New Members

Upon admission by the D.C. Court of Appeals, the Bar will email a link for new members to register online. Newly admitted members are required to complete their initial registration within 30 days. Failure to register timely will result in administrative suspension.

Initial license fees are payable upon registration. Current license fees and available membership classes can be found at DC Bar - Membership Classes & Fees.

In accordance with D.C. Bar Bylaws Section 3.01A(1), "Persons who are sworn into the Bar between July 1 and December 31 shall pay the full amount of the annual license fee. Persons who are sworn in between January 1 and April 30 shall pay one-half the annual license fee. Any person sworn in after April 30 shall not be required to pay any license fees until the following license year."

Please be advised that the Bar's license year runs from July 1-June 30. Billing for the following license year as described above begins on/around May 1 each year.

Newly admitted members must also complete the Mandatory Course on the D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct and Practice as a requirement of the D.C. Court of Appeals and D.C. Bar Bylaws within 12 months of admission. This course is not required for those admitted as a Special Legal Consultant (SLC).

Make your membership work for you! The D.C. Bar offers thousands of dollars in savings through our affinity partnerships. As a valued member of the Bar, you have access to exclusive discounts on legal research tools, health insurance, cloud-based law practice management software, wellness, and much more!

The D.C. Bar offers free access to Fastcase for Active and Judicial members. This unique benefit offers D.C.-specific content exclusive to D.C. Bar members in addition to the premium nationwide online legal research database of case law, regulations, and statutes (a $995 value).

Need a quiet place to work, or just want to escape the office for the day? All members can reserve a free private office or cubicle in the Member Connection Suite for up to 24 hours per month, with access to Wi-Fi, printing, and refreshments.

You may order a Certificate of Good Standing through your online member account for immediate download and electronic delivery; a $25 fee applies. The online service also allows you to have your certificate emailed directly to a third-party. Upon request, a hard copy certificate may be mailed after purchase by contacting [email protected] and providing the appropriate mailing address. Certificates remain available for download through your online member account for 30 days from the date of purchase. Please note that purchasing additional certificates during this period will not alter the certificate issue date.

Verification letters may be issued in lieu of a Certificate of Good Standing only to attorneys who can verify current employment with a federal government agency, applicants seeking verification for the CJA Panel, and attorneys who are ineligible for a Certificate of Good Standing due to retired, resigned, or administratively suspended status. Attorneys requiring license verification who are ineligible for a Certificate of Good Standing for disciplinary reasons must submit a request for a Certificate Concerning Discipline through their online member account.

Legal Ethics delivers confidential consultative services on ethical issues related to the D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct.

The Lawyer Assistance Program provides confidential services for those experiencing problems such as substance abuse, anxiety, stress, and depression.

Our Attorney/Client Arbitration Board offers an arbitration service for D.C. Bar members and their clients to resolve disputes about legal fees.

The Practice Management Advisory Service helps members optimize their legal practice with one-on-one consultations, free seminars, and content that guides them throughout their careers.

The D.C. Bar's award-winning CLE courses are available on-site, online, and on-demand. Courses satisfy MCLE requirements in all states with mandatory continuing legal education requirements.

A print and digital subscription of Washington Lawyer magazine provides you with thought-provoking content and tools for your practice. The D.C. Bar also delivers the information you need through a variety of digital communications including Bar Bulletin, a biweekly e-newsletter of Bar news and updates, and Legal Brief, a daily curated email of national and international legal news. You can also connect with us via LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Engage with local attorneys and judges at hundreds of Bar events each year. By joining a Community in your area of the law, you also get access to substantive content programs and receptions for practitioners and judicial officers.

The D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center provides members with meaningful volunteer opportunities to serve the community, as well as the support and mentoring to be successful. The Pro Bono Center touches the lives of more than 20,000 D.C. residents each year, including low-income individuals, community-based nonprofit organizations, and small businesses.

Enhance leadership skills, teamwork, and professionalism by joining three or more of our 23 Communities in specific areas of legal practice (such as litigation, intellectual property, and government contracts), by applying to get involved with a standing committee of the Bar, or by applying to participate in the John Payton Leadership Academy.