ATTORNEY LICENSE STATUS INFORMATION & DEFINITIONS
Active– Every person licensed to practice law in the state shall be deemed an active member of the state bar until, at his/her request, he/she is enrolled as an inactive member or other classification.
Inactive- Member of the state bar not actively engaged in the practice of law in this state, or holding any judicial office in this state, or occupying a position in the employ of or rendering any legal service for an active member, or occupying a position where he/she is called upon to give legal advice or counsel or examine the law or pass upon the legal effect of any act, document, or law in this state.
Retirement and License Fee Exemption- Supreme Court Rules do not specifically address retirement however, the calendar year after your 70th birthday, you become exempt from annual license fees. If you choose to remain Active, you still have annual disclosures and will have continuing legal education requirements. If you choose to change your license status to Inactive, you will not have CLE requirements but you will have annual disclosures to submit. The disclosures are submitted online and take just a couple of minutes to complete.
Disability Inactive– If an attorney is found by stipulation or otherwise to be unable to adequately defend against disciplinary charges due to a disability caused by mental or physical infirmity, illness, or addiction, the court may transfer the attorney to disability inactive status until a determination is made of the attorney’s capacity to continue practicing law. Ineligible to practice law until further order of the court. Attorney may petition the court for reinstatement to active status once per year, or such other intervals as the court may direct, and must prove that the disability is removed and that the attorney is fit to practice.
Administrative Suspension– Attorneys may be administratively suspended for failure to pay license fees (SCR93(12)). While these are not disciplinary suspensions, the attorney is ineligible to practice law until the deficiency is remedied and the procedures to transfer back to active status completed as set forth in the applicable rules.
Resigned– Any member of the state bar who is not actively engaged in the practice of law in this state, upon written application on a form approved by the state bar, may resign from membership in the state bar if the member: (a) has no discipline, fee dispute arbitration, or clients’ security fund matters pending; and (b) is current on all membership fee payments and other financial commitments relating to the member’s practice of law in Nevada.
Resigned with Charges Pending– An attorney against whom charges are pending may, with the approval of Bar Counsel, stipulate to resignation (subject to court approval). Ineligible to practice law. Resignation is irrevocable with readmission only possible upon application as a new admittee.
Discipline Suspension– License to practice is suspended for misconduct. The attorney is ineligible to practice law during the suspension period. An attorney suspended for six months or less may return to practice automatically when the suspension period ends. An attorney suspended for more than six months must petition for reinstatement. A lawyer seeking reinstatement must demonstrate rehabilitation, fitness to practice, and competence. The suspension remains effective until the Supreme Court of Nevada reinstates the attorney to practice.
Disbarment– License to practice is revoked permanently.