An attorney is challenging the requirement that lawyers have to join the State Bar of Michigan in order to practice.
Lucille Taylor, who’s also worked for a long-time in state Republican politics, filed the lawsuit. She says the State Bar engages in lobbying and advocacy. She says sometimes she agrees with the positions taken by the organization, and sometimes she doesn’t.
“But it should be my choice to be a member or not be a member. I shouldn’t be required to do so in order to practice my profession.”
Taylor says she does not object to the portion of her dues that pay for policing the legal profession in Michigan. But she says 20 other states as well as Washington DC do that without requiring lawyers to join an association.