Cameron Miranda
There have been several claims that former US President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama surrendered their licenses to practice law to escape disciplinary action or criminal prosecution. However, these claims are false. The Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of Illinois confirms that there have never been any disciplinary actions against the Obamas. The Obamas are not currently authorized to practice law in Illinois, but that is because they elected to change their registration status to retired and inactive, respectively.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for losing license | Not intending to continue practicing law |
| Public disciplinary proceedings | None |
| Barack Obama's status | Voluntarily retired and not authorized to practice law |
| Michelle Obama's status | Voluntarily inactive and not authorized to practice law |
| Michelle Obama's status in 2020 | Voluntarily inactive |
| Reason for status change | Common for lawyers who don't intend to practice law |
| Annual fee for active status | $342 |
| Requirements for active status | Take classes to satisfy the state's Minimum Continuing Legal Education requirement |
| Requirements for retired status | No annual fee or classes |
| Michelle Obama's job at University of Chicago Hospitals | Executive Director for Community Affairs and then Vice President for Community and External Affairs |
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What You'll Learn
- Barack Obama surrendered his license in 2008 to avoid charges of lying on his bar application
- Michelle Obama voluntarily surrendered her license in 1993 to avoid insurance fraud charges
- The Obamas' licenses were not surrendered due to disciplinary proceedings
- The Obamas' licenses are on voluntarily inactive status
- Reactivating an inactive law license is a simple procedure
Barack Obama surrendered his license in 2008 to avoid charges of lying on his bar application
It is a widely circulated claim that former US President Barack Obama surrendered his law license in 2008 to escape charges of lying on his bar application. However, this claim is false.
Obama was admitted to the Illinois State Bar Association on December 17, 1991, and was last registered in 2008, the year he was elected president. His entry under "Illinois Registration Status" mentions that he is "Retired - not authorized to practice law or provide pro bono services." Additionally, under "Public Record of Discipline and Pending Proceedings," it is mentioned that there were "None."
Obama chose to have his law license placed on "voluntarily inactive" status in February 2007 after announcing his candidacy for the presidency. Subsequently, after becoming president, he opted to change his status to "voluntarily retired."
James Grogan, deputy administrator and chief counsel for the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois, affirmed that the Obamas were "never the subject of any public disciplinary proceedings."
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Michelle Obama voluntarily surrendered her license in 1993 to avoid insurance fraud charges
There have been many claims that Michelle Obama surrendered her license to practice law to avoid charges of insurance fraud. However, these claims are false. Michelle Obama is listed as "voluntarily inactive and not authorized to practice law" on the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois website. She was last registered in 1993.
There has been some confusion because the online registration record used to list Michelle Obama as "on court-ordered inactive status." However, this was not due to any wrongdoing. Before 1999, an Illinois Supreme Court rule required active lawyers who wanted to change their registration status to do so by petitioning the court. Michelle Obama filed a motion to transfer to inactive status in 1994, and the court granted her request. James Grogan, deputy administrator and chief counsel for the ARDC, stated that claims that Michelle Obama went on inactive status to avoid disbarment are false.
Michelle Obama worked at the University of Chicago Hospitals as Executive Director for Community Affairs and then Vice President for Community and External Affairs. None of her job duties at the University of Chicago Hospitals required her to have an active law license.
Reactivating an inactive law license is a fairly easy procedure. It costs money to be a member of the bar, and if someone is not going to practice law, it may make sense to retire their license.
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The Obamas' licenses were not surrendered due to disciplinary proceedings
It is true that neither former US President Barack Obama nor former First Lady Michelle Obama holds an active license to practice law. However, there is no truth to the claim that they surrendered their licenses to avoid disciplinary action.
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 being elected to the Illinois state Senate in 1996. In February 2007, four days after announcing his presidential candidacy, Obama voluntarily elected to have his law license placed on "inactive" status. After his election as president in 2008, his status changed to “retired". On the website for the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois, Obama is listed as “retired" and “not authorized to practice law or provide pro bono services”. There is no record of any disciplinary actions or pending proceedings against him.
