Information & Applications » Rule 717 - Limited Admission of Legal Service Program Lawyers » Rule 717 Limited Admission of Legal Service Program Lawyers General Information

Rule 717 Limited Admission of Legal Service Program Lawyers

A lawyer who is licensed in a US jurisdiction other than Illinois and has accepted an offer of employment in Illinois and has an anticipated start date pending or is employed in Illinois for an organized legal service, public defender or law school clinical program providing legal assistance to indigent persons may under prescribed circumstances apply for a limited license to practice law in Illinois.

Limited Admission of Legal Service Program Lawyers is authorized and governed by Illinois Supreme Court Rule 717.

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Eligibility for limited license

A lawyer admitted to the practice of law in another state or the District of Columbia who meets the educational requirements of Rule 703 may receive a limited license to practice law in this state when the lawyer is employed in Illinois for an organized legal service, public defender or law school clinical program providing legal assistance to indigent persons.

Click here to read Rule 703 »

Application filing requirements

The applicant must file with the Board of Admissions to the Bar a completed application in the form prescribed by the Board, along with specified certificates, affidavits, and other proofs, and the $100 application filing fee. Your application is not considered submitted until IBAB receives the required fee. 

Each applicant for a limited license under this Rule must receive certification of good moral character and general fitness to practice law by the Committee on Character and Fitness.

Limitations of practice

Licensed legal service program lawyers employed by an employer described above may perform legal services in this state solely on behalf of such employer and the indigent clients represented by such employer. In criminal matters classified as felonies, the lawyer may participate only as an assistant of a supervising member of the bar who shall be present and responsible for the conduct of the proceedings.

Duration of license

A Rule 717 license terminates upon the earliest of the following events: 1) the lawyer is admitted to the Illinois bar under any other rule of this Court; or 2) the lawyer ceases to be employed for the employer listed on his or her initial application; 3) Withdrawal of an employer's certification filed pursuant to Rule 717(b)(4).

Credit toward admission on motion

A lawyer's practice under a Rule 717 limited license shall be counted toward his or her eligibility for admission on motion under Rule 705.

Click here to initiate application for Rule 717 »