Public Media from Michigan State University

“Right To Work” Bill For Lawyers Delayed While Court Reviews State Bar Membership

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A bill in Lansing that would let attorneys opt out of membership in the State Bar of Michigan is on hold.

That’s so a state Supreme Court-appointed task force can review whether mandatory State Bar membership is appropriate.

The Michigan Public Radio Network’s Jake Neher reports.

Some are calling it a “right to work” bill for lawyers. Supporters of the legislation say attorneys shouldn’t be forced to pay membership dues because they say the State Bar has become largely a political organization.

Republican state Senator Arlan Meekhof introduced the bill last month. He says he’ll hold off on the legislation until the Supreme Court task force weighs in.

“And we’ll see as they actually make the recommendations what they include, and hopefully we don’t have to do that – that they have done a very good job at it,” he says.

The State Bar of Michigan opposes the legislation. It asked the Supreme Court to conduct the review earlier this month.

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Jake Neher is a reporter for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He covers the State Legislature and other political events in Lansing.