ARDC reports growing percentage of lawyers over age 50
As expected, the slow rate of growth in the number of registered Illinois lawyers has continued. Unexpected, however, was a perceptible shift in the proportion of lawyers over the age of 50.
As compiled in the annual report of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, through Oct. 31, 2008, there were 83,908 registered lawyers – an increase of 1.85 percent over 82,380 in the previous year.
That is a slightly higher rate than in two prior years (1.5 and 1.4%) and the average for the past 10 years (1.6%).
The increase appears to reflect a jump in the percentage of lawyers between 50 and 74, from 37 percent to 39 percent, and in lawyers over 75, from 2 percent to 3 percent.
Meanwhile, the percentage of lawyers aged 30 to 49 dropped from 54 percent to 51 percent.
Noting that the percentage of registered lawyers over the age of 50 has increased from 22 percent to 39 percent during the past 15 years, the ARDC referred to the ongoing change as “The Graying of the Profession.”
The grand total of 83,908 counted last October will have grown by the admission of 2,323 new lawyers last November and 616 this month, minus attrition.
During the reporting year, 2,280 lawyers were dropped from the master roll: 961 unregistered, 373 deceased, 901 retired, and 45 disciplined.
That does not include those who were removed for non-compliance with MCLE requirements as the 2009 registration year ensued.
The ARDC reported that 680 lawyers, with surnames beginning A through M, were dropped on Jan. 8 – 1.3 percent of the first reporting group. Since then, 105 came into compliance and were reinstated.
Circuit growth is less
The overall growth rate of 1.85 percent was higher than the increase of only 1.6 percent among practicing attorneys with principal business addresses in Illinois – from 61,466 to 62,442.
Listed by judicial district, the totals are: 1st District, from 43,026 to 43,761 (+1.7%); 2nd District, from 9,843 to 10,018 (+1.8%); 3rd District, from 2,948 to 3,001 (+1.8%); 4th District, from 3,177 to 3,199 (+0.7%); 5th District, from 2,472 to 2,462 (-0.4%).
Outside of Cook County, the counties reporting the most lawyers are: DuPage 4,075; Lake 2,987; Sangamon 1,129; Kane 1,123; Will 913; Peoria 774; Winnebago 745; Madison 690; St. Clair 679; McHenry 577; McLean 551; Champaign 540.
Sanctions change little
During the year ended last Oct. 31, the ARDC docketed 5,897 investigations, slightly lower than 5,988 the previous year and the 10-year average of 5,975.
Of these, only 228 complaints were voted by the inquiry board, compared with 279 the previous year and the 10-year average of 277.
The Supreme Court ordered 135 sanctions, up from 120 the previous year but in line with the 10-year average of 134. There were 39 disbarments, 56 suspensions, 21 probations, 17 censures and two reprimands. The total does not include 15 interim suspensions.