Kansas Supreme Court Rule 712 let attorneys, who were fully licensed in another state but hadn’t taken the Kansas bar exam, to work only for a single employer under a restricted license.
Well, Toto, looks like we’re in Kansas for good. Pro bono attorneys in Kansas have good reason to celebrate! Amendments to Rule 712 now allow attorneys to do pro bono work in Kansas.
Up until this time, Kansas Supreme Court Rule 712 let attorneys, who were fully licensed in another state but hadn’t taken the Kansas bar exam, to work only for a single employer under a restricted license [1]. This restrictive law kept many deserving people from accessing the legal aid they needed. Rule 712 allowed an attorney the right to only work at one place at a time.
Citizens hold the right to a fair trial as upheld by the Sixth Amendment. It is therefore not only unfair but equally regressive to withhold legal aid from those who need it. We commend the state of Kansas for amending the rule, and facilitating access to justice!
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