dues-paying active members – the same rate as the last two years.
The 2016-17 State Bar of Wisconsin dues and Wisconsin Supreme Court assessment statements are being mailed shortly and are due to the State Bar by July 1 to avoid late fees.
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 fourth year.
Remember the Wisconsin Law Foundation on Your Dues Statement
The Wisconsin Law Foundation asks you consider a gift in support of the Wisconsin Law Foundation’s work when you return your State Bar of Wisconsin dues statement.
Any level of contribution is gratefully appreciated.
Your support will go to directly supporting worthy statewide programs like:
- High School Mock Trial
- Programs that enhance and support diversity in the profession
- Our Courts Wisconsin adult education programs
- Scholarships to assist news lawyers with debt and establishing their practice
- Grants to innovative programs that improve the justice system
- Young lawyer scholarships to the Annual Conference
It’s easy to give … just add your contribution to line 9 on your State Bar dues statement.
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, 2014), 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 $7.25.
Emeritus members will continue to pay no State Bar dues.
The last dues increase was $30 in the 2014-15 fiscal year. That increase was the first in a decade.
Supreme Court Assessments Remain at Current Level
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.
A Couple Reminders
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.
Here are a couple of things to keep in mind when completing the dues and assessments statement:
Please self-identify on the dues and assessment statement. The Diversity Inclusion and Oversight Committee is looking to better understand and serve an increasingly diverse membership. Please take the time to read the neon yellow slip of paper accompanying the statement, and provide or verify demographic data collected in support of the State Bar’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Be sure to sign the trust account statement to retain your license – and your permanent notary commission. Some lawyers do not sign this statement because they don’t have a trust account. However, Supreme Court rules require that every lawyer and judge sign this statement.
If you don’t complete this form, you risk losing your permanent notary public commission, if you have one. A few years ago, the state legislature moved the responsibility of notary commissions to the Department of Financial Institutions, and it is now enforcing the suspension of permanent notary commissions of suspended attorneys. 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.
Access Your Statement Online
If you do not receive your statement by late May or you don’t want to wait for mail delivery, visit myStateBar at WisBar.org to download and print your statement. Click on the myProfile tab to access your statement. During May, 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.
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.
Avoid Late Fees
Be sure to send in your dues by July 1 to avoid late fees.
