The Obamas: Can They Still Practice Law?

There has been much speculation about whether former US President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama are still legally allowed to practice law in Illinois. Both Barack and Michelle Obama obtained licenses to practice law in Illinois and have since changed their registration status. Barack Obama is listed as retired and not authorized to practice law or provide pro bono services as of 2008, the year he was elected president. Michelle Obama is currently listed as voluntarily inactive and not authorized to practice law as of 1993. However, neither Barack nor Michelle has ever been the subject of attorney disciplinary proceedings in Illinois, and both could return to active status and practice law if they desired.

Barack Obama's license status

Barack Obama is no longer a lawyer and is not authorized to practice law in Illinois. He was admitted to the Illinois State Bar Association on December 17, 1991, but he chose to have his law license placed on “voluntarily inactive” status in February 2007 after announcing his candidacy for the presidency. After becoming president, he opted to change his status to "voluntarily retired."

Obama's Illinois Registration Status is listed as "Retired - not authorized to practice law or provide pro bono services." His last registered year was 2008, the year he was elected president.

There were rumors that Obama surrendered his license to avoid charges of lying on his bar application. However, these claims are false. A court official confirmed that no public disciplinary proceedings have ever been brought against him. By voluntarily inactivating his license, Obama avoids the requirement to take continuing education classes and pay annual fees.

If he chose to, Obama could reactivate his license and practice law again.

Michelle Obama's license status

Michelle Obama does have a license to practice law in Illinois. However, her license is currently on inactive status, meaning she is not authorized to practice law.

Michelle Obama graduated from Harvard Law School in 1988 and was admitted as a lawyer 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, Obama voluntarily had her license placed on "inactive" status.

There is no record of any disciplinary actions or pending proceedings against Michelle Obama. Claims that she voluntarily surrendered her license in 1993 to avoid a trial for insurance fraud are false. A "voluntary surrender" is when a lawyer has been accused of something and gives up their license before disciplinary action is taken against them. Instead, Michelle Obama elected to assume inactive status, which means she still holds a valid law license but is not currently engaged in any professional activities that require it to be active.

If Michelle Obama desired to, she could return her license to active status and practice law again.

Reasons for surrendering their licenses

There are several reasons why an individual may choose to surrender their law license in Illinois. One reason could be to avoid disciplinary actions or criminal prosecution. If a lawyer is facing ethical or legal charges, they may choose to surrender their license as a way to resolve the matter without going through a formal disciplinary process.

Another reason could be a change in career path or retirement. If a lawyer decides to pursue a different career or retires from practicing law, they may voluntarily surrender their license to avoid the cost and hassle of maintaining it. This includes the requirement to take continuing education classes and pay annual fees.

In the case of Barack and Michelle Obama, there were rumors that they surrendered their law licenses to avoid ethics charges or disciplinary actions. However, these rumors have been proven false. The Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois confirmed that neither Barack nor Michelle Obama has ever been the subject of any public disciplinary proceedings.

Instead, it appears that the Obamas chose to voluntarily change their registration status to inactive or retired, which means they are not authorized to practice law in Illinois. This could have been due to their change in career path, as they became President and First Lady of the United States.

It's important to note that the process of surrendering a law license in Illinois is typically straightforward and quick. An individual can head to their local Illinois Secretary of State Facility, fill out the necessary paperwork, and submit any relevant documentation. The specific process may vary depending on the reason for surrendering the license.

The process to regain their licenses

Michelle Obama's Illinois registration status is "voluntarily inactive and not authorized to practice law". To regain her license, she would have to file a motion with the Illinois Supreme Court requesting to be transferred back to active status.

Barack Obama's Illinois registration status is "voluntarily retired and not authorized to practice law". To regain his license, he would have to contact the professional licensing call center at 1-800-560-6420 regarding the reactivation of his license. He may also have to file a motion with the Illinois Supreme Court requesting to be transferred back to active status, although it is unclear whether this is a necessary step in his case.

It is important to note that there is no record of any disciplinary actions or pending proceedings against either Barack or Michelle Obama. The Illinois State Bar Association continues to list them as Honorary Members.

The Obamas' law careers

Barack and Michelle Obama are no longer authorized to practice law in Illinois. However, this is because they both chose to change their registration status voluntarily, and they remain in good standing with the Illinois State Bar Association, which continues to list them as Honorary Members.

Barack Obama was admitted to the Illinois State Bar Association on December 17, 1991, and his license is currently listed as "retired," with his last registered year being 2008, the year he was elected president. Under "Public Record of Discipline and Pending Proceedings," it says "None."

Michelle Obama was admitted to the Illinois bar on May 12, 1989, and her license is currently listed as "voluntarily inactive and not authorized to practice law." She was last registered in 1993, and like her husband, her record also shows no disciplinary actions or pending proceedings.

Contrary to various claims circulating on the internet and social media, the Obamas did not surrender their licenses to avoid disciplinary action or criminal prosecution. According to the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois, there have never been any disciplinary actions against the former president or his wife.

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