Notice of Appearance - District of Columbia

NOTICE OF APPEARANCE

Superior Court of the District of Columbia -- Civil Division

IMPORTANT DC-SPECIFIC NOTES

The District of Columbia has a unique court structure as a federal district (not a state):

1. Single Trial Court: The DC Superior Court is the sole trial court for the District of Columbia, serving as both the court of general and limited jurisdiction.
2. DC Bar Required: Under Civil Rule 101(a), only active members of the District of Columbia Bar may represent parties in the DC Superior Court, except as permitted by DC Court of Appeals Rules 48 (law students) and 49 (pro hac vice and other special admissions).
3. E-Filing Transition: DC Superior Court has been transitioning its e-filing system. The Civil Division (including Landlord & Tenant and Small Claims) has moved to eFileDC (https://efiledcsuperiorcourt.gov), while some other case types continue to use CaseFileXpress/File & Serve Xpress.
4. Entry of Appearance Methods: Under Rule 101(b), an attorney enters an appearance by: (1) including the attorney's name on the first pleading or paper filed; or (2) filing a separate Notice of Appearance.

COURT HEADER AND CASE CAPTION

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

CIVIL DIVISION

Select Division:

☐ Civil Division -- General Civil
☐ Civil Division -- Landlord and Tenant
☐ Civil Division -- Small Claims
☐ Civil Division -- Tax
☐ Family Court
☐ Probate Division
☐ Other: [________________________________]

NOTICE OF APPEARANCE

TO THE CLERK OF THE COURT AND ALL PARTIES AND COUNSEL OF RECORD:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the undersigned attorney, an active member of the District of Columbia Bar, hereby enters an appearance in the above-captioned matter on behalf of [________________________________] ("Client"), pursuant to Superior Court Civil Rule 101.

1. ATTORNEY INFORMATION

2. CLIENT AND PARTY INFORMATION

The undersigned attorney enters this appearance on behalf of:

Client Name: [________________________________]

Client's Role in this Matter:

☐ Plaintiff
☐ Defendant
☐ Third-Party Plaintiff
☐ Third-Party Defendant
☐ Cross-Claimant
☐ Counter-Claimant
☐ Intervenor
☐ Petitioner
☐ Respondent
☐ Tenant (Landlord & Tenant Division)
☐ Landlord (Landlord & Tenant Division)
☐ Other: [________________________________]

3. TYPE OF APPEARANCE

A. General Appearance

☐ General Appearance -- The undersigned enters a general appearance on behalf of the above-named Client and will represent the Client in all aspects of this matter. This appearance constitutes a submission to the jurisdiction of this Court.

B. Limited Appearance

☐ Limited Appearance -- The undersigned enters a limited appearance on behalf of the Client. The scope of this representation is limited to:

☐ Specific hearing or proceeding on [__/__/____]: [________________________________]
☐ Specific motion(s): [________________________________]
☐ Discovery phase only
☐ Settlement negotiations or mediation only
☐ Trial only
☐ Post-judgment enforcement only
☐ Other specific limitation: [________________________________]

Detailed description of limitation: [________________________________]

Anticipated termination date or event: [________________________________]

Note: Rule 101's 2020 comment states that Rule 101 does not apply to limited appearances entered under an administrative order of the Chief Judge. Do not select this option unless a current order or rule authorizes the limited appearance for this case type; follow that authority's entry and termination procedure.

C. Appearance for Jurisdictional Challenge Only

☐ Jurisdictional Challenge -- The undersigned enters this appearance solely for the purpose of contesting this Court's jurisdiction over the Client. This appearance does not constitute a general appearance and does not waive any objection to personal jurisdiction.

4. ELECTRONIC FILING AND SERVICE

DC Superior Court has transitioned its e-filing systems. Select the applicable system:

E-Filing System

☐ eFileDC (Civil Division, including Landlord & Tenant and Small Claims) -- https://efiledcsuperiorcourt.gov
☐ CaseFileXpress / File & Serve Xpress (other case types as applicable)
☐ Paper filing (if exempt or system unavailable)

Consent to Electronic Service

☐ The undersigned CONSENTS to electronic service through the applicable e-filing system. Electronic service shall be directed to: [________________________________]

☐ The undersigned DOES NOT CONSENT to electronic service at this time. All service must comply with Super. Ct. Civ. R. 5(b).

