Illinois Attorney General Opposes DOJ Attempt to Weaken Lawyer Discipline

Raoul leads coalition of 22 AGs opposing federal rule change that would undermine state oversight of attorneys

Apr. 7, 2026 at 11:01pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty government office space with warm, diagonal sunlight streaming through the windows, conceptually representing the quiet tension between federal and state authority over the legal industry.A contemplative scene of a vacant government office space hints at the high-stakes power struggle between federal and state oversight of the legal profession.Chicago Today

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has joined a coalition of 22 state attorneys general in opposing a proposed rule by the U.S. Department of Justice that would weaken the ability of states to oversee and discipline lawyers. The attorneys general argue that the licensing and regulation of lawyers has been a state responsibility since the nation's founding, and that the DOJ's attempt to centralize this process at the federal level would undermine state sovereignty and the public's trust in the legal profession.

Why it matters

This dispute highlights the longstanding tension between federal and state authority, particularly when it comes to the regulation of professions. The attorneys general contend that states are better positioned to monitor and hold lawyers accountable, given their intimate knowledge of local legal cultures and communities. The outcome of this clash could set an important precedent for the future balance of power between Washington and the states.

The details

The proposed DOJ rule would allow the department to intervene in state attorney disciplinary proceedings and potentially overrule state decisions. The attorneys general argue this would create unnecessary bureaucracy, introduce federal interference into a state-based system, and erode public confidence in the integrity of the legal profession.

  • The proposed DOJ rule was announced on April 1, 2026.

The players

Kwame Raoul

The Attorney General of Illinois, leading a coalition of 22 state attorneys general opposing the DOJ's proposed rule.

U.S. Department of Justice

The federal agency that has proposed a rule that would allow it to intervene in state attorney disciplinary proceedings.

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What they’re saying

“The licensing and regulation of lawyers has been handled by the states since the nation's founding,”

— Kwame Raoul, Attorney General of Illinois

What’s next

The DOJ is accepting public comments on the proposed rule until May 15, 2026, after which it will consider feedback before issuing a final version.

The takeaway

This dispute underscores the ongoing tug-of-war between federal and state authority, particularly when it comes to regulating professions. The outcome could set an important precedent for the balance of power between Washington and the states in overseeing the legal industry and other licensed fields.