Retired Lawyers – Emeritus

Retired lawyers may elect “Emeritus Status” by submitting an Affidavit of Emeritus Status. Lawyers between the ages of 62 and 67 who agree to provide 20 hours of qualifying pro bono legal representation per year may elect “Retired Status” if the lawyer meets the requirements outlined in Rule 7 of the Rules of the Supreme Court on Lawyer Registration. In addition to submitting the Affidavit of Emeritus Status, the lawyer must also submit the Retirement Affidavit (ages 62 to 67) and agree to file the Retirement Affidavit on an annual basis.

CLE Rule 14 authorizes Emeritus Status lawyers to provide pro bono legal representation to a pro bono client when the client has been referred to the lawyer by an approved legal services provider. Emeritus status lawyers’ licenses remain on CLE restricted status.

To qualify for Emeritus Status, a lawyer must:

1. Have filed a Retirement Affidavit pursuant to Rule 7A of the Rules of the Supreme Court on Lawyer Registration and be on Retired status OR submit the Retirement Affidavit (ages 62 to 67).

2. Be on voluntary (rather than involuntary restricted) status for CLE. Lawyers whose CLE status has been involuntarily restricted must contact the CLE office to resolve that issue prior to submission of the Affidavit for Emeritus Status.

For more information on qualifying for Emeritus status, see Rule 14.

To apply for Emeritus Status, a lawyer must:

1. Complete 1 credit hour in ethics, 1 credit hour in elimination of bias, and 1 credit hour in mental health or substance use awareness within one year immediately preceding the application.

2. Complete 3 credit hours in the substantive area of law in which the lawyer intends to practice within one year immediately preceding the application OR provide documentation from the legal services provider affirming the legal services provider confirms that the lawyer meets their qualifications to provide pro bono representation in the practice area.

3. Submit an Affidavit of Emeritus Status (Appendix IV) showing compliance with the requirements of CLE Rule 14.

Current Emeritus Status Lawyers:

You can now view if a lawyer is on Emeritus Status by searching the public database. Their fee status will show RETIRED – FEE EXEMPT, their CLE status will show EM (Emeritus), and next to Authorized to Practice Law? it will show “Limited.”

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