Dues Discounts and Payment Plans for Membership in the American Bar Association

Automatic Dues Payments
Members may simplify payment of dues through either recurring quarterly or annual automatic payment plans. 

Automatic Annual Payment
Sign up for automatic annual dues payments.
Online enrollment will be available soon. Contact us with questions.

Automatic Quarterly Payment
Split your annual dues into four equal payments and pay them automatically. 
Online enrollment will be available soon. Contact us with questions.

Dues Discounts
The ABA is committed to ensuring membership remains accessible through a variety of discount programs:

Free ABA Membership for New Lawyers
Free Section, Division or Forum for New Lawyers
Free Young Lawyer Division Membership for Young Lawyers
Special ABA Dues for Solo and Public Interest Lawyers
Special ABA Dues for Combat Zone and J.A.G Lawyers
Special ABA Dues for Seniors
Special Dues for Persons with Disabilities
Special ABA Dues for the Unemployed
Special ABA Dues for Financial Hardship
Special ABA Dues for Law School Full Faculty Membership
Special ABA Dues for Law School Full Student Body Membership
Special Joint Dues Rate for Government and Public Sector Lawyers

Free ABA Membership for New Lawyers
Lawyers receive free membership for one year when they pass their first bar in any U.S. state or territory. Lawyers that pass their first bar can receive their complimentary membership by simply joining online or contacting us. Most states provide lists of newly admitted lawyers to the ABA for automatic membership.

Free Section, Division or Forum for New Lawyers
Lawyers in practice for less than two years as of January 1 are eligible for a free year of membership in a Section, Division or Forum expiring on August 31 of the same year. 

Free Young Lawyers Division Membership for Young Lawyers
If you are under age 36 or admitted to practice law for five years or less, you are automatically enrolled in the Young Lawyers Division (YLD) at no charge.

Special ABA Dues for Solo and Public Service Lawyers
If you are a licensed attorney in the U.S. and are a solo practitioner in private practice, judge, or lawyer in government or legal/public service  (working for not-for-profit organizations engaged primarily in legal-or policy-based advocacy on behalf of low income persons), you are eligible for a special rate. Contact us to apply.

Special ABA Dues for Combat Zone and JAG Lawyers
Lawyers in active duty and in a combat zone assignment are eligible for a free ABA membership. Apply online or contact us.

JAG lawyers admitted to the bar for five years or less are eligible for a free membership.  Apply online or contact us.

Special ABA Dues for Seniors
Lawyers over the age of 75 who have been ABA Members for at least 25 years may be eligible for a discounted ABA membership. Contact us for more information.

Special Dues for Persons with Disabilities
Members with disabilities are eligible for an ABA membership dues exemption and one specialty group for a fee of $5 per year (for participating specialty groups only).  Applications for this discount are approved by our Board of Governors and must be renewed every two years.  Contact us to apply.

Participating Specialty Groups
Antitrust Law
Business Law
Center for Professional Responsibility
Criminal Justice
Environment Energy & Resources
Family Law
General Practice, Solo & Small Firm
Government and Public Sector Lawyers Division
Health Law
Individual Rights & Responsibilities
Intellectual Property Law
International Law
Labor and Employment Law
Law Practice Management
Litigation
Public Contract Law
Public Utility, Communications, & Transportation Law
Real Property, Trust and Estate Law
Science & Technology Law
Senior Lawyers Division
State & Local Government Law
Taxation
Tort Trial & Insurance Practice

Special ABA Dues for the Unemployed
Lawyers who became are unemployed and lost their job within the past 12 months are eligible for a one-time discounted annual ABA dues rate of $50 and a one-time discounted annual Section or Division dues rate of $5 (for participating specialty groups). Contact us.

Participating Specialty Groups
Antitrust Law
Business Law
Center for Professional Responsibility
Criminal Justice
Environment Energy & Resources
Family Law
General Practice, Solo & Small Firm
Government and Public Sector Lawyers Division
Health Law
Individual Rights & Responsibilities
Intellectual Property Law
International Law
Labor and Employment Law
Law Practice Management
Litigation
Public Contract Law
Public Utility, Communications, & Transportation Law
Real Property, Trust and Estate Law
Science & Technology Law
Senior Lawyers Division
State & Local Government Law
Taxation
Tort Trial & Insurance Practice

Special ABA Dues for Financial Hardship
Lawyers who are experiencing financial hardship may apply for a discounted annual ABA dues rate of $100 and a one-time discounted annual Section or Division dues rate of $5 (for participating specialty groups). Apply or contact us.

Special ABA Dues for Law School Full Faculty
Many law schools enroll all faculty in the ABA and its Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar Section for an annual fee determined by the school’s total full-time equivalent student enrollment as of October 1 of the preceding calendar year. Contact us to learn more.

Special ABA Dues for Law School Full Student Body
Many law schools enroll all law students in the ABA for a savings of 30% off the full individual rate.  Students receive free membership in most Sections, Divisions and Forums.  Contact us to learn more.

Special Joint Dues Rate for Government and Public Sector Lawyers
Members of the Government and Public Sector Lawyers Division (GPSLD) enjoy a special rate that covers a joint membership in this Division and other participating Sections. Apply online or contact us.