Rhode Island Notice of Appearance

NOTICE OF APPEARANCE

State of Rhode Island — Superior Court

1. COURT HEADER AND CASE CAPTION

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS

County: ☐ Providence/Bristol ☐ Kent ☐ Washington ☐ Newport

SUPERIOR COURT

[________________________________],

Plaintiff(s),

v.

[________________________________],

Defendant(s).

NOTICE OF APPEARANCE

2. PARTY INFORMATION

Appearing on behalf of:

Additional Parties Represented (if applicable):

3. ATTORNEY INFORMATION

Pursuant to Rule 11 of the Rhode Island Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure, the undersigned provides the following information:

Additional Attorneys (if applicable):

4. TYPE OF APPEARANCE

The undersigned enters an appearance as follows (select all that apply):

☐ General Appearance — Full representation on all matters in this action pursuant to R.I. Super. Ct. R. Civ. P. 5 and 11

☐ Initial Appearance — First appearance on behalf of the party

☐ Substitution of Counsel — Replacing prior counsel of record [________________________________] (RI Bar No. [________]). Prior counsel has been notified and:

• ☐ Will file a separate motion to withdraw
• ☐ Has consented to substitution

☐ Additional Counsel — Appearing as co-counsel alongside current counsel of record [________________________________]

☐ Limited Scope Appearance — Appearance limited to a specific court event under R.I. Sup. Ct. Rules, Art. V, Rule 1.2(d)(2) (see Section 8)

☐ Pro Hac Vice Appearance — Out-of-state counsel appearing with leave of court (see Section 7)

☐ Guardian Ad Litem / Court-Appointed Counsel — Appointed by order dated [__/__/____]

5. APPEARANCE STATEMENT

Pursuant to Rule 5 of the Rhode Island Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure, [________________________________], Esquire (RI Bar No. [________________________________]), of [________________________________], hereby enters an appearance on behalf of [________________________________], [________________________________] (party description), in the above-captioned matter.

Please serve all pleadings, motions, orders, notices, and other legal papers on the undersigned at the address set forth in Section 3 above, in compliance with the Rhode Island Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure.

6. CONSENT TO ELECTRONIC SERVICE

Pursuant to Article X of the Rhode Island Superior Court Rules of Practice (Rules Governing Electronic Filing) and the Rhode Island Judiciary Electronic Filing Guidelines:

☐ The undersigned CONSENTS to electronic service through the Rhode Island Odyssey File & Serve system for all documents in this matter.

☐ The undersigned DOES NOT CONSENT to electronic service and requests service by conventional means pursuant to R.I. Super. Ct. R. Civ. P. 5.

E-Service Email Address(es):

Rhode Island E-Filing Acknowledgments:

☐ The undersigned is a registered user of the Rhode Island Odyssey File & Serve system.

☐ The undersigned acknowledges that electronic filing is mandatory for all attorneys in Rhode Island Superior Court pursuant to Article X of the Rules of Practice.

☐ The undersigned understands that self-represented litigants, incarcerated individuals, and those granted a waiver are exempt from mandatory e-filing.

☐ The undersigned understands that documents filed electronically are retained in Odyssey File & Serve for thirty (30) days before being purged, and thereafter are accessible only through courthouse or remote access.

☐ The undersigned understands that e-service through Odyssey File & Serve constitutes valid service under R.I. Super. Ct. R. Civ. P. 5.

Rhode Island Court Structure Notes:

• Rhode Island has only 5 counties: Providence, Kent, Washington, Newport, and Bristol.
• Providence and Bristol counties are consolidated for Superior Court purposes.
• The Superior Court sits in Providence (for Providence/Bristol), Warwick/East Greenwich (for Kent), Wakefield/South Kingstown (for Washington), and Newport (for Newport).
• All Superior Court locations use the Rhode Island Odyssey File & Serve system.

7. PRO HAC VICE ADMISSION (Out-of-State Counsel)

Complete this section only if the appearing attorney is not admitted to the Rhode Island Bar.

Pursuant to Rule 9 of Article II of the Rhode Island Supreme Court Rules and applicable Superior Court rules, the undersigned out-of-state attorney requests permission to appear pro hac vice.

