Wyoming State Bar raises active fee to $400, rejects shutdown-related deferrals

The Wyoming State Bar Board of Officers and Commissioners voted Nov. 7 in Cheyenne to raise the Active annual license fee to $400 and the Inactive fee to $250, and rejected requests to defer payments tied to the federal government shutdown.

The action came after Executive Director Sharon Wilkinson presented comparative fee data and revenue projections and Bar Counsel Mark W. Gifford reminded the board that fees have not increased in 12 years. "If we factored in a cost-of-living adjustment, the license fee would be nearly $500 annually," Gifford said in the discussion. After debate about reserves and member impact, the motion to raise Active and Inactive fees carried unanimously.

Why it matters: The decision affects the Bar’s operating budget and membership costs. Wilkinson told the board that, at the time of the meeting, 1,730 of 3,812 members required to pay an annual fee (45%) had paid so far in the current cycle. She also reported that 214 members indicated they expect to retire within five years, with 135 of those residing in Wyoming.

The board also considered a request from two members who work for the federal government to defer their license-fee payments because of the federal government shutdown. Wilkinson said roughly 65 Active, New Active or Inactive members work for the federal government, though she did not know how many were furloughed. The board declined the deferrals, citing administrative complications and the Supreme Court’s existing Order to Show Cause process for members in default. Commissioner Clayton M. Melinkovich moved to deny the deferral requests; Treasurer Kelly M. Neville seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

What happens next: The board’s bylaws require any fee change to be submitted to the Wyoming Supreme Court in time for approval (Wilkinson noted approvals must be secured by Aug. 15 in the bylaws timeline for implementation). Wilkinson offered to prepare talking points for commissioners to use with constituents. Several commissioners said they plan to solicit feedback from members before future changes.

Context and board rationale: Supporters of the increase said it addresses an operating shortfall and that the Bar’s reserves, while adequate now, should not be relied on indefinitely. Some commissioners sought a phased approach; one proposal to increase fees in smaller steps was discussed but did not pass. The board left the New Active fee unchanged to reduce the burden on newly licensed attorneys.

The board recorded the vote as unanimous on both the fee increase and the denial of the deferral requests. The meeting adjourned later the same day.