Membership Frequently Asked Questions
Determining your dues amount
I was admitted to the bar in another state in 1997 and in Ohio in 2000. Which year do I use to determine my dues rate?
The Columbus Bar Association determines a member's dues based on the year that he or she was first admitted to the bar in any jurisdiction. In the above scenario, the 1997 admittee rate would apply. Click here to join or renew online or click here for a hardcopy application.
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Membership for new lawyers
Are new attorneys given a free membership the first year?
We do not offer free memberships to new attorneys; however, we understand that new practitioners face a much more arduous financial burden in most cases than do their more experienced colleagues. That is why our dues structure is graduated according to time in the profession. A new admittee pays $70 for the first year of Columbus Bar benefits. New government attorneys pay even less. Membership in a bar association should not be financially crippling and it won't be so in the Columbus Bar. Click here to join online or click here for a hardcopy application.
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Committees
How do I join a Columbus Bar committee?
Each time an attorney applies for membership or upon renewal of an existing membership, the Columbus Bar sends a committee sign-up sheet to the member's preferred address. Complete and return the sign-up sheet to the Columbus Bar in order to become a committee member. Alternately, if you have received your membership number, you can click here for a comprehensive look at our committees and join online. Memberships do not roll over into the next year, so members must complete and submit a sign-up sheet each year to be considered a committee member.
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Reading the renewal notice
When I get my renewal notices there are always a lot of prices quoted on the page. What are these, and which ones do I have to pay to be a member?
When members receive a renewal notice, it lists the dues that they owe for the upcoming year; the amount in addition to the regular dues one would have to pay in order to become a Sustaining Member; and a space for a contribution to the Columbus Bar Foundation. In order to be a fully active member, with all rights and privileges, one only has to pay the regular dues amount. Sustaining Member status and Foundation contributions are optional.
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Sustaining members
What is a "Sustaining Member"?
Sustaining Members are those whose financial commitment to the Columbus Bar Association rises above that which is required. In addition to assisting the Columbus Bar with its initiatives, Sustaining Membership is an unparalleled statement of support which carries with it considerable prestige in the legal community. We recognize those members with a "medallion star" in the Columbus Bar Directory as well as through specialized communication and events.
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Credit card payment
Can I pay my dues with a credit card?
Absolutely. We accept Visa or MasterCard payments by phone, fax and online.
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Joining the Columbus Bar
How can I join the Columbus Bar?
Attorneys can join online or click here for a hardcopy application. Paralegals can click here for an application, and law students can click here for a special application. Non-attorneys who are neither paralegals nor law students can join online or click here for a hardcopy application. You may also call the Columbus Bar Association at 614/221.4112, ask for the Membership department and tell them you want to join. We will then mail, fax or e-mail the appropriate application to you.
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Membership status
Can I periodically check my membership status?
Sure. The Columbus Bar has an extensive member database that is constantly updated. Anything you might need to know, from the date on which your membership began to your committee memberships, can be accessed in seconds and made available to you. To contact the membership department, email memberservices@cbalaw.org or call 614/221.4112.
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Retired attorneys
Can a retired or inactive attorney still be a member of the Columbus Bar?
The Columbus Bar does have a class of membership for retired attorneys. Regular dues are $70 per year and the applicant must be registered with the Supreme Court of Ohio as "retired" or "inactive" and in good standing under Gov. Bar R. VI, Sections 2 & 3. Click here to join online or click here for a hardcopy application.
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Non-attorneys
Who can join the Columbus Bar?
The Columbus Bar Association has a Non-Lawyer Associate class of membership for those persons with employment in certain law-related fields as well as law students and law school graduates. Those eligible for Associate membership include: court reporters, paralegals, legal administrators, legal nurse practitioners, law librarians and other individuals "actively engaged in a profession or pursuit closely allied with the practice of law or the administration of justice." Membership Rule I, B, 2, c. Associate members must obtain a sponsor who is an attorney member of the Columbus Bar. Paralegals can click here for an application, and law students can click here for a special application. Non-attorneys who are neither paralegals nor law students can join online or click here for a hardcopy application.
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Accessing forms and documents
How do I access members-only forms and documents?
To access members-only forms and documents you will need your password (your last name) and your Columbus Bar six-digit identification number (including any leading zeroes if it is less than six digits). Your Columbus Bar membership number is not the same as your Supreme Court registration number. Your Columbus Bar number is located on your association membership card or you may call our membership department at 614/221.4112 or email us at memberservices@cbalaw.org.
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Voting
May all Columbus Bar members vote for the association's leaders?
Only active attorneys and judges who are members of the Columbus Bar have voting rights. Click here for the Code of Regulations and the membership rules.
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Address changes
How do I notify the Columbus Bar of my address change?
Click here to change your address online. Alternately, contact the membership department via email memberservices@cbalaw.org or call 614/221.4112 and give us the new contact information. We immediately update our records and inform The Daily Reporter of the change so that you experience as little inconvenience as possible with your publication mailings. It takes approximately two weeks to start receiving your publications at your new address.
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Moving
I'm moving out of Ohio, do I need to change my membership?
If you are planning to move from Ohio to another state, you need to notify the Columbus Bar of your address change. This will not affect the benefits you would receive as a member of the Columbus Bar as long as you continue to pay membership dues at the non-resident attorney rate ($70). However, non-resident members are not eligible to vote in Columbus Bar Association elections.
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Columbus Bar Directory
Whom do I contact about changes in the Columbus Bar Directory?
For address changes, contact the membership department at memberservices@cbalaw.org or 614/221.4112. For other changes, contact the publications editor at ColumbusBarDirectory@cbalaw.org or 614/221.4112.
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Inactive status
What does inactive status mean?
Inactive status is conferred on any attorney admitted to the practice of law in Ohio who applies to the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Ohio for an exemption from payment of the registration fee at the time the attorney files a Certificate of Registration. An inactive attorney may not practice law in Ohio; hold himself or herself out as authorized to practice law in Ohio; hold nonfederal judicial office in Ohio; render any legal service for an attorney granted active status; occupy a nonfederal position in Ohio in which the attorney is called upon to give legal advice or counsel or to examine the law or pass upon the legal effect of any act, document, or law; be employed in the Ohio judicial system in a position required to be held by an attorney; or practice before any nonfederal court or agency in Ohio on behalf of any person except himself or herself.
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Active status
How do I transfer back to active status?
In order to return to active status, an attorney must request, in writing, and be granted reinstatement of active status by the Attorney Registration Section of the Supreme Court of Ohio.
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The bar exam
Where do I get an application to take the Bar Exam?
Please click here for more information from the Supreme Court of Ohio.
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Certificate of "good standing"
Where do I get a certificate of good standing?
Certificates of good standing can be obtained from Attorney Registration Section of the Supreme Court of Ohio. Click here for more information.
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