Dues structure and rates

Join the Massachusetts Bar Association and benefit from the many tools and opportunities the association offers. An MBA membership runs from Sept. 1 through Aug. 31. 

Questions about an MBA membership? Contact MBA Member Services at (617) 338-0530 or memberservices@massbar.org.

2021-22 MBA Membership Dues*

Bar Admission Dues
Law student FREE
Admitted to the bar in 2021-22FREE
Admitted to bar in 2020$99
Admitted to bar 2017-19$135
Admitted to bar 2012-16$310
Admitted to bar 2011 and prior $425
Sustaining member**Dues + $150
Life member (50 years at bar) FREE
Sitting MA & federal judgeFREE

* Take advantage of the MBA's new installment plan and pay your 2021-22 annual MBA membership dues in several installment payments through May 2022. You will have a chance to review installment payment calculations on the checkout page before payment.

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

Special Membership Categories

Category Dues
Government attorney
Full-time government employee or legislator 		$185
Lawyer in transition $165
Legal services attorney$165
Paralegal/legal assistant
Full-time paralegal or legal assistant 		$165
Retired attorney/judge$165
Affiliated professional
Non-lawyer, e.g. social worker, doctor, etc. 		$210
Law professor
Teaching full-time, not in private practice 		$210
Out-of-state attorney
Attorney's principal office is located outside Massachusetts 		$210

Dues Installment Plan

The Massachusetts Bar Association’s installment plan allows you to pay your 2021-22 annual MBA membership dues in several installment payments through May 2022. You must pay with a credit card to take advantage of this offer. Payment plan amounts will be based on your 2021-22 MBA annual membership dues (plus a nonrefundable 5% service fee, spread out over the installments).

Payments will be automatically charged to the credit card on file on the date of each required payment (15th of the month). The installment due date cannot be changed.

The MBA's association year runs from Sept. 1-Aug. 31.

Payment options:

  • Enroll before Sept. 30: You will pay your annual membership dues in nine installments. The initial payment will occur when you sign up. Your second payment will occur on Oct. 15. Subsequent monthly payments are due on the 15th of each month, through May 15, 2022.
  • Enroll Oct. 1 through April 30: You will pay your annual membership dues with an initial installment that covers the sum of monthly payments from Sept. 2021 through the date of enrollment. Subsequent monthly payments will be due on the 15th of each month, through May 15, 2022.

NOTE: Installment payment calculations will be available on your checkout page.

Installmentsweb2021

When you enroll in the installment program, you are promising to pay the full amount of your 2021-22 MBA annual membership dues. These payments are not refundable. If your future payment fails or is declined, you will be notified and asked to update your credit card information. If we are still unable to process the credit card within 30 days of notice, your membership will be suspended -- and access to MBA benefits revoked -- until back payments are made. Your ability to re-join in future periods will be contingent upon fulfilling any failed payments. If you would like to stop installments and pay in full, please contact the MBA's Member Services Center at (617) 338-0530.
 

Tax information

Massachusetts Bar Association dues are not tax deductible as charitable contributions for income tax purposes. However, they may be tax deductible 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 11 percent.

Dues waiver

If approved, all members are expected to pay 50 percent of his or her membership dues. Waivers will not be granted for more than three consecutive years.

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