An attorney not licensed in Alabama, but currently a member in good standing of the bar of another state or the District of Columbia, may appear as counsel pro hac vice in a case before any court or administrative agency in Alabama by complying with Rule VII of the Rules Governing Admission to the Alabama State Bar. An attorney appearing as counsel pro hac vice is subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of this state. To appear pro hac vice, a foreign attorney must associate local counsel who is a member in good standing of the Alabama State Bar.
A foreign attorney must also file with the court or agency where the cause is pending a verified application for admission to practice. The application required by Rule VII must be on a form approved by the Alabama State Bar and the Alabama Supreme Court. The granting or denying of an application is discretionary with the court or administrative agency before which the application is made.

THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE FOREIGN ATTORNEY

• Must first associate an attorney who is a member in good standing of the Alabama State Bar;
• Must then complete the Verified Application for Admission to practice under Rule VII, Rules Governing Admission to the Alabama State Bar;
• Must file the original of the completed application in the court where the case is to be heard and send a copy of the application to the Alabama State Bar with the $300.00 filing fee;
• Must disclose all cases for which applicant or a member of the applicant's firm, having been admitted pro hac vice over the past three years.
• Must provide as part of the verified application, a current certificate of good standing (dated within the past 60 days) issued by the bar of the highest state court of the jurisdiction where the applicant regularly practices law. (Note: certificates of good standing from federal courts are unacceptable.)
• Must include on the verified application, a hearing date obtained from the court in which the case is to be filed.
• Must agree to comply with the Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct.
• Must agree to be subject to the jurisdiction and disciplinary boards of the State of Alabama.

THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LOCAL COUNSEL

• Must agree to serve as a local counsel for an attorney not licensed to practice law in Alabama.
• Must be in good standing with the Alabama State Bar.
• Must personally appear and participate in all pretrial conferences, hearings, trials and other proceedings unless specifically excused from such appearance by the court.
• Must accept responsibility with the foreign attorney to the client, to the opposing parties and counsel, and to the court in all matters arising from that particular case.
• Must be responsible for mailing to the Alabama State Bar a copy of the order issued by the court, either granting or denying the application within 30 days of the hearing.

THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COURT

• The granting or denial of an application for admission pro hac vice is discretionary with the court before which the application is made.
• Must review the application and determine if the applicant is reputable and will observe the ethical standards required of the attorneys in this state.
• Must assign a hearing date. The notice of hearing, which must be included on the application, shall be given at least 21 days before the time designated for the hearing.
• Must issue an order granting or denying the application. The court must receive the statement from the Alabama State Bar indicating the hearing date and any previous applications made by the applicant or members of the applicant's firm, prior to any order being issued.
• Must mail a copy of the order to the local counsel, who must then send it to the Alabama State Bar.
• Must not accept for filing any pleadings or other documents from a foreign attorney who has not complied with the requirements of Rule VII, Rules Governing Admission to the Alabama State Bar.

THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ALABAMA STATE BAR

• Must make pro hac vice information available, including applications, instructions for completing applications, and copies of Rule VII of the Rules Governing Admission to the Alabama State Bar;
• Must process applications for completeness and accuracy;
• Must file with the court and serve upon all counsel of record a statement indicating whether the applicant or members of the applicant's firm have previously made any application for admission;
• Must keep records of all applications and ensure that orders are received for all applications;
• Must prepare the quarterly reports listing all applications filed during that quarter and the preceding 12 months;
• Must transmit the quarterly reports to all circuit and district clerks and judges;and
• Take appropriate action to enforce Rule VII.

WHO DO I CONTACT?

For information and applications contact:

The Alabama State Bar
Pro Hac Vice Admissions
(334) 269-1515
E-mail: phv@alabar.org
Web site: www.alabar.org

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