Are You Always a Lawyer? Illinois Supreme Court Says Maybe Not, But the Exception is Limited

When the lawyers in our firm’s legal profession practice advise lawyers around the country about their ethical obligations, we generally advise them that they are “always a lawyer,” and that they should view their ethical obligations through that lens. By that, we mean they should assume that there simply are not any circumstances in which they can take their lawyer hats off and expect that their conduct will not have implications on their professional status. We still think that is good advice, but the Illinois Supreme Court might disagree.