The Representative Assembly will meet in East Lansing on February 22 to consider a proposed dues package that is based on a Strategic Plan developed after extensive member input. The Assembly has not considered dues and fees since 1993 when the current membership dues rate was set. Under Michigan Supreme Court rule, petitions to the Court for an increase in State Bar dues must be authorized by the Representative Assembly. The proposal advocates a $40 increase in the basic membership rate and an annual assessment of $15 for the Client Protection Fund program. The Client Protection Fund is used to reimburse clients who have been victimized by attorneys who violate ethical standards and misappropriate client funds. Although such misappropriation is rare, in the last few years the size of the claims has increased dramatically.

The proposal submitted to the Representative Assembly is a package of resolutions addressing both general membership dues and administrative fees. The proposal does not address the disciplinary system dues component, which was separated from general membership dues in 1993 by the Supreme Court. By published order, the Supreme Court is considering a separate proposal to increase the current $100 disciplinary dues assessment to $120 in October 2003, and by $5 each year thereafter until the amount reaches $140 in October 2007.

Among the resolutions to be considered by the Representative Assembly is a recommendation to assess membership dues for all practicing lawyers. Currently, attorneys over age 70 are exempted. In place of the exemption, the proposal advocates granting emeritus status upon retirement to lawyers who have been in practice for at least 40 years. Emeritus status would allow the members to continue to receive the membership services benefits of State Bar membership, at no cost.

The text of the dues proposal and supporting materials are posted on the State Bar website at www.michbar.org under the News from the Bar column. If the Representative Assembly adopts the proposal, it will be forwarded to the Michigan Supreme Court for consideration.