Keith Mack
Several authors have written about former US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama's law licenses. Both Barack and Michelle Obama graduated from Harvard Law School and were admitted to the Illinois State Bar Association. However, they chose to place their law licenses on “inactive” status as they no longer needed them for their work. Barack Obama changed his status to retired after becoming president in 2009. There have been false claims and rumors circulating on social media and via email that the Obamas surrendered their law licenses due to disciplinary issues or to escape charges of lying on their bar applications. However, fact-checking organizations and official sources confirm that neither Barack nor Michelle Obama has ever been subject to attorney disciplinary proceedings in Illinois, and their decision to change their license status is a common practice for lawyers who no longer need an active license for their work.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Author | Multiple authors |
| Name of Publication | FactCheck.org, Snopes.com, Reuters, TruthOrFiction.com |
| Date of Publication | 2012, 2020, 2023 |
| Claims | Barack Obama surrendered his license in 2008 to escape charges of lying on his bar application; Michelle Obama surrendered her license in 1993 after a federal judge gave her the choice between surrendering her license or standing trial for insurance fraud |
| Fact Check | False |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Barack Obama's law license status
There have been many claims on Facebook and in chain emails that former US President Barack Obama lost his license to practice law due to disciplinary reasons, including that he "surrendered his license back in 2008 to escape charges that he lied on his bar application". These claims are false.
Obama graduated from Harvard Law School in 1991 and was admitted as a lawyer by the Supreme Court of Illinois on December 17, 1991. He worked as a civil rights lawyer before entering politics. In February 2007, four days after announcing his presidential candidacy, Obama voluntarily elected to have his law license placed on "inactive" status. After becoming president, he changed his status to "retired" in February 2009.
According to the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois, Obama is listed as "voluntarily retired and not authorized to practice law or provide pro bono services". However, he was never the subject of any public disciplinary proceedings, and could return to active status and practice law if he desired.
Ashesi University: Law School Prospects
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Michelle Obama's law license status
Several sources, including Snopes and FactCheck.org, confirm that Michelle Obama does hold a law license, contrary to some claims on social media that she does not. However, her license is currently listed as "voluntarily inactive and 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. She then joined Sidley Austin, a corporate law firm in Chicago. In 1994, while working for the Public Allies project in Chicago, she voluntarily chose to place her license on "inactive" status.
A lawyer who has voluntarily surrendered their law license has given it up and no longer holds a valid license. However, a lawyer who has an inactive status still holds a valid license but is not currently engaged in any professional activities requiring an active license.
Michelle Obama could return her license to active status and practice law if she desired. Being on active status requires lawyers to pay an annual fee and take Continuing Legal Education classes, unless they are in certain jobs where the CLE requirements are waived.
Marriage Licenses in Puerto Rico: Legal Requirements
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Obama's law career
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. After graduating, he returned to Chicago to head a voter registration drive and also began writing his first book, Dreams from My Father, a story of race and inheritance, which was released in 1995. Obama then went on to work as a civil rights attorney at the firm formerly known as Davis, Miner, Barnhill & Galland. He also worked as a law associate for Illinois civil litigation law firm Miner, Barnhill & Galland.
In 1992, Obama began teaching constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School, where he served as a Lecturer until 1996 and then as a Senior Lecturer from 1996 to 2004. During his time at the University of Chicago Law School, Obama was invited to join the faculty in a full-time tenure-track position, but he declined. In 1996, Obama was elected to the Illinois Senate, a position he held until 2004 when he successfully ran for the U.S. Senate.
In February 2007, Obama announced his presidential campaign. Shortly after, he voluntarily elected to have his law license placed on "inactive" status. After becoming president, he changed his status to "retired" in February 2009. Obama's law license status has been the subject of misinformation, with claims that he surrendered his license to escape charges of lying on his bar application. However, these claims have been fact-checked and found to be false.
Dog Licensing Laws in Yamhill County
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Misinformation about the Obamas' law licenses
Several sources have debunked the claim that former US President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama surrendered their law licenses due to disciplinary reasons. The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (IARDC) website lists Barack Obama as “retired” and last registered in 2008, while Michelle Obama is listed as “voluntarily inactive” and was last registered in 1993. Both are not authorized to practice law in Illinois, but this is because they chose to change their registration status voluntarily.
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. He worked as a civil rights lawyer before entering politics and running for president in 2007. Four days after announcing his candidacy, he voluntarily elected to have his law license placed on "inactive" status, and after becoming president, he changed it to "retired" in early 2009.
Michelle Obama graduated from Harvard Law School in 1988 and was admitted to the Illinois State Bar Association on May 12, 1989. She joined Sidley Austin, a corporate law firm in Chicago, before moving to the public sector in 1994. That year, she voluntarily had her license placed on "inactive" status.
Contrary to the misinformation circulating online, neither of the Obamas was forced to surrender their law licenses. 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." The Illinois State Bar Association continues to list them as Honorary Members.
The hoax about the Obamas' law licenses has been circulating on social media and Facebook for several years, with various websites and fact-checking organizations repeatedly debunking it.
Exploring Universal Laws: Understanding the Fundamentals
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The process of surrendering a law license
Surrendering a license is a significant legal action that involves giving up the right to practice or operate under a specific license. In the case of a law license, surrendering it means that an individual is no longer authorized to practice law or provide legal services. The process of surrendering a law license can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the specific circumstances, but there are some common steps involved.
Firstly, it's important to distinguish between voluntarily surrendering a law license and having it involuntarily revoked or suspended due to disciplinary action or misconduct. In the case of former President Barack Obama, it has been reported that he chose to voluntarily change the status of his law license to "inactive" in February 2007, after announcing his candidacy for the presidency. Subsequently, after becoming president, he changed his status to "retired" in February 2009. This means that Obama chose to retain his license but is not currently authorized to practice law.
When a lawyer voluntarily surrenders their license, it is often due to personal or professional reasons, such as a career change or retirement. In some cases, lawyers may choose to surrender their license to avoid disciplinary proceedings or to mitigate potential damage to their reputation. The process typically involves notifying the relevant regulatory body, such as the state bar association, in writing, using designated forms. The lawyer may need to provide detailed information about their reasons for surrender and resolve any outstanding fees or fines.
On the other hand, involuntary license surrender, also known as disbarment, is typically a result of unethical or criminal conduct, incompetence, or incapacity. Disbarment procedures vary depending on the jurisdiction, and it may be temporary or permanent. Disciplinary proceedings may be commenced by the relevant bar association or law society, and the lawyer may be given an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges. If disbarred, the lawyer will be removed from the bar association and will no longer be authorized to practice law.
In both voluntary and involuntary cases, the licensing authority will review the surrender application or disciplinary proceedings to ensure compliance with procedural requirements and confirm that there are no pending issues. The final step is the formal acceptance of the surrender by the licensing authority, which is typically confirmed through an official letter or certificate.
It is important to note that the process of surrendering a law license can have lasting implications, and reinstating or reapplying for a surrendered license can be complex. Individuals may need to address the issues that led to the surrender, complete additional education or training, and demonstrate rehabilitation before they can be authorized to practice law again.
UK Licensing Laws: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Barack Obama surrendered his law license in 2008, the year he was elected president.
No, Michelle Obama did not lose her law license. She requested that her license be placed on "'inactive' status" in 1993 when she left law to enter the public sector.
Barack Obama surrendered his license possibly to escape charges that he lied on his bar application.
No, Barack Obama was never the subject of any attorney disciplinary proceedings in Illinois.
