Below are some of the common membership fee questions and answers asked by members regarding their membership fees. Please contact us if you do not find an answer to your question here.
Our mailing address is: P.O. Box 231935, Tigard, OR, 97281-1935.
When are the 2010 membership fees due?
To avoid an increase in fees, payment must be physically received by 5:00
p.m., February 1, 2010. The due date for members admitted during
the 2010 calendar year is 60 days from date of admission to the Oregon State
Bar.
The bar’s office and the online payment center are open until 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, on the due dates. In the case of credit card payments the payment by credit card is not complete until the transaction is approved by the bank card authorizer.
| Telephone Assistance | |
| Phone: (503) 620-0222 or Toll Free in Oregon: (800) 452-8260 | |
| Complimentary Section Forms & Questions | Extension 385 |
| Inactive Status Change Information Recording | Extension 452 |
| Reinstatements, Resignations, Active Probono/Emeritus Information | Extension 343 |
| Waivers - Military, Vista, Peace Corps, Americorps, Other | Extension 302 |
| Hardship Exemptions | Extension 305 |
| Payment Confirmation | Extension 302 |
| Web Payment Problems | Extension 302 |
How can I check if the bar received my payment?
Members can check if their payment has been processed online. All members are sent a payment
confirmation when their payment has been posted via e-mail, fax or mail, depending
on the contact information we have on file for you. We cannot confirm receipt
until your payment has been processed, generally within 24 hours of receipt.
What is the fee increase if I pay
after February 1, 2010?
Fee increases for members admitted prior to 2010, and who pay after 5:00
p.m., February 1, 2010 are as follows:
| Membership Fee Status |
Rate through February 1 |
Rate Effective February 2 |
Payment after February 26 |
| Active Over Two Years | $492.00 | $542.00 | $592.00 |
| Active Under Two Years** | $413.00 | $463.00 | $513.00 |
| Active Emeritus/Probono | $125.00 | $125.00 | $125.00 |
| Inactive | $110.00 | $ 135.00 | $160.00 |
How can I pay my fees?
The fastest and most secure method of payment for members located in the U.S.
is online. There are two ways
to pay your membership fees:
- Online, using a Visa or MasterCard (members located in the U.S.). Online credit card payments made on the bar’s website are secure—even more secure than sending your payment by U.S. mail. Your successful credit card payment received online immediately records your payment in the bar’s system. You will receive an online acknowledgement that confirms your credit card charge has been approved by your bank, and you will receive a receipt from the bar’s membership fee system confirming the payment has been applied to your fees.
- Mailing a check, money order or cashier’s check
No payments are accepted by phone, e-mail or fax. Credit card payments are only accepted online.
What credit cards are accepted?
The bar accepts only Visa, Mastercard or debit cards with the Visa or Mastercard logo.
Can I give you my credit card over the phone, by fax, or by
e-mail?
No, payments are not accepted via the phone, fax or e-mail. For your security, Membership fee payments by credit card must be made online.
Can I fax my credit card payment?
For security reasons, the bar no longer accepts credit card payments via fax.
You may pay your fees using your credit card online.
Can I use my debit card to make payment?
Yes, if your debit card has the Visa or MasterCard logo, you can use it to pay your membership fees online. All debit card payments require that you supply the billing address of where you receive your monthly bank statement. If you are experiencing any technical problems paying online with your debit card, please call the bar’s accounting department immediately, extension 302.
I am located outside the U.S., want to pay using my Visa or MasterCard and can’t pay online.
Members located outside the U.S. can pay by credit card, but your payment must
be specially handled. Please contact the bar's offices, extension 302, for
instructions.
I am having a problem paying online, who can I call?
Please contact the bar’s accounting department immediately, extension 302, or 305.
I paid online, but received a fatal error and am not sure it went through, who can I call?
Please contact the bar’s accounting department immediately before making any attempt to try again, extension 302, or 305.
I tried to pay online and received an AVS error. What does this mean?
AVS is short for Address Verification System. This message refers to the credit card billing address you entered on the screen, and means that the address and/or zip code provided does not match your bank’s billing address on file.
