A 711 temporary license is a valuable way for law students to gain practical legal skills, including representing clients in court while they are still in law school or awaiting the bar exam results. This article will briefly explain the 711 license, its requirements, and how to obtain it.

What is a 711 license?

With a 711 license, under the supervision of an actively licensed Illinois attorney, students and graduates can counsel clients, negotiate settlements, represent clients in mediation and other nonlitigation matters, prepare legal instruments, prepare briefs and other documents to be filed in court, and appear in appellate courts, trial courts, State of Illinois and federal administrative tribunals, subject to specific limitations and qualifications set out in Rule 711. The supervising attorney must also be present in proceedings involving appeals, imprisonment, or contempt of court.

Requirements and limitations

A student enrolled in or graduate of a law school approved by the American Bar Association can apply for a 711 temporary license to render legal services in the State of Illinois, provided they:

• Have completed one-half of the total credits required for graduation from their law school, and
• Are in good academic standing and eligible under their school’s criteria to undertake the activities authorized by the 711 license.

Students and graduates cannot obtain a 711 license to work in private practice. A 711 license can only be used when working at:

• A legal aid bureau, legal assistance program, organization, or clinic chartered by the State of Illinois or approved by a law school approved by the American Bar Association;
• The office of the public defender; 
• An office, agency, or department of the State or any of its subdivisions; or
• An office, agency, or department of the United States or any of its subdivisions.
   

Law School Graduates

A graduate of a law school approved by the American Bar Association is eligible for a 711 temporary license if they have (i) not yet had an opportunity to take the first bar exam or Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination since graduation, (ii) have taken the exams but are awaiting the results, or (iii) have passed both exams but are waiting to be sworn in.

How to apply for a 711 temporary license

In order to apply for the 711 license, you must have secured a position at a legal aid organization, clinical program, or government agency, as the form requires a supervisor's signature as well as contact information for the agency where you will be working. 

The form has been designed so that it may be filled out and signed electronically and submitted via email. To do so, download the appropriate form to a computer and open it with Adobe Reader 4.0 or newer. Then, set the cursor to the Hand Tool. Use the tab key or mouse to navigate through the form. 

The form contains three sections to be completed by (1) the applicant, (2) the supervising attorney, and (3) the Dean of the law school. 

First, fill in blanks in Section A of the form using your computer. Click on the signature line to authenticate and sign with a digital ID.

Second, you must obtain information about and the signature from your supervising attorney.

Third, you must obtain a certification and signature from the Dean of your law school – the certification and signature of an Associate or Assistant Dean is not sufficient. The Dean's signature is important because it provides proof that you have completed at least one-half of the total hourly credits toward graduation and that you are in good academic standing. If you are at a law school in Illinois, your school may have an established procedure for obtaining a 711 license. Check with your administration for more information.

Finally, you or your school must send the completed form to the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts via email or regular mail. The processing time upon receipt is usually two weeks. The 711 temporary license will be mailed to the applicant's home address listed on the application unless other arrangements are made by calling (312) 793-3250. If any part of the application is missing, the document will be returned to you, causing a substantial delay. 

Law Student Application

Law School Graduate Application

Text of Rule 711: Representation by Supervised Law Students or Graduates (As Amended 4/19/23)

Text of Northern District Of Illinois LR83.13. Representation by Supervised Senior Law Students

Text of Southern District of Illinois Rule 83.1(j) Admission of Attorneys. Representation by Supervised Senior Law Students

Text of Central District of Illinois Rule 83.5 Admission to Practice