Note on eFileDC: Beginning September 22, 2025, many civil filings submitted through eFileDC are automatically accepted and may be immediately viewed by the public. Review the eFileDC FAQ at https://efiledcsuperiorcourt.gov/faq-page/ for current system information.

5. SUBSTITUTION OR ADDITIONAL COUNSEL

☐ This is a new appearance -- no prior counsel has appeared for this Client.

☐ This is an additional appearance -- the undersigned is appearing as co-counsel alongside: [________________________________] (D.C. Bar No. [________________________________]).

☐ This is a substitution of counsel -- the undersigned is replacing:

Withdrawal of Prior Counsel:

Under Rule 101(c)(1), an attorney may withdraw without a court order only by filing a notice signed by both the attorney and the client if:

• No trial date has been set; AND
• Another attorney enters or has entered an appearance for the client at that time.

If those conditions are not met, withdrawal requires a court order on the attorney's motion. Unless the client has other counsel or the motion is made in open court in the client's presence, the withdrawing attorney must:
☐ File a motion for leave to withdraw
☐ Notify the client in writing
☐ Provide a 14-day period for the client to object
☐ File a certificate confirming service of the notice on the client

☐ Client previously appeared pro se. The undersigned now enters an appearance to represent the Client.

6. PRO HAC VICE ADMISSION (Out-of-State Attorneys)

☐ Not applicable -- attorney is an active member of the District of Columbia Bar.

☐ The undersigned out-of-state attorney seeks admission pro hac vice pursuant to D.C. Court of Appeals Rule 49(c)(7).

Pro Hac Vice Requirements (D.C. App. R. 49(c)(7)):

☐ A Praecipe for Admission Pro Hac Vice has been filed, indicating:

• The attorney's name, address, and telephone number
• The jurisdiction(s) where the attorney is a bar member
• The number of times the attorney has previously sought pro hac vice admission in DC

☐ The applicant is a member in good standing of the bar of another jurisdiction.
☐ A D.C. Bar member has been associated as local counsel and has agreed to sign all subsequently filed papers.

Five-Case Limit: A person generally may not apply for admission pro hac vice in more than 5 cases pending in District of Columbia courts per calendar year.

Required D.C. Local Counsel:

Local counsel obligations: D.C. local counsel must be a member in good standing of the D.C. Bar, must be prepared to go forward with the case, and must sign all papers subsequently filed. Local counsel bears responsibility for ensuring compliance with D.C. court rules.

7. PRO BONO ATTORNEYS (D.C. App. R. 49(c)(9))

☐ Not applicable.

☐ The undersigned is appearing pro bono under D.C. Court of Appeals Rule 49(c)(9) and has filed or will file the required Court of Appeals Form 9 with this appearance or the initial filing.

8. LAW STUDENT PRACTICE (D.C. App. R. 48)

☐ Not applicable.

☐ A law student admitted under D.C. Court of Appeals Rule 48 is participating in this matter under the supervision of the undersigned attorney. The law student's information is:

9. ASSIGNED JUDGE INFORMATION

If the case has been assigned to a specific judge, include the assigned judge's name in the caption. The Initial Scheduling Conference Notice typically provides this information.

Assigned Judge: [________________________________]

10. SIGNATURE BLOCK

DATED: [__/__/____]

Respectfully submitted,

[________________________________]
(Law Firm Name)

By: ________________________________________
[________________________________]
D.C. Bar No. [________________________________]
Attorney for [________________________________]

Address: [________________________________]
Washington, DC [________]
Phone: [________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]

11. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that on [__/__/____], a true and correct copy of this NOTICE OF APPEARANCE was served upon the following parties and/or counsel of record by the method(s) indicated, in accordance with Super. Ct. Civ. R. 5(b):

________________________________________
[________________________________]
D.C. Bar No. [________________________________]

PRACTITIONER NOTES AND GUIDANCE

DC Court Structure

The District of Columbia has a single, unified court system:

The Superior Court is divided into several divisions:

Civil Division Sub-Units:

• Landlord and Tenant Branch
• Small Claims Branch
• Quality Review Sub-Unit

Civil Rule 101 -- Entry and Withdrawal of Appearance

Rule 101(a) -- Who May Practice:
Only active members of the D.C. Bar may represent parties. Exceptions exist under Court of Appeals Rules 48 (law students) and 49 (special admissions including pro hac vice).