Do you have an installment payment plan?
The bar does not have an installment payment plan, but we will accept and process
partial payments for the mandatory fees. Members
should note that submitting a partial payment WILL NOT avoid the fee increase. If
there is any balance on February 2, 2010 or February 27, 2010, the member
will be assessed the appropriate fee increase, but will also have until 5:00
p.m., July
1, 2010,
to spread out the payments. Members should always include a copy of the remittance
portion of their statement with each partial payment sent, and clearly indicate
on the statement that it is a partial payment. A receipt with a balance owed
is sent each time a partial payment is processed.
I need a duplicate statement:
The fastest way to obtain a duplicate statement is online.
Members do not need a password or login to access their 2010 membership fee
statement. Simply select the Member
Fees link on the bar’s website, supply your bar number, and press the "get
my file button." The online system will retrieve the information, including
voluntary section renewal(s). Voluntary sections can be changed or deleted
before printing your statement by selecting the add/change sections button.
Members who believe they are eligible for complimentary section membership
should UNMARK the sections before processing the online payment. Section membership
fees are not refundable if a member discovers they qualified under the complimentary
offer or paid the fees in error.
The online statement for new members who owe both 2009 prorated fees and 2010 fees, will reflect the full balance due.
How do I resign my membership?
Any active or inactive member who does not wish to continue their membership
must complete a resignation form by 5:00 p.m., February 1, 2010. The
fees will remain owing for any member who does not file a resignation form by 5:00
p.m., February 1, 2010, and will be collected if the member should seek reinstatement
at a later date. The Form A Resignation form is for members who have no complaints
of misconduct, and are not under investigation by the Bar, or is not the subject
of a formal disciplinary proceeding initiated by the Bar. The form
is available online. If you are not eligible to use the Form A Resignation
form, please contact the Regulatory Services department, extension 343.
How do I transfer to inactive status?
An active member who is not practicing law in Oregon is eligible to transfer
to inactive status. Completing the Professional
Liability Exemption form DOES NOT transfer your status to inactive. Members
who wish to transfer to inactive status MUST complete an Inactive
Enrollment form and send it in WITH the $110.00 inactive dues
by 5:00 p.m., February 1, 2010. Both the form and payment must be
received by the deadline to affect the membership fee rate for 2010. The
inactive form is available online,
or in the 2009 member directory.
Inactive membership is not recommended for a member who is actively seeking employment to practice law in Oregon, since a reinstatement fee is required to be reinstated to active membership. If you transfer to inactive status and subsequently wish to return to active status, you must comply with the reinstatement rules of the Bar. Please review Title 8 of the Rules of Procedure for more information.
Inactive members are still considered members of the bar, receive the annual directory, the Bulletin magazine, and do not need to meet MCLE requirements. Inactive members cannot access Casemaker without subscribing, and should contact the bar’s accounting department, extension 302, for Casemaker subscription information.
How do I transfer to Active Emeritus?
Members who wish to transfer to Active Emeritus must complete the Active
Emeritus enrollment form, and send it in WITH the Emeritus
membership fees by 5:00 p.m., February 1, 2010. Both the form and
payment must be received by the deadline to affect the membership fee rate
for 2010. The form is available online,
or by contacting the Regulatory Services department, extension 343.
Eligibility: Active Emeritus is available to attorneys in good standing:
- Who was admitted to practice law for the preceding 40 years; however, all 40 years of practice need not have been in Oregon.
- Who agrees to limit any practice they may pursue to pro bono legal services to indigent clients referred by pro bono programs certified under BOG Policy 15.400 and 15.500, or in volunteer service on the SPRB, LPRC, the Disciplinary Board or as bar counsel.
- Who does not engage in the practice of law except for the provision of pro bono services specified above.
- Who obtains professional liability coverage through the Professional Liability Fund or the program referring the pro bono case(s).
How do I transfer to Active Probono?
Members who wish to transfer to Active Probono must complete an Active
Probono enrollment form, and send it in with the Probono
membership fees by 5:00
p.m., February 1, 2010. Both the form and payment must be received by
the deadline to affect the membership fee rate for 2010. The form is available online,
or by contacting the Regulatory Services department, extension 343.
