For Inactive, Retired and Out of State Lawyers and Sponsoring Entities
Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 756(k) retired and inactive attorneys, as well as attorneys admitted in another state but not in Illinois, may perform pro bono services as long as they do the following:
- Submit a completed inactive/retirement or out-of-state pro bono authorization form to the ARDC (See forms below);
- Complete the annual registration process online with the ARDC;
- Work with an approved sponsoring entity (such as a legal aid organization or law clinic);
- Complete any training required by the sponsoring entity; and
- Annually, complete the following with the ARDC:
- Submit the inactive/retirement or out-of-state renewal form confirming the attorney's ongoing participation in the pro bono program (See forms below); and
- Register with the ARDC through the online registration process.
House counsel admitted under Supreme Court Rule 716 may perform pro bono service without any additional registration or affiliation requirements.
Information about sponsoring entities
Under rule 756(k), a sponsoring entity is "a not-for-profit legal services organization, governmental entity, law school clinical program or a bar association providing pro bono services." Sponsoring entities must do the following
- Submit a sponsoring entity authorization form to the ARDC describing the organization's pro bono program in which attorneys covered under Rule 756 may participate (See form below);
- Certify that the organization will provide appropriate training and support to pro bono attorneys;
- Provide malpractice insurance to pro bono attorneys; and
- Notify the ARDC if the organization discontinues participation in the program.
More information and a list of sponsoring entities is available on www.illinoislegalaid.org.
Completed forms should be returned by email (preferred), regular mail, or facsimile to:
ARDC Registration Department
One Prudential Plaza
130 E. Randolph Dr., Suite 1500
Chicago, IL 60601-3219
FAX: (312) 565-0997
registration@iardc.org
Important Note: The lawyer AND the sponsoring entity must notify the ARDC at registration@iardc.org when the lawyer's participation in the pro bono program has ended.
Form: Inactive/Retired Authorization
For use by inactive and retired lawyers seeking authorization to provide pro bono legal services under the auspices of a qualified sponsoring entity. The second section of the form is to be completed by a representative of the entity sponsoring the pro bono legal service program in which the lawyer participates.
Form: Inactive/Retired Renewal
For use by inactive and retired lawyers seeking annual renewed authorization to provide pro bono legal services under the auspices of a qualified sponsoring entity. The second section of the form is to be completed by a representative of the entity sponsoring the pro bono legal service program in which the lawyer participates.
Form: Out of State Authorization
For use by out of state lawyers seeking authorization to provide pro bono legal services under the auspices of a qualified sponsoring entity. The second section of the form is to be completed by a representative of the entity sponsoring the pro bono legal service program in which the lawyer participates.
Form: Out of State Renewal
For use by out of state lawyers seeking annual renewed authorization to provide pro bono legal services under the auspices of a qualified sponsoring entity. The second section of the form is to be completed by a representative of the entity sponsoring the pro bono legal service program in which the lawyer participates.
Form: Sponsor Authorization
For use by not-for-profit legal service organizations, governmental entities, law school clinical programs, and bar associations, seeking to serve as sponsoring entities for inactive, retired and out of state lawyers to perform pro bono legal services.