(a) Admission Requirements; Procedures. Except as otherwise provided in these rules, an attorney who appears on behalf of a party or an amicus curiae in any capacity must be admitted to practice before this court, or have pending an application for admission, and must file a Notice of Appearance in accordance with LR 12.3.

(1) Applying for Admission. To request admission to the bar of this court, an attorney must complete an application composed of:

(A) the attorney admission application;

(B) the attorney admission oath; and

(C) the sponsor's motion for attorney admission.

(2) Renewal of Admission; Failure to Renew; Inactive Status. An attorney is admitted for a period of five years, and must renew admission every five years for an additional five-year period. Renewal requires submission of an attorney admission renewal application. An attorney who fails to renew admission within one month after the expiration of the five-year period is placed in inactive status. An attorney in inactive status must complete the renewal process to practice before the court. After 12 months in inactive status, an attorney is removed from the court's admission roll and must reapply for admission in accordance with (a)(1).

(3) Submission of Admission or Renewal Application. An attorney must submit an admission or renewal application electronically in accordance with the CM/ECF instructions posted on the Court's website.

(A) Registration in CM/ECF. Prior to submitting an admission application, an attorney must register as a Filing User in CM/ECF.

(B) Signature. The provision governing a Filing User's signature under LR 25.1(f) applies to submission of an attorney admission or renewal application.

(C) Certification. Electronic submission of an attorney admission application constitutes certification that the sponsor's motion for attorney admission and certificate of standing attached to the application are true and correct copies and that the applicant is maintaining the originals for production to the court upon request.

(D) Exemption. Upon an attorney's showing of extreme hardship or exceptional circumstances by letter, the clerk may exempt counsel from the electronic filing requirements under this rule.

(b) Change in Contact Information. An attorney admitted to practice in this court must promptly notify the clerk of a change in any of the contact information required on the attorney admission data form.

(c) Fee. An attorney applying for admission or renewal of admission must pay to the clerk electronically in accordance with the instructions posted on the Court's website the fee set by the court and posted on the court's website.

(d) Pro Hac Vice Admission. An attorney may be admitted pro hac vice to appear in a particular proceeding without formally applying for admission or paying the admission fee. Pro hac vice admission will be considered on submission of a written motion to the court before filing a notice of appearance. To qualify, the attorney must be a member in good standing of a state or the District of Columbia bar and must be one of the following:

(1) a member of the bar of a district court within the circuit who has represented a criminal defendant at trial and appears for that defendant on an appeal taken under 18 U.S.C. § 3006A;

(2) acting for a party proceeding in forma pauperis; or

(3) able to demonstrate exceptional circumstances justifying admission for the particular proceeding.

(e) Appearance and Argument by Eligible Law Students.

(1) Law Student Appearance. The court on motion may, with sufficient consent of the party or (for a government entity) counsel of record, permit an eligible law student to appear in this court under the supervision of an attorney.

(2) Supervising Attorney. The supervising attorney must be a member of the bar of this court and, with respect to the law student's proposed appearance before this court, must:

(A) file with this court the attorney's written consent to supervise the student;

(B) assume professional responsibility for the student's work;

(C) assist the student to the extent necessary; and

(D) introduce and appear with the student in all proceedings before this court and be prepared to supplement any written or oral statement made by the student to this court or opposing counsel.

(3) Law Student Eligibility. A law student is eligible to appear if:

(A) the student is enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school and has completed at least four semesters of legal studies, or has graduated and is awaiting the results of the first bar examination or bar admission process of any state;

(B) the law school certifies that the student is qualified to provide the legal representation permitted by this rule;

(C) the client does not pay any compensation or remuneration for the student's services; and

(D) the student certifies in writing that the student is familiar and will comply with the ABA's Model Rules of Professional Conduct, FRAP, the rules of this court, and any other federal rules relevant to the appeal in which the student is appearing.

Last modified at 1/4/2012