In support of the proposed ABA Guidelines for an International Regulatory Information Exchange
Resolution 9: In support of the proposed ABA Guidelines for an International Regulatory Information Exchange
WHEREAS, the Conference of Chief Justices is cognizant of the increasing globalization of legal markets and the growing numbers of lawyers practicing across national borders; and
WHEREAS, a system of cooperation between the bar admission and lawyer disciplinary bodies of a home jurisdiction (the jurisdiction in which the lawyer has been admitted to the bar) and a host jurisdiction (the jurisdiction in which the lawyer renders cross-border legal services) will increase cross-border legal services and better protect the public; and
WHEREAS, the ABA Standing Committee on Professional Discipline and the ABA Task Force on International Trade in Legal Services requests the House of Delegates to adopt a resolution approving Guidelines for an International Regulatory Information Exchange at its August 2013 meeting; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Guidelines for an International Regulatory Information Exchange provide a template for state supreme courts and lawyer regulatory authorities to coordinate with their foreign regulatory counterparts and to enter into voluntary arrangements to facilitate the exchange of relevant information, consistent with each jurisdiction's rules regarding the admission, licensure and disciplinary status of their own licensed lawyers; and
WHEREAS, an essential part of regulating the practice of foreign lawyers is an ability to verify the qualifications, experience, and professional standing of that lawyer, including the status of any disciplinary proceedings involving that lawyer;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conference of Chief Justices encourages the ABA House of Delegates to adopt the proposed Guidelines for an International Regulatory Information Exchange.
Adopted as proposed by the CCJ Task Force on Foreign Lawyers and the International Practice of Law at the 2013 Annual Meeting on July 31, 2013.