Eligibility: Active Probono is available to attorneys in good standing:
- Who agree to provide annually a minimum of 40 hours of pro bono legal services to indigent clients referred by pro bono programs certified under BOG Policy 15.400 and 15.500.
- Who do not engage in the practice of law except for the provision of pro bono services specified above or in volunteer service on the SPRB, the LPRC, the Disciplinary Board, or as Bar counsel.
- Who obtain professional liability coverage through the Professional Liability Fund or the program referring the pro bono case.
Can I transfer to inactive status after February 1, 2010?
Members may transfer to inactive status after February 1, but must pay the
full active fees before the transfer will be processed. No refund of active fees
is issued to a member who transfers to inactive status after February 1. The
deadline to transfer your status and have it affect the membership fee rate is 5:00
p.m., February 1, 2010.
I have a status change in process but received a receipt with a balance owed.
There is often a delay in processing status changes due to the large number of requests received. Members will receive two receipts, the first of which will reflect a balance owed and is typically for the inactive, emeritus or probono membership fee payment. A second receipt will be sent to the member when the fees have been adjusted to the appropriate category’s rate.
Can I resign after February 1, 2010?
A member who files their resignation after February 1, 2009, and before
the final July 1, 2010 deadline, will not be suspended for non-payment.
However, the fees will remain owing for any member who does not file a resignation
form by 5:00 p.m., February 1, 2010, and will be collected if the member
should seek reinstatement at a later date.
I am inactive and want to be reinstated, how do I become an active member?
Inactive members who want to be reinstated to active status must complete the appropriate reinstatement form, pay the active membership fees for the calendar year, and pay the appropriate reinstatement fee. If a member applies for reinstatement mid-year, the $110 inactive fees paid are applied towards the full active fees. The reinstatement fee depends on the length of time that the member has been on inactive status.
A summary of the reinstatement fees is below. For further details, please contact the Regulatory
Services department, extension 343. Members should review Title
8 of the Rules of Procedure.
|
Informal Reinstatement Process (members inactive 5 years or less) |
Formal Reinstatement Process (members inactive for more than 5 years) |
|
1) $200 Reinstatement Fee |
1) $400 Reinstatement Fee |
|
2) Review & approval of application by the Board of Governors. Meetings held approximately every 6 - 8 weeks. |
2) Character & fitness review and approval by the Board of Governors and the Supreme Court. |
|
3) Applicant must pay any dues and fees owing at time of application, plus active membership dues for the year of reinstatement. |
3) Applicant must pay any dues and fees owing at time of application, plus active membership dues for the year of reinstatement. |
|
4) Reinstatement process estimated to take approximately two months. |
4) Reinstatement process estimated to take approximately three - six months. |
|
5) Board of Governors may recommend to the Supreme Court that the applicant be required to take the Bar exam if the applicant has not been an active member of the bar for more than five years. |
I resigned my membership and want to be reinstated, how do I become an active member?
Members who resigned their membership and want to be reinstated must complete the appropriate reinstatement form, pay the active membership fees for the calendar year, pay the appropriate reinstatement fee, pay any membership fees owed for prior years not paid by February 1 of that year, and pay interim years dues at the inactive dues rate for the years resigned. The reinstatement fee depends on the length of time that the member has been resigned.
A summary of the reinstatement fees is below. For further details, please contact the Regulatory
Services department, extension 343. Members should review Title
8 of the Rules of Procedure.
|
Informal Reinstatement Process (members resigned 5 years or less) |
Formal Reinstatement Process (members resigned for more than 5 years) |
|
1) $200 Reinstatement Fee |
1) $400 Reinstatement Fee |
|
2) Review & approval of application by the Board of Governors. Meetings held approximately every 6 - 8 weeks. |
2) Character & fitness review and approval by the Board of Governors and the Supreme Court. |
|
3) Applicant must pay any dues and fees owing at time of application, plus active membership dues for the year of reinstatement. This includes interim years dues at the inactive dues rate for the resigned year(s). |
3) Applicant must pay any dues and fees owing at time of application, plus active membership dues for the year of reinstatement. This includes interim years dues at the inactive dues rate for the resigned year(s). |
|
4) Reinstatement process estimated to take approximately two months. |
4) Reinstatement process estimated to take approximately three - six months. |
|
5) Board of Governors may recommend to the Supreme Court that the applicant be required to take the Bar exam if the applicant has not been an active member of the bar for more than five years. |
What waivers and exemptions are available for membership fees?
