ACC submitted comments in Kansas and the District of Columbia supporting proposed rule changes in both jurisdictions that would expand in-house lawyers' ability to provide pro bono services.
WASHINGTON (July 24, 2018) — The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), a global legal association representing more than 43,000 members in 85 countries, has submitted comments in Kansas and the District of Columbia supporting proposed rule changes in both jurisdictions that would expand in-house lawyers' ability to provide pro bono services.
In Kansas, ACC and its Mid-America chapter submitted comments to the state Supreme Court supporting the amendment of Supreme Court Rule 712, which would allow in-house counsel practicing on a restricted license to provide pro bono services. ACC encourages the Kansas Supreme Court to further increase access to justice by removing the restriction in the rule that these in-house counsel may only provide pro bono services through a court-approved non-profit provider of legal services or law school clinic.
In its comments, ACC states that many corporate law departments partner with law firms or non-profits to provide pro bono legal services. Under the current proposal, in-house lawyers operating on a restricted law license would not be able to participate in any law firm programs and could only work with non-profits that are legal service providers, unnecessary exclusions.
"ACC Mid-America includes many Kansas in-house lawyers who are licensed to practice in other states, but who seek to give back by providing pro bono services in their Kansas communities," said Jennifer McAdam, secretary and Pro Bono Committee chair of ACC Mid-America and legal counsel at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. "We urge the Kansas Supreme Court to remove all of these long-standing obstacles and unnecessary restrictions in order to increase access to justice."
In the District of Columbia, ACC and its National Capital Region chapter submitted comments to the D.C. Court of Appeals on proposals from the Committee on Unauthorized Practice of Law and the D.C. Access to Justice Commission to amend Rule 49(c)(9). In its letter, ACC asked the court to remove the requirement that in-house lawyers who are licensed outside of D.C. must affiliate themselves with a non-profit legal service provider and be supervised by an active member of the D.C. Bar in order to offer pro bono counsel.
"In-house counsel can and do answer the pro bono call – ACC is asking that this Court remove needless obstacles in the path to them doing so," the letter states.
To read the Kansas letter, visit http://www.acc.com/advocacy/upload/ACC-Kansas-letter-7-19-18.pdf. To read the D.C. letter, visit http://www.acc.com/advocacy/upload/ACC-Comments-Rule49-c-9.pdf.
About ACC: The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) is a global legal association that promotes the common professional and business interests of in-house counsel who work for corporations, associations and other organizations through information, education, networking, and advocacy. With more than 43,000 members in 85 countries employed by over 10,000 organizations, ACC connects its members to the people and resources necessary for both personal and professional growth. By in-house counsel, for in-house counsel.® For more information, visit www.acc.com and follow ACC on Twitter: @ACCinhouse.