STATE OF MINNESOTA
November 14, 2016
IN SUPREME COURT Om:ciEOF
APPB.IATECcuns
ADM 10-8002
ORDER PROMULGATING AMENDMENTS
TO THE RULES OF THE SUPREME COURT
ON LAWYER REGISTRATION
The State Board of Continuing Legal Education, which has supervisory authority
over the Rules of the Supreme Court on Lawyer Registration, see Rule 8, Rules on Lawyer
Registration, recommends amendments to the Rules on Lawyer Registration that will
implement a grace period before a lawyer's license is administratively suspended for
nonpayment of registration fees or for failure to submit a completed registration statement.
Amendments are also recommended to impose a reinstatement fee after the end of the grace
period, in addition to the monetary penalty for a late registration. The Court has considered
the proposed amendments and determined that a public comment period is unnecessary
and the Board's recommendation should be adopted.
Based on all the files, records, and proceedings herein, and pursuant to the inherent
authority of this court to regulate the practice of law,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Rules of the Supreme Court on Lawyer
Registration are amended as shown in the attachment to this order. The Rules as amended
are prescribed and promulgated to be effective as of July 1, 2017.
Dated: November 14, 2016 BY THE COURT:
Lorie S. Gildea
Chief Justice
Rules of the Supreme Court on Lawyer Registration
Adopted August 4, 1970
With amendments effective July 1, 2017
Rule 2. Registration Fee
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E. Due Date; Assessment of Late Penalty.
Fees under this rule are due and payable on or before the first day of January, April,
July, or October of each year as requested by the Lawyer Registration Office. The
Lawyer Registration Office shall immediately assess a late penalty of $75 on any
lawyer or judge who fails to meet this deadline.
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H. Penalty for Failure to Comply - Non-Compliant Status - Administrative
Suspension.
A lawyer or judge who fails to meet all of the criteria to be on either active or inactive
status is placed on non-compliant status, and the right to practice law in this state is
automatically suspended on the first day of the month following the due date
established by Rule 2E. A lawyer or judge on non-compliant status is not in good
standing. A lawyer or judge on non-compliant status must not practice law in this
state, must not hold out himself or herself as authorized to practice law, or in any
manner represent that he or she is qualified or authorized to practice law while on
non-compliant status. Any lawyer or judge who violates this rule is subject to all the
penalties and remedies provided by law for the unauthorized practice of law in the
State of Minnesota. It is the duty of each judge to enjoin persons who are not on
active status from appearing and practicing law in that judge's court.
I. Reinstatement.
A lawyer or judge who is on non-compliant status, who seeks to be reinstated to active
status or inactive status, must (i) notify the Lawyer Registration Office, (ii) complete
a lawyer registration statement, (iii) pay all delinquent registration fees, (iv) pay the
applicable registration fee for the current year, (v) pay a-l-ate-the penalty required by
Rule 2E plus a reinstatement fee of$+§. 100, (vi) complete all CLE requirements and
be transferred to CLE active status, (vii) comply with Rule 1.15(i), MRPC, and (viii)
comply with Rule 6 of these rules. The Lawyer Registration Office may, in hardship
cases, ·v.raive payment of delinquent lawyer registration fees and late penalties. A:ll
late penalty payments are allocated to the Lav,ryer Registration Office to defray
registration costs.
J. Waiver of Fees; Allocation of Fee Payments.
The Lawyer Registration Office may, in hardship cases. waive payment of delinquent
lawyer registration fees, late penalties, and reinstatement fees. All late penalty and
reinstatement fee payments are allocated to the Lawyer Registration Office to defray
registration costs.
ORDER PROMULGATING AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES OF THE SUPREME COURT ON LAWYER REGISTRATION. ADM 10-8002
Combined Opinion