State bar reciprocity - what does it mean, what states do it

Imagine you're a lawyer, licensed in one state, and you'd like to move to another state. Or you get a case that is in another state - can you go to set up your practice in a new state, or take the out-of-state case? Possibly yes, if your state has reciprocity with the other.

State bars set their own reciprocity rules. If a state has decided not to reciprocate, then to practice in the "new" state, a lawyer has to take the bar exam for that state.

A good place to start researching this topic is here: Bar reciprocity.com

Keep in mind that the reciprocity process is not over night - anecdotal evidence suggests that the process can take 6 months. So if you're licensed in North Dakota, for example, practice for five years, then apply for reciprocity to Michigan, don't expect to be admitted overnight. Instead, the state bar will let you know in six months. 

State Bar Annual Meeting: Next Week! Grand Rapids!

It's annual, it's big, it's the annual State Bar Meeting, and Solo and Small Firm Institute.

There is still time to register, go  to the state bar website. More information at SBM blog.

How do Michigan's bar dues compare to other states?

Michigan's Supreme Court announced Friday that dues for active Michigan bar members will decrease - related to funds for attorney discipline.

Article here. (via sbmblog).

But after the decrease, how will Michigan's dues compare to other states in the US?

And is this all related to other legislation (proposed under Michigan's Right to Work laws) to make state bar membership voluntary instead of mandatory?

Aside: my basic dues amount is added to with membership fees for other Sections of the State Bar.

Friday, the Michigan Supreme Court announced that the portion of dues paid by State Bar of Michigan members to fund the disciplinary system in Michigan will decrease by $20 for every Michigan attorney during the next dues cycle. That means the total amount of dues paid by active Michigan attorneys will drop from $305 a year to $285 a year.
After that decrease in dues takes place, how expensive will Michigan's dues be compared to those in other states?
- See more at: http://sbmblog.typepad.com/sbm-blog/2014/06/how-do-sbm-dues-stack-up-compared-to-those-paid-by-attorneys-in-other-states-.html#sthash.YFY1BfeX.dpuf

Friday, the Michigan Supreme Court announced that the portion of dues paid by State Bar of Michigan members to fund the disciplinary system in Michigan will decrease by $20 for every Michigan attorney during the next dues cycle. That means the total amount of dues paid by active Michigan attorneys will drop from $305 a year to $285 a year. - See more at: http://sbmblog.typepad.com/#sthash.suppCtqD.dpuf

Friday, the Michigan Supreme Court announced that the portion of dues paid by State Bar of Michigan members to fund the disciplinary system in Michigan will decrease by $20 for every Michigan attorney during the next dues cycle. That means the total amount of dues paid by active Michigan attorneys will drop from $305 a year to $285 a year. - See more at: http://sbmblog.typepad.com/#sthash.suppCtqD.dpuf

Friday, the Michigan Supreme Court announced that the portion of dues paid by State Bar of Michigan members to fund the disciplinary system in Michigan will decrease by $20 for every Michigan attorney during the next dues cycle. That means the total amount of dues paid by active Michigan attorneys will drop from $305 a year to $285 a year. - See more at: http://sbmblog.typepad.com/#sthash.suppCtqD.dpuf

Friday, the Michigan Supreme Court announced that the portion of dues paid by State Bar of Michigan members to fund the disciplinary system in Michigan will decrease by $20 for every Michigan attorney during the next dues cycle. That means the total amount of dues paid by active Michigan attorneys will drop from $305 a year to $285 a year. - See more at: http://sbmblog.typepad.com/#sthash.suppCtqD.dpuf

Friday, the Michigan Supreme Court announced that the portion of dues paid by State Bar of Michigan members to fund the disciplinary system in Michigan will decrease by $20 for every Michigan attorney during the next dues cycle. That means the total amount of dues paid by active Michigan attorneys will drop from $305 a year to $285 a year. - See more at: http://sbmblog.typepad.com/#sthash.suppCtqD.dpuf

Michigan Bar Exam Results - February 2014

List of certified passers from the State Board of Law Examiners website.

Professional ethics definitions 101: Don't steal from your clients

A Grosse Pointe attorney pleaded guilty Wednesday to embezzling more than $2.5 million from his law firm's clients and laundering the money to hide his crime, according to the U.S. Attorneys office.

Kenneth Flaska, 62, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Paul D. Borman, admitting that between 2004 and 2013, he fraudulently obtained more than $2.5 million belonging to clients of his law firm. Flaska moved the money out of client accounts and into his own bank and investment accounts.

Article here. 

Does Michigan's Right-To-Work law apply to State Bar Membership? Hearing Scheduled

The Task Force on the Role of the State Bar of Michigan will hold a public hearing regarding the Task Force’s charge described in Michigan Supreme Court Administrative Order No. 2014-5.

The hearing will be held Friday, May 2, 2014 at the Michigan Hall of Justice, 925 West Ottawa Street in Lansing, beginning at 9:30.

Article here.

Michigan State Bar's 2014 Law Day contest: Still time to enter!

The State Bar of Michigan's third annual Law Day creative contest is now open for entries. Participants should submit a creative entry illustrating the 2014 Law Day Theme, "Democracy: Why Every Vote Matters," using content from one or more Michigan Legal Milestones.

Article here.