Local Rule B-9010-1: Attorneys

B-9010-1 Attorneys

(a) The bar of this court shall consist of those persons admitted to practice by the District Court for the Northern District of Indiana.

(b) The chair of any committee established pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 705 or § 1102 may appear and speak for the committee at any non-evidentiary hearing in a contested matter. Such a committee must be represented by an attorney at any evidentiary hearing and in all adversary proceedings.

(c) A person not a member of the bar of this court shall not be permitted to practice in this court or before any officer thereof as an attorney, unless (1) such person appears on his or her own behalf as a party, or (2) such person is admitted to practice in any other United States Court or the highest court of any state and is, on application to this court, granted leave to appear in a specific action pro hac vice and tenders the required fee by a check payable to the "Clerk, United States District Court" in the amount required by the Miscellaneous Fee Schedule for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana or (3) such person appears as attorney for the United States.

(d) The provisions of N.D. Ind. L.R. 83-5(a)(3), (d), and (e) are applicable to all matters pending in the bankruptcy court.

(e) In all matters and proceedings before this court, only natural persons may appear and represent themselves. All other entities shall be represented by an attorney. For the purposes of filing a proof of claim, participating in a meeting conducted pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 341 or a reaffirmation agreement, a creditor need not be represented by or appear through an attorney.

(f) Paraprofessionals may not appear at a § 341 meeting on behalf of a debtor but may appear and question a debtor on behalf of a creditor.

(g) Persons appearing pro hac vice pursuant to subsection (c) of this rule shall certify that they have read the Standards for Professional Conduct within the Seventh Federal Judicial Circuit and the local rules of this court and shall abide by them in all cases in this court. This certification shall accompany the motion to appear pro hac vice on the form available from the clerk of court. The failure to make the required certification may result in the motion being denied.

Commentary (1994)

This rule is primarily derived from L.D.R. 83.5 and is based upon the recognition that, by statute, the bankruptcy court is "a unit of the district court" not an entirely separate court.

Paragraph (b) is based upon current Rule B-101(h) and is intended to more clearly express the intent of that rule.

Paragraph (h), [now paragraph (f)], is derived from current Local Rule B-101(g), but adds reaffirmation agreements to the exception for the necessity of counsel.

Paragraph (i), [now deleted], was added at the request of the bar in order to clarify the role of paralegals.

HISTORICAL AND REGULATORY NOTES This rule was revised on March 31, 2025, to remain consistent with language concerning fee requirements to the district court.

This rule was amended for technical numbering revisions pursuant to Order Amending Local Bankruptcy Rules dated May 21, 2012.

By Order Amending Local Bankruptcy Rules dated August 3, 2011, this rule was amended, effective immediately, to make a technical correction to the rule.

By Order Amending Local Bankruptcy Rules dated August 29, 2008, this rule was revised to add a provision relating to the procedure for obtaining pro hac vice admission to practice.

By Order Amending Local Rules dated April 30, 2001, this rule was revised to add language concerning the required fee to district court, effective June 4, 2001.