Notice of Appearance - Georgia

NOTICE OF APPEARANCE

Georgia Superior Court / State Court -- Civil Action

COURT SELECTION

Select the appropriate Georgia court:

☐ Superior Court of [________________________________] County
☐ State Court of [________________________________] County
☐ Magistrate Court of [________________________________] County
☐ Probate Court of [________________________________] County

Judicial Circuit: [________________________________]

Georgia has 49 judicial circuits covering 159 counties. Select the applicable circuit:

☐ Atlanta Judicial Circuit (Fulton County)
☐ Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit (DeKalb County)
☐ Cobb Judicial Circuit (Cobb County)
☐ Gwinnett Judicial Circuit (Gwinnett County)
☐ Eastern Judicial Circuit (Chatham County)
☐ Augusta Judicial Circuit (Burke, Columbia, Richmond Counties)
☐ Northern Judicial Circuit (Elbert, Franklin, Hart, Madison, Oglethorpe Counties)
☐ Other: [________________________________]

SECTION 1: COURT CAPTION

Option A: Superior Court Caption

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF [________________________________] COUNTY
STATE OF GEORGIA

[________________________________],
          Plaintiff,

     v.                                        Civil Action File No. [________________________________]

[________________________________],
          Defendant.

Option B: State Court Caption

IN THE STATE COURT OF [________________________________] COUNTY
STATE OF GEORGIA

[________________________________],
          Plaintiff,

     v.                                        Civil Action File No. [________________________________]

[________________________________],
          Defendant.

SECTION 2: TITLE

NOTICE OF ENTRY OF APPEARANCE OF COUNSEL FOR [________________________________]

SECTION 3: TYPE OF APPEARANCE

Select the type of appearance being entered:

☐ General Appearance -- Full representation in all aspects of this matter
☐ Limited Appearance -- Appearance for specified proceedings or issues only (see Section 9)
☐ Special Appearance -- Appearance solely to contest personal jurisdiction
☐ Substitution of Counsel -- Replacement of prior counsel of record (see Section 10)
☐ Additional Counsel -- Entering as co-counsel alongside existing counsel of record

SECTION 4: ENTRY OF APPEARANCE STATEMENT

For General Appearance:

COMES NOW [________________________________], State Bar of Georgia No. [________________________________], of the firm [________________________________], and pursuant to Uniform Superior Court Rule 4.2 [or Uniform State Court Rule 4.2, as applicable], hereby enters an appearance on behalf of [________________________________] ("Client"), the [________________________________] [Plaintiff/Defendant/Third-Party Defendant/Cross-Claimant/Counter-Claimant/Intervenor] in the above-styled matter.

Please serve all pleadings, motions, notices, orders, and other papers on the undersigned at the contact information set forth below.

For Limited Appearance:

COMES NOW [________________________________], State Bar of Georgia No. [________________________________], of the firm [________________________________], and pursuant to Uniform Superior Court Rule 4.2 hereby enters a limited appearance on behalf of [________________________________] ("Client") in the above-styled matter for the limited purpose of [________________________________], as more fully described in Section 9 below.

This limited appearance does not constitute a general entry of appearance for all purposes in this matter.

SECTION 5: ATTORNEY INFORMATION

Attorney Name:              [________________________________]
State Bar of Georgia No.:   [________________________________]
Firm Name:                  [________________________________]
Street Address:             [________________________________]
                            [________________________________]
City, State, ZIP:           [________________________________], Georgia [____]
Telephone:                  [________________________________]
Facsimile:                  [________________________________]
Email:                      [________________________________]

Additional Attorneys Entering Appearance (if applicable):

Attorney Name:              [________________________________]
State Bar of Georgia No.:   [________________________________]
Email:                      [________________________________]

Attorney Name:              [________________________________]
State Bar of Georgia No.:   [________________________________]
Email:                      [________________________________]

SECTION 6: ELECTRONIC SERVICE

A. Consent to Electronic Service

Pursuant to Uniform Superior Court Rule 4.4 [or Uniform State Court Rule, as applicable] and O.C.G.A. Section 9-11-5, the undersigned:

☐ Consents to electronic service through the Odyssey eFileGA system. All documents may be served electronically at the email address(es) listed below.
☐ Does not consent to electronic service. Service must be made by traditional means in accordance with O.C.G.A. Section 9-11-5.

B. E-Service Email Address(es)

Primary e-service email: [________________________________]
Secondary e-service email: [________________________________]

C. Odyssey eFileGA Registration

☐ The undersigned is registered with the Odyssey eFileGA system (www.odysseyefilega.com)
☐ The undersigned will register with Odyssey eFileGA prior to the next filing

Note: Odyssey eFileGA is available in participating Georgia courts. Not all courts have adopted mandatory e-filing. Confirm with the clerk of the applicable county whether e-filing is mandatory, permissive, or not yet available.

