Military Waivers/ExemptionsOn January 25, 2008, the State Bar Board of Directors adopted a resolution
supporting the granting of waivers for Bar dues payment for any member serving
in a combat zone. Furthermore, the resolution approves the current practice
of allowing an MCLE hardship exemption to military attorneys serving in
a combat zone. Click
here to view the Resolution of the Board of Directors Regarding
Waivers of Dues and MCLE Requirements for Military Attorneys Serving in
Combat Zones. The Supreme Court has signed an order granting dues waivers for any military
attorney serving in a combat zone. Click
here to see the order. The following information describes the process for requesting a dues
waiver or an MCLE exemption: Click
here to obtain Military Dues/MCLE Waiver Form Membership Dues Waiver Do I qualify for a waiver of my annual dues?
How do I request a waiver of annual dues?
What if my deployment orders are extended?
Do I qualify for a waiver if I am deployed later in
the year, after I have paid dues?
How do I contact the Membership Department for more information
regarding annual dues waivers? MCLE Exemption Do I qualify for an exemption from MCLE requirements?
How do I request an MCLE exemption?
What if I missed my MCLE compliance due to deployment
in a combat zone?
How do I renew my MCLE hardship exemption?
How do I contact MCLE for more information regarding
a Hardship Exemption? Do I qualify for a waiver
of my annual dues?
Attorneys serving in the U. S. Armed Forces performing services in a Combat
Zone (as designated by an Executive Order of the President of the United
States) and who will not practice law in Texas during this time period are
eligible to be considered for a waiver of annual bar dues for each fiscal
year designated in the order. The Supreme Court of Texas has inherent authority to regulate the practice
of law, and the authority to set member dues. All requests for waivers submitted
to the State Bar Membership Department will be forwarded to the Supreme
Court. If a waiver is granted by the Supreme Court, it will be for any "dues
year" in which that member is serving in a combat zone. The member should
notify the Bar upon the member's release from duty in a combat zone, and
the dues obligations will be reactivated commencing the "next bar year".
back to top How do I request a waiver
of annual dues?
Click
here to print the Active Military Dues Waiver form to be exempt from
annual dues. Complete the form and send to the Membership Department along
with your military assignment orders. You may email, fax or mail your request.
Email requests can be sent to:
combatzone@texasbar.com
Our mailing address is:
State Bar of Texas
Membership Dept.
P. O. Box 12487
Austin, TX, 78711 Or fax to:
(512) 427-4124. back to top What if my deployment orders
are extended?
If your deployment orders change and you are able to notify us, please let
us know. Otherwise, we will not change your military waiver status until
you notify us upon your release from duty in a Combat Zone. back to top Do I qualify for a waiver
if I am deployed later in the year, after I have paid dues?
If you have already paid your dues for the current fiscal year, your dues
will not be refunded. However, your annual dues will be waived for any subsequent
fiscal year(s) as designated in your deployment orders. back to top How do I contact the Membership
Department for more information regarding annual dues waivers?
You can contact the Membership via email, phone, fax or mail.
Email requests can be sent to:
combatzone@texasbar.com
Our phone is:
(800) 204-2222, ext. 1383. Our fax number is:
(512) 427-4124. Our mailing address is:
State Bar of Texas
Membership Dept.
P. O. Box 12487
Austin, TX 78711 Express mail should be sent to:
State Bar of Texas
Membership Dept.
1414 Colorado, Suite 505
Austin, TX 78701 back to top Do I qualify for an
exemption from MCLE requirements?
MCLE Rules and Regulations support the granting of a hardship exemption
for any member who is faced with extraordinary hardship during the MCLE
compliance year. If you are a member who is currently deployed to a combat
zone, or if you will soon be deployed during the current MCLE compliance
year, you can qualify for an exempt status. back to top How do I request an
MCLE exemption?
If you are currently deployed to a combat zone, or if you will be deployed
during your current MCLE compliance year (first day of the birth month to
the last day of the month immediately preceding the birth month of the following
year), then you may request a hardship exemption from MCLE Requirements.
You may email combatzone@texasbar.com
with a request, including your name, bar number and time that you will be
deployed, OR, click
here to complete a form that can be mailed or faxed to MCLE to
request your hardship exemption. back to top What if I missed my
MCLE compliance due to deployment in a combat zone?
If you missed your MCLE compliance year due to deployment in a combat zone,
and you were in non-compliance due to your deployment, you will need to
notify the MCLE department as soon as your deployment has ended to request
a "retroactive" hardship-exempt status for the year(s) that you were deployed. Click
here to request a retroactive hardship exemption. back to top How do I renew my MCLE
hardship exemption?
If you have received an MCLE hardship exemption for military deployment
in a combat zone, the exempt status will be automatically renewed and will
remain on your MCLE record until you have notified the MCLE department that
your deployment has ended. Once you have returned from your deployment,
you will need to contact the MCLE department by mail, email or fax to make
arrangements to return to a regular MCLE status. back to top How do I contact MCLE
for more information regarding a Hardship Exemption?
Please call for more information regarding MCLE hardship exemptions:
1 (800) 204-2222, ext 1806;
or locally 1 (512) 472-1806 Otherwise, you may fax your questions to:
1 (512) 427-4123, Or email to:
combatzone@texasbar.com. Please
include your name and bar number with your request. Correspondence sent by regular mail delivery should be sent to:
MCLE Dept.
P.O. BOX 13007
Austin, TX 78711-3007 Express mail should be sent to:
MCLE Dept.,
1414 Colorado Street, Suite 503
Austin, TX 78701 back to top | 