Lori Meadows
The American Bar Association (ABA) offers membership to law students at ABA-accredited law schools, with annual membership fees based on the type of membership. Renewal notices are sent 3-4 months before the beginning of the membership year, with prompt payment ensuring active membership and benefits. The Oregon State Bar requires member fee payments by January 31, 2025, with late fees assessed for those admitted before 2025 who pay after this date. The Illinois State Bar Association offers complimentary membership to newly admitted members. The New York State Bar Association emphasizes the importance of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs for professional development, with some programs requiring separate registration fees.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Membership type | U.S. licensed lawyer, non-U.S. licensed lawyer, law student, student, recent law school graduate, non-lawyer |
| Payment methods | Phone, mail, online |
| Payment options | Auto-renew, partial payments |
| Due date | January 31, 2025 |
| Late fee | Applicable for members admitted before 2025 |
| Fee statement | Available on the member dashboard |
| Waivers and exemptions | Applications must be received by the January 31 deadline |
| Billing anniversary date | 3-4 months before the start of the membership year |
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What You'll Learn
Membership categories and fees
The American Bar Association offers membership to everyone through different categories. These include:
- U.S. licensed lawyer
- Non-U.S. licensed lawyer
- Law student (at an ABA-accredited law school)
- Student (post-secondary education–level student)
- Recent law school graduate who has not yet taken the bar exam
- Non-lawyer (includes paralegals, law librarians, economists and others interested in the ABA)
Annual membership fees vary based on the type of membership. Notices for membership renewal are sent 3-4 months before the beginning of the membership year, which is the billing anniversary date. The ABA offers special dues programs, and members may be able to deduct up to 97% of their dues as a business expense on their U.S. taxes.
The Oregon State Bar has outlined that member fee payments are due on or before January 31, 2025. It accepts payments by mail or delivery service, with a check, money order, or cashier’s check payable to the Oregon State Bar. Credit card payments are also accepted but only online.
The Illinois State Bar Association offers free membership to law students, and those newly admitted to the Illinois Bar are automatically enrolled for a complimentary membership.
The New York State Bar Association offers membership benefits such as virtual CLE programs, access to a full library of eBooks, and hundreds of online forms at no additional charge. However, in-person CLE programs and select off-site meetings require separate registration fees.
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Payment methods
The American Bar Association offers a range of payment methods for members to renew their annual membership fees. Members will receive a renewal notice 3-4 months before the beginning of their membership year, which is their billing anniversary date.
For those wishing to pay by mail, an envelope is provided with the dues invoice. Payments can be made by check, money order, or cashier's check, and must be payable to the relevant State Bar, for example, the Oregon State Bar. Members must include their bar number on their payment.
The ABA also accepts payments by phone. Members can call the Member Service Center at (800) 285-2221 (domestic calls only) or (312) 988-5522 between 9 am and 6 pm ET on weekdays.
Online payments are also accepted. Credit card payments are only accepted online, and members can pay using Visa, MasterCard, or debit cards with the Visa or MasterCard logo. Online payments are timely if received by 11:59 pm on the due date.
For members located outside the U.S., special options are available. Contact the accounting department at (503) 620-0222 ext. 308 for instructions.
Partial payments are accepted, but members must clearly indicate their intent to make partial payment and include their bar number. A receipt showing the remaining balance will be sent each time a partial payment is processed.
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Membership benefits
Networking and Connections
Joining a bar association as a student is a great way to build a strong professional network early in your career. You can connect with prominent ABA lawyers through ABA Communities, and learn from practicing attorneys in your field of interest. Many bar associations also offer mentorship programs, such as the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY), which matches mentors and mentees based on both personal and professional compatibility.
Career Opportunities
The ABA Job Board provides job listings and career resources, helping you jumpstart your career with on-the-job learning opportunities like internships and clerkships.
Resources and Discounts
The ABA Premium Membership offers exclusive member discounts on brand-name products and services, as well as member-only pricing at their online store for ABA books. You can also access discounted and free CLE programs, including unlimited access to a library of more than 500 online programs in the CLE Member Benefit Library.