SECTION 7: PRO HAC VICE ADMISSION

Complete this section only if counsel is not a member of the State Bar of Georgia.

A. Pro Hac Vice Application Status

☐ A Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice pursuant to Uniform Superior Court Rule 4.4 is being filed simultaneously
☐ An Order granting admission pro hac vice was entered on [__/__/____]
☐ Not applicable -- all counsel are members of the State Bar of Georgia

B. Pro Hac Vice Attorney Information

Out-of-State Attorney Name:    [________________________________]
Bar Admission(s):              [________________________________] (Bar No. [____])
                               [________________________________] (Bar No. [____])
Good Standing in All Bars:     ☐ Yes

C. Pro Hac Vice Requirements

The pro hac vice applicant certifies:

☐ Applicant is an active member in good standing of the bar of at least one state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia
☐ Applicant is not a resident of the State of Georgia
☐ Applicant is not regularly employed in the State of Georgia
☐ Applicant is not regularly engaged in the practice of law in the State of Georgia
☐ Applicant agrees to be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts and the State Bar of Georgia with respect to the law of the State of Georgia governing the conduct of attorneys
☐ Applicant has disclosed all jurisdictions in which the applicant is admitted and any history of disciplinary action

D. Georgia Sponsoring Counsel (Local Counsel)

An active member of the State Bar of Georgia must serve as local counsel:

Georgia Counsel Name:         [________________________________]
State Bar of Georgia No.:     [________________________________]
Firm Name:                    [________________________________]
Georgia Office Address:       [________________________________]
                              [________________________________], Georgia [____]
Telephone:                    [________________________________]
Email:                        [________________________________]

Note: Local counsel must sign all pleadings and papers filed with the court and must be present at all proceedings unless specifically excused by the presiding judge.

SECTION 8: PARTY INFORMATION

A. Client Information

Client Name:                   [________________________________]
Party Designation:             [________________________________]
                               (Plaintiff / Defendant / Third-Party Defendant / Intervenor / Other)
Client Address:                [________________________________]
                               [________________________________], Georgia [____]
Client Telephone:              [________________________________]

B. Opposing Counsel (Known)

Opposing Counsel Name:         [________________________________]
State Bar of Georgia No.:      [________________________________]
Firm Name:                     [________________________________]
Address:                       [________________________________]
Email:                         [________________________________]

SECTION 9: LIMITED APPEARANCE

Complete this section only if entering a limited appearance.

A. Scope of Limited Appearance

Pursuant to Uniform Superior Court Rule 4.2, the undersigned enters this appearance solely for the following limited purpose(s):

☐ Specific motion: [________________________________]
☐ Specific hearing on [__/__/____] regarding: [________________________________]
☐ Discovery proceedings
☐ Mediation or alternative dispute resolution
☐ Trial proceedings only
☐ Specific legal issue: [________________________________]
☐ Other (specify): [________________________________]

B. Duration of Limited Appearance

This limited appearance shall terminate upon:

☐ Conclusion of the specified proceeding(s) identified above
☐ Specific date: [__/__/____]
☐ Entry of order resolving the specified issue(s)
☐ Other: [________________________________]

C. Notice of Termination Requirement

Within five (5) days of the conclusion of the limited appearance, the undersigned attorney shall file a notice declaring that the limited representation has ended, which shall include:

☐ The client's last known mailing address
☐ The client's last known electronic address
☐ Service of the notice on the client
☐ Service of the notice on opposing counsel (or unrepresented parties)

D. Client Acknowledgment

☐ Client has been informed in writing of the limited nature of this representation
☐ Client understands that the undersigned will not represent the client beyond the specified scope
☐ Client understands that the client is responsible for all matters not covered by the limited appearance

SECTION 10: SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL

Complete this section only if this appearance constitutes a substitution.

A. Withdrawing Counsel Information

Withdrawing Attorney Name:     [________________________________]
State Bar of Georgia No.:      [________________________________]
Firm Name:                     [________________________________]

B. Basis for Substitution

☐ Withdrawing counsel has submitted a written request for withdrawal under Uniform Superior Court Rule 4.3
☐ Withdrawing counsel provided written notice to the client at least 10 days prior and no objection was received
☐ The client consents to the withdrawal and substitution
☐ An Order permitting withdrawal was entered on [__/__/____]

Note: Under Uniform Superior Court Rule 4.3, an attorney seeking to withdraw must submit a written request to the appropriate judge. The request must state that written notice was given to the client setting forth the intent to withdraw, that 10 days have expired since notice, and there has been no objection, or that withdrawal is with the client's consent.

SECTION 11: SIGNATURE BLOCK

Respectfully submitted this [____] day of [________________________________], [____].

