Notice of Appearance - Indiana State Court

NOTICE OF APPEARANCE

Indiana Circuit / Superior Court -- Civil Action

IMPORTANT FILING NOTE: Indiana Trial Rule 86 requires electronic filing through the Indiana E-Filing System (IEFS) in all Indiana courts. Paper filing is permitted only in limited circumstances (e.g., emergency filings when IEFS is unavailable, self-represented litigants who have not registered for IEFS). The official Form 86-1 (Appearance by Attorney in Civil Case) must be used or its content incorporated. See Indiana Trial Rule 87 for document formatting requirements.

1. CASE CAPTION

IN THE [________________________________] COURT
[____] COUNTY, INDIANA

[________________________________],
     Plaintiff(s),
                                              Cause No. [____]-[____]-[____]-[________]
v.

[________________________________],
     Defendant(s).

2. TITLE OF DOCUMENT

APPEARANCE BY COUNSEL FOR [________________________________]

(Filed Pursuant to Indiana Trial Rule 3.1)

3. TYPE OF APPEARANCE

Select the type of appearance being entered:

☐ General Appearance -- Undersigned counsel enters an appearance for all purposes in this matter.

☐ Limited Appearance -- Undersigned counsel enters a limited appearance pursuant to Indiana Trial Rule 3.1(H), limited to the following scope:

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

☐ Additional Counsel -- Undersigned counsel enters an appearance as additional counsel of record alongside existing counsel [________________________________].

☐ Substitution of Counsel -- Undersigned counsel enters an appearance in substitution for prior counsel [________________________________], who is filing a simultaneous Motion to Withdraw pursuant to Trial Rule 3.1(E).

4. ENTRY OF APPEARANCE

NOW COMES [________________________________] ("Appearing Attorney"), Attorney No. [________________________________], of [________________________________] ("Firm"), and hereby enters an appearance on behalf of [________________________________] ("Client"), who is the ☐ Plaintiff ☐ Defendant ☐ Third-Party Plaintiff ☐ Third-Party Defendant ☐ Intervenor ☐ Cross-Claimant ☐ Counter-Claimant ☐ Other: [________________________________] in the above-captioned cause.

Pursuant to Indiana Trial Rule 3.1, the undersigned requests that all further pleadings, motions, orders, notices, and other papers in this action be served upon the undersigned in accordance with Indiana Trial Rule 5(B) and Trial Rule 86(G).

5. ATTORNEY INFORMATION

The following information is provided in compliance with Indiana Trial Rule 3.1 and Indiana Admission and Discipline Rule 3:

TRIAL RULE 3.1 CERTIFICATION: The undersigned certifies that the contact information listed above is current and accurate as of the date of this Appearance, and that the contact information on file with the Indiana Supreme Court Roll of Attorneys is also current and accurate. The undersigned acknowledges responsibility for keeping Roll of Attorneys information current pursuant to Indiana Admission and Discipline Rule 3.

6. ELECTRONIC SERVICE DESIGNATION

Pursuant to Indiana Trial Rule 86(G), the undersigned:

☐ Consents to electronic service via the Indiana E-Filing System (IEFS). All orders, opinions, notices, and documents served under Trial Rule 86(G) shall be sent to the email address(es) specified on the Indiana Supreme Court Roll of Attorneys.

☐ Designates the following additional e-service email address(es):

• [________________________________]
• [________________________________]

NOTE: Under Trial Rule 86(G), e-service of a document through IEFS is deemed complete upon transmission to the email address shown on the filed appearance or the Public Service List, as confirmed by the Notification of Electronic Filing (NEF). E-service has the same legal effect as service of an original paper document.

7. ADDITIONAL PARTIES REPRESENTED

If representing multiple parties, list each party below:

8. RELATED ATTORNEY INFORMATION (IF APPLICABLE)

A. Co-Counsel

B. Pro Hac Vice Admission

☐ The undersigned is sponsoring the admission of out-of-state counsel pursuant to Indiana Admission and Discipline Rule 3, Section 2. A separate Verified Petition for Temporary Admission (Pro Hac Vice) is being filed simultaneously.

9. SPECIAL DESIGNATIONS AND CASE INFORMATION

Check all that apply:

☐ This case is assigned to the Commercial Court docket pursuant to Indiana Administrative Rule 16 and Trial Rule 16.1.

☐ This case involves a claim for damages exceeding $10,000 and is filed in Circuit/Superior Court.

☐ This case involves a tort claim subject to the filing requirements of the Indiana Medical Malpractice Act, Ind. Code § 34-18-1-1 et seq.

☐ This case is a small claims matter (Marion County Small Claims Court or equivalent).

☐ This case involves a protective order pursuant to Ind. Code § 34-26-5 et seq.

☐ This matter is subject to mandatory alternative dispute resolution under local court rules.

☐ This matter is subject to a case management order or scheduling order already entered by the Court.

10. LIMITED APPEARANCE -- SCOPE AND TERMS

Complete this section only if a Limited Appearance is being entered under Trial Rule 3.1(H).

