FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who Can Join the Ottawa County Bar Association?

 

The OCBA welcomes all judges, practicing lawyers, non-practicing lawyers, and law students who reside in or practice law in Ottawa County. Law student membership (for law students residing in, working in, or expecting to practice in Ottawa County) will automatically convert to voting membership upon the student member’s admission to the Michigan bar. 

 

How much are dues?

 

Dues are $55.00, payable in April of every year. The membership year is from April through March. Membership applications are accepted throughout the year, but there is no proration of membership dues for joining later in the year, and dues must be paid again in full for the coming year in April. There are no reduced levels of membership or other discounts for retired or non-practicing/inactive attorneys, new or young lawyers, attorneys in public service, or non-voting student members.

 

How can I join the Ottawa County Bar Association?

 

Potential members can join the OCBA by filling out the application and submitting dues payment for the year. You may also contact us at OCBAcontact@gmail.com for an electronic copy or to have a hard copy application mailed to you. Applications and dues may be submitted to: Ottawa County Bar Association (OCBA), 414 Washington Ave., Suite 300, Grand Haven, MI  49417

 

What benefits does the Ottawa County Bar Association offer its members? 

 

The OCBA has several benefits. One of the primary means of communication that the courts have with lawyers practicing within the county is through the OCBA. Members receive e-bulletins and updates from the OCBA regarding court information and upcoming events. Membership entitles lawyer members to vote on issues and proposals brought before the membership and offers opportunities to serve in leadership roles and on the OCBA Board of Directors. (Law student members do not have voting privileges.) Members who are in good standing with the Michigan State Bar may choose to be listed under as many as five practice areas in the Find a Lawyer section of our website. In addition, the OCBA hosts several events for all of its members (and invited guests) throughout the year, which provide opportunities for networking and social interaction with fellow lawyers and judges in the county. Events include a steak fry, a holiday party, a bar-bench luncheon, and a Law Day dinner for court staff.

 

How can I be listed under the “Find a Lawyer” resource on the OCBA website?

 

All active dues-paying members of the OCBA who are in good standing with the Michigan State Bar may choose to be listed in up to five practice areas under the Find a Lawyer section of the website. This is a service to the public and to our members by providing a tool to locate an attorney in the practice areas indicated by the attorney. This does not constitute an endorsement or referral of any listed attorney member by the OCBA.

 

Members may submit the necessary information with their membership or renewal application and e-mail to OCBAcontact@gmail.com.

 

Whom do I contact regarding questions about my OCBA membership status or to make changes to my membership information or attorney referral listing?

 

For questions about your membership status, to RSVP for events, payment issues, or to update your membership address or e-mail, contact the OCBA Admin at OCBAcontact@gmail.com. To change or update your information under the Find a Lawyer listing on the website, complete the Update Directory Information form and e-mail to: OCBAcontact@gmail.com.

 

Where can I find information about becoming a member of the Michigan State Bar?

 

For information on law schools and the admission process, go to: www.lsac.org. For information on how to apply to take the bar examination, click here. Questions about the Bar Exam should be directed to the Board of Law Examiners at (517) 373-4453. For other topics relating to state bar association membership, go to the State Bar of Michigan link on the left hand menu of this page or www.michbar.org.

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Who is on the Board of the Ottawa County Bar Association?

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Visit our Board Member page here.