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Dues structure and rates

2007-08 rates

  • Law student: $35
  • Admitted to bar in 2007: $75
  • Admitted to bar 2003 - 2006: $150
  • Admitted to bar 1998 - 2002: $250
  • Admitted to bar 1997 and prior: $300
  • Sustaining member*: Dues plus $450
  • Life member (50 years at bar): FREE
  • Sitting MA & federal judiciary: FREE

Special categories: $150

  • Affiliated professional: non-lawyer, e.g. social worker, doctor, etc.
  • Government attorney: full-time government employee or legislator
  • Law professor: teaching full-time, not in private practice
  • Legal services attorney: staff attorney in legal service office
  • Out-of-state attorney: attorney's principal office is located outside Massachusetts
  • Paralegal/legal assistant: full-time paralegal or legal assistant
  • Retired

*The sustaining member category applies to those members who demonstrate a high level of commitment to both the association and the profession.

Dues waiver
If approved, all members are expected to pay a minimum of $75 or 50 percent of his or her membership dues (whichever is greater). Waivers will not be granted for more than three consecutive years.

Term of membership
Membership in the MBA runs from Sept. 1 through Aug. 31. Please note that we send reminder notices as renewal time approaches. However, your prompt payment of dues will ensure that you continue to receive all of your benefits in a timely manner. Should your membership lapse, you may reactivate it at any time by becoming current on your dues for the year.

If you need to update any of your membership information, please contact our Member Services Center:

Tel: (617) 338-0530
Fax: (617) 542-3057
E-mail: [e-mail membership]

Dues are pro-rated and non-refundable.

General section and division information

All memberships include participation in one primary section. Any additional section selections are $50 each. These payments will offset the cost of postage and all administrative costs relating to your membership.

There are 16 sections and one division that typically develop more than 100 education programs and Section Review, a comprehensive magazine published four times per year. Membership in additional sections is $50 each. Below is a list of the available sections.

  • Access to Justice
  • Business Law
  • Civil Litigation
  • Criminal Justice
  • Family Law
  • General Practice, Solo and Small Firm
  • Health Law
  • Individual Rights & Responsibilities
  • Judicial Administration
  • Labor & Employment
  • Law Practice Management
  • Probate Law
  • Property Law
  • Public Law
  • Senior Lawyers
  • Taxation
  • Young Lawyers Division*

*First-year MBA members and law student members receive complimentary membership in the Young Lawyers Division.

For more information on individual sections and the Young Lawyers Division, click here.

  • Each section is governed by a chair and a 15-member council, all appointed by the president of the association annually, with terms commencing Sept. 1. Service on a section council is limited to a maximum of three years on the council and two years as a chair.

  • Each section also includes several practice groups, which are a sub-groups that focus on more specific areas of law. The chair of each particular section names chairs of the practice groups.

  • Ad-hoc committees are established by the section chair around a specific issue and are not expected to last beyond the association year. The exclusive purpose is to develop an opinion and eventually draft a piece of legislation regarding one narrow issue.

  • To manage the day-to-day responsibilities of the section council, the chair often establishes section-specific standing committees.
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