American Bar Association - Division for Bar Services

Mecklenburg County Bar - Operational Review

December 5, 2008 - Download the full report here (pdf)

 

Introduction

A.  Statistics

B.  Governance

C.  Policies

D.  Financial Management

E.  Staff Management and Administration

F.  Program Administration and Development

G.  Communications and Membership Outreach

Conclusion

 

 

A.   THE STATISTICS

Mecklenburg County Bar dues are lower than those of its metropolitan bar association counterparts throughout the country. The MCB's budget and staff size are commensurately smaller as well. However, the cost to practice in the county mandatory state and local bar dues combined is high.

 

Dues and Cost to Practice Comparisons

 

Mecklenburg County

Nationally

Cost to Practice*

$450

$316 average

$115-$570 range

Ranking in Cost to Practice

6th

$315-median

Bar Dues

$150

$211

Length of time between dues increases

8 years

2.5 years average

Section Dues-Metro Bars

$25

$22.50

*mandatory bar dues plus other required fees

 

Budgetary Comparisons

Mecklenburg County Bar and Benchmark Group

(Benchmark Group: Indianapolis, King County, Columbus, and Cincinnati)

 

Mecklenburg County Bar

Benchmark Group

Annual Budget

$1.45m*

$3m

Membership

4,100

4,675

Staff Size

16

26

% of Non-dues Revenue

60%

67%

CLE Per Credit Hour (average rang)

$65-55

$45-35

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*exclusive of activities related to public education such as Law and Society that are funded through the MBF.

 

Recommended Areas of Attention

  • Diversify non-dues income stream beyond CLE and exploit opportunities for sponsorship while providing additional member benefits.
  • Develop a strategy for increasing dues at some point in the near future. If there is too long of a stretch between increases, the resulting level can be onerous.

Next Section:  B.  Governance

 

Previous Section: Introduction

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