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About the ISBA

ISBA Membership For Today's Lawyer

    The Illinois State Bar Association is a voluntary organization dedicated to promoting the interests of the legal profession and improving the administration of justice, the quality of members' professional lives, and their relations with the public. As a member, you'll find many opportunities to serve your profession and the public. Use our online membership form to join; or, for a hard-copy version of the form click here. Call the Springfield office at 217/525-1760 or 800/252-8908 for more information. To take advantage of ISBA's automatic installment dues payment plan, download a printable brochure and form here. (You'll need a free Adobe Acrobat Reader to open this file.)

Law Office Administrators and Legal Assistants - nonlawyers who are qualified through education, training, or work experience, please call membership services at (217)525-1760 for an application form instead of using the online form. Sponsorship by an active lawyer member required. Dues are $55/yr.

Eleven Great Reasons For Illinois Lawyers To Join ISBA:

   

  • 1. Absolutely free online legal research from Fastcase.

  • 2. Effective, convenient, and affordable statewide Law Ed CLE programs , especially important now that MCLE is the rule in Illinois. (MCLE stands for Minimum Continuing Legal Education.)

  • 3. Subscriptions to the Illinois Bar Journal and ISBA Bar News.

  • 4. E-Clips , the daily electronic newsletter that brings case digests, legal news-of-the-day , and the Law Ed CLE calendar directly to your computer.

  • 5. Discussion Groups and Ethics Opinions/Ethics Info Line to give you lightning-fast practice help.

  • 6. Substantive law newsletters with ISBA section memberships and discounts on other publications.

  • 7. Malpractice insurance at competitive rates for ISBA members -- for more information, call 800-473-4722.

  • 8. Free online MentorCenter so any member can connect with a seasoned ISBA member who is ready and willing to provide assistance.

  • 9. A full-service legislative department.

  • 10. A wide array of member services to save you money in your practice, including major medical, life, dental, disability and commercial crime insurance at reasonable rates.

  • 11. A professional staff in Chicago and Springfield to serve you.

    Membership Categories

        During first year after admission to the Illinois bar, lawyers automatically receive a one-year complimentary membership. After that, ISBA provides several membership categories to serve the needs of all lawyers.

      Active Members - members of the legal profession licensed to practice who either reside or practice in Illinois. For dues information, see below.

      Nonresident Members - members of the legal profession in good standing in any state who neither reside nor practice in the State of Illinois. Dues: $62/yr.

      Retired Members - former active members of at least five consecutive years who are designated as being in retired status by the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, and who are not otherwise gainfully employed. For more information call or e-mail Ann at 800-252-8908/aboucher@isba.org. Dues: $50/yr.

      Inactive Members - former active members of at least two consecutive years who are designated as being in inactive status by the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission. For more information call or e-mail Ann at 800-252-8908/aboucher@isba.org. Dues: $55/yr.

      Life Members - any ISBA member who makes a lump sum dues payment equal to 20 times the highest regular dues rate then in effect.

      Privileged Members - dues-paying members of ISBA for 25 continuous years who have reached age 75. Dues: Waived.

      Law Student Members - students enrolled in a law school from which graduation would qualify them for admission to the Illinois bar under Supreme Court Rule. Electronic membership is free for law student members.

      Law Office Administrators and Legal Assistants - nonlawyers who are qualified through education, training, or work experience. Sponsorship by an active lawyer member required. Dues: $55/yr.

    Active Member Dues

        Dues are graduated according to length of admission to the bar (within limits, the more recent your admission, the lower your dues rate). Dues reduction or waiver may be granted to qualified applicants. ISBA offers convenient billing methods to meet the needs of today's lawyer.

    Annual dues:


      1st year after admission free
      2nd year$50
      3rd year$67
      4th year$90
      5th year$112
      6th year$138
      7th year$162
      8th year$185
      9th year$203
      10th$223
      11th years$250
      12th year$262
      13th$267
      14th years$279
      15th $288
      16th$297
      17th $300
      18th year$302
      19th year$306
      20th year and after $320

    Join Today!

        For consolidated firm billing plans and other billing information, call the Administrative Services Department at 217/525-1760 or 800/252-8908.