Federal Pro Hac Vice Admission Checklist

Federal Pro Hac Vice Admission Checklist

Court: United States District Court for the [________________________________]

Case Number: [________________________________]

Case Caption: [________________________________] v. [________________________________]

Applicant Attorney: [________________________________]

Local Counsel: [________________________________]

Date Prepared: [__/__/____]

I. Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Attorney Must Be:

☐ Member in good standing of the bar of another U.S. court
☐ Member of highest court of a U.S. state, territory, or District of Columbia
☐ Not suspended or disbarred in any jurisdiction
☐ No pending disciplinary proceedings (or disclosed if pending)
☐ Not a resident of the state where admission is sought (some districts)

Jurisdictions of Admission

II. Local Counsel Requirement

Local Counsel Must:

☐ Be admitted to practice in this district
☐ Be in good standing with this court's bar
☐ Maintain office within the district (if required)
☐ Agree to serve as local counsel

Local Counsel Information

Name: [________________________________]
Firm: [________________________________]
Address: [________________________________]
Bar Number: [________________________________]
Phone: [________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]

Local Counsel Responsibilities

☐ Vouch for pro hac vice attorney
☐ Sign all pleadings (if required by local rule)
☐ Appear at all proceedings (if required)
☐ Accept service on behalf of client
☐ Ensure compliance with local rules

III. Application Documents

Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice

☐ Motion prepared in proper format
☐ Caption includes case number
☐ Identifies applicant attorney
☐ Identifies local counsel
☐ States jurisdictions of admission
☐ States applicant is in good standing
☐ Includes disciplinary history disclosure (if any)
☐ Signed by local counsel (typically)

Required Attachments

☐ Certificate of Good Standing (dated within 6 months to 1 year)
☐ From state of primary admission
☐ From federal court of admission (if applicable)
☐ Certified copy or original

☐ Applicant Declaration/Affidavit:
☐ All bar admissions listed
☐ Good standing certification
☐ No disciplinary actions (or disclosure)
☐ No pending disciplinary proceedings (or disclosure)
☐ Agreement to comply with local rules
☐ Agreement to submit to court's jurisdiction

☐ Local Counsel Declaration:
☐ Agreement to serve as local counsel
☐ Vouching for applicant's qualifications
☐ Agreement to accept service
☐ Agreement to appear as required

District-Specific Forms

☐ Court's pro hac vice application form (if required)
☐ Designation of local counsel form
☐ Attorney appearance form

IV. Fee Requirements

Pro Hac Vice Admission Fee

☐ Fee amount: $[________] (varies by district, typically $100-$250)
☐ Payment method:
☐ Check payable to Clerk of Court
☐ Money order
☐ Credit card via Pay.gov
☐ Electronic payment

☐ Fee waiver requested: ☐ Yes ☐ No

V. Filing Process

CM/ECF Filing

☐ Motion filed electronically via CM/ECF
☐ Local counsel files motion (pro hac vice attorney cannot yet file)
☐ Proper filing event selected
☐ Attachments uploaded
☐ Fee paid

Paper Filing (if applicable)

☐ Original motion filed with clerk
☐ Copies provided as required
☐ Fee submitted with filing
☐ Proposed order attached (if required)

VI. Post-Admission Requirements

Upon Approval

☐ Court order granting admission received
☐ Pro hac vice attorney registered for CM/ECF (if required)
☐ Notice of appearance filed
☐ Client notified

Ongoing Obligations

☐ Maintain good standing in home jurisdiction
☐ Notify court of any disciplinary action
☐ Comply with all local rules
☐ Maintain contact information with court
☐ Coordinate with local counsel on all filings

VII. Common District-Specific Requirements

Check Local Rules For:

☐ Number of pro hac vice admissions permitted per year
☐ Reciprocity requirements
☐ CLE requirements
☐ Insurance requirements
☐ Fee amounts
☐ Local counsel requirements
☐ Signature requirements on pleadings
☐ Appearance requirements at hearings

VIII. District-Specific Notes

District: [________________________________]

Local Rule Reference: [________________________________]

Specific Requirements:
☐ [________________________________]
☐ [________________________________]
☐ [________________________________]

Fee: $[________]

Form Required: ☐ Yes ☐ No
☐ Form name/number: [________________________________]

IX. Disciplinary Disclosure

Required Disclosures

☐ No disciplinary history - certified in application
☐ Disciplinary history exists - full disclosure required:

Pending Matters

☐ No pending disciplinary matters - certified in application
☐ Pending matters exist - full disclosure required:
☐ Description: [________________________________]

X. Withdrawal Procedures

Withdrawal of Pro Hac Vice Admission

☐ Motion to withdraw filed
☐ Client consent obtained (or good cause shown)
☐ Court approval obtained
☐ All outstanding matters resolved
☐ Local counsel remains or substitute counsel filed

XI. Quality Control Checklist

Before Filing

☐ All admission certificates current (within required timeframe)
☐ Good standing verified in all jurisdictions
☐ Local counsel confirmed and aware of responsibilities
☐ Correct fee amount determined
☐ All required forms completed
☐ Motion signed by appropriate party

After Filing

☐ Court order obtained
☐ CM/ECF access confirmed
☐ Client notified
☐ Case calendar updated
☐ Local counsel contact established

XII. Document Tracking Log

XIII. Common Mistakes to Avoid

☐ Filing without current certificate of good standing
☐ Omitting required local counsel designation
☐ Failing to disclose disciplinary history
☐ Paying incorrect fee amount
☐ Not registering for CM/ECF after admission
☐ Ignoring limits on number of pro hac vice cases
☐ Not maintaining contact with local counsel
☐ Filing documents before admission is granted

Sources and References

• Cornell Law - Pro Hac Vice: https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/pro_hac_vice
• Local Court Rules: [Specific District Website]
• Federal Judicial Center: https://www.fjc.gov

Prepared by: [________________________________]

Date: [__/__/____]

Supervising Attorney (if applicable): [________________________________]