UJS Portal Service Fee Change

This change is regarding all credit card payments made on the UJS Portal. Please see the message below regarding the fee change.

Effective April 1, 2024, the $2.75 flat fee per online transaction has changed to a 2.75% fee based on the total cost of each online transaction. This change applies to all online payments made via the PAePay ecommerce platform. This includes payments related to fines, costs, restitution, bail, Annual Attorney Registration and Bar Applications, PACFile, state probation and parole fees, and the Guardianship Tracking System.

Please note that the option to "Pay by Mail" for Annual Attorney Registration remains.

Professional Liability Insurance (PLI) Section Change

The response options in the PLI section have been updated to better reflect the language in Ra.R.P.C. 1.4(c) and there are now four response options. Another change is that if an "I maintain..." option is selected, the Insurance Carrier Name must also be provided pursuant to Pa.R.D.E. 219(c)(1)(vi).

New Law Firm Size Question

A question regarding law firm size has been added to the registration form. If you are currently employed by a law firm/office, please provide how many attorneys are employed by the firm (including yourself and ALL office locations).

Every active attorney admitted to practice law in this Commonwealth shall pay an annual assessment of $275 per Pa.R.D.E. 219(b)(1)-(2), the breakdown of which is as follows: $195 to the Disciplinary Board, $50 to the Pennsylvania Lawyers Fund for Client Security, and $30 to the Pennsylvania Interest on Lawyers Trust Account Board. A portion of the Disciplinary Board and Pennsylvania Lawyers Fund for Client Security assessment is used to fund Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, a program to assist lawyers suffering from serious addictive illnesses. Additionally, every inactive attorney shall pay an annual assessment of $100 pursuant to Pa.R.D.E. 219(b)(3).

Due July 1

$275    Active, In-House Corporate Counsel, Defender or Legal Services Attorney, and Foreign Legal Consultant

$100    Inactive

$     0    Retired

 

After July 16

$475    Active, In-House Corporate Counsel, Defender or Legal Services Attorney, and Foreign Legal Consultant

$300    Inactive

$200    Retired

 

After August 1 

$675    Active, In-House Corporate Counsel, Defender or Legal Services Attorney, and Foreign Legal Consultant

$500    Inactive

$400    Retired 

Statuses Eligible for Online Registration

Active, In-House Corporate Counsel Pa.B.A.R. 302, Defender or Legal Services Attorney Pa.B.A.R. 311, and Foreign Legal Consultant Pa.B.A.R. 341: Attorneys admitted to practice law in this Commonwealth including those newly admitted prior to July 1 of the current year are required to pay the active annual assessment and file the annual registration form on or before July 1. A validated license card or certificate will be issued showing that the attorney has registered for the current registration year and is authorized to practice law in Pennsylvania.

Inactive: An attorney who is not engaged in practice in Pennsylvania, handling Pennsylvania legal matters, or required by his or her practice elsewhere to maintain active licensure in the Commonwealth may request or continue inactive status and pay an inactive annual assessment. The attorney shall be removed from the roll of those classified as active until and unless such inactive attorney requests and is granted reinstatement to the active rolls. See Pa.R.D.E. 219(h)(2). An attorney who sells his or her practice by reason of disability must transfer to inactive status unless a transfer to disability inactilve status pursuant to Pa.R.D.E. 301 occurs. See Pa.R.P.C. 117(f).

Retired: An attorney who has retired from the practice of law and desires to assume retired status must either submit the annual registration form selecting such status OR submit an Application for Retirement along with full payment of any applicable late fees or penalties. Upon transfer to retired status, the attorney shall no longer be eligible to practice law in Pennsylvania.

Click here for a complete listing of all attorney license statuses.

Failure to Complete Annual Registration

An attorney who fails to complete the annual registration requirement on or before July 16 shall be assessed a non-waivable late payment penalty. A second non-waivable late payment penalty shall be assessed if registration is not completed on or before August 1. Continued failure to comply shall be deemed a request to be administratively suspended. Upon entry of the Order of administrative suspension, an attorney has 30 days to comply with the outstanding registration requirement. As of the effective date of the Order, the administratively suspended attorney must comply with all requirements of Pa.R.D.E. 217 relating to formerly admitted attorneys. 

Contact Information

Pursuant to Pa.R.D.E. 219(c)(1)(ii), the attorney shall provide contact information, which shall specify information accessible to the public through the Board's website (http://www.padisciplinaryboard.org) or by written or oral request to the Board. Upon an attorney's written request and for good cause shown, the contact information will not be accessible to the public. Contact information may also be used by the Unified Judicial System for the purpose of sending communications and notices as well as posting on the Unified Judicial System’s web docket sheets.

Pursuant to Pa.R.D.E. 219(c)(3), every attorney who has filed the form shall notify the Attorney Registration Office in writing of any change in the information previously submitted within 30 days after such change.

Financial Data

All attorneys completing annual registration are required to report applicable financial accounts within AND/OR outside Pennsylvania. These accounts are required to be updated appropriately based on usage since May 1 of the previous registration year. For more information on reporting requirements, please see Pa.R.D.E. 221(q). For further assistance with completing this section, please utilize the help bubbles (?) within the section or see the Financial Data Reference Guide and Amendment Form.

Professional Liability Insurance

All attorneys shall indicate whether they are covered by professional liability insurance on the date of registration in the minimum amounts set forth by Pa.R.P.C. 1.4(c); a covered attorney shall identify the insurance carrier. The indicated insurance status will be available to the public through the Disciplinary Board’s website or upon written or oral request.

Pursuant to Pa.R.D.E. 219(c)(3), every attorney who has filed the form shall notify the Attorney Registration Office in writing of any change in the information previously submitted within 30 days after such change.

UJS Portal Proxy User(s)

An attorney may assign one or more proxy user(s) on the UJS Portal by utilizing the “Manage Proxies” menu. By designating a proxy user, you are authorizing the proxy to act on your behalf for one or more of the services offered through the UJS Portal. You remain responsible for any actions taken by your proxy on your behalf. 

Further Questions?

For questions concerning the completion of your registration, please visit the UJS Portal Help Center, the Disciplinary Board’s website at www.padisciplinaryboard.org, or contact Attorney Registration Staff by email at atty.registration@pacourts.us or by phone at (717) 231-3380.