A. Scope of Limited Representation

The undersigned attorney's representation is limited to the following matters, proceedings, or tasks:

☐ Representation at a specific hearing or proceeding on [__/__/____]

☐ Preparation and filing of the following document(s): [________________________________]

☐ Representation through disposition of the following motion(s): [________________________________]

☐ Representation in connection with mediation or settlement negotiations only

☐ Other limited scope: [________________________________]

B. Client Acknowledgment

The Client has been informed of and consents to the limited scope of this representation. The Client understands that:

1. The attorney will not represent the Client on matters outside the defined scope;
2. The Client is responsible for all other aspects of the case;
3. Upon completion of the limited services, the attorney may withdraw without further court approval, subject to Trial Rule 3.1(H) requirements;
4. The Client should seek additional legal counsel for matters not covered by this limited appearance.

C. Termination of Limited Appearance

This limited appearance shall automatically terminate upon the earliest of:

• Completion of the services described above;
• Entry of an order by the Court terminating the limited appearance;
• Filing of a Notice of Completion of Limited Appearance by the undersigned attorney.

11. JURY DEMAND RESERVATION

☐ Client reserves the right to demand a jury trial pursuant to Indiana Trial Rule 38.

☐ A jury demand has been or will be separately filed.

☐ Not applicable / No jury demand at this time.

12. SIGNATURE BLOCK

Dated: [__/__/____]

Respectfully submitted,

[________________________________]
(Law Firm Name)


By: ________________________________________
    [________________________________]
    Indiana Attorney No. [________________________________]
    [________________________________]
    [________________________________], Indiana [________]
    Telephone: (____) ____-________
    Facsimile: (____) ____-________
    Email: [________________________________]

    Attorney for [________________________________]

13. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that on [__/__/____], a copy of the foregoing Appearance by Counsel was served upon the following parties and/or counsel of record by the method indicated:

☐ Indiana E-Filing System (IEFS) Electronic Service -- served electronically through the IEFS pursuant to Trial Rule 86(G), which generates a Notification of Electronic Filing (NEF) confirming service.

☐ First-Class U.S. Mail -- deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to:

☐ Hand Delivery -- personally delivered to:

☐ Facsimile -- transmitted via facsimile to:

☐ Email (by agreement) -- transmitted by email pursuant to agreement of the parties to:

________________________________________
[________________________________]
Indiana Attorney No. [________________________________]

PRACTICE TIPS AND GUIDANCE

Filing Requirements

1. E-Filing Mandatory. Under Indiana Trial Rule 86, all attorneys must file through the Indiana E-Filing System (IEFS). The official Form 86-1 (Appearance by Attorney in Civil Case) is available at www.in.gov/courts/efiling/. This template may be used as a supplement or alternative format where local rules permit.

2. Roll of Attorneys. Each appearing attorney must ensure that contact information on the Indiana Supreme Court Roll of Attorneys is current and accurate before filing. Under Trial Rule 3.1, the Clerk uses appearance form information for service by mail, fax, and email under Trial Rule 5(B). See Indiana Admission and Discipline Rule 3.

3. Timing. An appearance should be filed at or before the time of filing the first responsive pleading or motion. Failure to timely appear may result in default under Trial Rule 55.

Local Court Variations

4. County-Specific Forms. Some Indiana counties (e.g., Marion County, Lake County, Allen County) have additional local rules or forms. Marion County may require a tort case coversheet acknowledgment. Always check the local rules of the specific court.

5. Commercial Court. If the case is designated for the Commercial Court docket under Administrative Rule 16, include the Commercial Court designation in the caption and comply with Trial Rule 16.1 case management requirements.

6. Small Claims. In small claims proceedings, a limited appearance under Trial Rule 3.1(H) may be appropriate. Verify the specific small claims division rules.

Withdrawal of Appearance

7. Court Approval Required. Withdrawal of an appearance requires court approval under Trial Rule 3.1(E). The withdrawing attorney must file a Motion to Withdraw Appearance, provide notice to the client and all parties, and obtain a court order granting withdrawal.

8. Simultaneous Substitution. Where substitute counsel has been retained, the Motion to Withdraw should be filed simultaneously with the new counsel's Appearance to minimize delays and ensure the client remains represented.

9. Limited Appearance Withdrawal. For limited appearances under Trial Rule 3.1(H), withdrawal may occur upon completion of the defined scope of services by filing a Notice of Completion.

Pro Hac Vice

10. Out-of-State Counsel. Attorneys not admitted in Indiana must seek temporary admission (pro hac vice) under Admission and Discipline Rule 3, Section 2. A Verified Petition must be filed, and local sponsoring counsel must enter an appearance in every case.

2026 Rule Amendments

11. Recent Changes. The Indiana Supreme Court entered an Order Amending Rules of Trial Procedure effective January 1, 2026. Practitioners should review the current version of all cited Trial Rules at rules.incourts.gov to confirm compliance with any recent amendments.

Record Retention

12. Document Retention. Maintain a copy of the filed appearance with the IEFS confirmation/NEF for your records. The NEF serves as proof of filing and service.

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• Indiana Trial Rules: https://www.in.gov/courts/rules/trial_proc/
• Indiana Trial Rule 3.1 (Appearance): https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/trial/rule3-1/current.htm
• Indiana Trial Rule 86 (E-Filing): https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/trial/rule86/current.htm
• Indiana E-Filing System (IEFS): https://www.in.gov/courts/efiling/
• Form 86-1 (Appearance by Attorney): https://www.in.gov/courts/files/form-civil-appearance-efiling-86-1.docx
• Indiana Judicial Branch Forms: https://www.in.gov/courts/publications/forms/
• Indiana Admission and Discipline Rules: https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/admin/default.htm