Haven’t paid State Bar dues? Penalty will be assessed March 15

Feb. 1 was the deadline for active and inactive attorneys to pay their annual State Bar membership fee. Active attorneys must pay $395, and inactive lawyers owe $115. Delinquent notices will be mailed Feb. 15 to those who have not paid, and a 10 percent penalty will attach March 15.

Attorneys who do not pay their membership fee are subject to suspension.

Fee statements should be read carefully because they contain several statutorily required changes. In particular, the ability to scale fees is now limited to low-income attorneys, and lawyers and retired judges who work as ADR neutrals must pay the full fee charged to active members.

As in previous years, lawyers have the option of contributing to the Foundation of the State Bar of California, the Conference of Delegates of California Bar Associations and the California Supreme Court Historical Society. Active attorneys may deduct $5 from the dues bill for the bar’s lobbying efforts in Sacramento and $5 for the elimination of bias and bar relations outreach fund.

The dues are authorized by the state legislature and set by the State Bar Board of Governors.

Details about the fee statement are available at calbar.ca.gov/feestatement or by calling the Member Services Center at 1-888-800-3400.