                              [________________________________]
                              (Firm Name)


                              By: ________________________________________
                                  [________________________________]
                                  State Bar of Georgia No. [________________________________]
                                  [________________________________]
                                  [________________________________], Georgia [____]
                                  Telephone: [________________________________]
                                  Email: [________________________________]

                                  Attorney for [________________________________]

SECTION 12: CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that I have this day served the foregoing Notice of Entry of Appearance upon all counsel of record and unrepresented parties by the method(s) indicated below, in accordance with Uniform Superior Court Rule 6.1 and O.C.G.A. Section 9-11-5:

Date of Service: [__/__/____]

This [____] day of [________________________________], [____].

                              ________________________________________
                              [________________________________]
                              State Bar of Georgia No. [________________________________]

SECTION 13: E-FILING INSTRUCTIONS -- ODYSSEY eFileGA

Step-by-Step Filing Procedure

1. Navigate to Odyssey eFileGA at www.odysseyefilega.com
2. Log in with your registered credentials or create an account
3. Select the correct county and court (Superior Court or State Court)
4. Search for the existing case by case number or party name
5. Select filing type: "Entry of Appearance" or "Notice of Appearance"
6. Upload the signed Notice of Appearance in PDF format
7. Add all service contacts to the service list
8. Select the service method for each party (electronic or traditional)
9. Submit the filing and pay any required fees
10. Retain the e-filing confirmation receipt and service confirmation

Important E-Filing Notes

• Not all Georgia counties have adopted Odyssey eFileGA; confirm availability with the clerk
• Some courts may require the original signed document to be filed with the clerk in addition to the e-filed copy
• E-filing acceptance times vary; confirm the filing was accepted by checking the filing status
• Maintain all e-filing and e-service confirmation receipts

Filing Fees

• Filing fees for entry of appearance vary by county and court; confirm with the applicable clerk
• Pro hac vice application fees are set by court order; confirm the current amount
• Some courts accept payment through the Odyssey eFileGA system; others require separate payment

SECTION 14: PRACTITIONER NOTES -- GEORGIA-SPECIFIC

A. Georgia Court System Structure

Georgia's court system relevant to civil practice includes:

• Superior Courts: Courts of general jurisdiction in each of Georgia's 159 counties, organized into 49 judicial circuits. Superior courts have exclusive jurisdiction over certain matters (felonies, divorce, equity, title to land).
• State Courts: Courts of limited jurisdiction that handle civil cases, misdemeanor criminal cases, and preliminary hearings. Not every county has a state court.
• Magistrate Courts: Handle small claims (up to $15,000), dispossessory proceedings, and other limited matters.

B. Entry of Appearance Requirements (Rule 4.2)

Under Uniform Superior Court Rule 4.2:

• No attorney shall appear in that capacity before a superior court until the attorney has entered an appearance by filing a signed entry of appearance form or by filing a signed pleading
• A signed pleading (such as an Answer) may serve as an entry of appearance
• Some counties require a separate Entry of Appearance form in addition to any responsive pleading

C. County-Specific Forms and Requirements

Some counties have their own entry of appearance forms:

• Fulton County (Atlanta): Confirm any specific forms or standing orders with the clerk
• DeKalb County: Confirm local requirements with the clerk of the Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit
• Cobb County: May require specific local forms (e.g., "Form SC-1")
• Gwinnett County: State Court has specific entry of appearance procedures; check www.gwinnettcourts.com

D. Withdrawal of Counsel (Rule 4.3)

Under Uniform Superior Court Rule 4.3:

1. Submit a written request to the appropriate judge for an order permitting withdrawal
2. The request must state that written notice was given to the client of the intent to withdraw
3. The request must state that 10 days have expired since notice and no objection was received, OR that withdrawal is with the client's consent
4. The judge has discretion to deny the request if withdrawal would delay trial or interrupt orderly court operations or be manifestly unfair to the client

E. Limited Appearance Termination

For limited appearances under the Uniform Superior Court Rules:

• Within five (5) days of the conclusion of the limited appearance, the attorney must file a notice declaring that limited representation has ended
• The notice must include the client's last known mailing and electronic address
• The attorney must serve a copy of the notice on the client and opposing counsel (or unrepresented parties)

F. Service Requirements

Under Uniform Superior Court Rule 6.1 and O.C.G.A. Section 9-11-5:

• Service may be made by delivering a copy, mailing a copy, sending a copy by facsimile, or by electronic means if consented to
• Service by mail is complete upon mailing
• Maintain copies of all service confirmations, particularly Odyssey eFileGA service receipts

G. Pro Se Parties

If the opposing party is unrepresented, service must be made directly on the party at their last known address. Electronic service requires the consent of the unrepresented party.

This template is designed for use in Georgia Superior Courts and State Courts. For the United States District Courts for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Georgia (federal courts), different rules and procedures apply.