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Dues structure and rates

2011-12 rates

  • Law student: $35
  • Admitted to bar in 2011: $75
  • Admitted to bar 2007 - 2010: $175
  • Admitted to bar 2002 - 2006: $275
  • Admitted to bar 2001 and prior: $360
  • Sustaining member*: Dues plus $150
  • Life member (50 years at bar): FREE
  • Sitting MA & federal judiciary: FREE

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

Special categories

  • Government attorney: full-time government employee or legislator: $150
  • Lawyers in transition: $150
  • Paralegal/legal assistant: full-time paralegal or legal assistant: $150
  • Retired attorney: $150
  • Affiliated professional: non-lawyer, e.g. social worker, doctor, etc.: $175
  • Law professor: teaching full-time, not in private practice: $175
  • Out-of-state attorney: attorney's principal office is located outside Massachusetts: $175

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.

Tax information
 Massachusetts Bar Association dues are not tax deductible as charitable contributions for income tax purposes. However, they may be tax deductable as an ordinary and necessary business expense, subject to restrictions imposed as a result of association lobbying activities. The MBA estimates that the non-deductible portion of dues allocable to lobbying is 7 percent.

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 not pro-rated and non-refundable.

General section and division information

All memberships include one complimentary section. Any additional sections are $50 each.

There are 17 sections and one division that typically develop more than 100 education programs and Section Review, a comprehensive magazine published four times per year. Below is a list of the available sections:

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

* Law Practice Management is automatically included in your membership.

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.
©2012 Massachusetts Bar Association