Definition of Registration Terms

For additional definitions, please see Rule 2 of the Rules of the Supreme Court on Lawyer Registration.

Authorized – If you have a fee status of “active,” you are authorized to practice law in Minnesota. You are in good standing and are current with CLE requirements.

CLE IR status (Involuntary Restricted) – If you are licensed in Minnesota but are not in compliance with the educational and reporting requirements of the CLE Rules, you have been involuntarily placed in this status by order of the Court. See CLE Rule 12 for additional provisions.

CLE VR status (Voluntary Restricted) – If you are licensed in Minnesota but have voluntarily chosen not to comply with the educational and reporting requirements of the CLE Rules, you are considered “Voluntary Restricted.” See CLE Rule 12 for additional provisions.

IOLTA (Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts) – You are required to complete this part of the registration statement every year, even if your IOLTA information has not changed and even if you are inactive or not authorized to practice. If you work for a firm, your firm’s account(s) apply to you and you must list it/them. If there are multiple accounts, you will need to list ALL of them. Trust account information submitted as part of the registration process is not accessible by the public. See Rule 1.15 of the Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct for more information.

Not Authorized – If you have a fee status of “general inactive,” “inactive – income less than $50,000,” “retired,” or “disabled,” you cannot practice law in Minnesota. You are still in good standing and are maintaining your license, but you cannot practice in Minnesota unless you change your Lawyer Registration status. Click here for information on changing your status.

Private Clients – For the purpose of reporting professional liability insurance coverage, the term “private client” excludes the clients of government lawyers and house counsel. If you are house counsel or a government lawyer that does pro bono or volunteer work, you should answer the registration statement questions as they pertain to your full-time employment only.

Professional Liability Insurance – You are not required to maintain insurance in the State of Minnesota but you are required to disclose whether or not you maintain it, and if so, the name of the carrier.