To attain emeritus status, retired attorneys need to complete substantive training and submit a completed "affidavit of emeritus status" to the CLE Board. The affidavit must include verification of the completion of:

• three hours of standard CLE credit in the area of law the attorney plans to do pro bono work in,
• at least one hour of ethics CLE, and
• at least one hour of elimination of bias CLE.

The courses must have been approved by the CLE Board and completed within 90 days of the application for emeritus status.

Importantly, pro bono work carried out by the emeritus attorneys must have been referred to them by "approved legal services providers", as defined in the CLE Rules. That definition was broadened by the Supreme Court's Order, and now includes:

• Grantees of the federal Legal Services Corporation;
• Grantees of MN's Legal Services Advisory Committee (LSAC); and
• Other LSAC designees. Organizations eligible for designation by LSAC include the pro bono programs of:
  • nonprofits,
  • law firms,
  • law libraries, and
  • bar associations.

The renewable emeritus status lasts three years from approval. You can now view if a lawyer is on Emeritus Status by searching the public database. Their fee status will show RETIRED – FEE EXEMPT, their CLE status will show EM (Emeritus), and next to Authorized to Practice Law? it will show “Limited.” 

Essential Documents:

• Minnesota Supreme Court Order establishing Emeritus Status
• Rules of the Minnesota State Board of Continuing Legal Education regarding Emeritus Status
• Affidavit of Emeritus Status

If you have questions about Emeritus Status, contact Katy Drahos, Access to Justice Director for the MSBA, at kdrahos@mnbars.org or 612-278-6330