deduct a proportionate amount.
Fee scaling, an option which began last year under orders from the
legislature, offers reductions to two categories of lawyers: Those who earn less than
$25,000 from the practice of law in the year 2000 are entitled to a 50 percent reduction
in dues, and those who make under $40,000 can receive a 25 percent break.
Last year, more than 11,000 lawyers took advantage of the scaling
option, most of them at the 50 percent level, for a savings to members of just over $2
million.
Section members — a total of 65,000 attorneys — will find a
clear designation of each of the bar’s 16 educational sections and the membership fee
for each.
The fee statement provides regulatory information which governs the
collection of mandatory fees, including detailed explanations for adjustments anyone might
seek.
A separate marketing brochure encourages bar members to be generous
to the conference and the foundation, offers a list of services provided by the bar and
explains the role of and benefits offered by the educational sections.
The Conference of Delegates, a voluntary organization which proposes
changes in the law to improve the justice system, is asking for voluntary contributions of
$10 from California attorneys, up from the $3 it sought last year.
The conference has fallen on hard times since becoming a target of
Gov. Wilson and some lawmakers who objected to what they saw as the group’s liberal
political positions.
About 24,000 attorneys contributed some $75,000 to support the
conference’s work last year, but that amount allowed it to operate on a minimalist
budget. The conference hopes to hire a lobbyist and some staff to ease the demands on its
volunteers.
The foundation, on the other hand, was buoyed by a dramatic increase
in donations last year. A survey which found the contributions were the result of simple
generosity solidified the foundation’s resolve to again ask for $50 from each member
to support its scholarship program and grants for other law-related activities throughout
the state.
A similar request last year drew donations from more than 15,000
lawyers and swelled the foundation’s coffers by more than $850,000. As a result, the
foundation increased its grants program.
The bar’s Board of Governors was to set the level of dues at its
meeting early this month. It was authorized by the legislature to charge every active
lawyer up to $395. Inactive lawyers must pay $50 per year in dues.
The fee statements will be mailed Dec. 2. Dues must be paid by Feb.
1, 2001. |
