HR1317LRB098 23144 GRL 62135 r


  
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, In the State of Illinois, an eligible law student 
3and an eligible graduate of law school that is not yet licensed 
4to practice law in any jurisdiction, if he or she satisfies 
5specific requirements, can be granted a temporary license to 
6perform specified legal services under the Supreme Court of 
7Illinois Rules on Admission and Discipline of Attorneys, 
8Article VII, Part A., Rule 711; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, Under Rule 711, eligible law students and eligible 
10graduates of law schools may render services under the 
11supervision of a member of the Illinois bar, such as 
12negotiating in the settlement of claims; representing clients 
13in mediation and other non-litigation matters; engaging in the 
14preparation and drafting of legal instruments; and appearing in 
15trial courts, courts of review, and administrative tribunals of 
16this State, subject to qualifications; and
  
 
17    WHEREAS, Eligible law students and eligible graduates of 
18law school may perform such permitted legal services in the 
19course of the student's or graduate's work with one or more of 
20the following organizations or programs: a legal aid bureau, 
21legal assistance program, organization, or clinic chartered by 
22the State of Illinois or approved by an American Bar 
23Association-approved law school; the public defender's office; 
 
 
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1or a law office of the State or any of its subdivisions; and
  
 
2    WHEREAS, The Illinois General Assembly is the legislative 
3body of the State of Illinois authorized to negotiate, prepare, 
4draft, and enact legislation on behalf of the people of 
5Illinois; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, The Illinois General Assembly has offices 
7comprised of staff attorneys and legislators that analyze and 
8draft legislation and research-related legal issues; some of 
9these offices also have licensed members of the Illinois bar; 
10and
 
11    WHEREAS, As currently written, Rule 711 does not clearly 
12authorize eligible law students and eligible law school 
13graduates to perform legal services under the agency of the 
14Illinois General Assembly; and
  
 
15    WHEREAS, Eligible law students and eligible law school 
16graduates that are temporarily licensed under Rule 711 could 
17greatly benefit from the advanced experience gained through the 
18opportunity of working closely with members of the General 
19Assembly while performing legal services related to the 
20legislative process; and
  
 
21    WHEREAS, The General Assembly could greatly benefit from 
 
 
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1the additional assistance and particularized knowledge of 
2eligible law students and eligible law school graduates that 
3are temporarily licensed under Rule 711 to perform legal 
4services related to the legislative process; therefore, be it
  
 
5    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
6NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
7we urge the Supreme Court of Illinois to amend its Rules on 
8Admission and Discipline of Attorneys, Article VII, Part A. 
9Admission to the Bar, Rule 711 (b), Agencies Through Which 
10Services Must Be Performed, to specifically list the Illinois 
11General Assembly as one of the agencies through which services 
12may be performed as a part of the temporary licensing process, 
13authorizing eligible law students and eligible law school 
14graduates to perform legal services under the Rule; and be it 
15further
  
 
16    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be 
17delivered to the members of the Illinois Supreme Court Rules 
18Committee and the Director of the Administrative Office of the 
19Illinois Courts.