Rule I-3 Status of Membership

The members of the Wyoming State Bar shall hold one of the following eight

(8) statuses:

(a) Active:

(1) Is authorized to practice law in the State of Wyoming.

(2) Pays the annual license fee pursuant to Article I, Section 5 of the Bylaws of the Wyoming State Bar.

(3) Completes Continuing Legal Education (“CLE”) as required by the Rules of the Wyoming State Board of Continuing Legal Education (the “CLE rules”).

(4) Any member who seeks to change from inactive status, honorary status, honorary retired status, retired status or emeritus status to active status must file a written request and certification with the executive director demonstrating, to the satisfaction of the executive director, one of the following:

(i) The member has engaged in the active, authorized practice of law as defined in Rule 303 of the Rules and Procedures Governing Admission to the Practice of Law in one or more states, territories or districts for five of the seven years immediately preceding the request to return to active status; or

(ii) If the member has held inactive status, honorary retired status, retired status or emeritus status:

(a) for less than three years, the member must complete one (1) year’s required CLE and pay the license fees required of active status members for the fiscal year in which the request is made. Such CLE must have been completed during the one-year period preceding the written request to change to active status.

(b) for more than three years but less than five years, the member must complete two (2) years’ required CLE and pay the license fees required of active status members for the fiscal year in which the request is made. Such CLE must have been completed during the two-year period preceding the written request to change to active status.

(c) for more than five years but less than seven years, the member must complete three (3) years’ required CLE and pay the license fees required of active status members for the fiscal year in which the request is made. Such CLE must have been completed during the two-year period preceding the written request to change to active status.

(d) for more than seven years, the member may return to active status only by complying with the admission requirements set forth in the Rules and Procedures Governing Admission to the Practice of Law.

(5) The foregoing requirements notwithstanding, for good cause shown by clear and convincing evidence, the Board of Officers and Commissioners may waive, modify or impose conditions upon written request for a return to active status.

(6) Any member who changes from another status to active status must remain on active status for one full year before requesting a different status.

(b) New active:

(1) Has been licensed to practice law in any jurisdiction for five (5) years or less.

(2) Is authorized to practice law in the State of Wyoming.

(3) Pays a reduced license fee pursuant to Article I, Section 5 of the Bylaws of the Wyoming State Bar.

(4) Completes CLE as required by the CLE rules.

(c) Inactive:

(1) Is not authorized to practice law in the State of Wyoming.

(2) Pays a reduced license fee pursuant to Article I, Section 5 of the Bylaws of the Wyoming State Bar.

(3) Is not required to complete any CLE.

(4) Submits to the executive director a written request to be placed on inactive status.

(d) Honorary:

(1) Is a current Wyoming Supreme Court justice, district court judge, chancery court judge, circuit court judge, judge or full-time magistrate of the United States District Court for the District of Wyoming, or any other full-time federal judge residing in Wyoming.

(2) Is not required to pay a license fee.

(3) Is not required to complete any CLE.

(e) Honorary Retired:

(1) Is a former Wyoming Supreme Court justice, district court judge, chancery court judge, circuit court judge, judge or full-time magistrate of the United States District Court for the District of Wyoming, or any other federal judge residing in Wyoming.

(2) Is not authorized to practice law in the State of Wyoming, but may provide mentoring to members of the Wyoming State Bar and to law students.

(3) Is not required to pay a license fee.

(4) Is not required to complete any CLE.

(f) Retired:

(1) A member in good standing who has reached the age of 65 years or has 25 years of membership in the Wyoming State Bar.

(2) Is not authorized to practice law in the State of Wyoming, but may provide mentoring to members of the Wyoming State Bar and to law students.

(3) Is not required to pay a license fee.

(4) Is not required to complete any CLE.

(5) Submits to the executive director a written request to be placed on retired status.

(g) Suspended: Has been suspended by the Wyoming Supreme Court for violation of the Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct, for non-payment of license fees, for non-compliance with the CLE rules, or placed on immediate suspension by the Wyoming Supreme Court.

(h) Emeritus:

(1) A member in good standing who has reached the age of 65 years or has 25 years of membership in the Wyoming State Bar.

(2) Is authorized to perform pro bono legal services as defined in the CLE rules or mentor another lawyer, but not otherwise authorized to practice law in the State of Wyoming.

(3) Is not required to pay a license fee.

(4) Is required to complete reduced CLE as provided in the CLE rules.

(5) Submits to the executive director a written request to be placed on emeritus status. In order for a request for status change to be considered, the member must not be in arrears on license fees or CLE requirements, unless the member submits a request to change to retired status on or before December 31 of the year in which the license fee is due. A member with an outstanding obligation to the Client Protection Fund may not request a change of status. With the exception of suspended members, all members are eligible to serve on boards or committees.