Obama's Law: Can He Practice?

There have been rumors circulating that former President Barack Obama surrendered his license to practice law to avoid disciplinary action. However, these claims are false. Obama was admitted to the Illinois State Bar Association on December 17, 1991, but he is no longer authorized to practice law, instead, he is listed as voluntarily retired and not authorized to practice law. He could return to practicing law if he decided to, but he would have to submit a written or online notification stating his intention to return to active status and pay the registration fee for each year that he was retired.

Barack Obama's law license status

There have been rumors that Obama surrendered his law license to escape charges of lying on his bar application. However, these claims are false. Obama chose to have his law license placed on "voluntarily inactive" status in February 2007 after announcing his candidacy for the presidency, and he changed it to "voluntarily retired" after becoming president.

James Grogan, deputy administrator and chief counsel for the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois, confirmed that the Obamas were "never the subject of any public disciplinary proceedings." Both Barack and Michelle Obama could return to practicing law if they decide to do so. Obama would have to submit a written or online notification of his intention to return to active status and pay the registration fee for each year that he was retired.

Michelle Obama's law license status

There are several rumours circulating about Michelle Obama's law license status. Some sources claim that Michelle Obama surrendered her law license in 1993 after a federal judge gave her the choice between surrendering her license or standing trial for insurance fraud. However, this claim has been deemed false by several fact-checking sources.

Michelle Obama graduated from Harvard Law School in 1988 and was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of Illinois on May 12, 1989. Following graduation, she joined Sidley Austin, a corporate law firm in Chicago. In 1994, while working for the Public Allies project in Chicago, Michelle Obama voluntarily chose to have her license placed on "inactive" status. This means that she still holds a valid law license but is not currently engaged in any professional activities that require it to be active.

Michelle Obama is listed as "voluntarily inactive and not authorized to practice law" on the website of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois. This status is different from surrendering a law license, which indicates that the lawyer has given up their license and no longer possesses it.

Michelle Obama could return to practising law if she decides to. However, she would have to file a motion with the Illinois Supreme Court requesting to be transferred back to active status and pay the registration fee for the year she requested to return to active status.

The process of lawyers changing their status

The status of a lawyer's license to practice law can change for various reasons, including personal choice, relocation, career shifts, or disciplinary actions. The specific process for changing a lawyer's status depends on the jurisdiction and the specific circumstances. Here is an overview of some common scenarios and the associated processes:

• Voluntary Status Change: Lawyers may choose to voluntarily change their status from active to inactive or retired, often due to career shifts or a change in personal circumstances. For example, in the case of former U.S. President Barack Obama, he voluntarily changed his status to "inactive" after announcing his presidential candidacy in 2007 and later to retired after becoming president. To change their status back to active, lawyers typically need to notify the relevant bar association or regulatory body and may have to pay registration fees for the years they were inactive or retired.
• Disciplinary Actions: In some cases, lawyers may face disciplinary proceedings or ethical violations that result in a change to their status to practice law. This can include suspension, revocation, or voluntary surrender of their license. However, it is important to note that neither Barack nor Michelle Obama has ever been subject to disciplinary proceedings or surrendered their licenses due to malpractice or pending charges, contrary to some rumors.
• Relocation and Jurisdictional Changes: When a lawyer moves to a different state or jurisdiction, they may need to change their bar admission or license status. Each state has its own bar association with specific requirements for admission, and lawyers must ensure they meet the necessary criteria to practice law in that jurisdiction.
• Immigration Status: Lawyers who are immigrants or planning to immigrate to another country may need to adjust their status to continue practicing law in their new location. For example, in the United States, non-immigrants can seek help from specialized law firms to navigate the complex process of changing their immigration status with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• Career Transitions: Lawyers may transition between different roles within the legal profession, such as moving in-house, joining a law firm, or taking on a government position. These career shifts may require adjustments to their bar membership status or practice area specialization.

It is important for lawyers to stay compliant with the regulations and requirements of the jurisdictions in which they practice. Each state or country may have its own unique processes and guidelines for lawyers to follow when changing their status.

The Obamas' eligibility to return to practising law

Barack and Michelle Obama are not currently authorized to practice law in Illinois. However, they were not forced to surrender their licenses over any disciplinary proceedings. Barack Obama was admitted to the Illinois State Bar Association on December 17, 1991, but he is no longer authorized to practice law. His Illinois registration status is "Retired - not authorized to practice law or provide pro bono services", and his last registered year was 2008, the year he was elected president.

Michelle Obama's Illinois registration status is "Voluntarily inactive and not authorized to practice law", and she was last registered in 1993. It is important to note that the term "court-ordered inactive status" in Michelle Obama's license information does not imply any wrongdoing. Instead, it reflects the pre-1999 Illinois ARDC rules, which required a court proceeding for any voluntary transfer to inactive status.

Despite not having active licenses, the Illinois State Bar Association continues to list the Obamas as Honorary Members. If they desired, both could return to active status and practice law. President Obama would need to submit a written or online notification of his intention to return to active status and pay the registration fee for each year that he was retired. Michelle Obama would have to file a motion with the Illinois Supreme Court to be transferred back to active status, and she would only have to pay the registration fee for the year she requested to return.

The Obamas' law teaching careers

Barack Obama graduated from Harvard Law School in 1991 and was admitted as a lawyer by the Supreme Court of Illinois on December 17, 1991. Before entering politics, he worked as a civil rights lawyer at the firm formerly known as Davis, Miner, Barnhill & Galland. From 1992 until his election to the U.S. Senate in 2004, Barack Obama served as a lecturer and senior lecturer at the University of Chicago Law School, teaching courses in constitutional law. Although his formal title was "senior lecturer," the University regarded him as a "professor." During his 12 years at the University of Chicago Law School, Obama was invited to join the faculty in a full-time tenure-track position several times, but he declined due to his high-demand career in politics.

Michelle Obama, also a lawyer, graduated from Harvard Law School in 1988 and was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of Illinois on May 12, 1989. She joined the Chicago law firm Sidley & Austin, where she met Barack Obama. However, a few years later, in 1994, she decided to pursue a career in public service, working for the Public Allies project in Chicago and later joining the University of Chicago as Associate Dean of Student Services.

Both Barack and Michelle Obama are currently listed as not authorized to practice law in Illinois, with Barack Obama's status listed as "voluntarily retired," and Michelle Obama's as "voluntarily inactive." However, this is a result of their decision to change their registration status, and neither has faced disciplinary proceedings in Illinois. The Obamas could return to active status and practice law if they desired.

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