Doing legal business in Illinois

Regulation of the legal profession

The Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission has administrative responsibility for regulating the legal profession in Illinois.

It is an agency under the authority of Illinois Supreme Court.

The Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar consists of members of the bar appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court. It handles all aspects of bar admissions in the state, including:

• the character and fitness process
• the administration of the bar exam, and
• the review and approval of applications for admission on motion

The Illinois State Bar Association is one of the largest voluntary bar associations in the US, with almost 30,000 members.

It shapes legislation, educates the public, provides professional services to lawyers, and supports the courts and the rule of law.

The Chicago Bar Association was founded in 1874 and has 17,000 members. It also provides networking and continuing legal education opportunities to its members.

Temporary practice

Illinois does not allow foreign lawyers to practise temporarily without first registering as a foreign legal consultant (FLC).

Foreign legal consultant (FLC) status

UK lawyers seeking to practise in Illinois can register as a FLC.

To obtain FLC status, you must:

• have been engaged in the practice of law in a foreign country
• have been in good standing as an attorney or counsellor at law in the foreign country for at least five of the seven years immediately preceding the date of your application
• possess the good moral character and general fitness required for a member of the bar in Illinois
• possess the required documentation evidencing compliance with the immigration laws of the US, and
• intend to practise as a legal consultant in the State of Illinois and maintain an office in Illinois

Find out more about applying for FLC status.

FLCs licensed in Illinois must abide by the code of state conduct and meet the professional indemnity insurance requirements.

Requalification

Illinois has adopted the Universal Bar Examination (UBE).

UK lawyers seeking to take the bar exam in Illinois must hold a first degree in law. You must also:

• have been licensed to practise law for a minimum of five years in the country in which your law degree was awarded
• be in good standing as an attorney or equivalent in the country of admittance
• have spent a minimum of 1,000 hours per year to the practice of the law of the country where you are licensed to practise. This must be the case for at least five of the seven years prior to the date of application to sit the bar exam

UK lawyers also need to pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) and satisfy the character and fitness standards in Illinois to be admitted into the profession.

Learn more about admissions requirements.

Find out more about applying for permission to sit the Illinois bar exam.

Establishing a law firm

There are no separate requirements to establish foreign law firms in Illinois.

Your firm must obtain a certificate of registration from the state Supreme Court before engaging in the practice of law in Illinois if you’re organised as a:

• professional service corporation
• professional association
• limited liability corporation, or
• registered limited liability partnership

To open an office in Illinois, foreign lawyers must register as a foreign legal consultant.

For more information, read the following Illinois Supreme Court admission rules: 

• Rule 721
• Rule 722

There are several UK firms in Illinois. Many of them are established as the branches of their US entity.