Rule 721: Restricted License to Provide Legal Services for a Single Employer

(a)   Eligibility. An applicant may seek admission to the Kansas bar without examination by applying for a single-employer restricted license to practice law in Kansas if the applicant meets the following requirements:

(1)   is eligible under Rule 708;

(2)   is admitted by examination and licensed for the practice of law by the highest court of another state, the District of Columbia, or a United States territory;

(3)   accepts or continues employment with a person, firm, association, corporation, or accredited law school engaged in business other than the practice of law; and

(4)   provides or will provide legal services solely for the employer described in subsection (a)(3).

(b)   Required Documents and Fee. No later than 90 days after the start date of the employment described in subsection (a)(3), an applicant under this rule must submit the following:

(1)   an application submitted and accepted through the Attorney Admissions office’s online portal;

(2)   the contact information for the employer who will verify the applicant’s employment and start date;

(3)   any other information the admissions attorney, the Attorney Admissions Review Committee, or the Board of Law Examiners requests for use in considering the application; and

(4)   the fee under Rule 707(a)(8).

(c)   Practice During Pendency of Application. After filing an application under subsection (b) and pending issuance of a restricted license, an applicant may provide legal services for the applicant’s employer under the supervision of a Kansas attorney. A supervising attorney must meet the following qualifications:

(1)   be registered as active under Rule 206, in good standing, and regularly engaged in the practice of law in Kansas; and

(2)   certify on a form provided by the Attorney Admissions office that the supervising attorney is professionally responsible for supervising the applicant’s practice of law during the pendency of the application for a restricted license.

(d)   Application Review Process. The following rules apply in the application review process:

(1)   Rule 723 and Rule 725 apply to the character and fitness investigation and any hearing;

(2)   Rule 724 applies following an adverse Board ruling; and

(3)   Rule 726 applies if the Board approves an application, except that the license issued under this rule is restricted.

(e)   Authorization. Except for pro bono services permitted under Rule 1404, the restricted license authorizes the attorney to perform legal services exclusively for the single employer.

(f)   Duties. An attorney granted a restricted license under this rule is subject to all rules for practicing law in Kansas, including the requirements for continuing legal education.

(g)   Duration of Restricted License.

(1)   Change in Employment. If the employment under subsection (a)(3) ceases, the attorney’s right to practice law in Kansas terminates unless the attorney has accepted new qualifying employment and provides the following to the Attorney Admissions office within 30 days:

(A)   written documentation of acceptance of new employment; and

(B)   the contact information for the employer who will verify the applicant’s new employment and start date;

(2)   Admission Under Another Rule. The restricted license terminates if the attorney is admitted to the Kansas bar under Rule 716, 717, or 719.

(h)   Time in Practice. An attorney may use time in practice under a single-employer restricted license to satisfy the active practice requirement under Rule 719. But an attorney may not use time in practice under this rule to satisfy the requirements of a Kansas statute or regulation.

[History: New rule adopted effective July 1, 2022.]