The practice of law in Pennsylvania has been traditionally regulated by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. However, recent developments have called into question the presumption that only the court may regulate attorneys, suggesting that it is yielding at least some of that ­authority to the Pennsylvania legislature under certain circumstances.

In the recently decided case of Yocum v. Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, the court (in its original jurisdiction) considered the constitutionality of certain provisions of the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, 4 Pa.C.S. Sections ­1101-1904 (the Gaming Act). The court considered the restrictions in the Gaming Act that prohibit employees—including attorneys—at the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board from soliciting, recommending or accepting employment with a licensed gaming facility for the period of two years after the termination of their employment with the board.

The petitioner in Yocum filed a legal challenge on the grounds that Article V, Section 10 of the Pennsylvania Constitution gives the Supreme Court exclusive authority to regulate the practice of law. Thus, she ­argued, the only body with the authority to issue the restrictions at issue in was the court, and not the legislature.