FIRM MODULE FAQs

PRO HAC VICE FAQs
Firm ID

Although it is not a requirement, we recommend utilizing this feature for its many benfits, such as:
  • update the firm's address;
  • view registration status and registration requirements due for the firm roster;
  • add/remove attorneys from the firm roster;
  • update the firm's malpractice insurance;
  • update the firm trust accounts;
  • apply firm malpractice and trust data to the profiles of attorneys on the firm roster; and
  • pay registration fees via check or ACH Withdrawal for all attorneys on the firm roster.
Yes, any entity that employs more than one attorney can benefit from obtaining a Firm ID and assigning a Firm Agent.
There is no firm size requirement. If your firm has ten or more attorneys, you can benefit from using the Firm ID.
The Firm ID number is permanent and can be used year after year.
Firm Agents

No, being an attorney is not required to qualify as a Firm Agent.
If the firm wishes to change its Firm Agent, a written notification must be sent by email to registration@iardc.org.

The request should be on firm's letterhead, signed by a managing partner, with the new Firm Agent’s name, date of birth, email address.
Registration Fee Payments

We only accept firm payments via paper check or ACH withdrawl.
No, the firm agent will be able to select which attorneys’ fees they would like to pay, and an invoice will be generated with the entire amount due for the selected attorneys. The firm agent can then pay those fees by check or ACH withdrawal.
The firm module can be used to pay registration fees for attorneys on active and inactive status.

Unfortunately, it cannot be used to pay registration fees for attorneys removed from the master roll for failing to register or due to retirement. The individual attorney must reach out to the registration department for assistance with registration.
Registration Data

If an attorney has made an individual monetary contribution, the attorney should list that contribution on his or her registration form. This is true even if the firm has also contributed on behalf of its attorneys.

If an attorney has not made an individual pro bono monetary contribution and is included with the firm’s pro bono contribution, the attorney must answer yes to whether they have provided pro bono legal services in the past 12 months, and report a total contribution of $1.00. (Note: We will not count the $1 amount in our aggregate totals. Including the $1 amount will allow our system to process the registration correctly.)

If the attorney has not made a pro bono monetary contribution and has not been credited for any firm contribution, the attorney should answer “no” and leave the amount field blank.

PLEASE NOTE: Rule 756(f) and an amendment to Rule 766 provide that information reported pursuant to this rule will be deemed confidential and that the information can be reported publicly only in the aggregate. An aggregate report allows the legal profession in Illinois to inform the public and Illinois policy makers about the actual scope of the voluntary contributions of Illinois lawyers to pro bono legal services. Neither that goal nor the stated purpose of the reporting obligation requires the ARDC to retain the capacity to link the information to individual lawyers except to verify that each lawyer has made the report, and the ARDC will not link the information to individual lawyers except for that purpose. Thus, it should not matter who makes the report of firm contributions. However, for purposes of the accuracy of the aggregate information, it is important that contributions be reported only once, either by the firm or by an individual attorney in the firm or by several attorneys reporting portions of the contribution.