The bar offers two types of waivers/exemptions: Military/Other voluntary
organizations serving the national interest, and the Hardship Exemption. Voluntary
section memberships are not eligible for either waiver.
The Military or Other Voluntary Organizations waiver includes all branches of
the armed forces, Vista, Peace Corps, Americorps, and other volunteer programs
serving the national interest or the legal profession, and for which the member
receives only a subsistence income, stipend or expense reimbursement that is
the member’s principal source of income. Requests for waivers
must be submitted annually, and are due by January 31 of the year for
which it is granted. Waivers for members serving in any branch
of the military will be granted regardless of the lawyer’s length of service
in the military for the year the waiver is granted. For members requesting a
waiver due to their service in the Peace Corps, VISTA or other volunteer programs,
the waiver will be granted if the lawyer’s service encompasses the majority of
the year and meets the criteria for the other waivers category. Members
who wish to request a waiver of this type must complete and remit the Waiver
Form by January 31, 2010. For further assistance regarding
waivers, please contact the bar’s Accounting Department, extension 302.
Hardship Exemptions are granted in case of proven extreme hardship, which must
entail BOTH extreme financial hardship AND physical or mental disability
that prevents working. The Executive Director may exempt or waive payment of
annual membership fees and assessments of an active or inactive member in these
cases. Hardship exemptions are for a one-year period only, and requests must
be resubmitted annually on or before January 31 of the year for which
the exemption is requested. Exemptions
for extreme hardship for annual membership fees and assessments will be approved
only if BOTH of the following conditions are met: (1) Physical or mental disability,
AND (2) extreme financial hardship. Members who wish to apply for
a hardship exemption should complete the Hardship
Exemption form and provide the requested documentation. For further assistance regarding Hardship Exemptions,
please contact the bar’s Accounting Department, extension 305.
How do I apply for a waiver?
Members who wish to apply for a Hardship Exemption must complete the Hardship
Exemption form. Members who wish to apply for the military or other voluntary
organizations waiver must complete the Military/Other
Waiver Form. Forms must be remitted by 5:00 p.m., January 31, 2010.
My spouse is in Iraq, Afganistan (or deployed
elsewhere OCONUS), can I complete the waiver form?
Anyone who has been granted power of attorney for a member currently serving
in Iraq, Afganistan, or deployed elsewhere, can complete the waiver
form on the member’s behalf. The person holding power of attorney should
sign the form, and indicate that they are signing as the member’s power of attorney.
Form must be remitted by 5:00 p.m., January 31, 2010.
How do I obtain a receipt for my payment?
Members are automatically sent a receipt via e-mail, fax or mail, depending on what the member has provided for contact preferences. If you need a duplicate receipt, please contact the bar at extension 302.
I was admitted in late 2009, why do I
have two statements?
Members admitted during late November and through December 31, 2009, will
receive two statements: One that is prorated fees for 2009, and one for the full
calendar year of 2010. The 2009 fees are due 60 days from date admitted; the
2010 fees are due by February 1, 2010, to avoid an increase in fees.
Do I need a password or login to pay the membership fees?
No, a password or login is not required to pay the membership fees. Only the member’s bar number is needed to access their membership fee information, confirm payment has been received, print a statement or pay the fees online.
I didn’t receive a year sticker for my certificate.
The Board of Bar Examiners eliminated the use of certificates and the related stickers as of June 2010. Sticker and membership certificates will no longer be provided.
What happens if I do not pay my membership fees?