Out-of-State Attorney Information:

Disciplinary History:

☐ The applicant has never been the subject of disciplinary action in any jurisdiction.

☐ The applicant discloses the following disciplinary history:

[________________________________]

Required Rhode Island Sponsoring Attorney:

Pro hac vice applicants must be sponsored by a member of the Rhode Island Bar. The sponsoring attorney is:

Pro Hac Vice Requirements Checklist:

☐ Motion for admission pro hac vice filed

☐ Rhode Island sponsoring attorney has entered or is entering an appearance

☐ Certificate of good standing from home state bar attached

☐ Pro hac vice fee paid (verify current fee amount with the court)

☐ Applicant is a member in good standing of the bar of another state or the District of Columbia

☐ Court order granting pro hac vice admission obtained (Order dated [__/__/____])

8. LIMITED SCOPE REPRESENTATION

Complete this section only if a limited appearance is being entered.

Pursuant to R.I. Sup. Ct. Rules, Art. V, Rule 1.2(d)(2), the undersigned enters a limited appearance for the court event identified below. The otherwise unrepresented client must file a pro se appearance before this Entry of Limited Appearance is filed.

Scope of Representation:

☐ Specific court event: [________________________________]

☐ Additional court event authorized by leave of court and the client's written consent: [________________________________]

☐ This appearance is not entered solely to make evidentiary objections.

Scheduled Event Date (if applicable): [__/__/____]

Duration of Limited Appearance:

☐ The specified court event has not yet been completed.

☐ After completion, counsel will file a Notice of Withdrawal of Limited Appearance and give the client written notice under Rule 1.2(d)(3).

Client Acknowledgment:

☐ The client has provided informed written consent to limited scope representation.

☐ A copy of the written agreement defining the scope of limited representation is maintained in counsel's file.

Withdrawal Upon Completion:

Upon completion of the court event, the undersigned will file a Notice of Withdrawal of Limited Appearance as soon as practicable, certify that the purpose of the appearance has been accomplished and written notice was given to the client, and include the client's name, address, and telephone number unless law provides otherwise. A lawyer seeking to withdraw before the limited purpose is accomplished must proceed by motion and notice. A separate Notice of Withdrawal is required for each court event covered by an Entry of Limited Appearance.

9. SPECIAL CALENDAR AND CASE MANAGEMENT DESIGNATIONS

Providence Business Calendar:

☐ This case is assigned to the Providence Business Calendar.

☐ The undersigned acknowledges compliance with Administrative Order 2021-01 (or current applicable order) regarding Business Calendar case procedures.

☐ Additional notice requirements for Business Calendar cases are acknowledged.

Other Special Designations:

☐ Mass Tort case

☐ Asbestos case

☐ Lead Paint case

☐ Complex Litigation

☐ Other: [________________________________]

10. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I, [________________________________], hereby certify that on [__/__/____], a copy of the foregoing Notice of Appearance was served upon the following parties or counsel of record by the method(s) indicated, in compliance with R.I. Super. Ct. R. Civ. P. 5:

11. SIGNATURE BLOCK

Dated: [__/__/____]

Respectfully submitted,

[________________________________]
(Law Firm Name)

By: ______________________________________

[________________________________], Esquire
RI Bar No. [________________________________]
[________________________________] (Street Address)
[________________________________], Rhode Island [__________]
Telephone: [________________________________]
Facsimile: [________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]
Attorney for [________________________________]

12. E-FILING INSTRUCTIONS FOR RHODE ISLAND SUPERIOR COURT

Filing Through Rhode Island Odyssey File & Serve

Step 1: Access the System

• Navigate to the Rhode Island Odyssey File & Serve portal (rhodeisland.tylertech.cloud/ofsweb)
• Log in with your registered credentials
• New users must register through the system

Step 2: Select the Court and Case

• Select "Superior Court" as the court type
• Select the appropriate county (Providence/Bristol, Kent, Washington, or Newport)
• Enter the C.A. number to locate the existing case
• For new cases, select "File Into New Case" and follow the prompts

Step 3: Prepare the Document

• Save this Notice of Appearance as a PDF document
• Ensure all fields are completed and the document is signed
• Documents must comply with filing format requirements (PDF, text-searchable)

Step 4: Upload and Categorize

• Select "Notice of Appearance" or the appropriate filing code
• Upload the PDF document
• Attach any supporting documents (pro hac vice motion, certificate of good standing, etc.)

