Facing an ultimatum by the state Supreme Court to raise money for legal aid or see a $50 hike in annual bar dues, a task force of lawyers and trial court judges is proposing a change in lawyer trust account rules and an increase in fees paid by out-of-state lawyers.

“I don’t think the [State Bar of Georgia] would be prepared for a mandatory $50 fee,” said task force chairman J. Randolph Evans, a partner at McKenna, Long & Aldridge. “It’s tough practicing law right now.”