Local Rule 11-1: The Bar of this Court

11-1. The Bar of this Court

(a) Members of the Bar. Except as provided in Civil L.R. 11-2, 11-3, and 11-9, and Fed. R. Civ. P. 45(f), an attorney must be a member of the bar of this Court to practice in this Court and in the Bankruptcy Court of this District.

(b) Eligibility for Membership. To be eligible for admission to and continuing membership in the bar of this Court, an attorney must be an active member in good standing of the State Bar of California. For any attorney admitted to the bar of this court before September 1, 1995 based on membership in the bar of a jurisdiction other than California, continuing membership in the bar of that jurisdiction is an acceptable alternative basis for eligibility.

(c) Procedure for Admission. Each applicant for admission must present to the Clerk a sworn petition for admission in the form prescribed by the Court. Prior to admission to the bar of this Court, an attorney must certify: (1) Knowledge of the contents of the Federal Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedure and Evidence, the Rules of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the Local Rules of this Court; (2) Familiarity with the Alternative Dispute Resolution Programs of this Court; (3) Understanding and commitment to abide by the Standards of Professional Conduct of this Court set forth in Civil L.R. 11-4; and (4) Familiarity with the Guidelines for Professional Conduct in the Northern District of California.

(d) Admission Fees. Each attorney admitted to practice before this Court under this Local Rule must pay to the Clerk the fee fixed by the Judicial Conference of the United States, together with an assessment in an amount to be set by the Court. The assessment will be placed in the Court Non-Appropriated Fund for library, educational, and other appropriate uses.

(e) Admission. The Clerk or a Judge may admit an applicant to the bar of the Court after the applicant signs the prescribed oath and pays the prescribed fees, and after the Clerk verifies the applicant's qualifications.

(f) Certificate of Good Standing. A member of the bar of this Court who is in good standing may obtain a Certificate of Good Standing by presenting a written request to the Clerk and paying the prescribed fee.

(g) Reciprocal Administrative Change in Attorney Status. Upon notice from the State Bar of California (or the bar of another jurisdiction that is the basis for membership in the bar of this Court) that an attorney is deceased, has been placed on "voluntary inactive" status, or has resigned for reasons not relating to discipline, the Clerk will note "deceased," "resigned," or "voluntary inactive," as appropriate, on the attorney's admission record. An attorney on "voluntary inactive" status will remain inactive on the roll of this Court until such time as the State Bar or the attorney has notified the Court that the attorney has been restored to "active" status. An attorney who has resigned and wishes to be readmitted must petition the Court for admission in accordance with subparagraphs (c) and (d) of this Rule.

(1) The following procedure will apply to actions taken in response to information provided by the State Bar of California (or by another jurisdiction that is the basis for membership in the bar of this Court) of a suspension for (a) a period of less than 30 days for any reason or (b) a change in an attorney's status that is temporary in nature and may be reversed solely by the attorney's execution of one or more administrative actions. Upon receipt of notification from the State Bar that an attorney has been suspended for any of the following, the Clerk will note the suspension on the attorney's admission record: (A) Noncompliance with Rule 9.22 child and family support; (B) Failure to pass PRE; (C) Failure to pay bar dues; (D) Failure to submit documentation of compliance with continuing education requirements.

While suspended, an attorney is not eligible to practice in this Court or in the Bankruptcy Court of this District. In the event that an attorney files papers or otherwise practices law in this Court or in the Bankruptcy Court while an administrative notation of suspension is pending on the attorney's admission record, the Clerk will verify the attorney's disciplinary status with the State Bar (or other jurisdiction, if applicable). If the attorney is not then active and in good standing, the Chief District Judge will issue to the attorney an order to show cause in accordance with Civil L.R. 11-7(b)(1).

Upon receipt by the Court of notification from the State Bar that the attorney's active status has been restored, the reinstatement will be noted on the attorney's admission record.

(2) In response to information provided by the State Bar of California (or other jurisdiction that is the basis for membership in the bar of this Court) that an attorney has been placed on disciplinary probation but is still allowed to practice, the Clerk will note the status change on the attorney's admission record. An attorney with that status must, in addition to providing the notice to the Clerk required by Civil L.R. 11-7(a), report to the Clerk all significant developments related to the probationary status. Upon receipt by the Court of notification from the State Bar that the attorney's good standing has been restored, the change will be noted on the attorney's admission record.