2024-25 LSBA Dues and LADB Assessment Payment Cycle to Begin in May LSBA members have the option to pay their 2024-25 LSBA dues and Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board (LADB) assessment by ACH electronic check, credit card, or download and mail their Attorney Registration Statement and checks for the payment of fees. The purpose of the Louisiana State Bar Association (LSBA) is set forth in Art. III § 1 of its Articles of Incorporation. The expenditure of funds by the LSBA is limited as set forth in the LSBA’s Articles and Bylaws; Supreme Court Rule XVIII § 6; Keller v. State Bar of California, 496 U.S. 1 (1990); McDonald v. Longley, 4 F.4th 229 (5th Cir. 2021); and Boudreaux v. Louisiana State Bar Ass'n, 86 F.4th 620 (5th Cir. 2023). A member may object to the use of any portion of the member’s bar dues for activities he or she considers inconsistent with constitutional standards. Members can object to LSBA expenditures based on the preliminary budget, the audited financial statements, the email alerts, the “Bar Briefs,” the Louisiana Bar Journal, or any other notice that they receive. Member objections must be filed within 45 days of the date of the Bar’s publication of notice of the activity to which the member is objecting. Details on the objection, refund and arbitration procedures are set forth in Article XII of the LSBA By-Laws. To review the objection, refund and arbitration procedures in Article XII of the LSBA By-Laws, go to: www.lsba.org/BarGovernance/ByLawsAndArticles.aspx. Additional information on annual LSBA expenditures will be made available for the May 2024 issue of “Bar Briefs.” The LSBA’s annual reports also are available at: www.lsba.org/NewsAndPublications/AnnualReports.aspx. Payment of Dues and Assessment LSBA members have the option to pay their 2024-25 LSBA dues and Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board (LADB) assessment by ACH electronic check, credit card, or download and mail their Attorney Registration Statement and checks for the payment of fees. Members are encouraged to pay and file electronically, through the LSBA website, which is available during times when the Bar Center is closed or if mail service is disrupted due to inclement weather. Further, electronic payment gives members more control over their information in the database and allows for more timely updates to their member records. The website is unavailable nightly between 10 p.m.-1 a.m. CST. Filing the Attorney Registration Statement is an important part of an LSBA member’s annual requirement and can be completed by mail or electronically. Mailing in the Attorney Registration Statement with two separate payments of Dues and Assessment constitutes filing. When paying online, verifying and/or updating member demographic information serves as electronically filing the Attorney Registration Statement. Emeritus Status is available for lawyers who only handle pro bono work or uncompensated work for family members (both subject to certain guidelines and restrictions) and who meet age and practice criteria. Lawyers should review the Emeritus Status guidelines and restrictions for possible election. Election of emeritus status MUST be made prior to payment of the Dues and Assessment and the election deadline for the 2024-25 membership year is June 30, 2024. Review the “Emeritus Status Guidelines and Restrictions and Notice of Application” at: www.lsba.org/Members/EmeritusStatus.aspx. Filing electronically can be a quick and simple process, utilizing the online member accounts that participants have relied on for years to register for CLE seminars and to access Fastcase. If an attorney has not yet set up a member account, one can easily be created at: https://www.lsba.org/Members/memberaccts.aspx. This webpage also allows members to edit their existing accounts and reset a lost or forgotten account password. After member data is confirmed but before the payment/filing process begins, members will be advised that they also need to go to https://www.LADB.org to complete the Louisiana Supreme Court Trust Account Disclosure and Overdraft Notification Authorization Form and will be asked to confirm that they understand this requirement. The Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board is the certifying agency for the Trust filing for LSBA members’ IOLTA accounts. Filing is quick and easy at www.ladb.org and any issues concerning trust accounts should be directed to LADB at (504)834-1488. The collection schedule will be the same as in prior years. In lieu of mailing a statement to each member, in mid-May, the LSBA will mail a postcard to each member, which will provide instructions to go online to https://www.LSBA.org to complete the registration process, pay the annual dues and assessment, and go online to https://www.LADB.org to complete the Trust Account Form. This is the only mailing members will receive prior to the July 1, 2024, due date; attorney registration statements will NOT be mailed. Throughout the dues collection period, the LSBA will email reminders using the email address, compliance@lsbamembership.com. Members are encouraged to add this email address to their contact list to avoid missing important communications. Members should not reply to this email address, but rather direct questions to processing@lsba.org. Once members have electronically filed their Attorney Registration Statements (including any necessary changes and/or updates) and made the required payments, they will receive email confirmations. The filing and payment deadline will remain July 1, 2024. The LSBA will continue to mail delinquency and ineligibility notices to those who fail to meet the deadlines. Members who elect to pay by electronic check will continue to pay the following fees: • LSBA dues (practicing more than three years): $200; • LSBA dues (Emeritus Status): $100; and • LSBA dues (practicing three years or less): $80; • LADB assessment (practicing more than three years): $235; • LADB assessment (Emeritus Status): $117.50; and • LADB assessment (practicing three years or less): $170. Those who are planning to pay by electronic check should contact their financial institutions to confirm that their accounts allow payment by this method. If your account is Positive Pay Protected, update the Company ID 1016207445. As was the case last year, processing fees of 3%, plus a .20 transaction fee, will be assessed if choosing to pay by credit card. Total amounts, including assessed fees, are as follows: • LSBA dues (practicing more than three years): $206.20; • LSBA dues (Emeritus Status): $103.20; and • LSBA dues (practicing three years or less): $82.60; • LADB assessment (practicing more than three years): $242.25; • LADB assessment (Emeritus Status): $121.23; and • LADB assessment (practicing three years or less): $175.30. Bar staff members will be available to answer questions and provide assistance to members. All questions and concerns should be directed to: • Email — processing@LSBA.org • Telephone — (504)566-1600 or (800)421-LSBA; ask for Payment Processing.