Illinois · Senate Bill 3812 · 104th General Assembly

LAW FIRM OWNERSHIP

SB 3812 Sponsored by Michael E. Hastings In committee

  1. Introduced Feb 6, 2026
  2. In committee Feb 6, 2026
  3. Passed the Senate Next
  4. Passed the House  
  5. To the governor  
  6. Became law  

What it does

The legislature's own summary of the bill, or its official long title.

Amends the Attorney Act. Prohibits a private equity group, hedge fund, or any entity owned, operated, or controlled by a private equity group or hedge fund, including management services organizations, that is involved with a law firm or an attorney's practice from: (1) interfering with the professional judgment of attorneys in representing clients; (2) exercising control over or being delegated the power to own or…

Read the full title (228 words)

Amends the Attorney Act. Prohibits a private equity group, hedge fund, or any entity owned, operated, or controlled by a private equity group or hedge fund, including management services organizations, that is involved with a law firm or an attorney's practice from: (1) interfering with the professional judgment of attorneys in representing clients; (2) exercising control over or being delegated the power to own or determine the content of client records, select, hire, or terminate the employment of attorneys or allied legal staff in whole or in part based on competency or proficiency; or set competency or proficiency parameters for attorneys or allied legal staff; or (3) charging any fee to the attorney or law firm that is directly or indirectly based on the fees, revenues, or profits of the attorney or law firm. Prohibits an attorney from sharing legal fees directly or indirectly with an out-of-state alternative business structure unless: (1) the attorney is also licensed in the state in which the alternative business structure is approved; (2) the fees are compensation for providing legal services in that state; and (3) the law of that state is controlling under the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct or a successor rule. Provides for the recovery of statutory damages, attorney's fees and costs, and injunctive or declaratory relief as a remedy for violation. Defines terms. Contains applicability provisions. Effective immediately.

Every action

13 steps, oldest first, as the legislature records them.

Show the 5 earlier steps
  1. SenateFiled with Secretary by Sen. Michael E. Hastings
  2. SenateFirst Reading
  3. CommitteeReferred to Assignments · Senate Assignments
  4. CommitteeAssigned to Judiciary · Senate Judiciary
  5. CommitteePostponed - Judiciary · Senate Judiciary
  1. SenateRule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As March 27, 2026
  2. SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Michael E. Hastings
  3. CommitteeSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments · Senate Assignments
  4. CommitteeSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Judiciary · Senate Assignments
  5. CommitteePostponed - Judiciary · Senate Judiciary
  6. CommitteeSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Postponed - Judiciary · Senate Judiciary
  7. CommitteeRule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments · Senate Assignments
  8. CommitteeSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments · Senate Assignments

Roll calls

No recorded votes on this bill yet.

Sponsors

The member who introduced it.

From Illinois's official records (www.ilga.gov), checked Nov 13, 2026. Text links go to the official versions; LegiList does not copy bill text.