Michelle Obama graduated from Harvard Law School in 1988 and joined the Chicago law firm Sidley & Austin, where she later met her husband. She was admitted to the Illinois bar on May 12, 1989. Michelle decided to pursue a career in community service and moved to inactive status in 1994. She is listed as “voluntarily inactive" and “not authorized to practice law”. Like her husband, there is no record of any disciplinary actions or pending proceedings against her.
The Obamas' decision to change their license status was likely due to the common practice of lawyers who no longer intend to practice law choosing to go on inactive or retired status. This status change can also reduce costs, as active lawyers are required to pay annual fees and take Continuing Legal Education classes to maintain their licenses.
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The Obamas' licenses are on voluntarily inactive status
There have been many speculations about the status of the Obamas' law licenses. Both Barack and Michelle Obama, who obtained licenses to practice law in Illinois, were rumored to have surrendered their licenses to avoid disciplinary actions or criminal prosecution. However, these claims are false. Neither Barack nor Michelle Obama has ever been the subject of attorney disciplinary proceedings in Illinois.
Barack Obama was admitted to the Illinois State Bar Association on December 17, 1991, and was last registered in 2008, the year he was elected president. His Illinois registration status is listed as "retired" and he is not authorized to practice law or provide pro bono services.
Michelle Obama was admitted to the Illinois bar on May 12, 1989, and was last registered in 1993. Her Illinois registration status is listed as "voluntarily inactive" and she is not authorized to practice law. Michelle Obama decided that her true calling was working with people to serve their communities and their neighbors.
It is important to note that reactivating an inactive law license is a fairly easy procedure. Lawyers who voluntarily change their registration status to inactive or retired may not practice law based on their Illinois license but can still be commonly referred to as lawyers.
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Reactivating an inactive law license is a simple procedure
There have been many rumors circulating about the status of the Obamas' law licenses, with some claiming that they were forced to surrender them to avoid disciplinary action or criminal charges. However, these claims are false. Barack Obama is listed as "retired and not authorized to practice law," while Michelle Obama is listed as "voluntarily inactive and not authorized to practice law."
The Obamas never faced any disciplinary proceedings in Illinois, and their decision to change the status of their licenses was likely due to their intention to stop practicing law. It is worth noting that before 1999, lawyers in Illinois who wanted to change their registration status had to petition the court, but this rule has since been changed.
Reactivating an inactive law license is generally a straightforward procedure. In most states, individuals seeking to resume the practice of law after a period of inactivity must contact the relevant Attorney Registration Office to obtain the necessary paperwork and complete any required forms or petitions. There may be associated costs, which can vary depending on the attorney's current status, outstanding payments, and other factors. In some states, there may be specific requirements, such as completing Continuing Legal Education classes or making payments to the relevant board.
The specific process for reactivating a law license may vary depending on the state and the individual circumstances, but it is generally possible to return to active status with the proper steps. It is always advisable to contact the relevant state bar association or regulatory body for specific information and guidance on the reactivation process.
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Frequently asked questions
No, they did not lose their licenses. Both Barack and Michelle Obama surrendered their licenses in 2008 and 1993 respectively. Barack Obama is listed as "retired" and Michelle Obama is listed as "voluntarily inactive".
Barack Obama surrendered his license to focus on his political career. He was elected President in 2008, the same year he surrendered his license.
Michelle Obama surrendered her license as she no longer intended to practice law. She worked as an Executive Director for Community Affairs and then Vice President for Community and External Affairs at the University of Chicago Hospitals, roles that did not require an active law license.
No, the Obamas did not face any disciplinary action. There is no record of any disciplinary proceedings against them.
Yes, the Obamas can reactivate their licenses and practice law again if they choose to do so.