Student Leadership Opportunities
There are hundreds of leadership positions available within the ABA for law students.
Practical Skills Competitions
The ABA offers practical skills competitions to help you hone the skills you'll need as a legal practitioner.
Complimentary Memberships
You can opt-in for complimentary membership to the Law Practice Division and General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Divisions at no extra charge.
Tax Benefits
You may be able to deduct up to 97% of your dues as a business expense on your U.S. taxes.
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Due dates and late fees
The due dates and late fees for the Student Bar Association fee vary depending on the state and the specific bar association. Here is some information regarding the American Bar Association, Oregon State Bar, and Illinois State Bar Association:
American Bar Association (ABA):
The ABA offers different membership categories, including law student memberships for students enrolled in ABA-accredited law schools. While the website does not explicitly mention due dates or late fees, it emphasizes the importance of prompt payment to ensure uninterrupted membership benefits. Membership renewal notices are sent 3-4 months before the beginning of the membership year, which is the billing anniversary date. The ABA also offers an auto-renewal option for members' convenience.
Oregon State Bar (OSB):
The Oregon State Bar has specified due dates and late fee policies for its member fees. For members admitted during 2025, the due date for fee payments is 30 days from the date of admission to the OSB. If payment is not received within 90 days of admission, the member will be suspended. For members admitted prior to 2025, a late fee is assessed if payment is made after January 31, 2025. The OSB accepts various payment methods, including mail, delivery service, and online credit card payments.
Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA):
The Illinois State Bar Association's membership year runs from July 1 to June 30. While they offer complimentary memberships for newly admitted attorneys and free electronic memberships for law students, the website does not explicitly mention due dates or late fees for their memberships.
Please note that the information provided may be subject to change, and it is always advisable to refer to the official websites or contact the respective bar associations for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding due dates and late fees.
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Fee waivers and exemptions
The Oregon State Bar (OSB) offers waivers and exemptions for specific situations. These apply only to mandatory fees and assessments and not section membership. Here are the available options:
Military Waiver:
OSB members in active U.S. military service in any branch of the armed forces are eligible for a waiver. A copy of the current active-duty orders and the completed Waiver Request Form are required.
Other Waiver:
This waiver is for OSB members participating in specific volunteer programs, such as VISTA, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and others serving the national interest or the legal profession. The member's primary income must come from their service, and the waiver is granted if their service covers most of the year and meets other criteria.
Hardship Exemption:
This exemption is for members experiencing extreme financial hardship coupled with a physical or mental disability that prevents them from working. Proof of both conditions is required through the Hardship Exemption form. This exemption is granted for a one-year period and must be resubmitted annually by January 31.
Exemption for Attorneys Over 65:
Attorneys over the age of 65 who are fully retired from the practice of law are exempted from designating an email address for receiving bar notices. A written request for this exemption must be submitted to the CEO, whose decision is final.
Bar Training Waivers and Exemptions:
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) offers waivers and exemptions for students undertaking Bar training. These include fee waivers for applications considered by the BSB's Authorisations Team, exemptions from specific components of Bar training, and reductions in pupillage based on non-traditional experience. The BSB provides detailed information and application guidelines on their website, with a standard processing time of at least 16 weeks for complete applications.
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Frequently asked questions
The ABA is an organization that offers membership to a variety of individuals, including U.S. licensed lawyers, non-U.S. licensed lawyers, law students, and non-lawyers such as paralegals and law librarians.
You can pay your membership fees by logging into MyABA and clicking on "Membership" and "Renew Today". You can also pay by phone or mail.
Membership renewal notices are sent 3-4 months before the beginning of your membership year, which is your billing anniversary date. It is recommended to pay promptly to ensure benefits remain active.
The ABA does not offer installment plans, but they do accept partial payments. You can set this up by calling the accounting department.
Benefits include access to resources and emerging issues specific to your practice. There is also complimentary membership to the Law Practice Division and General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Divisions.
