Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday signed legislation raising licensing fees for active California attorneys next year by $88, an amount lawmakers said will avoid layoffs and employee benefit reductions at the state bar.

The fee hike will bring active lawyers' 2025 bills to $598, or $553 if they opt out of a voluntary $45 charge to fund legal aid programs. Next year's bills will rise by $22.60 to $205 for inactive lawyers, or $160 without the legal aid fee.