Task force says state bar should stay mandatory

LANSING (AP) - A task force created by the Michigan Supreme Court says attorneys should continue to be required to join the State Bar of Michigan. But the group recommends changes to better protect bar members' First Amendment rights under a 1990 U.S. Supreme Court decision. The ruling upheld mandatory bar membership in California but said dues shouldn't be used to pay for ideological activities. Recommendations released last week include making sure state bar advocacy complies with the court decision and changing how the bar is governed. The Michigan Supreme Court will accept public comments on the report through Aug. 4 and possibly make rule changes later on. The court created the task force in February after a Republican lawmaker sponsored a bill to make membership voluntary. -------- Task force report online: http://1.usa.gov/1pgm7OC. Published: Tue, Jun 10, 2014