Rule 101(b) -- Entry of Appearance:
An attorney enters an appearance by:

1. Including the attorney's name on the first pleading or paper filed on behalf of the party; OR
2. Filing a notice entering the attorney's appearance listing: name, address, email address, telephone number, and D.C. Bar number.

The clerk will not process filings from attorneys who have not properly entered their appearance.

Rule 101(c) -- Withdrawal:

• Without Court Order: An attorney may withdraw by filing a notice signed by the attorney and client if (1) no trial date has been set AND (2) another attorney enters or has entered an appearance for the client at that time.
• With Court Order: In all other situations, the attorney must file a motion for leave to withdraw, notify the client in writing, provide a 14-day objection period, and file a certificate of service.

Rule 101(d) -- Pro Bono Attorneys:
Those practicing under Court of Appeals Rule 49(c)(9) must file Court of Appeals Form 9 with their appearance.

Rule 101(e) -- Law Students:
Law students admitted under Rule 48 may engage in limited practice consistent with that rule.

E-Filing in DC Superior Court

eFileDC (Civil Division):

• URL: https://efiledcsuperiorcourt.gov
• Covers: Civil Division cases including Landlord & Tenant and Small Claims
• As of September 22, 2025, many filings are automatically accepted
• Registration required before filing

CaseFileXpress / File & Serve Xpress:

• Used for case types not yet migrated to eFileDC
• Check current status on the DC Courts website

Filing Tips:

• Register with the appropriate e-filing system before your first filing
• Review the eFileDC FAQ for accepted file formats and size limits
• Confirm which system applies to your specific case type

Pro Hac Vice Practice in DC

Under D.C. Court of Appeals Rule 49(c)(7):

• File a Praecipe (not a formal motion) indicating required information
• Must associate a D.C. Bar member as local counsel
• Local counsel must sign all subsequently filed papers
• Five-case annual limit: Cannot apply for pro hac vice in more than 5 pending cases per calendar year
• No specific filing fee for pro hac vice in DC Superior Court (confirm current requirements)

Landlord and Tenant Branch

For cases in the Landlord & Tenant Branch:

• Check branch-specific rules requiring on-site filing before the first hearing
• Landlord & Tenant cases have expedited timelines
• Housing conditions cases have specific appearance requirements
• The Landlord & Tenant Branch may have its own scheduling and courtroom procedures

Appearance vs. Answer Deadlines

• Under Super. Ct. Civ. R. 12(a), the defendant has 20 days after service to file a responsive pleading (or 60 days if the defendant waived service under Rule 4(d)).
• Filing a Notice of Appearance alone does NOT extend the answer deadline.
• If appearing for a defendant after service, verify the responsive pleading deadline immediately.

Withdrawal Requirements Summary

Key Practice Tips

1. D.C. Bar Membership Required: Ensure you are an active member of the D.C. Bar before filing. The clerk will reject filings from non-members.
2. Include Assigned Judge: If the case has been assigned to a judge, include the judge's name in the caption.
3. Calendar Number: DC cases are assigned both a Case Number and a Calendar Number. Include both in the caption.
4. E-Filing Registration: Register with eFileDC (for civil cases) before attempting to file electronically.
5. Initial Scheduling Conference: After all parties have appeared, the court will typically schedule an Initial Scheduling Conference. Review the notice for the assigned judge and courtroom.
6. Proof of Service: Retain all e-filing confirmations and proof of service for your records.
7. Five-Case Pro Hac Vice Limit: Out-of-state attorneys should track their DC pro hac vice applications to stay within the five-case annual limit.
8. Government Cases: When appearing in cases involving the District of Columbia government, note that the Office of the Attorney General represents the District. Serve the OAG through proper channels.

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• DC Superior Court Civil Rule 101: https://www.dccourts.gov/node/20886
• DC Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure: https://www.dccourts.gov/taxonomy/term/37
• eFileDC Portal: https://efiledcsuperiorcourt.gov
• eFileDC FAQ: https://efiledcsuperiorcourt.gov/faq-page/
• DC Court of Appeals Rule 49: https://admissions.dcappeals.gov/getpdfform.action?id=389
• DC Courts E-Filing Information: http://www.dccourts.gov/superior-court/e-filing