Congratulations again on passing the bar exam!
Here's what you need to do next:
All persons who are licensed to practice law in Michigan must be members of the State Bar of Michigan. In order to become a member of the State Bar, you must first take steps to become admitted to the State Bar. If you've recently passed the bar exam, the Board of Law Examiners has mailed you a certificate of qualification. A current, active member of the State Bar must file this certificate and a motion seeking your admission to the State Bar in the Supreme Court or a circuit court. You must also appear personally in open court to be administered the oath of office. View the rule describing the steps to follow in taking the oath of office as a lawyer. View a schedule of swearing-in ceremonies around Michigan.
After being sworn in to one of the circuit courts or the Supreme Court of Michigan, you will need to complete a membership application to join the State Bar of Michigan and pay your membership dues.
To complete the State Bar of Michigan new member application online and pay your member dues with a Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card, please visit the Bar's Member Area and create an account as a "Prospective New Member & Non-Member" and continue with the membership application if you have already been sworn in. Do not create an account online until you have been sworn in. If you wish to complete the paper application and pay your member dues with a check, download new member application form.
After completing the new member application form and payment of the required dues, a true or certified copy of the Order of Admission certified by the County Clerk will need to be provided to the State Bar of Michigan. Some courts provide the Order of Admission directly to the State Bar. If you wish, you may mail your true or certified copy of the Order of Admission signed by the County Clerk to the State Bar of Michigan, Attention Finance, 306 Townsend St., Lansing, MI 48933.
As soon as the State Bar of Michigan has issued you a P number, you will be a member in good standing and eligible to practice law.
Posted by Samantha Meinke
