Notice of Appearance - Alabama

NOTICE OF APPEARANCE BY COUNSEL — ALABAMA CIVIL CASE

Use this neutral shell only after confirming the governing court, case type, local practice, filing method, and scope of representation. It does not replace a pleading, motion, application for temporary admission, substitution or withdrawal filing, or any court order required for the representation.

1. Court and Case

In the [CIRCUIT / DISTRICT] Court of [________________] County, Alabama

Division, if any: [________________________________]

Case number: [________________________________]

2. Notice

To the clerk and all parties and counsel of record:

The undersigned attorney enters an appearance as counsel of record for [PARTY NAME], whose position in this matter is [PLAINTIFF / DEFENDANT / PETITIONER / RESPONDENT / OTHER: __________].

Future papers and notices for that party should be directed to counsel at the contact information below, subject to the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure, the court's orders, and the authorized filing system.

3. Attorney Information

4. Representation Record

☐ This notice adds the undersigned as counsel of record.

☐ Other counsel currently appearing for this party: [________________________________]

☐ The party was previously self-represented.

☐ Counsel has checked whether the representation also requires a separate substitution, withdrawal, limited-scope, temporary-admission, consent, or court-order procedure.

Representation or scheduling information that the court requires in this notice, if any:

[____________________________________________________________]

[____________________________________________________________]

5. Defenses and Procedural Requests

This notice does not itself assert a defense, request relief, extend a deadline, substitute counsel, withdraw counsel, or obtain temporary admission. Any defense or objection should be presented and preserved through the proper pleading or motion under current Ala. R. Civ. P. 12 and any governing order.

Do not use a purported special appearance as a substitute for Rule 12 compliance. The official Committee Comments state that the former Alabama special-appearance practice was abolished by Rule 12(b). Rules 12(g) and 12(h) govern consolidation, waiver, and preservation of the listed defenses.

Separate filing made or planned, if any: [________________________________]

Current response or hearing deadline checked: [__/__/____]

6. Signature

Respectfully submitted,

Date: [__/__/____]

Attorney signature: __________________________________

Attorney's individual printed name: [________________________________]

Alabama State Bar number, if applicable or required: [________________________________]

Attorney for: [________________________________]

Firm / organization: [________________________________]

Address: [________________________________]

City, state, ZIP: [________________________________]

Telephone: [________________________________]

Email: [________________________________]

7. Certificate of Service

Rule 5(a) requires a written appearance to be served on the parties. Rule 5(b) generally directs service to counsel when a party is represented, unless the court orders service on the party. Select only a method authorized for the recipient and actually used.

I certify that on [DATE], I served a true and correct copy of this Notice of Appearance on each person listed below by the recorded Rule 5 method.

Ordinary email is not an independent service method in the current text of Rule 5(b). Electronic service under that rule must be through the authorized court electronic-filing system and comply with the governing Alabama Supreme Court order or rules.

Date: [__/__/____]

Signature: __________________________________

Printed name: [________________________________]

8. Filing Review

☐ The court, county, division, party, and case number match the docket.

☐ A standalone notice is appropriate for this court and case type.

☐ The attorney signed in the attorney's individual name and stated an address as Rule 11(a) requires.

☐ Every person entitled to Rule 5 service is listed by name and address.

☐ Known email addresses of registered electronic-filing-system users are listed in the certificate.

☐ Each recorded service method is authorized and was actually used.

☐ Any required pleading, motion, substitution, withdrawal, limited-scope, or temporary-admission filing is handled separately.

☐ All existing response, hearing, and filing deadlines were independently checked.

Sources and References

• Alabama Judicial System, Ala. R. Civ. P. 5.
• Alabama Judicial System, Ala. R. Civ. P. 11.
• Alabama Judicial System, Ala. R. Civ. P. 12.