Step 5: Service

• Parties registered in the case through Odyssey File & Serve will receive automatic e-service
• For parties not registered for e-service, arrange conventional service
• Note the method of service in the Certificate of Service

Step 6: Payment and Submission

• Pay any applicable filing fees electronically
• Review all information before final submission
• Save the filing confirmation receipt

Important Reminders

• Documents are retained in Odyssey File & Serve for 30 days, then purged
• After purge, documents are accessible only through courthouse or remote access
• Maintain your own copies of all filed documents and confirmation receipts
• Grounds for rejection include: missing conventional signature where required, missing required attachments, and improperly formatted documents

13. PRACTITIONER NOTES — RHODE ISLAND

Statutory and Rule Framework

• R.I. Super. Ct. R. Civ. P. 5 governs service and filing of pleadings and other papers after the original complaint.
• R.I. Super. Ct. R. Civ. P. 11 requires every pleading, motion, or other paper to be signed by at least one attorney of record, with the attorney's address and bar number.
• Article VI of the Superior Court Rules of Practice governs the filing of papers with the court.
• Article X of the Superior Court Rules of Practice establishes rules governing electronic filing and electronic access.
• R.I. Sup. Ct. Rules, Art. V, Rule 1.2(d)(2)-(3) governs limited court-event appearances and withdrawal.

Rhode Island Court System

• Rhode Island is the smallest state by area and has a correspondingly compact court system.
• The Superior Court is the court of general jurisdiction for civil matters exceeding $10,000.
• There are only 5 counties, with Providence/Bristol consolidated for Superior Court purposes.
• The Supreme Court is the only appellate court.
• The District Court handles civil matters under $10,000.

Key Practice Points

1. Mandatory E-Filing: Electronic filing through Odyssey File & Serve is mandatory for all attorneys in Superior Court. Self-represented litigants and incarcerated persons are exempt.

2. Providence Business Calendar: Cases assigned to the Providence Business Calendar may have additional notice and scheduling requirements. Review the current Administrative Order governing the Business Calendar (Administrative Order 2021-01 or successor).

3. Withdrawal of Counsel: Withdrawal requires motion practice under the applicable Superior Court rules (Rule 1.10 of the Rules of Practice or comparable provisions). Court approval is generally required. The withdrawing attorney must ensure the client is properly notified and that the withdrawal will not prejudice the client's interests.

4. Small State Considerations: Rhode Island's small bar and compact court system mean that judges and court staff are often familiar with local practitioners. Professionalism and courtesy are particularly important.

5. Document Retention: Odyssey File & Serve retains documents for only 30 days before purging. Maintain your own complete file of all filings and service confirmations.

6. Filing Fees: Verify current filing fees with the Superior Court clerk's office for the applicable county. Fees may change and vary by filing type.

7. Pro Hac Vice: Out-of-state attorneys must associate with a Rhode Island bar member and obtain court approval. The sponsoring attorney bears responsibility for ensuring compliance with Rhode Island rules.

8. Service Methods: Under Rule 5, service may be made by delivery, mailing, or through the electronic filing system. Service by mail is complete upon mailing. E-service through Odyssey constitutes valid service.

Common Errors to Avoid

• Selecting the wrong county (remember Providence and Bristol are consolidated)
• Failing to register for Odyssey File & Serve before attempting to e-file
• Not maintaining copies of filed documents after the 30-day purge period
• Failing to comply with Business Calendar requirements for designated cases
• Attempting to withdraw without filing a motion and obtaining court approval

This template is provided by ezel.ai for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. All filings must be reviewed and approved by a licensed Rhode Island attorney before submission to any court. Verify all statutory citations and local court rules before use, as rules and fees may change.