Saturday, August 1, 2015

Amendments to Illinois Pro Hac Vice Rules

The Supreme Court of Illinois amended Rule 707 (renamed as Permission for an Out-of-State Attorney to Provide Legal Services in Proceedings in Illinois) and made related amendments to Rules 756(a) and (a)(1) and 718(e) and (f), all effective for appearances filed in proceedings on or after July 1, 2013. The amendments do not require any action by an out-of-state attorney who obtained permission to enter an appearance in an Illinois proceeding prior to July 1, 2013.

Amended Rule 707 permits an out-of-state attorney to enter an appearance in a proceeding in Illinois before a court, a court-annexed alternative dispute resolution body, or a agency or administrative tribunal of the State of Illinois or of a local government unit, if the attorney: 
  • meets licensure and other eligibility requirements
  • associates with an Illinois attorney who files an appearance in the proceeding
  • files a verified Statement with the tribunal

No order of the tribunal permitting the appearance is required. However, the attorney must serve the verified Statement on the ARDC, register annually with the ARDC, and pay fees to the ARDC.

Amended Rule 707 does not affect the longstanding practice under which an out-of-state attorney authorized to practice law in another United States jurisdiction is permitted to provide legal services at a deposition in an Illinois proceeding without need of separate Rule 707 permission, if the out-of-state attorney is assisting an attorney whose appearance in the proceeding is authorized, regardless of the location of the deposition. The out-of-state attorney is subject to the disciplinary jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Illinois (Supreme Court Rules 751(a), 752(a) and (b), 779(a) and Rule 8.5 of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct). The longstanding practice is consistent with Rule 5.5 of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct. This practice does not permit an out-of-state attorney to file an appearance or to provide legal services before the tribunal, including the filing of any pleading, motion, or other document,  without obtaining Rule 707 permission.

Click here for instructions for a Rule 707(d) statement and for a listing of fees and requirements.

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