Opinion ID: 2504571
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Duties and Powers.

Text: (1) The duties of the South Carolina Bar shall be to faithfully carry out its stated purposes as set forth in this rule as may be amended from time to time, with the powers as shall be reasonably necessary and proper for the carrying out of these purposes, including the power to adopt, and amend as necessary, the Bylaws by which it shall be governed, to establish classification of memberships, to recommend amendments or additions to this rule and to the Constitution approved by this Court to be effective upon formation of the South Carolina Bar, and to recommend changes in the license fees to be charged the members thereof. (2) The annual license fee for active members who have been admitted to practice law in this State or any other jurisdiction for three years or more shall be $245.00 plus the amount specified in (3) below. The license fee for all other members shall be in lesser amounts as may be provided for in the Bylaws of the South Carolina Bar plus the amount specified in (3) below. The license fee shall be payable on or before January 1st of each year. All income and assets shall be handled separately by the South Carolina Bar, as prescribed in its Constitution and Bylaws. (3) For each of the listed classes of membership, the following additional license fee shall be paid: (A) Active Members (less than three years)$20.00 (B) Active Members (three years or more)$50.00 (C) Judicial Members$50.00 (D) Inactive Members$20.00 (E) Military Members$20.00 (F) Limited Certificates$20.00 The funds generated from this additional fee shall be placed in a separate account by the South Carolina Bar and shall be disbursed as directed by the Supreme Court to help defray the costs of operating the Commission on Judicial Conduct, the Commission on Lawyer Conduct and the Office of Disciplinary Counsel. (d) Membership Required. No person shall engage in the practice of law in the State of South Carolina who is not licensed by this Court and a member in good standing of the South Carolina Bar except as otherwise provided in the rules of this Court. (e) Attorney Information System (AIS). The AIS is a web-based system developed by the South Carolina Judicial Department to maintain and update information regarding members of the South Carolina Bar. Members use this system, which is accessed using a user name and password, to verify and update their individual contact information. The mailing and e-mail address shown in the AIS shall be used for all purposes of notifying and serving the member.