VSB Seeks Public Comment on Amendments to Part 6, Section IV, Paragraph 11 of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia
June 15, 2026
The Virginia State Bar (VSB) seeks comment on amending Part 6, Section IV, Paragraph 11 of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia (Rules) to (i) align the VSB annual membership dues cap in the Rule with the change to the statutory cap made in the 2026 General Assembly Session and (ii) remove the required maximum state bar fund and administration and finance account balances allowed before the Court may authorize a membership dues increase.
Dues Cap:
Va. Code § 54.1-3912 was amended in the 2026 General Assembly Session (HB 276, Kilgore), effective July 1, 2026, to increase the statutory dues cap from $250 to $350. The proposed change to the Rule dues cap would mirror the statutory change. Importantly, any change to the Rule cap would not result in an automatic dues increase. Any adjustments to the annual dues require separate approval from Council and the Court.
Both the statutory and Rule caps have been in place since 1995 and VSB annual dues for Active and Associate Members, $250 and $125, respectively, have not increased since July 1, 2000 (and were lowered 2012–2015). The VSB does not receive general funds from the state budget, and most of its revenue is from annual membership dues.
Historically, the rates of new admissions kept pace with rising costs in salaries, inflation, technology expenses, and rent. However, in the last 10 years, substantially fewer lawyers are choosing to practice in Virginia. As such, despite having fewer employees now than 20 years ago, maximizing sources of income, and containing expenses, revenue has not kept pace with operating expenses, resulting in an unbalanced budget.
Based on the current budget projections, the VSB anticipates requesting an increase of $50 for Active and $25 for Associate Members, bringing the annual dues to $300 and $150, respectively – subject to the approval of Council and the Court.
View FAQs and additional information on the VSB’s membership, finances, and expenses
Balance Threshold:
Currently, the Rule does not permit a dues increase if the combined VSB account balances exceed 15 percent of the prior year’s total operating expenditures. However, because the VSB collects virtually all membership dues in June and July for the fiscal year beginning July 1, this threshold does not provide sufficient time to obtain approval and implement a dues increase before available funds are depleted.
PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE RULES OF THE SUPREME COURT OF VIRGINIA (Proposed June 2026)
[Deletions noted by strikethroughs; additions by underlining; the portion of Rule 11 proposed for amendment is provided below]
Part 6 Section IV, Paragraph 11. Dues
11. Dues
Each active member shall pay to the Treasurer of the Virginia State Bar, annual dues not to exceed $250$350, and each associate member shall pay to the Treasurer of the Virginia State Bar annual dues not to exceed $125$175, on or before the 31st day of July of each fiscal year, provided that persons admitted to practice by examination or under Rule 1A:1 of the Supreme Court of Virginia shall not be liable for dues in the year of admission if admitted during the last three months of any fiscal year. Persons admitted to practice under Rule 1A:1 at any other point during any fiscal year shall pay the full amount of dues as specified above at the time they register with the Virginia State Bar. Persons admitted to practice by examination at any other point during any fiscal year shall pay one-half the amount of dues as specified above at the time they register with the Virginia State Bar. On or before April 1st, the Bar shall report to the Court the annual dues amount proposed for the next fiscal year.
No increase in the annual dues above $250 for active members or $125 for associate members will be authorized by the Court whenever the total combined cash balances of the State Bar Fund and the Virginia State Bar's Administration and Finance Account shall exceed fifteen (15) percent of the total annual operating expenditures of the Virginia State Bar for the year preceding the year in which the dues increase is sought.
All monies collected hereunder shall be accounted for and paid into the State Treasury of Virginia.
Failure to comply with this Rule shall subject the member to penalties set forth in Paragraph 19 herein.
Comment:
Any individual, business, or other entity may submit written comments in support of or in opposition to the proposed action to Janet P. Van Cuyk, acting executive director of the Virginia State Bar, by close of business on August 17, 2026. Comments may be submitted via email to [email protected].