HR1317 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1317 LRB098 23144 GRL 62135 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In the State of Illinois, an eligible law student and an eligible graduate of law school that is not yet licensed to practice law in any jurisdiction, if he or she satisfies specific requirements, can be granted a temporary license to perform specified legal services under the Supreme Court of Illinois Rules on Admission and Discipline of Attorneys, Article VII, Part A., Rule 711; and

WHEREAS, Under Rule 711, eligible law students and eligible graduates of law schools may render services under the supervision of a member of the Illinois bar, such as negotiating in the settlement of claims; representing clients in mediation and other non-litigation matters; engaging in the preparation and drafting of legal instruments; and appearing in trial courts, courts of review, and administrative tribunals of this State, subject to qualifications; and

WHEREAS, Eligible law students and eligible graduates of law school may perform such permitted legal services in the course of the student's or graduate's work with one or more of the following organizations or programs: a legal aid bureau, legal assistance program, organization, or clinic chartered by the State of Illinois or approved by an American Bar Association-approved law school; the public defender's office; or a law office of the State or any of its subdivisions; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois General Assembly is the legislative body of the State of Illinois authorized to negotiate, prepare, draft, and enact legislation on behalf of the people of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois General Assembly has offices comprised of staff attorneys and legislators that analyze and draft legislation and research-related legal issues; some of these offices also have licensed members of the Illinois bar; and

WHEREAS, As currently written, Rule 711 does not clearly authorize eligible law students and eligible law school graduates to perform legal services under the agency of the Illinois General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, Eligible law students and eligible law school graduates that are temporarily licensed under Rule 711 could greatly benefit from the advanced experience gained through the opportunity of working closely with members of the General Assembly while performing legal services related to the legislative process; and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly could greatly benefit from the additional assistance and particularized knowledge of eligible law students and eligible law school graduates that are temporarily licensed under Rule 711 to perform legal services related to the legislative process; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the Supreme Court of Illinois to amend its Rules on Admission and Discipline of Attorneys, Article VII, Part A. Admission to the Bar, Rule 711 (b), Agencies Through Which Services Must Be Performed, to specifically list the Illinois General Assembly as one of the agencies through which services may be performed as a part of the temporary licensing process, authorizing eligible law students and eligible law school graduates to perform legal services under the Rule; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the members of the Illinois Supreme Court Rules Committee and the Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts.