Retirement tends to be a common end-of-year event. If you are considering an end to your law practice in Pennsylvania, what should you do about your license? One thing is for sure -- do not do nothing.
Your retirement from the practice of law only affects your license status if you effect a change. If you simply choose to not complete your annual registration or your CLE requirement, you will receive late penalties and ultimately be administratively suspended. Instead, pursue one of the following options:
- Continue maintaining active status. If you would like to maintain your ability to practice law, you should complete all requirements of an actively-licensed attorney (annual registration, CLE, etc.).
- Assume inactive status. While inactive status still requires annual registration, assuming such status automatically defers your CLE requirement. If you are unsure of your need to practice law in the future, consider maintaining inactive status. Please see the Board’s "Reinstatement" webpage for information about reinstatement from inactive status.
- Assume retired status. If you believe that your need to practice law in Pennsylvania has concluded, assuming retired status will end your annual requirements (annual registration, CLE, etc.). Please see the Board’s "Reinstatement" page for information about reinstatement from retired status.
- Assume emeritus status. After assuming retired status, an attorney may request to assume emeritus status. Emeritus status allows a retired attorney to provide pro bono services to eligible Legal Aid Organizations. For more information, please see the FAQs regarding emeritus status and the Board’s "Pro Bono" page.
Visit the Board’s "Forms" page to find appropriate forms to request the above status changes and, as always, make sure that your contact information is always up to date.