Initial Fee for New Members
A person admitted to the bar for the first time in this state, except a person admitted under Rules 8.10, 8.105, 9.09 or 13.06, shall not be required to pay an enrollment fee until January 31 next following admission to the bar.
A person admitted to the bar of this state under Rules 8.10, 8.105, 9.09 or 13.06 shall pay a proportional enrollment fee when first admitted. The proportional fee shall be calculated on the basis of the enrollment fee for the category selected by the person in effect on the date the person is admitted multiplied by the number of full months remaining in the calendar year the person is admitted divided by 12.
Persons Exempt from Fee
A person who is in good standing as a member of The Missouri Bar and:
- Is a retired judge, or
- Is a retired commissioner of a Missouri court of record, or
- Has been licensed to practice in this state for 50 years or more, or
- Has reached the age of 75 years,
is excused from the payment of enrollment fees or inactive fees becoming due and payable thereafter.
Exemptions based on age and years of practice are automatic if you have provided the office of the Supreme Court clerk with your date of birth. A retired judge, to qualify for the exemption, must be receiving retirement benefits from the state of Missouri or any other state and must request the exemption in writing. A retired commissioner must be receiving retirement benefits from the state of Missouri.
Automatic Suspension or Reinstatement Following an Enrollment Fee Suspension
No lawyer shall be permitted to practice law or undertake or attempt to do a law business after the time when such enrollment fee is due unless the same has been paid. In default thereof, the lawyer shall be automatically suspended. Any lawyer suspended for such nonpayment shall be retroactively reinstated as a matter of course upon paying the enrollment fee prescribed for each calendar year of the suspension plus the accumulated penalty. If any lawyer remains delinquent for three consecutive years in the payment of any annual enrollment fee, the lawyer shall be required to apply to this Court under Rule 5.28 for reinstatement as a member in good standing.
Election to Become Inactive
The election to become inactive is governed under Rule 6.03 with the return to active status provided for under Rule 6.06.
A lawyer may elect inactive status if they are not currently stricken and not practicing law in this state. The lawyer may notify the clerk of this Court in writing of such and that he or she wishes to be placed on inactive status.
The annual inactive fee is $100.
Return to Active Status
The return to active status is governed under Rule 6.06. Applications for return to active status may be requested from the Office of the Chief Disciplinary Counsel by calling (573) 635-7400.
Unauthorized Practice by Suspended, Stricken or Inactive Lawyers
A lawyer who is stricken from the roll of attorneys pursuant to Rule 6.02, fails timely to complete the continuing legal education requirements, or who elects to become inactive pursuant to Rule 6.03 who engages in the practice of law or who does a law business in this state is guilty of professional misconduct and of the unauthorized practice of law. The chief disciplinary counsel or any regional disciplinary committee may institute proceedings under Rule 5 against any lawyer violating these provisions and may seek temporary or permanent injunctive relief in any court of competent jurisdiction.
Attorneys called to Active Duty
Section 41.950(4), RSMo, provides that a lawyer called to active duty whose enrollment fee comes due while performing such military service may renew within 60 days of completing such military service without penalty.
Please notify the Clerk’s Office of such situation so that proper steps are taken to reflect active duty so that the lawyer is not shown suspended. Please notify the Clerk’s Office in writing at:
Office of the Clerk of the Supreme Court
Attn: Attorney Enrollment
Post Office Box 150
Jefferson City, Missouri 65102