5/6/15
The results of the February 2015 bar exam were mailed to applicants on Tuesday, May 5, 2015. View the notice on the Board of Law Examiners' website.
To Become a Member of the State Bar of Michigan
We have provided these helpful steps for you to follow after you have received your certified results from the Board of Law Examiners indicating a passing score on the Michigan bar exam or certification through reciprocity with another state:
Step 1. Appear and present Board of Law Examiners certification, sent by mail, at a mass swearing-in ceremony or to one of the circuit courts of the state. For a complete list of the swearing-in ceremonies, visit www.michbar.org. Upon motion made in open court by a licensed Michigan lawyer, the court will administer the oath of office and enter an order admitting you to the bar of the state. (This order will expire after three years).
Step 2. After being admitted to the bar by the court, you must complete the Membership Application online at e.michbar.org using a Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card to become a member of the State Bar of Michigan. This application is not complete without a true, or certified copy of the Order of Admission (from the swearing-in ceremony) and payment of the required bar dues. Create an account as a Prospective New Active Attorney or Prospective New Voluntary Inactive Attorney.
Please note: some counties send the Order of Admission directly to the State Bar of Michigan following the swearing-in ceremony.
Step 3. After the Membership Application, Order of Admission, and dues payment are received and processed, your bar license number (P number) is assigned. Only then are active members eligible to practice law in Michigan. It may take up to a week for the State Bar to process the application and assign your P number. If you provide an e-mail address, notification of your P number will be provided electronically. A bar card will be sent by mail within 10-15 business days of assignment of your P number.
Please note: that if you must conduct business in a court or jail after receiving your P number and before receiving a bar card, a Certificate of Good Standing may be used, provided the court or jail accepts it. It is your responsibility to contact the court or jail to determine if a Certificate of Good Standing is accepted. To purchase a Certificate of Good Standing, click on SBM Store or download a paper form. All requests must be in writing and must include the certificate processing fee(s).
Local bar associations are scheduling their admissions ceremonies. We will post information on those ceremonies as soon as we receive it from the local bars.
Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association
Date/Time: May 29; 12:30–1:30 p.m. (check-in begins at 12:00 p.m.)
Location: Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 13th Floor Auditorium, 2 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
All new attorneys who plan to take the Oath at this Ceremony must register in advance. Please visit DMBA for details and registration.
Genesee County Bar Association
Grand Rapids Bar Association
Admission to the federal court is coordinated with this ceremony.
Date/Time: Tuesday, May 19; 3:30 p.m.
Location: Grand Valley State Univ. Eberhard Center, 301 W Fulton St, Rm 215, Grand Rapids
Important: Registration required, no walk-ins allowed
Visit www.grbar.org or contact Debbie Kurtz at (616) 454-5550 or debbie@grbar.org
Grand Traverse–Leelanau–Antrim Bar Association
Ingham County Bar Association
Date/Time: Thursday, May 21; 5:00 p.m.
Location: Room 501 at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, 300 S. Capitol Ave.
Please visit WMU-Cooley Law School for details and registration.
Jackson County Bar Association
Contact Christine Lammi at the Fourth Circuit Court Administrator's Office at (517) 768-8502 or e-mail to clammi@co.jackson.mi.us to schedule a ceremony.
Kalamazoo County Bar Association
Date/Time: Friday, May 22; 3:00 p.m.
Location: Kalamazoo County Probate Court, 150 East Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo
Contact Ms. Gale Evans, Kalamazoo County Circuit Court at (269) 383-8669.
Macomb County Bar Association
Date/Time: Thursday, May 28; Check In, 3:15 p.m.; Ceremony, 4:15 p.m.
Location: Macomb County Circuit Court 4th Floor, Honorable James M. Maceroni's Courtroom, 40 North Main, Mt. Clemens
Advance registration is required. Contact Patty at (586) 468-2940 ext. 101 or e-mail pattyc@MacombBar.org. Family and friends are welcome to attend and photography is encouraged.
Oakland County Bar Association
The Oakland County Bar Association will hold one Lawyer Admission Ceremony with judges sitting en banc. Admittees MUST register in advance.
Date/Time: Friday, May 15; 11:45 a.m.
Location: 1200 N. Telegraph Rd., Pontiac
Visit the "Member News" section of www.ocba.org or contact Jan Anson at janson@ocba.org (248) 334-3400.
Washtenaw County Bar Association
Date/Time: Friday, June 5; 11:00 a.m.
Location: 101 E. Huron, Ann Arbor, Courtroom #9
Reception following immediately after ceremony in the Jury Assembly Room.
Visit www.washbar.org for additional information or call the Civil/Criminal Clerk's Office (734) 222-3001.