Supreme Court Approves VSB Request to Participate in Legislative Activity to Amend Va. Code § 54.1-3912

September 9, 2025

Ordered on September 8, 2025, the Supreme Court of Virginia approved Virginia State Bar’s petition to engage in legislative activity to amend Va. Code § 54.1-3912 in the 2026 General Assembly Session. The amendment pertains to the schedule of fees that the Supreme Court of Virginia may fix to be paid by members of the Virginia State Bar for the purpose of administering Article 2 (Bar Organization and Government) of Virginia Code § 54.1- 3912 (Fees).

Read the Court's Order.

Proposed VSB Legislative Activity to Amend Va. Code § 54.1-3912

June 25, 2025

At its meeting on June 12, 2025, in Virginia Beach, the Virginia State Bar Council approved proposed VSB engagement in legislative activity to amend Va. Code § 54.1-3912 in the 2026 General Assembly Session. A petition will be sent to the Supreme Court of Virginia for approval. A petition was sent to the Supreme Court of Virginia for approval on July 24, 2025.

View petition to the Court. (posted 8/19/25)

VSB Seeks Public Comment on Legislative Activity to Amend Va. Code § 54.1-3912

March 3, 2025

The Virginia State Bar (VSB) seeks comments on its proposed engagement in legislative activity, pursuant to Part 6, Section IV, Paragraph 9 (j) of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia, to amend Va. Code § 54.1-3912 in the 2026 General Assembly Session. The proposed amendment aims to amend the statutory maximum for the annual dues paid to the VSB.  

This amendment proposes to allow the Supreme Court of Virginia greater flexibility, pursuant to Part 6, Section IV, Paragraph 11 of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia, to set the rate of the VSB annual dues for lawyers licensed in Virginia. The existing statutory cap was amended in 1995 (from $300 to $250) and limits the Court’s ability to adjust dues to align with economic conditions and operational requirements.  

Importantly, any change to the statutory cap would not result in an automatic dues increase. Any future adjustments to the annual dues would require separate approval from the Court. 

The proposed change seeks to ensure the VSB’s financial stability and sustainability, enabling it to better serve Virginia’s legal community and the public. The key reasons supporting this amendment include: 

  1. Flat Dues for 25 Years: Dues have not increased since 2000 (and were decreased for four years from 2012 through 2015), and rank among the lowest in the nation (6th lowest of 33 unified bars nationwide).  
  2.  Increased benefits: Over this period, the VSB has enhanced lawyer benefits by introducing the free Malpractice Avoidance Hotline, free legal research software, free trust accounting and billing software, and access to free trainings and CLEs. 
  3.  Cost-Savings Measures: The VSB has implemented various efficiencies (e.g., reduced personnel to a 24 percent lower staff-to-member ratio compared to 2000) while maximizing other sources of revenue (e.g., increased MCLE sponsor course application fees).  
  4.  Rising Costs: Expenses related to salaries, technology, inflation, and rent have significantly increased outpacing the VSB’s revenue.   
  5.  Financial Viability: A membership dues increase will avoid VSB insolvency in FY 29.  

 If the General Assembly amends Va. Code § 54.1-3912, the VSB plans to request the Court’s approval for an annual dues increase limited to the amount necessary to balance total revenue with necessary expenses. Based on current budget projections, the VSB anticipates requesting an increase of no more than 20 percent to the current $250 dues assessment.  

Comment: 

Any individual, business, or other entity may submit written comments in support of or in opposition to the proposed action to Cameron Rountree, Executive Director of the Virginia State Bar, by close of business on May 20, 2025. Comments may be submitted via email to [email protected].