Members who do not pay by 5:00 p.m., February 1, 2010, will automatically
be assessed a membership fee increase. If the member does not pay by February
28, 2010, a second fee increase is assessed. If the member does not pay by 5:00
p.m., July 1, 2010, the member is suspended for non-payment of fees, a suspension
that is on the member’s permanent public record.
If an active or inactive member does not wish to maintain their membership, the member should resign from the bar to avoid suspension.
Is any part of my membership fee used for lobbying?
No portion of the membership fees is used for the purposes of lobbying. Your annual membership fee as approved by the Board of Governors, comprises three separate funds:
- The General Fund includes funding for member services, public services and all general bar operations. The 2010 assessment is $447 for active members who have been in practice for over two years, and $383 for active members who have been in practice for less than two years. This fee is prorated for all members admitted in 2010, based on the month of admission.
- The Client Security Fund (CSF) makes monetary awards to clients who have lost money or property due to misappropriation or embezzlement by their lawyers. The 2010 CSF assessment is $15.00, and is not prorated for new members. Questions regarding the CSF should be directed to Sylvia Steven, sstevens@osbar.org or call the bar’s offices, extension 359.
- The Affirmative Action Program (AAP) is designed to support the Oregon State Bar’s mission by "striving to increase the diversity of the Oregon bench and bar to reflect the diversity of the people of Oregon, by educating attorneys about the cultural richness and diversity of the clients they serve, and by removing barriers to justice." The assessment is $30 for active members who have been in practice for over two years, and $15 for active members who have been in practice for less than two years. Questions regarding the AAP should be directed to Frank Garcia, fgarcia@osbar.org, or by contacting the bar’s offices, extension 337.
|
Affirmative Action Program |
4% |
|
Communications (Bulletin, Lawyer Referral) |
17% |
|
Client Assistance Office |
17% |
|
Client Security Fund (CSF) |
3% |
|
Governance (Board of Governors, General Counsel, MCLE) |
16% |
|
Public Affairs |
5% |
|
Member Services (Section Support, New Lawyers Division) |
9% |
|
Regulatory Services (Admissions, Discipline) |
28% |
Who qualifies for under 2-year active membership?
Active under two-year membership is determined by a member’s admission
to ANY jurisdiction, not the admission or reinstatement date to the Oregon State
Bar. Members admitted to practice law in any jurisdiction on or after January
1, 2008, will be billed the active under two-year membership fee rate. Members
admitted to practice law in any jurisdiction prior to January 1, 2008, will be
billed the active over two-year membership fee rate.
Are membership fees refundable?
The mandatory membership fees and assessments are not refundable for any reason, except for the following circumstances:
- Deceased Member. For those members who pass away in 2010, an apportioned refund of the mandatory membership fees only shall be made upon request of the appropriate representatives. The Client Security Fund assessment of $15.00 and the fee increase due to late payment shall not be included in the apportioned refund. Requests for a refund of this type should be directed to Cathi Pittman, cpittman@osbar.org, or mailed to: Oregon State Bar, ATTN: Cathi Pittman, PO Box 231935, Tigard, OR 97281-1935.
- Status Change. If a member pays active membership fees and transfers to inactive, active probono or active emeritus ON or BEFORE 5:00 p.m., February 1, 2010, the difference in the membership fee rates will be refunded. The difference in membership fee rates IS NOT refunded should a member transfer status AFTER February 1, 2010.
Section membership fees ARE NOT refundable if you later discover you qualified for a complimentary section membership offer. A refund of section membership fees paid by a member who decides they no longer wish to retain their section membership or the member enrolled in the section in error is at the discretion of the section, and must be approved by the section chair.
What is the Oregon Law Foundation contribution, and how are the funds used?
In 2010, the Oregon Law Foundation (OLF) expects to make over $2,100,000
in grants to Oregon’s legal services programs, promoting diversity in the legal
profession, public education and other law-related charitable activities. The
OLF is asking for a voluntary contribution of $15, $25, $50 or more from each
Oregon State Bar member. All contributors become members of the Oregon Law Foundation,
and are eligible to vote for five directors of the foundation. Questions regarding
the OLF should be directed to Judith Baker at jbaker@osbar.org,
or cal the bar offices, extension 323.
