Local Rule 83.5.1: ADMISSION TO THE DISTRICT BAR
D. Mass. — Attorney rule
RULE 83.5.1 ADMISSION TO THE DISTRICT BAR
(a) Eligibility for Admission. An attorney is eligible for admission to the bar of this district if the attorney:
(1) is a member of the bar in good standing in Massachusetts;
(2) is a member of the bar in good standing in every jurisdiction in which the attorney has been admitted to practice; and
(3) is not the subject of disciplinary proceedings pending in any jurisdiction in which the attorney is a member of the bar.
(b) Procedure for Admission.
(1) Application. All applicants for admission to the bar of this district must:
(A) complete, verify, and file an application for admission on an official form provided by the clerk;
(B) provide a Certificate of Good Standing from the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts; and
(C) read and agree to comply with the Local Rules of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
If the applicant has previously had a pro hac vice admission to this court (or other admission for a limited purpose under L.R. 83.5.3) revoked for misconduct, the applicant must notify the court of that fact, and describe the circumstances in detail.
(2) Review by Clerk. The clerk shall examine the application and Certificate of Good Standing to determine whether the application is in order. If the application is in order, the clerk shall place the name of the applicant on the list for the first available admission ceremony. If the clerk questions whether the documents satisfy the requirements, the clerk shall transmit the documents to the United States Attorney for review.
(3) Review by United States Attorney. The United States Attorney shall make a recommendation on the application within 21 days after transmittal of the application. If the United States Attorney recommends that the application should be granted, he or she shall return the application to the clerk with such recommendation in writing. The clerk shall place the name of the applicant on the list for the first available admission ceremony. If the United States Attorney recommends that the application should not be granted, he or she shall return the application to the clerk with written objection. The clerk may deny the application without prejudice and send a notice of the denial to the applicant together with a copy of the objection from the United States Attorney.
(4) Motion to Approve after Denial. Any applicant denied admission may file a motion seeking to approve the application. The motion shall be served on the United States Attorney and presented to the Miscellaneous Business Docket (MBD) judge. The United States Attorney shall file any objection within 14 days of service. If the court approves the application, the clerk shall place the name of the applicant on the list for the first available admission ceremony.
(5) Oath or Affirmation. Approved applicants must make the following oath or affirmation before a district judge or magistrate judge:
I solemnly swear (or affirm) that I shall conduct myself as a member of the bar of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts fairly and ethically and in accordance with the Constitution of the United States, the law of this district, and the local rules of this court.
(6) Registration and Fee. Approved applicants must also sign the register of attorneys and pay the approved attorney admission fee to the clerk.
Effective September 1, 1990; amended effective December 1, 2009, January 1, 2015.