CHICAGO – Former Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx is no longer licensed to practice law after failing to provide proof that she has completed mandatory continuing education requirements, according to the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.
Foxx is “not authorized to practice law as [the] the attorney has not demonstrated the required MCLE compliance,” the former top prosecutor’s note on the website said ARDC website. MCLE stands for Minimum Continuing Legal Education.
“This means she couldn’t be bothered to watch just over an hour a month of videos provided by her own office,” says a veteran attorney and former assistant state’s attorney.
According to the commission’s website, attorneys whose last names begin with “F” must report their credits in even-numbered years by June 30. Failure to complete or report credits will result in an extension until Nov. 30, the site said.
“On December 1, all attorneys who do not have an online transcript demonstrating compliance with the requirements of that reporting period … will be removed from the principal role of attorneys for non-compliance with MCLE,” the Minimum Continuing Legal Education Board said website.
Foxx’s term as Cook County State’s Attorney ended at the end of the day on December 1, 2024. However, it is unclear whether a non-compliant attorney will be allowed to practice on December 1. the Illinois Constitution requires any elected state attorney must be “a licensed attorney of this state.”
“Burke wasn’t sworn in until December 2nd. Foxx was certainly told by the MCLE and ARDC board that her law license would expire on December 1, but she still allowed [prosecutors] to file pleas in the court under her name on December 1,” the veteran lawyer said.
According to an ARDC representative, an attorney seeking to regain licensure after having their continuing education requirements lapse must:
- obtain the required education credits or have a valid exemption
- report their compliance or exemption to the MCLE board
- pay a repair fee
MCLE verifies the lawyer’s details and informs ARDC. Barring other invalid circumstances, the attorney will be returned to the master roll within three to five business days, the ARDC representative said.
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