Are section membership renewals automatic?
Member section membership renewals are automatically included on your 2010
membership fee statement IF you joined sections in 2009.
Can I add or change my section memberships?
Members may add or delete section memberships on their annual membership fee statement. Members MAY NOT switch from one section to another once section membership has been processed, but the bar will correct section memberships if a data entry error should occur
When can I join a voluntary section?
Members may join sections for 2010 through October 31. The quickest way
to join a section after the initial billing time is online.
Joining online immediately places you in the bar’s section membership system.
If you do not wish to join online, send a letter to the bar stating your name,
bar number, the section name and three-digit section code, and the appropriate
section membership fee to the Oregon State Bar, attention: Accounting, PO Box
231935, Tigard, OR, 97281-19355.
Who can join a voluntary section?
Any active or inactive member of the bar can join the voluntary sections. Some sections also accept associate non-member and law student memberships. Non-attorneys or law students interested in joining the voluntary sections should use the Associate Non-Member Section Membership form.
Do sections offer complimentary memberships?
Some sections do offer complimentary section memberships to new lawyers, over 50-year members and members of the judiciary. If you think you may qualify for complimentary membership, DO NOT enroll for the section(s) online. Please contact the Member Services department to verify which sections are offering complimentary memberships (extension 385), and to request the complimentary section enrollment form. Section membership fees ARE NOT refundable if you later discover you qualified under the complimentary offer.
| What type of activities and services do the voluntary sections offer? | ||||||
| Section Name | 2010 Dues |
News letter |
CLEs/ Seminars |
Legislative Proposals |
Website | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative Law | $15 | yes | • | yes | ||
| Admiralty | $10 | • | ||||
| Agricultural Law | $15 | • | ||||
| Alternative Dispute Resolution | $20 | yes | • | yes | ||
| Animal Law | $15 | yes | ||||
| Antitrust, Trade Regulation | $25 | • • | yes | |||
| Appellate Practice | $15 | • • * | yes | |||
| Aviation Law | $20 | • | ||||
| Business Law | $30 | yes | • • * | yes | ||
| Business Litigation | $20 | • • • | ||||
| Civil Rights | $27 | yes | • • | yes | ||
| Computer & Internet Law | $20 | • • * | yes | |||
| Constitutional Law | $25 | yes | • | weblog | ||
| Construction Law | $11.50 | yes | • • • * | |||
| Consumer Law | $15 | yes | • • | • | yes | |
| Corporate Counsel | $20 | yes | • • • * | yes | ||
| Criminal Law | $20 | yes | • • | yes | ||
| Debtor-Creditor | $25 | yes | • • * | • | yes | |
| Disability Law | $20 | • | yes | |||
| Diversity | $20 | • | ||||
| Elder Law | $25 | yes | • • | • | yes | |
| Energy, Telecom & Utility Law | $25 | • • • | ||||
| Environmental & Natural Resources | $15 | yes | • • * | yes | ||
| Estate Planning & Administration | $20 | yes | • • | • | yes | |
| Family Law | $25 | yes | • • | • | yes | |
| Government Law | $10 | • • | yes | |||
| Health Law | $15 | yes | • • | yes | ||
| Indian Law | $20 | yes | • • • | • | yes | |
| Intellectual Property | $20 | yes | • • | yes | ||
| International Law | $25 | * | yes | |||
| Juvenile Law | $25 | • • | yes | |||
| Labor & Employment | $15 | • • | yes | |||
| Law Practice Management | $20 | • | yes | |||
| Litigation | $30 | yes | • • | yes | ||
| Products Liability | $20 | yes | • | yes | ||
| Real Estate & Land Use | $24.50 | yes | • • * | • | yes | |
| Securities Regulation | $20 | • * | ||||
| Sole & Small Firm Practitioner | $15 | no | • * * | |||
| Sustainable Future | $20 | no | ||||
| Taxation | $25 | yes | • • • * * |
yes | ||
| Workers' Compensation | $25 | yes | • • • | yes | ||