Cecily Zamora
There have been many rumors circulating about former US President Barack Obama's law license. Several social media posts and emails claim that Obama surrendered his law license to escape charges of lying on his bar application. However, these are false claims. Obama's license is listed as voluntarily retired and not authorized to practice law, which means he could practice law again if he chose to do so. There have never been any disciplinary actions or charges against the former president.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for surrendering law license | To avoid ethics charges and pending disciplinary actions |
| Status of Barack Obama's law license | Voluntarily retired and not authorized to practice law |
| Status of Michelle Obama's law license | Voluntarily inactive and not authorized to practice law |
| Year of surrendering law license | Barack Obama- 2008; Michelle Obama- 1993 |
| Reason as claimed by people | Barack Obama lied on his bar application; Michelle Obama chose to surrender her license instead of standing trial for insurance fraud |
| Actual reason | To avoid continuing education classes and paying annual fees |
| Possibility of returning to active status | Yes, both Barack and Michelle Obama can return to practicing law if they choose to |
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What You'll Learn
Barack Obama's law license status
Contrary to a false internet rumor, Obama did not surrender his law license to avoid ethics charges or pending disciplinary actions. A court official and the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (IARDC) confirmed that no public disciplinary proceedings have ever been brought against him.
Obama voluntarily inactivated his license, which is a common practice for lawyers who don't need a bar card or appear in court. This allows them to avoid the costs of annual fees and continuing education classes. Obama could practice law again if he chose to do so by submitting a notification of his intention to return to active status and paying the registration fees for each year that he was retired.
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Michelle Obama's law license status
There are many misconceptions about Michelle Obama's law license status. One common misconception is 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. This claim is false.
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. However, in 1994, while working for the Public Allies project in Chicago, Obama voluntarily had her license placed on "inactive" status. According to the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois, Michelle Obama is listed as "voluntarily inactive and not authorized to practice law." 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 could return to practicing 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. She would also only have to pay the registration fee for the year that she requested to return to active status.
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Reasons for surrendering law licenses
There are several reasons why an individual may choose to surrender their law license. While the reasons for the Obamas' decision to do so remain speculative, here are some common reasons why lawyers might surrender their licenses:
- Change in Career Path: Lawyers who transition into careers that do not require a law license may choose to surrender their active status. This can include pursuing politics or public service, where an active law license may not be necessary or practical.
- Cost and Administrative Burden: Maintaining an active law license can be costly and administratively burdensome. Lawyers who do not actively practice law may choose to surrender their licenses to avoid paying annual fees, completing registration requirements, or fulfilling continuing legal education mandates.
- Ethical or Disciplinary Issues: In some cases, lawyers may voluntarily surrender their licenses to avoid disciplinary action or ethical charges. This is often presented as a choice between surrendering the license or facing potential misconduct proceedings or criminal prosecution.
- Personal Reasons: Lawyers may also choose to retire or become inactive due to personal reasons, such as health issues, family responsibilities, or a desire to pursue other interests outside of the legal profession.
- Employment Status: Lawyers who are employed by a company or organization may not need an active law license if their job duties do not require legal counsel or court appearances. In such cases, maintaining an active license may be unnecessary and costly.
It is important to note that surrendering a law license does not necessarily imply wrongdoing or disciplinary issues. Each state has its own rules and regulations regarding the status of law licenses, and lawyers can often return to active status if they choose to do so by fulfilling certain requirements.
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The Obamas' law licenses and disciplinary action
Barack Obama was admitted to the Illinois State Bar Association on December 17, 1991, and Michelle Obama was admitted to the bar on May 12, 1989. However, neither of them holds an active license to practice law. Barack Obama is listed as "voluntarily retired and not authorized to practice law", while Michelle Obama is listed as "voluntarily inactive and not authorized to practice law".
Contrary to a false internet rumour, no public disciplinary proceeding has ever been brought against either Barack or Michelle Obama. The Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of Illinois confirms that there have never been any disciplinary actions against the former president or his wife. The Obamas could return to practising law if they decide to.
There have been rumours that Barack Obama "surrendered his license back in 2008 to escape charges of lying on his bar application". However, this is false. Obama elected to have his law license placed on "'inactive' status in February 2007, four days after he announced that he would run for president. He then elected to change his status to "retired" in February 2009, after becoming president.
Michelle Obama "voluntarily surrendered" her law license in 1993. However, this was not because she was facing charges of insurance fraud. It is common for lawyers who don't intend to continue practising law to go on inactive status, and this status change does not prevent the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission from bringing a case against a lawyer.
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The process of reactivating their law licenses
Barack and Michelle Obama voluntarily inactivated their law licenses, meaning they are not subject to the same requirements as active lawyers, such as taking continuing education classes and paying annual fees. Both could reactivate their licenses and practice law again if they chose to do so.
The process of reactivating a law license varies depending on the state and the reason for the license being inactive. In Pennsylvania, for example, individuals seeking to resume the practice of law after being listed as "Inactive" for three years or more must file a Petition for Reinstatement. They must also obtain the appropriate paperwork and pay any associated costs. In New York, lawyers who are administratively suspended for failing to register or pay bar dues can be reinstated with relative ease, while those who are suspended or disbarred for disciplinary reasons will find the process much more challenging.
When it comes to the Obamas, the specific process for reactivating their law licenses would depend on the state in which they are licensed. In Illinois, where both Barack and Michelle Obama were admitted to the bar, the process for reactivating a law license may vary. However, according to a spokesperson for the Illinois ARDC, both Barack and Michelle Obama could return to active status and practice law if they desired.
For Barack Obama, who is listed as "Retired" in Illinois, the process of reactivating his law license may involve submitting a written or online notification of his intent to return to active status and paying the registration fees for each year that he was retired. For Michelle Obama, who is listed as "Voluntarily Inactive" in Illinois, the process may be different. She may need 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 requests to return to active practice.
It is important to note that the requirements and procedures for reinstating a law license can vary by state and individual circumstances. Therefore, it is always advisable to consult the relevant state bar association or regulatory body for specific information on the process and requirements for reinstatement.
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Frequently asked questions
No. Obama voluntarily inactivated his license to avoid paying fees and taking continuing education classes. He could practice law again if he chose to do so.
Barack Obama surrendered his law license because he was elected President of the United States. He elected to assume retired status after winning the 2008 election.
No. Obama was not forced to surrender his license. He elected to do so of his own volition.
No. This is a false claim that has been circulated on social media. There have never been any disciplinary actions or charges brought against Barack Obama.
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