Local Rule L.B.R. 2090-1: Attorneys - Admission to Practice

L.B.R. 2090-1 Attorneys - Admission to Practice.

(a) Eligibility for Admission. Any attorney licensed to practice law by the Supreme Court of Texas, or by the highest court of any state or the District of Columbia, may be admitted to the bar of this court if the attorney is of good personal and professional character and is a member in good standing of the bar where the attorney is licensed.

(b) Procedure for Admission. Attorneys desiring admission to the bar of this court must complete an application for admission, to be approved by a district judge, and except as provided in subsection (c) of this rule, be introduced by a member in good standing of the bar of this court, and take the required oath or affirmation before a judge of this court. After the oath or affirmation is administered, and the applicant has paid the appropriate fee, the District Clerk shall issue a certificate stating that the attorney is admitted to practice before this court.

(c) Admission Before Judges of Other Districts. Any nonresident attorney who has completed all requirements for admission to the bar of this court may, with the approval of a district judge of the division where the application is pending, have the oath of admission administered by a judge in another district. The nonresident attorney must file the oath with the District Clerk and pay the appropriate fee before the attorney's name will be added to the roll of attorneys for this district.

(d) Admission is Discretionary. All admissions to practice before this court shall be discretionary with the judge reviewing the application for admission.

(e) Conduct of Attorneys at Trial or Hearing. Unless the Presiding Judge otherwise directs, during a trial or hearing, attorneys must:

(1) stand when making objections or otherwise addressing the Presiding Judge;

(2) use the lectern while examining or cross-examining witnesses;

(3) when examining a witness, refrain from making statements, comments, or remarks before or after asking a question;

(4) limit to one attorney for each party the examination or cross-examination of a witness; and

(5) in making an objection, state plainly and briefly the grounds for objecting and not offer argument unless requested by the Presiding Judge.

(f) Exemption from Admission to Practice, and from Requirement of Local Counsel, for Attorneys Appearing on Behalf of the United States Justice Department or any state Attorney General's Office. Unless the Presiding Judge otherwise directs, an attorney appearing on behalf of the United States Justice Department or the Attorney General's Office of any state, and who is eligible pursuant to Local Bankruptcy Rule 2090-1(a) to appear in this court, shall be exempt from the requirements of Local Bankruptcy Rule 2090-1(b), 2090-4 and 2091-1, but shall otherwise be subject to all requirements applicable to attorneys who have been granted leave to appear pro hac vice.