United States District Court
Northern District Of Illinois
Local Rules
LR83.55.6. Restrictions on Right to Practice
A lawyer shall not participate in offering or making:
(1) a partnership or employment agreement that restricts the rights of a lawyer to
practice after termination of the relationship, except an agreement concerning
benefits upon retirement; or
(2) an agreement in which a restriction on the lawyer’s right to practice is part of the settlement of a controversy between private
parties.
Committee Comment. An agreement restricting the right of partners or associates to practice after
leaving a firm not only limits their professional autonomy but also limits the
freedom of clients to choose a lawyer. Subsection (1) prohibits such
agreements except for restrictions incident to provisions concerning retirement benefits
for service with the firm.
Subsection (2) prohibits a lawyer from agreeing not to represent other persons
in connection with settling a claim on behalf of a client.