However, some states now require mandatory education to be registered to practice.
Your license will be pulled after a certain time if you dont pay the fee in most states.
Also, I think I have one point wrong. There is likely some kind of time frame by which you can be an active lawyer, practice law, and have an unpaid fee.
If it is due Oct 1 and it is Oct 31 and you haven’t paid your fee you might still be able to practice. Not really sure on that point. His state may require an act of suspension rather than an automatic inability to practice law. this would make more sense.